By Marcel Vander Wier
The Guardian
Summer will come to its symbolic end today when the boys of fall take to the gridiron.
The Holland College Hurricanes football team kicks off its second Atlantic Football League season at UPEI’s MacAdam Field.
At 3 p.m., the club will do battle with the UNB Saint John SeaWolves, who went undefeated en route to a league championship win last season. The newly-introduced Chowder Cup will also be on the line.
The Hurricanes finished with a 2-5 record in their inaugural season. This year’s roster will feature many new faces, including new head coach Mark MacDougall.
While he refused to set goals for the season, MacDougall said that each week, the club will focus on getting better.
“People expect us to be better than we were,” said MacDougall, who coached at the high school level for the last 15 years.
“That’s only natural as programs mature. For example, we have more depth in practice and that will serve us well.”
“I’m not trying to reinvent things too much,” he told The Guardian. “We’re still setting the culture of the team and making sure that everyone’s on the same page.”
MacDougall said fans can expect big things out of safety Demetrius Ferguson, whom he called “an exceptional talent.”
Defensive MVP Marcus Dunphy, quarterback Nick Hunsley, and centre Owen MacWilliams are expected to take on leadership roles.
MacDougall is excited about his offensive and defensive lines, which he said have been bolstered with bigger players.
This year, the AFL will feature one less team.
The Moncton Jr. Mustangs pulled out of the league last week, citing lack of player interest. The loss of the Mustangs leaves four clubs vying for the AFL championship.
“It’s unfortunate it happened to such a good football city,” MacDougall said.
The Hurricanes joined the league last fall, giving P.E.I. its first college football team in more than 30 years.
