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CFL pre-season games Saturday at Hopwood
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Posted on Apr 27 2001
The enthusiasm of Commonwealth Football League officials, coaches and players remains intact despite some logistical delays that have prevented the season opener to kick-off as initially scheduled.
Asserting their commitment to a successful season, CFL officials have arranged to hold a pre-season exhibition game at the Hopwood Jr. High School field on Saturday starting 1:30pm with a match-up between the Budweiser Predators and the Miller Barbarians.
League Commissioner Jesse Stein expressed hopes that a pre-season would foster some “excitement for the CNMI people to truly want to come out and watch a different sport.. and to see our local talents perform.”
Players and coaches from all of Saipan’s teams — the Verizon Blaze, Budweiser Predators, and the Miller Barbarians — gathered earlier this week at the Hopwood field to get the games ready for Saturday.
With the three teams from Saipan and the Tinian Typhoons each looking to secure the first ever CFL title, the coaches and players for Saturday’s game are looking at it as an opportunity to hone their skills, but also to get a taste of what the regular season has in store for them.
One of the Predator’s, Chris Palacios, thinks Saturday’s game is a great way to get many of the players some necessary experience before the season. “We (the Predators) scrimmage each other a lot, but there’s a big difference from playing other teams..(the pre-season game) will help us know what it feels like to play other teams. A majority of our players have never played competitive football, so this is a good way to get some experience,” Palacios said.
Commissioner Stein further explained, “We’re going all out for Saturday’s game to make it as enjoyable for everyone involved as possible. There will be catered food and drinks. We even have a camera crew set to film the game.” The public is invited to come and join the fun on the sidelines.”
