AFL kicks off second season with pair of games

FREDERICTON – The University of New Brunswick Red Bombers are all revved up to defend their Atlantic Football League championship.

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The Bombers, who won the fledgling circuit’s first championship last season with a 3-1 victory over the University of New Brunswick Saint John Seawolves, begin the quest to repeat when they host the Dalhousie Tigers, one of the two expansion entries in the now five-team loop, Saturday night at 6 p.m. at Chapman Field.

The Holland College Hurricanes of Prince Edward Island are the other new entry, joining the Moncton Junior Mustangs, the Seawolves, and the Bombers in a six-game regular season schedule. The Seawolves open their schedule Oct. 2 in Fredericton in a rematch of last year’s final. Moncton opens its season Saturday on the road versus Holland College.

Bombers coach Mike Dollimore has a Bomb Squad of 52 at his disposal – 45 may dress for a particular game – and while he still needs to see everything work, he figures this year’s edition of the Bombers is bigger and better than the squad that went 1-3 last year.

“We’re having a lot of trouble deciding who are going to be our starting 24.”

There are, of course, some obvious choices. Andrew Hubbard, the dynamic wide receiver, is a lock to be one of the targets for veteran quarterback Brendan Cornford, the former Leo Hayes High signal caller, and understudy Jeff Madsen.

“They can both throw the ball very well,” said Dollimore. Andrew Guest and slotback Pat Forbes – his dad Bob was a Bomber in the 1970s and will be in to watch his son play Saturday – are other potential targets.

“I think we’ll be using our slotbacks as an attack tool, with both the run and the pass,” said Dollimore.

The Bombers will platoon an array of running backs over the first couple of games at least. Candidates fighting for field time include returnee Eric Smith, Tommy Broad, Randy Madsen, Rame Zeid and Nick McEachern.

“I think we’re going to try to establish the run,” he said. “Hopefully, that will help establish our passing game.”

Dollimore likes the size and speed of an offensive line which includes Zack Cann, Dylan Sullivan, Andy Ouellette and newcomers Dave Giddings and Andrew Gillingham, among others.

Tackle Tyler Doak returns as “the heart and soul of our defensive line,” Dollimore said.

Jory Smith moves from linebacker to defensive end after playing “brilliantly” in the playoffs last year.

The top four AFL teams advance to the post-season with fourth place playing first and third meeting second at the home of the high finisher Nov. 12 or 13.

Winners pair off at the home of the high finisher in the Nov. 20 championship game.