CFL is not the only game in town

While there are plenty of opportunities for the men of the CNMI to compete in full contact football, those on the cusp of adulthood who were looking to strap on the pads had found themselves on the outside looking in until recently.

Though the funding for youth football is about as tangible as a pipe dream, players from Kagman, Tinian, Saipan Southern, and Marianas High School have been participating in the next best thing: flag football.

Make no mistake about it; the game of flag football is every bit as intense as the rock ‘em, sock ‘em brand that is played on the CPA airport football field by the Commonwealth Football League every week.

While there is a lack of bone jarring open field hits, there is plenty of speed and athleticism to make up for it—for now. As soon as some funding materializes, the teams could very quickly become foam and plastic clad warriors, but in the meantime, players are studying their playbooks and attending practices like any other football team.

The players may actually be studying their books harder than most teams as they are required to maintain a 2.0 grade point average if they wish to take the field. If a player failed any class in the prior quarter then they are also ineligible. In addition, the players must submit to, and pass a physical before being allowed to play.

On Friday afternoon, the 12 members of the MHS and their coach Nick Gross were practicing in the green expanse of Francisco M. Palacios baseball field in preparation for their game against Southern.

With only a four-player reserve for the eight-on-eight sport, it would seem that the Dolphins have their work cut out for them. Another obstacle for the Dolphins is that they are returning just two players from last year’s squad. Gross said that the low turn out may stem from a greater interest in the tackle as opposed to the flag.

“Right now there is just no funding for it. There is old equipment out there but it is old and rusty. The players would have to get new stuff that actually fits them, and on top of that is the insurance. My hope for the future is full contact,” said Gross.

Another question is the venue. While the MHS and Southern faced-off at the CPA field near the airport, Gross said that his ideal location for this team to play would be in the middle of the track and field facility in Oleai.

While finding an ideal place to play is one of the objectives, according to Gross, finding more places to play the game is another.

“We’re trying to get Rota involved to make it a CNMI thing,” he said.

In the meantime, the teams from Saipan and Tinian will take the CPA field immediately following the CFL matches every week. The fans of football will surely reap the benefit of twice the gridiron action, but it seems a bit rough on the refs who will see double duty as well.