Spartans enter Ed Hilton Bowl as underdogs

SUMMERSIDE – The defending Papa John’s P.E.I. Bantam Tackle Football League champions are in unfamiliar territory.
The Summerside Waterwise Spartans enter Saturday’s Ed Hilton Bowl in Summerside as the underdogs against the Cornwall Timberwolves. The opening kickoff at Eric Johnston Field is noon.
The first-place Timberwolves are 6-1 (won-lost) overall, and the Spartans are 5-2. Both Summerside losses came at the hands of the Timberwolves in regular-season play – 32-12 and 22-14 – and Cornwall will be looking to make it three wins in a row in the biggest game of the year.  
Summerside has turned the ball over at an alarming rate against Cornwall, and will need to correct this if they want to raise the trophy.
Both teams are dealing with injuries, so other players on both sides will have to pick up the workload in all phases of the game.
 
Offence
Quarterback Ethan Haakman has learned the offensive system over the last two games, and gives the Spartans another dimension at quarterback with his mobility.
“Ethan can be a game-changer on offence against Cornwall,” said Spartans head coach Logan Plant. “Our ability to run the ball and throw has improved with Ethan.”
The Spartans will look to running backs Parker Fisher and Kieran Arsenault to carry the load on the ground against a very tough and big Cornwall defensive line.
“Playing through our run game will be a key factor in this game for us,” said Plant. “We need to run the ball.”
Receivers Arman Singh and Zachary Blood will need to catch their targets to help Summerside’s offence move the chains. The offensive line will be key to the Spartans’ running attack as veterans Jayden Ryder Clements, Paul Wamboldt and Logan Rogers will need to have their best game of the season to open holes for Fisher and Arsenault.
 
Defence
Veteran middle linebacker Breton Brown, who leads the team in tackles, leads the Spartans on defence.
“Breton Brown has started his season looking strong, and his play has helped shut down most offences in our league,” said Plant. “Brown has only gotten better, and has been showing his abilities every play of this season.”
Veteran Shawn Aitken, defensive linemen Aiden Little, corner Kieran Arsenault and safety Luke Quinlan will also be looked to for big games as Summerside looks to limit the powerful Timberwolves’ offence. 
“Saturday's game will be a tough one without a doubt,” acknowledged Plant. “Cornwall is a very good football team, and we will have to play a very smart game from start to finish.
“I feel confident going into our game Saturday. We look like we are at the top of our game, and we can hold our own.”
 
Special teams
With both teams expecting a very close game, it may come down to special teams and controlling field position. Thus, making those very important converts, which are worth two points in bantam football, will be crucial.
Haakman, who also handles Summerside’s kicking duties, and the field-goal unit will need to execute these critical kicks.