The Porvoo Butchers (10-0) and Helsinki Roosters (6-4) meet at Porvoo Central Field in a semifinal showdown defined by contrasting trajectories: Porvoo’s flawless season collides with Helsinki’s bid to reignite their championship pedigree. The winner advances to Maple Bowl XLVI, where the Seinäjoki Crocodiles await, but the Butchers’ historic campaign faces its toughest test yet against a Roosters squad hungry to salvage a turbulent year.
Porvoo’s offensive juggernaut faces defensive uncertainty
Quarterback Christian Arrambide, the Maple League’s standout passer, orchestrates the Butchers’ high-powered attack, which leans on a trio of American imports and running back Christian Powell’s red-zone dominance. Though Porvoo averages a league-best 34.2 points per game, their narrow 28-26 regular-season escape against the Roosters exposed vulnerabilities. Defensive lineman Jesse Vuoksenturja’s ambiguous status amplifies concerns—his potential absence would weaken a unit already tested by Helsinki’s physicality. Head coach Marko Laaksonen has emphasized tightening execution, but the Butchers’ playoff inexperience looms as a wildcard.
Roosters’ ground game revival key to upset hopes
The Helsinki Roosters, once a Maple League dynasty, have sputtered late in 2025, losing two straight amid stagnant offensive production. Running back Lassi Pajarinen’s midseason injury forced the team to pivot to American import Justin Prostinak, whose 3.8 yards per carry highlight struggles to fill the void. Quarterback Ambro Urjansson, inconsistent this year, must rediscover his championship form to challenge Porvoo’s secondary. Defensively, the Roosters counter with a ferocious front four—Okko Outinen, Malek Jaradat, Christer Berg, and Joni Kotro—who combined for 22 sacks this season. Their ability to pressure Arrambide and contain Powell could tilt momentum.
Legacy versus perfection in trench warfare
The Roosters’ postseason experience, including four Maple Bowl titles since 2018, contrasts with the Butchers’ quest for their first championship since 2017. Helsinki’s aggressive defensive line, paired with linebackers Alex Herriot and Taavi Aronpää, aims to disrupt Porvoo’s rhythm, while Arrambide’s connection with receivers like Ville Aaltonen tests Helsinki’s secondary. For the Roosters, success hinges on Prostinak jumpstarting a ground game that averaged just 89 yards during their skid.
With Porvoo’s historic run on the line and Helsinki fighting to reclaim relevance, this semifinal pivots on red-zone efficiency and defensive adjustments. The Butchers’ home-field edge and offensive firepower make them favorites, but the Roosters’ pedigree and trench dominance ensure nothing is guaranteed in a rivalry where margins are razor-thin.