The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

FOR the second time in three seasons, the Moosehead Cup, rewarded to the Atlantic Football League title winner, will reside in Prince Edward Island, Canada, with the Holland College Hurricanes.

With 11 Bahamian players on their roster, the Hurricanes captured the 2013 AFL title with a 20-12 win over the the University of New Brunswick Seawolves on Saturday.

The Hurricanes’ roster includes linebacker and defensive captain Cardell Rolle, wide receivers Eugene McMinns, Leslie Greene and Xavier Hanna, running back Arrien MacDonald, defensive linemen Revello Williamson Jr, Akeeb Rolle, Garrett Cesaire and Dale Knowles, defensive back Ishmaiah Strachan and offensive lineman Dale Pickstock Jr.

In an interview on the Hurricanes’ website with beat writer Thomas Becker, head coach Mark MacDougall said the total team effort over the course of the season culminated in the effort Saturday night to claim the title. “It was a great way to finish our year. The process was gradual but the last three weeks we really came together. We asked the kids to believe in each other and they did. It was a total team effort. Sometimes a team without stars is the hardest team to defeat. I think that was us,” MacDougall said.

It was a disappointing regular season for the Hurricanes, who finished at 1-4-1, but ended the year with a tie before their consecutive wins in the playoffs.

The championship title was an even more impressive feat for the Hurricanes after they dropped both regular season matchups against the Seawolves by a combined margin of 11 points.

In the season opener on September 14, the Seawolves won 38-34 and a month later, won 30-23.

After a 21-16 win over the Dalhousie Tigers in the semifinals a week ago, the Hurricanes made their third consecutive appearance in the AFL title game a successful trip.

The group of talented incoming freshmen were instrumental in the Hurricanes’ rise back to the top of the league.

McMinns has emerged as the major deep threat for the Hurricanes’ offence with three touchdown receptions on the year. His best game came on opening day when he caught four passes for 105 yards against the Seawolves. He caught three touchdown passes on the season.

Defensively, Rolle’s immediate impact led to him being named defensive captain. He also delivered a dominant opening day performance with six tackles, and a forced fumble, which he recovered and returned for an 87-yard touchdown.

In 2011, the Hurricanes won their first AFL title when they defeated the UNB Red Bombers 28-0.

Demetrius Ferguson sparked the Hurricanes and was named the MVP of the game when he scored touchdowns on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball.

That Hurricanes team included several Bahamians on its roster - Ferguson, Jason Mitchell, Alfredo Cornish, Joshua Bethel, Mark Barrett, Greene and Edwardo Humes.

The UNB Red Bombers won the AFL title 14-7 in 2012, preventing the Hurricanes from claiming back-to-back AFL titles.