CFL season just two weeks away

The board members and team representatives of the Commonwealth Football League met this past Tuesday to discuss possible changes and to tie-up any loose ends prior to the start of the upcoming season.

Fans and players alike should be happy to know that they only have to wait a bit longer to get their football fix, but there are still some issues that the organizers and the teams have to work out before the pigskins can start soaring.

According to CFL chairman of the board John S. Blanco, the league organizers are confident that the 2004 CFL season will get underway on Saturday, Sept. 18, at the airport football field.

Although all three of the confirmed teams in this year’s CFL have been practicing on the airport football field, the official okay has yet to be secured. Blanco assured that the vice commissioner will have the rights to the field ready in time for the first Saturday.

There was also a change in the sponsorship arrangements for two of the teams, as the Chiefs will now be under the flag of Shell, while the Barbarians are currently battling without the support of a local business.

The postponement of the season will have only been for one month, but the extra time to practice should ensure that the opening game between the newly re-sponsored Chiefs and the Barbarians will be something special.

Blanco mentioned that there are also three teams from Guam that are willing to play the CFL teams, but as of yet, nothing has been arranged. Several months back, a game between Guam and Saipan was planned, players attended practices, and the Guamanians cancelled.

The Bulldogs, Knights, and Bears have expressed their interest this time around, but the regular season is currently the priority of the league.

“They are always interested, but I think we’ll wait for the season to end before we play them. It’s all a matter of which teams will play and when,” said Blanco.

The CFL board members will reconvene next week Friday, Sept. 10, at J’s restaurant on Middle Rd. on, at 6pm.

A new schedule will be released before the opening kick-off, but the regular season will span nine-weeks, with the playoffs featuring the regular season’s second and third place finishers in a facemask-to-facemask fight to determine who will advance to the “CFL BOWL IV” with the season champs the following week.

This will be the fourth season for the league, and for only the second time in it’s existence, there will be no defending champion.

“It’s a whole new ball game this year. The championship’s definitely up for grabs,” said Blanco.

If you are interested in getting more information about the CFL, becoming a player, or sponsoring a team in the league, contact Blanco by calling either 483-3517 or 288-2639.