The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE Holland College Hurricanes Football Club always figures Bahamians prominently into their game plan since its inception, and the 2015 season should continue that trend as the Hurricanes prepare for the upcoming campaign.

The Hurricanes are currently in preseason football in training camp as the Prince Edward Island, Canada-based institution looks to capture its third consecutive Atlantic Football League Moosehead Cup championship.

Several Bahamian players are vying for spots on the Hurricanes roster.

Final roster spots will be announced following the team’s inter-squad scrimmage this Saturday.

Combine testing for the team began in early September, followed by practices immediately thereafter.

The Hurricanes will open the season on the road in Halifax, Nova Scotia against the Dalhousie Tigers, September 19.

The following weekend they will make their home debut September 26 against the UNB Saint John Seawolves.

The Hurricanes will be faced with the task of winning a third consecutive title with their third head coach in as many seasons.

Following the departure of Andrew Hickey, Kyle Quinlan takes control at the helm for Holland.

Quinlan expressed his optimism based on the work the team has put in this far this off-season.

“The team is shaping up nicely, but there is always work to do. I am especially excited to bring the Hurricanes to Summerside where grassroots football has been exploding in recent years,” he said on the school’s athletic website.

Last season, the Hurricanes solidified their dynasty and captured their second consecutive AFL title, the third in four years.

With nine Bahamian players on their roster, the Hurricanes captured the 2014 Moosehead Cup with a 31-15 win over the the University of New Brunswick Seawolves.

The group included returning stars - linebacker Cardell Rolle, wide receivers Eugene McMinns and Xavier Hanna, defensive lineman Dale Knowles and Revello Williamson, defensive back Arrien MacDonald, along with newcomers running back Jamal Storr, defensive lineman D’aiquin Wilmore and offensive lineman Shelton Williams.

The Hurricanes completed a perfect season with an 8-0 record. The Hurricanes were behind 15-3 at halftime but responded with 28 unanswered points in the second half.

Williams and McMinns have since moved on to transfer and play for the Acadia Axeman on an elevated level of Canadian collegiate football.

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

Bahamian 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.

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

In 2013, the Hurricanes reclaimed the title after a disappointing regular season where they finished at 1-4-1, but ended the year with a tie before their consecutive wins in the playoffs. They went on to take the 2013 title with a 20-12 win over the Seawolves.