Porvoon Butchers outlast Kuopio Steelers in double overtime to claim Maple League regular-season title

The Porvoon Butchers (7-2) outlasted the Kuopio Steelers (7-3) 30-24 in a double-overtime battle Friday night at Porvoo Central Field, clinching the Maple League regular-season title and home-field advantage in the semifinals.

Butchers grab the early edge

With both teams fighting for first place, neither offense found much room early before Amjad Al-rubaye hauled in the game’s opening touchdown for the Butchers.

Isaak Marshall answered for Kuopio, but Christian Powell powered his way into the end zone on a short run to send Porvoon into halftime leading 14-7.

The Steelers flipped the game after the break. Their defense shut down the Butchers for most of the second half while Iiro Pekkarinen kicked a field goal and Joshua Mack ran for a touchdown to put Kuopio ahead 17-14.

With time running out, Lassi Minkkinen delivered for Porvoon, drilling the tying field goal with 17 seconds remaining and sending the game to overtime.

Overtime turns into a battle

Both offenses found the end zone in the first overtime. Slade Jarman scored for the Steelers, while Keith Coffee answered for the Butchers, leaving the teams deadlocked at 24-24.

The second overtime finally separated them.

Quarterback Donovan Isom fired to Mikko Seppänen in the end zone to push Porvoon ahead 30-24. The Butchers failed on the ensuing conversion, giving Kuopio a chance to answer.

The Steelers drove to within five yards of the goal line, but the Porvoon defense, led by Timi Nuikka, slammed the door and ended the game.

Porvoon locks up first place

Powell delivered tough yards when the Butchers needed them, while Isom completed 10 of 28 passes on a difficult night through the air.

More importantly, Porvoon survived a tense finish and secured its second straight Maple League regular-season title along with a home semifinal.

The Steelers, meanwhile, finish their regular season at 7-3 and now head into a bye before the playoffs.