Vikings aim to tame Musketeers in crucial road test

This week, the European League of Football serves up one of the biggest clashes of the season. The Vienna Vikings, fresh off a dominating win over the Prague Lions, travel to Paris to face the red-hot Musketeers. Both teams are top playoff contenders, and Vikings head coach Chris Calaycay knows exactly what’s at stake.

Confidence after a statement win

The Vikings come into this game on a high. Last week, they shut out the Prague Lions 34-0. For Calaycay, the key was balance on both sides of the ball. “We played a really complete game,” he said. “Offensively, we controlled the ball very well. We only had two drives in the second half, and both were touchdowns, both over 10-play drives. That’s a credit to our offensive line, our run game, and Ben being very efficient with the ball.”

The Vikings’ defense was equally strong, completely shutting down a team that had won its last four games. “The defense played lights out. They were very motivated for this game. It was a playoff-type atmosphere for us,” Calaycay added.

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The challenge of Jaylon Henderson

But the Musketeers present a different challenge, especially with quarterback Jaylon Henderson playing some of his best football of the season. Calaycay respects Henderson’s skills, particularly how Paris uses him as both a passer and a runner. “They’re the top rushing team in the league, and they use him like a running back. They gain an extra blocker with that scheme,” Calaycay explained. “We have to be able to control the run game and get him into passing situations.”

Stopping Henderson won’t be easy. Calaycay knows tackling will be crucial. “He’s a big, strong guy. We have to tackle well to control him. If they want to run the quarterback, which not a lot of teams do in the ELF, we have to get physical.”

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Paris brings top defense too

It’s not just Henderson and the Musketeers’ offense that concerns Vienna. Paris also has one of the best defenses in the league and made some recent roster moves to strengthen their defensive line even further. “They made some changes with the addition of DeMarco Artis and Leota. They’re very athletic in the back end. They want to win one-on-one matchups,” Calaycay said. “We have to execute and make plays on game day.”

The Vikings believe in their own weapons, though. Calaycay praised the depth of his team, highlighting the return of key players like Thomas Schaffer and running back Karri Pajarinen, plus the solid performances from receivers like Florian Bierbaumer and Yannick Mayr. “It’s nice to have all those weapons and outlets that Ben can go to,” he said.

Road game adds extra challenge

Playing in Paris adds another layer of difficulty. The Vikings will be on the road, dealing with travel and unfamiliar surroundings. Calaycay believes handling the trip well could be a key factor. “You have to handle the stress of traveling to Paris and going against a very good team,” he said. “It’s a business trip. We have everything scheduled so the guys know what’s coming up. That’s part of doing a good job on the road.”

Still, Calaycay remains focused on the task at hand. “We need to take care of Paris. We know they’re a very good team. We’re on the road, and if we do that, we take a big step in the right direction for playoff seeding.”

A playoff atmosphere

Both teams have playoff ambitions, and this game could be crucial for positioning. The Vikings are aiming not just to win their division but also to secure a first-round bye in the playoffs. For Calaycay, every game is now a must-win. “We really have to focus on ourselves. It’s 1-0 this week. If we take care of Paris, that’s a big step.”

Fans can expect an intense battle between two of the ELF’s best teams. The Vikings have proven they can rise to big occasions, but the Musketeers, led by Jaylon Henderson, won’t make it easy.

The stage is set for one of the season’s most thrilling matchups.

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