P.E.I. Tackle Football League kicks off playoffs this weekend
The P.E.I. Tackle Football League semifinals go this weekend as teams look to earn a berth in the Hilton and Potato bowls.
In the bantam league, the Summerside Spartans (6-0) will host the team they beat in last year’s final, the Amherst Wolfpack (4-2).
This is the Wolfpack’s second year in the league.
Kick off at Eric Johnston Turf Field in Summerside is set for 6 p.m. on Saturday.
The Cornwall Timberwolves and Kings County Steelers, both 4-2 during the regular season, meet Sunday at 1 p.m. at Rollo Bay Field in the other semifinal.
The teams split games this season, setting the stage for a close semifinal game.
The Timberwolves bounced back from last year with a strong regular season with some new coaching staff and have shown a good work ethic each game.
The Kings County team has come on very strong during the last several weeks.
The finals will take place Nov. 8 at the Terry Fox Sports Complex in Cornwall. Varsity The Souris Wildcats start their defence of the Potato Bowl in Summerside Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Eric Johnson Turf Field against the Summerside Cooke Clippers, who defeated the Wildcats in their only game this season.
After a couple of loses in midseason it appears the Wildcats are hitting their stride as they have rolled off three wins in a row to close out the season 4-2.
Summerside has met Souris in the last two Potato Bowls, so there is a strong playoff history between these teams.
The second semifinal will be played Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Birchwood Field in Charlottetown, between the first-place Charlottetown Privateers and the Cornwall Timberwolves.
The Privateers’ high-powered offence has been on display for most of the season.
The Timberwolves’ hard-hitting defence will provide a good opposition for the Privateers.
The Timberwolves’ special teams could be a real difference maker for them this weekend. Regular season finales The league closed its regular season Sunday in Rollo Bay as the Kings County Steelers defeated the Charlottetown Privateers 56-12 in the bantam division and the Souris Wildcats shutout the Charlottetown Privateers 22-0 in the varsity category.
In bantam action, Noah Manning scored six touchdowns for Kings County, including runs of 30, 45 and 85 yards while Riley Roach had a 42-yard scamper and Jason Giersdorf recovered a Privateer fumble for the other score.
Steelers kicker Ben MacIsaac went 4-for-8 on extra-point attempts.
Sam Valois had the Privateers scores on a return off the opening kickoff then a 50-yard TD run late in the game.
In varsity, Souris scored three TDs in the second quarter led by Jessie Campbell's scoring runs of 13 and 11 yards and quarterback Thomas MacKenzie's nine-yard touchdown run.