AFL: Hurricanes looking to clinch first place

Charlottetown, PE –With only two games left in the regular season, the Holland College Hurricanes, last year’s Atlantic Football League Moosehead Cup champions, will seek to clinch a first place finish and home-field advantage for the playoffs when they meet up with the UNB Saint John Seawolves at UPEI Alumni Place Saturday.

This is the second time the teams have met this year. In the season opener, the Hurricanes beat the Seawolves 36-13 on their own turf. Since then, the Hurricanes (4-0) have gone undefeated. The Seawolves (1-3), with a huge come-from-behind 17-16 victory against the Dalhousie Tigers in Halifax last weekend, are looking to bounce back from a slow start to their season. Hurricanes Head Coach Andrew Hickey acknowledges that this weekend will be a big test for his team.

“On the one hand, you have an undefeated first-place team, and on the other, you have a team riding the momentum of a big win and looking to even up the season series with us. There is a long history of tough games between our two teams, and we are expecting more of the same this weekend,” he said.

The Hurricanes will be looking to Christian Hackney to lead the offensive attack on Saturday. The big QB with the rifle arm threw for 387 yards and four touchdowns in last weekend’s 50-24 win over the UNB Red Bombers in Fredericton, spreading the ball around to his talented and speedy receiving corps. The Hurricanes offence has been explosive this season, but Hickey is looking for more consistency.

“The big plays are great for the fans, no question, but as we get later into the fall, we are looking for more sustained drives and better productivity from our running game.”

Hurricanes MVP and defensive captain Cardell Rolle has had an exceptional week of practice after playing through some recent injuries. The big linebacker from Nassau, Bahamas, is up for the challenge.

“Believe me when I say it, I’m ready,” he said.

The game starts at 1 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, and is free of charge for children and students. The game will be streamed from a link on the team’s website, hcfootball.ca. The Thrill the Island Zombies will be in attendance, cheering on the players, collecting for the Charlottetown Food Bank and posing for pictures with fans. The team is guaranteed a home game in the playoffs on Saturday, October 25.

 

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