P.E.I. plays home-opener in Maritime Football League today

When the P.E.I. Privateers host the Halifax Shockers in its Maritime Football League home opener today, Chris (Tex) Mutch will pull double duty.

Mutch’s jobs as Privateers quarterback and offensive co-ordinator will be on display after the action starts at 5 p.m. at the UPEI?turf field.

[url]http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=344100&sc=99

The Privateers (1-1) hae benefitted from Mutch’s football stops in Ardmore, Okla., following his parent’s, Andrew and Lisa, move to the United States.

He returned to Atlantic Canada in 2003 then joined the Mount Allison University football program four years later.

“Ardmore High (School) had a larger budget, more coaches and a larger stadium then most university football programs in Canada,” said Mutch, who calls his own plays on the field. “I learned football fundamentals in Oklahoma, but I was taught offensive strategy by Coach Jeffrey (Kelly) at Mount A. He really taught us how to integrate the resources you have in players with the appropriate plays.”

Mutch, a Charlottetown native, played receiver and safety in Ardmore and tight end and quarterback at Mount A (2007-09).

He joined the fledgling Privateers in 2003.

Over the next six seasons, he developed into an all-star quarterback, earning MVP of the MFL all-star game, played with the Canadian national senior amateur football team against an American squad in Las Vegas, and was named to the MFL’s all-decade team in its 10th anniversary season in 2010.

So far this year, the Privateers scored 46 points and given up 22. It’s tied with the Dartmouth Knights for third place.

Halifax is 0-2 and surrendered almost three times as many points (54) it has scored (20).
P.E.I. won its season opening game 29-0 over the Capital Area Gladiators in Fredericton, N.B., but lost to Dartmouth 22-17 a week ago in Nova Scotia.

Mutch may have received his nickname from a teammate in 2003 who defaulted to Texas as the source of Mutch’s southern accent, but, said Mutch, there’s no confusing why he’s been successful.

“We have a lot of talent on the Privateers offence this year,” said Mutch, who’s offensive crew includes all-star receivers Mitch Murphy, Jeff Hillier, and last year’s league-leading running back, Dave Clark.

[url]www.peiprivateers.com