NS: Phoenix and Cougars to Square off in Turkey Bowl

Bowl games are in full force this week in the Nova Scotia Student Athletic Federation Football League (NSSAFFL).

Crosstown high school rivals will be squaring off with bragging rights on the line. The Turkey Bowl will be the highlight of bowl week and the matchup between the Citadel Phoenix and Cobequid Education Centre Cougars will be competitive.

The Phoenix come in to this game boasting an undefeated record in league play (4-0). On the other hand, the Cougars are 2-2 but Citadel knows that the record can be deceiving.

“CEC is a team on the rise and have a long standing record of getting stronger as the season goes by,” says Phoenix head coach Jeff Lawley.

The Cougars are under a new head coach this season. For Scott Annand, this will be his first time at the helm coaching the Turkey Bowl game. The game takes place Sunday at 1 pm at Saint Mary’s Stadium.

What is the game plan for the Phoenix?

“We plan to use a balanced attack and do everything to protect the football,” comments Lawley. Citadel’s magical offensive duo of quarterback Derek Brown and wide receiver A’dre Fraser will be the key along with “sound defense” .

“Number 24, 28, and 11 are the ones to watch on CEC along with their fantastic punter,” adds Lawley as to who they will be keeping their eye on the field.

Cougars quarterback Gabriel Bagnell will lead the team on the field along with running back Brett Johnson and receiver Trevor Blaawendratt. Other offensive players that may be a factor in the game include Brandon Shute, Mat Waterman, Ben Petrie, Chandler Jennings and Luke MacLean. The Cougars’ offensive line has size to their advantage. These offensive linemen include Robert Kennedy, John Bernard, Brendan Collette, William Sample and Daniel Matheson.

On defense, players to watch for the Cougars include linebacker Derek Naugler, defensive back Nick Simpson, Josh Turple, Colin Hirtle, Calder Saunders, Luc Lavers and Matt McKenny. Rookie kicker Charlie Hunter will also be expected to be in game form for the Cougars.

In previous years, the Turkey Bowl featured the most traditional of rivalries between the Queen Eliazbeth Lions and St.Patrick’s Fighting Irish. The schools amalgamated into Citadel High in 2007.

The Phoenix have won the last three bowl games and are gunning for a fourth straight title. Meanwhile, the Cougars are hoping to end to the Phoenix’s string of bowl victories and give them their first defeat this season.

Saint Mary’s Field will be buzzing on Sunday because of the significance of the Turkey Bowl.

“Turkey Bowl is a long standing tradition where many alumni and interested fans come out of the woodwork,” says Lawley. “If the weather is good on Sunday the place will be packed. ”

(Photo courtesy of Eric Wynne, the Chronicle Herald)