SUMMERSIDE – The “Battle of the Unbeatens” will kick off a big weekend of football at Eric Johnston Field on Friday.
The Summerside Waterwise Spartans will host the Charlottetown Privateers in an important P.E.I. Bantam Tackle Football League game featuring two undefeated teams, sporting identical records of 2-0 (won-lost), clashing to decide sole possession of first place. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
Summerside will look to league leading rusher Kieran Arsenault to set the tone offensively while Aiden Little anchors the Spartans’ stingy defence.
Spartans head coach Brian Goguen is expecting a very close and entertaining game between the two teams, and hopes the Spartans can execute the game plan and come away with an important win against the Privateers.
Clippers
Although the Summerside Cooke Insurance Varsity Clippers (2-0) are also undefeated in the P.E.I. Varsity Tackle Football League, they are expecting a tough game against the much-improved Charlottetown Privateers. This contest, which will also be played at Eric Johnston Field, will follow the bantam game at 8 p.m.
After a year’s leave of absence, the Privateers have revitalized their program with a full roster of players, and have a number of game-breakers on offence that the Clippers’ defence will have to shut down.
Summerside hopes to get a balanced attack on offence as last week against Cornwall they had a nine-to-one ratio of runs to passes.
“We have been working hard in practice on our pass blocking, route running and getting the ball out quickly with our quarterback as we become a more balanced offence as the season progresses,” added Summerside offensive co-ordinator Mike Miller. “We really like our running game as well, but balance is the key to keeping opposing defences honest.
“We have the weapons, so it really comes down to execution and every player knowing what their role is on each and every play.”
Atom Spartans
The third football game in less than 24 hours at Eric Johnston Field will feature the Summerside Cox and Palmer Spartans’ atom team’s home opener on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. The Charlottetown Privateers will also provide the opposition.
The Spartans are looking for their first win of the season after losing Game 1 to the Cornwall Timberwolves 24-12 last week.
This season the format in the atom league is different as each team gets 15 plays on offence and 15 play on defence in each half. Teams start the possession on the 35-yard line, and need 10 yards to get a first down.
If they do, the drive continues, or they go back to the thirty five and begin again. There is no special teams in this format.
