SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — Action begins tonight in the Papa John’s Football P.E.I. Tackle Football League.
“Our busy off-season of coach training, provincial tackle program, participation at the Atlantic Bowl, will be on display in the fall,” said Football P.E.I. president Shaun Matheson. “Kids, parents and fans are in for some great fun.”
The Summerside Cooke Insurance Clippers begin their title defence tonight at 8 p.m. when they host the Souris Wildcats. Coach John Turner’s squad has won five straight Potato Bowls while the Wildcats are looking to move back to the top of the standings with a veteran team returning and some new coaches.
“We are expecting a real battle on Friday night against a rejuvenated Souris football program,” said Turner. “This will be a good football game and an early-season test for our team to see what kind of a team we will have this season.”
The Cornwall Timberwolves, last year’s finalists, will be back with a strong squad of players while the Charlottetown Privateers have been emerging during the last couple of seasons and hope strength in numbers will be their ally.
In bantam football, the defending champion Summerside Spartans will look to repeat and build on their legacy, which includes winning five of the past six Ed Hilton Bowls. A fast, athletic program has allowed the team to develop into a real powerhouse and fend off programs out of Cornwall and Charlottetown, which both will be back looking to knock the Spartans off the top.
Cornwall, Charlottetown and the Kings County Steelers will have some kids with Atlantic Bowl experience, which should provide their teams with a nice building block.
The atom program will continue to be a developmental league with the goal to have teams in Summerside, Charlottetown, Cornwall and Kings County/Souris area. These programs will be to serve as introducing tackle football for the youth in the communities, cities and surrounding areas.
Schedule
A look at this weekend’s schedule in the Papa John’s Football P.E.I. Tackle Football League.
Tonight
Varsity
Souris at Summerside, 8 p.m.
Sunday
Atom
Cornwall at Charlottetown, 11 a.m.
Bantam
Cornwall at Charlottetown, 1 p.m.
Varsity
Cornwall at Charlottetown, 3 p.m.
