Hurricanes ready to storm the AFL

It’s go-time for the Holland College Hurricanes football team as the Atlantic Football League season opens for the Island squad today on the road versus the UNBSJ Seawolves.

Kickoff is 1 p.m. in Saint John, N.B., and Hurricanes offensive line coach Angel Brionez has only one thing on his mind this season.

“Chasing that ring, no matter the cost,” said Brionez, who’s coached high school and college football in the United States. “We want to put the league on notice.”

Both squads lost in the semifinals last season, UNBSJ to the eventual champion UNB Fredericton. For the Hurricanes, it’s hard to find more experienced players then defensive lineman Alex Rose and defensive back Mitch Logan. Both enter their fourth year with the team.

“I’m more of quiet leader and like to show them on the field and lead by example,” Logan said.

For some rookies, playing their first college football game today, the challenge will be keeping calm and Rose said the more experienced players will be there to support them.

“It starts at the walkthrough. Keeping them focused for the game,” he said.

Hurricanes quarterback Brady Crowe has confidence when game time comes.

“We should win this, if we stick to our game plan and execute. Good things are going to happen,” said the Belleville, Ont., native.

‘Canes head coach Ross Young appreciates the sentiment from his second-year quarterback, but he isn’t counting a win just yet.

“The Seawolves have a new coaching staff and had a great recruiting class. We are going to see some parity in the league this year. We are in for a hard-nosed, well-executed game from the Sea Wolves,” Young said.

Saturday’s other game has the Dalhousie Tigers hosting the UNB in a re-match of last year’s final.

The Hurricanes home-opener goes Saturday, Sept. 22, against UNBSJ. Game time is 1 p.m. at MacAdam Field in Charlottetown. The P.E.I. Mudmen rugby club is going to the Rugby Nova Scotia division two final after the Windsor Hants County Machine forfeited its semifinal matchup with P.E.I. Windsor Hants County had been struggling with injuries and mustering enough players so chose against making the trip to the Island. The game was set for Saturday at Co-op Field.

It means the Mudmen will meet the winner of the upcoming ValleyHalifax Tars semifinal for the second division crown. The championship game goes Saturday, Sept. 29.