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CFLA plans to hold high school league
High school students will soon learn the rudiments of the gridiron as the Commonwealth Football League Association is planning to hold a full-tackle league for the CNMI’s high schools. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)
CFLA chair John Blanco said they plan to start the season either during or after the school year in 2015.
Blanco, who is also the athletic director at Mt. Carmel School, said he will lead the Knights’ football program.
“I’m putting up a football team here at Mt. Carmel and at the same time we hope the other schools will follow and form their own teams,” said Blanco.
He added that the CFLA will help Marianas High School, Koblerville High School, Saipan Southern High School, and Kagman High School in forming, funding, and training their respective squads.
“The CFLA wants to find funding for the other teams. We would like them to form their teams. The CFLA board will be working with sponsors and donors to find funds and gear for them. We at MCS will be doing a separate fundraising.”
The high school football league is open to everyone whose age is between 16 to 18 years old and players who will make the roster need to maintain a good academic standing.
“As long as you’re making good grades, you make the team and you can play. We want to promote sports and the idea of fair play but education is of equal importance,” added Blanco.
The CFLA’s Youth League opens on Oct. 25 with three competing teams, namely, the defending champion Eastern Lightning, the Northern Saints, and the Southern Thunder.
Tournament format will have a two round-robin system where each team will face their opponents twice. The top two teams will play in the finals with the winner earning the right to face the Guam champion after the season.
The CFLA board is also looking at opening the men’s league by early 2015 or after the youth league season. (Jon Perez)
