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CNMI to face PH, Guam in tackle football
The Commonwealth Football League Association is forming a men’s team that will play tackle football exhibition matches against the Philippines and Guam in the last quarter of this year.
The first game is scheduled for Oct. 20 on Saipan with the host facing the Philippine Punishers. The second match is slated for Nov. 10 in the Philippines and the final game is set back home on Dec. 1 with the CNMI meeting Guam.
Slots are still available and practices are expected to start soon at the Airport field.
The coaching staff is made up of head coach John Blanco, offensive coordinator Dave Attao, defensive coordinator Keith Nabors, linebackers coach Paul Camacho, linebackers/defensive line coach Chico Reyes, defensive backs coach Ian Carr, quarterbacks coach Joe Ocampo, defensive line coach Dave Ada, offensive line coach Will Hunter, wide receivers/running backs coach Jeff Boyer and running backs coach Glenn Palacios
“Some of the staff will be serving as player/coaches and there is always possibility that more coaches and people wanting to step out being named as the weeks and months progress,” Blanco said in an earlier email sent to Saipan Tribune.
Blanco also hinted about starting a youth league, hopefully sometime in 2013.
“Although the men’s game is currently our focus, our main goal is not really the reestablishment of an adult league. We are certainly not ruling out the possibility of a 2013 season but it is important to note that the CFLA has its sight set on a bigger prize: the creation of not only a youth league for 11-14 age group, but the establishment of a high school junior varsity and varsity program here on Saipan,” he said.
“The planning is still in the early stages but we aim to have something in place in the near future, hopefull, as early as 2013. We are currently working out the details and will have more info soon,” Blanco added.
Meanwhile, the CFLA’s 2012-2013 moard members include commissioner Eric Atalig, chairman John Blanco, vice chairman Jeff Boyer, league coordinator Mark Rabauliman, head official Glen Dikito, public information officer Kelley Butcher, and treasurer Edmund Villagomez.
For more information, contact Blanco at johnsblanco@gmail.com.
By Walter J. Sutherland
Reporter
