Teams in the Maritime Women’s Football League (MWFL) are busily preparing to put the final touches before the regular season starts next week.
Last year’s champions, the Saint John’s Storm look to be the team to beat once again in the MWFL. Will the Storm rise to the top of league once again? The Capital Area Gladiators, who were runners-up to the Storm, have their sights set on the championship title. Will their hunger be enough to catapult them to the top? As for the Moncton Vipers, they will be looking to avenge a last minute semi-final loss at the hands of the Gladiators. Will the Vipers be successful this season? Finally, the Halifax Xplosion could be the potential dark horse in the league. Will the Xplosion surprise and shock everyone and be last one standing?
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The MWFL 2012 season story will start to unfold on May 26th. As we approach the start of the regular season, here is a season preview of three of the four teams that will be competing in the league this season:
Fredericton RV World Lady Gladiators (formerly Capital Area):
2011 Record: 3-3-0, league finalists
Head Coach: Steve Drisdelle
Assistant Coaches: Marvin Nash (defensive coordinator/assistant head coach), Josh MacKay (defensive line), Kevin Arbeau (offensive line/special teams), Shaun O’Leary (linebackers/defensive backs), Olivier Eddie (quarterbacks/receivers), Cheryl O’Leary (offensive line), Hannah Hamilton (defense)
“We lose with potential and we win with performance and this year is no different. I feel the Gladiators have a ton of potential and the ability to be exciting on offense and very stingy on defense. My message to the ladies has been simple this year: Perform!”
Those are the thoughts of Federicton RV World Lady Gladiators head coach Steve Drisdelle of this year’s version of the team. Drisdelle is back for his fifth season as head coach of the team. He’s been instructing the team since 2006.
Last season, the Gladiators preformed last minute heroics in the semi-finals against the Moncton Vipers to punch their ticket into the championship final. However, they lost in the finals to eventual winners, the Saint John Storm.
Without a doubt, the Storm is on their radar this season.
“We have set our sights on Saint John, having been competitive against them in the past few seasons but we have not been able to put the notch in the win column,” explains Drisdelle. “I feel that a regular season victory against the Storm is the missing piece that will not only help build our confidence, but also be the tipping point to lead us to the Maritime Championship.”
While the Gladiators promise to be exciting on the field this season, their success hinges on improvement and consistency from all players in order to be the last ones standing at the end of the season with the championship title in tow.
“The keys to success for the Lady Gladiators lie in the development of our new players and the improvement and consistency from our returning players,” comments the Gladiators head coach. “We plan to improve on last season by putting in the hard work that it takes to improve as a football team this includes a bigger emphasis on the basics, and keeping focused on the bigger picture.”
Key returnees expected to lead the charge for the Lady Gladiators include quarterback Alex Black, Robyn Neil (offensive line), April Wilson (offensive line), defensive end Edna Jewett and defensive back Tori Jewett.
Among the key rookies to watch for on the field include wide receiver Jen MacLeod, running back Tracey Hill and defensive back Innessa Rizvin. There are a trio of players that may be a factor in the success of the lady Gladiators: linebacker/fullback Kristen Chatterton (formerly of the Moncton Vipers), receiver/running back/linebacker Michelle McLeod (formerly of Halifax Xplosion) and linebacker/fullback Emma Hicks (formerly of the Regina Rage).
As for the offensive game plan, the Gladiators plan to bring a balanced attack on the field.
“We have one of the strongest passing games in the league and have always run the ball successfully,” comments Drisdelle. “Our goal has been to be able to have both attacks working in sync this season.”
Defensively, the team has a goal that they hope to achieve this season.
“We are looking to return to our past championship form, where we averaged less than eight points per game,” says the Gladiators head coach. “We feel we have probably one of the best and deepest linebacker corps in the league and we are looking to draw off them to keep our opponents out of the end zone.”
Overall, the Gladiators will look to use their athleticism and skill as their key strengths this season.
“Athleticism and a diverse group of high level athletes from various sports gives us great depth at the “skilled positions” when matched up with a strong and experienced coaching staff will make for a strong team,” adds Drisdelle.
What could hurt their chances this season is lack of positional depth. Moreover, the injury bug has already wreaked havoc on the team before the first game of the season has yet to take place.
“Depth at the offensive and defensive line positions have been an area of concern for the coaching staff,” says the Lady Gladiators head coach. “This and a few preseason injuries to key players has dampened some of the optimism for the season opener.”
The Fredericton RV World Lady Gladiators open the season on Saturday May 26th against the Halifax Xplosion at Burnside Turf. Game time is 4:30pm
Saint John Storm:
2011 Record: 7-1-0, defending Maritime Champions
Head Coach: Jim Mather (also offensive coordinator)
Assistant Coaches: Larry Harlow (defensive coordinator), Lisa Rodgers
The defending league champions know that all eyes will be on them this season. The Saint John Storm hope that their strength of team unity will be the key to their success in defending their title.
“We play as a team and win as a team,” adds Storm head coach Jim Mather, who is back for his fifth season at the helm.
As for their plan of attack on the field, it’s quite simple.
“Hit hard and play hard sums it up,” says the Storm head coach.
There will be a nucleus of returning players that will be expected to provide leadership on the field in the Storm’s quest for another title. They include quarterback/strong safety Michelle Young-Mather, running back/quarterback Lisa Harlow, wide receiver/defensive back Lori Boyles and tight end/defensive end Trina Graves. A key player who may impact the outcome of the game could be tight end Jillian Wilton.
A weakness for the Storm is the disadvantage of having a small roster. However, Mather will ask his players to give 110 percent in everything that they do on the field.
Overall, the Storm expect to be very competitive this season and will fight in the hopes of being successful in defending their championship crown.
