We are a week and 2 days away from the restart of the Super Series after having had 6 weeks of summer break where players had time to visit family, see loved ones graduate from high school, travel, work on their tans (which we've all needed living here), and do countless more activities. With the extra time I have had the chance to write some non action things, one uploaded previously about importing, as well as this blog that will be devoted to the statistical dominance that the Carlstad Crusaders have displayed, as well as a few others to come shortly. Also, I had the chance to lay together a bit of a personal highlight film for those of you who have been seeking such media. I love all my friends and family back in California and we're looking forward to seeing you soon. Another treat is that QB Eli Cranor has taken the time to do the same. What you won't see, unfortunately, is the end of our come from behind EFL victory at Kiel in which we scored 2 touchdowns in the final minutes and overtime to defeat the defending German Champions, because of an unknown error on the part of the home team in that contest.Follow these links to the online highlights:
A wonderful website that I have heard about all season, but have only discovered just recently spends frivilous amounts of time covering all that is Swedish Football. These guys have done a nice job of reporting the action including commentary from week to week from coaches about the games played. With the intermission they have taken the time and energy to display a comprehensive review of the statistics, both team and individual for the Super Series in the first half and some seriously surprising stats came out. Follow the link at the bottom of this blog to have the full review, but have your web browser's translate button ready, unless of course du tolar svenska.
Congratulations to the top rusher and passer for the first half of the season, that's Eli. After 5 games he has accumulated 547 yards rushing, about 80 yards more than the next best rusher and is leading the league in completion percentage (65%) TD:INT ratio (15:3) and QB rating (178). Huge numbers in his first few professional games have led the Crusaders to the #1 ranking and an unbeaten first half. Much more surprising than these dominating stats is that fact that in Eli's first season as a punter he is leading the league with a 41.8 yard average.
RB Christian Forsman, known locally as Fors and by myself as The Force is the 4th best rusher of the first half. On 6.1 yards per carry, bested only by Eli (9.3) and Hampus Heller TRC (6.8), he has ammassed 374 and an incredible 9 touchdown runs which is almost double that of any other rusher.
The Crusaders boast 4 of the top 13 receivers of the Super Series as well. Leading the way is 2010's Super Series WR of the year Fredrik Eklund. Known more properlly as Fred Ex, he has delivered stellar performances in every match continually creating separation and/or outrunnin
g opponents on his way to the endzone. His 7 receiving TD's and 451 yards receiving in just 4 games (one less than the the other players, due to the Foo Fighters being in Gothenburg) both are tops in the receiving category. Christian Monclair, CF, is ranked 11th in receiving with 167 yards, Fredrik Isaksson, Fred Ice, is 12th with 162 yards, and first year player Robin Juhlin rolls in at 13th with 117 yards receiving at just 17 years of age and only 2 games played this year.
Defensively the Crusaders do not have any standouts in the tackles category with only 3 players in the top 25 and it's leading tackler, CB Olof Eriksson at 18th with 17 tackles. DT Olof Flemstrom is 3rd in tackles for loss with 5.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Kicker Victor Jansson ranks second in points with 19 after having kicked 19/24 PAT's successfully.
The Crusaders as a team have a similar stronghold on the stats when compared to the other clubs in the Super Series. They can be viewed by heading to thecatch.se and see for yourself the disparity of the first half for the Red and Black.
