Lightning tries to strike twice in CFL youth league
The Eastern Lightning tries to win a second straight title when the 2014 season of the Commonwealth Football League Association opens its youth season next month. (Contributed Photo)
The Commonwealth Football League Association is set to open the 2014 Youth League next month with the champion team earning the right of representing the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in a match against Guam.
CFLA board chair John Blanco said they are looking to start the season on Oct. 25, with the three competing teams all eager to put on another impressive performance on the field.
“They already started their training and all of them are getting ready. The age limit is until 15 years old,” said Blanco.
The Dave Ada-mentored Eastern Lightning are hoping to duplicate their undefeated title run this year against the Joe Ocampo-coached Southern Thunder and the Northern Saints of bench tactician Jermaine Catching.
Blanco said a fourth team could have been formed but did not materialize due to lack of coaching staff that will handle the squad.
Tournament format will have a two round-robin system where each team will face their opponents twice. The top two will play in the finals with the winning team earning the right to face the Guam champion after the season.
Blanco added the champion team in the CFLA youth league will have the option to get select players from the other teams to fortify its roster against Guam.
A separate match will also be played between the CNMI Sharks and a Guam team either late October or early November.
“During the youth season there will also be a men’s game, Guam will be coming here to play against us. They like coming out here and play, the camaraderie is always there and it is all about helping out each other,” said Blanco.
The CFLA board is looking at opening the men’s league by early 2015 or after the youth league season. (Jon Perez)
