MFL Season Preview: PEI Privateers to make return after one-year hiatus, league begins play this weekend

The Maritime Football League (MFL) is set to begin its thirteenth season May 25 with two games in Moncton.

The Halifax Shockers are the defending champions after defeating the Saint John Wanderers in last season’s Maritime Bowl. The season kicks off May 25 in Moncton, New Brunswick at Rocky Stone Field.

Commissioner Eric Sabean believes the Maritime Football League is just as competitive as the other divisions in Canada.

“The league is 13 years old and has had some incredible talent step on the field,” said Sabean. “Just scan our rosters and past all-star teams, this league is full of top notch talent.”

The MFL will be welcoming back the Prince Edward Island Privateers after one season of absence. With five teams making up the league, the question is not about lack of talent but lack of depth.

“The one thing we lack is the bodies and depth compared to teams in other regions of the country,” said Sabean. “I would put our teams up against any senior-level team in the country, win or lose, we’d earn respect.”

Looking forward to the 2013 season, the commissioner is ready to watch live football again.

“It’s entertaining football,” said Sabean. “The teams were all relatively balanced last year which makes for good football.”

Last seasons champions the Halifax Shockers lost their first meeting of the season to the Saint John Wanderers by a large margin before upsetting them in the Maritime Bowl.

The Saint John Wanderers are preparing for their rematch with Halifax on opening day and Head Coach Phil McGarvey had this to say about the championship loss last season.

“Do we remember it? Yes. Do we talk about it? No.”

“We were undefeated going into the championship last year and mentally we were defeated,” said McGarvey. “We had beaten every team in the league up to that point. We were very confident.”

The Wanderers have added depth, but will rely on the core from last season. Returning to their offense is quarterback John Gollacki and Running back John Haines. Defensively they will be looking to veteran defensive lineman Rob Fox and linebackers Christian Brewer and Josh Brown. In the secondary, all-star Alex McGarvey, Josh Mousek and Bruce McMillan.

The Wanderers season opens Saturday in Moncton in a rematch of last years championship game.

After a 2-5 finish in 2012 and a 32-20 semi-final loss to the eventual MFL champion Shockers, the Moncton Mustangs are feeling much better about this season. Team President Bob Giffard believes the team’s youth played a big roll in their struggle last season but believes the guys have matured.

“The focus going into this season was to get better at a few key spots,” said Giffard. “We needed more experience and we got that. We just need to play disciplined football and not turn the ball over this year.”

The Mustangs return runningback Steve Cormier, slot back Steve Fox and offensive lineman Greg Kinsmen who will all be looked to for leadership.  Defensively, returning is defensive lineman Jason Terrace and linebacker Brett Gray. The team also added some much needed experience to the secondary. Defensivebacks Terry Veeno, Dominique Comtois and former AUS All-Star Matt Kenny will be looked at to make plays in the secondary.

“We will be better than we were last year,” said Giffard. “We will be balanced on offense and tough to run against on defense. When teams have to throw our new editions in the secondary will have to step up.”

After finishing 1-6 last season, the Capital Area Gladiators lost a close game in the semi-finals to the Wanderers. Team President Jamie Edwards is positive about the upcoming season and believes his team will compete and finish every game.

“Going into the season we wanted to build on the close semi-final loss from a year ago,” said Edwards.  “We went back and worked on tackling and blocking, really focusing on the fundamentals.”

The Gladiators are still young and will be looking to Quarterback Brandon Cornford to lead the way for the offense and linebackers Reece Clowatter and Will Haley will anchor the defense.

“We don’t want to come up short in the playoffs again,” said Edwards. “We need to finish. It’s the message we have sent to our organization and our players. We are a young and talented team and need to show it in 2013.”

The Mustangs and Gladiators kick off the season Saturday at Rocky Stone Field.

Absent from competition in 2012, the PEI Privateers are entering this season looking to return to championship form.

“The biggest focus has been getting everyone back up to speed,” said Quarterback and Offensive Coordinator Chris Mutch. “We are just trying to knock the rust off of these guys.”

The Privateers return two keys components of their team from two years ago. Running back Dave Clark and linebacker Keegan Scott will be looked to for leadership on the Privateers. The defensive secondary also has a few playmakers in it.

“We’ve got some playmakers in the secondary,” said Mutch. “We are going to pressure the quarterback and we expect them to make plays back there.”

The Maritime Football League kicks off Saturday with the Moncton Mustangs hosting the Capital Area Gladiators at 4:00 pm. In a rematch of last years championship game the Shockers will play the Wanderers at 7:00 pm in Moncton.

The PEI Privateers play the following weekend.

Eric Sabean encourages people to come out and watch the MFL and to understand it’s a competitive league with a lot of talent.

“The MFL is important to football in Atlantic Canada. If you scanned the coaching rosters of any high school or minor league team in the region, chances are good you will find one of our players or coaches.”

“Our games are exciting, hard hitting and very entertaining.”