“We are tough because we dig deep and fight hard,” explains Mather of the Storm.
The Saint John Storm will start their season in a match-up against the Moncton Vipers on Saturday May 26th at Rocky Stone Field. Game time is set for 5:00pm.
Moncton Vipers:
2011 Record: 5-3-0, semi-finalists
Head Coach: Jenny Miller (acting)
Assistant Coaches: Alex LeBlanc (offensive coordinator), Sean Rios (defensive coordinator), Bob Prosser (offensive and defensive lines), Josh Scott (defensive backs/special teams), Natasha Canning (running backs) and Kelly Nichols (team associates)
“We truly believe that we are the team to beat this season. We have such versatility that we can adapt to any opponent and dominate their strengths and capitalize on their weaknesses.”
Those are the sentiments of Moncton Vipers acting head coach Jenny Miller. The team is hoping to improve on a great campaign from the 2011 season, which prematurely ended in the dying minutes of the semi-finals at the hands of the Capital Area Gladiators.
In her assessment of last season, Miller says it was a success and that the Vipers hope to build on it going into the 2012 campaign.
“It is a testament to how great this team really is by the number of players that return year after year,” explains the Vipers acting head coach. “We have a solid core to build on which helps with keeping everyone on the same page when it comes to learning.”
“We are able to dive into more complicated football terminology and coaching which is going to put us at an advantage when it comes to doing the right things at the right times.”
The key for the Vipers success hinges on team cohesion.
“We need to focus on our goals and working as a team,” says Miller. “We have a fantastic team relationship and if we can cultivate that to being present at all times on the field we will be successful.”
“We practice hard, play hard and we do it all together as a team.”
Miller has been with the team for eight seasons. Not only will she be the acting head coach this season, but will also serve as pivot of the team. With 23 returning players, the Vipers look to be a contender for the league championship title. They will rely upon the leadership of key returnees that include Team Canada alumni and Vipers center Jeannie Bourgeois. She will be counted upon to lead a strong offensive line.
“Our experienced offensive line are a powerhouse crew and looking to dominate anyone that tries the pass them,” adds Miller of the line.
Another alumni of Team Canada, running back Justine Barter, will be looked upon to continue her dominant offensive play.
“She is poised to take off as usual from the back field and power her way to a sixth consecutive all-star award,” comments the Vipers acting head coach.
However, there are other key returnees who will factor into the success of the Vipers this season.
“All around key players Tara Keohan, Tina Hetherington and Marie-Noelle Beulieu are playing key offensive and defensive spots and will be a threat on both sides of the ball,” says Miller. “All-star Melanie Arsenault, after an amazing rookie year last season, has upped the ante and is ready to amaze once again.”
“She is a solid defensive player worth watching.”
Moreover, Miller says the Vipers boast the best class of rookies in the team’s history. Rookies that will be looked upon to contribute include a duo of ex-rugby players in Abby White and Kayleigh Lewis.
“Abby’s speed and tackling skills are on par to be a threat to any team that crosses her,” explains the Vipers acting head coach of the rookies. “Kayleigh has the insight to read plays like a pro.”
“Their additions to our already stellar defense will definitely be noticed.”
Joining the team from the junior Vipers feeder program will be Christina Bernard. She is expected to become an impact player on the field.
“Christina Bernard may be the youngest on the team but don’t hold that against her,” adds Miller. “She is smart and feisty and ready to make huge plays.”
Additionally, two Capital Area Gladiators players have transferred over to join the Vipers: Janelle Brine and Tina Theriault.
“Janelle’s speed and kicking abilities add a new dimension to our already dynamic team,” says the Vipers coach. “Tina’s a returning Viper after having spent a few years away playing for the Gladiators.”
“We are happy to have her on our side of the field as her speed and tackling abilities are hard to match anywhere in the league.”
While Miller will not give all the secrets of offensive and defensive game execution plans, she does says that the Vipers will not only mix up things on the field, but that many players will get the ball in their hands and bring a hard, quick and aggressive style of play into each and every game.
“We are prepared to trust anyone on this team with the task of protecting and securing the ball; we are quick and we are precise,” adds Miller. “We will get the job done and we will do it to perfection.”
“Look for fast plays, quick hands and feet and everyone in on every play and like we said, this year’s motto is TEAM and there’s no split on our field as offense is defense. We are one unit playing together for a common goal.”
Being able to adapt to situations will be the strength the Vipers will rely upon for success.
“We are fast and quick to the ball so we are able to work many different angles and produce huge plays from each of them,” summarizes Miller. “We all work extremely well together and that makes us a huge threat.”
“With our passing game still intact, our running game getting faster, tackles getting harder and now the added kicking threat we are so multi-dimensional that no one will be able to decipher our game plan on either side of the ball.”
However, the lack of a head coach loaded with experience and knowledge may impact the Vipers this season.
“We have a few talented positional coaches but no one to dictate the entire team under one personnel,” comments the Vipers acting head coach. “We have experienced players stepping up to do the job and it is working out fine but that missing link would be someone to take over and direct this team in a professional and respectable manner.”
“We want to let our players play and the coaches’ coach.”
Ultimately, Miller is promising that this season’s version of the Vipers is dynamic and is predicting it to possibly be the best season the team has seen in the league.
“We are at a peak in our team evolution and have put together a great package that will be successful and entertaining,” says Miller. “We are prepared to make the 2012 season a year like no other.”
The Moncton Vipers will start their season on Saturday May 26th in a match-up against the defending league champions, the Saint John Storm. Game time is 5:00pm and site of the game is Rocky Stone Field.
All photos/logos courtesy of the Maritime Women’s League (MWFL) facebook page and website.
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