12 days and counting for CFL

With less than two weeks remaining until the gridiron gladiators of the Commonwealth Football League strap on the gear for the start of the 2005 season, organizers are in a rush to hammer out the final details, and after Tuesday’s meeting was rescheduled for next week, there is far less time for the teams to get their acts together before opening day.

The most pressing issue for the meeting remains the $1,500 registration fee which is due before the start of the season, but the board still needs to collect the official rosters, waivers, and proof of insurance from the Tinian Typhoon, Shell Lightning, Miller Barbarians, and Eagles.

Board secretary Esther Milne emphasized the importance of the meeting by alerting the team reps about rapidly approaching kickoff and the need for paperwork.

“It is very important that you attend. We only have a little over two weeks before game day, so you need to show up. Make sure to bring whatever documents you have, such as the roster, waivers and proof of insurance. It is important that these documents get turned in ASAP. We understand that all your players may have not submitted all their docs to you, but like I said, turn in what you can. Remember, some is better than none,” she said

The season gets underway on Saturday, Sept. 24, when the Typhoon travel to Saipan for the opener against the Barbarians at 10am, followed by the afternoon game between the Lightning and the Eagles. The board of directors agreed that the Tinian team would play in the early game during all double-header dates to allow for them to make the ferry trip, as they will the following week when they try to shock the Lightning on Saturday, Oct. 1. The Eagles and Barbarians play the late game at 1pm, but the Eagles soar over to their first away game when they face the Typhoon under the lights at 7pm in Tinian on Saturday, Oct. 8, while the Lightning and Barbarians rest until their contest on Saturday, Oct. 15, at 1pm on Saipan.

The double-header schedule continues on Saturday, Oct. 22 when the Tinian plays a home game in name only when they host the Barbarians on the CPA Airport Field at 10am before the Lightning and the Eagles battle at 1pm.

All four teams return to Saipan on Saturday, Oct. 29, as the Eagles get to host the Typhoon at 10am followed by the Barbarians and the Lightning at 1pm, but the CFL will break for a bye on Election Day on Saturday, Nov. 5.

A week after casting their ballots, the Lightning will cast off toward Tinian to engage the Typhoon on Saturday, Nov. 12, at pm, and the Barbarians battle the Eagles in the season finale on Saturday, Nov. 19, at 10am.

The playoffs are slated for Saturday, Nov. 26, when the second and third place finishers vie for a chance with the top dog at 10am, and the new king of the CFL will be crowned on Saturday, Dec. 3, following the 10am championship.

The CFL board of directors and team reps return to the VFW Post on Beach Road for their next meeting next Tuesday, Sept. 13, at the at 6pm.