The Northern Eagles hope to soar to new heights as they enter their second season in the B.C. Football Conference Tier 2 junior league.
After their maiden flight in 2013, where they posted a 1-5 record, the Eagles are a year older and wiser.
"Last year we only had 16 or 17 players, this season we have 30," said Eagles head coach Mike Rositano. "We have a good, solid senior group. They've all played against each other, it's like an all-star team. They have great attitudes this season and they are a lot more focused and dedicated."
The tier 2 league is a stepping stone for graduating high school players aged 17, up to age 22, and is a chance for them to develop their skills even more before they advance to the college or Canadian Junior level.
In addition to the Eagles, the league includes the North Delta Longhorns and Richmond Raiders. They'll compete in a double round-robin format prior to the playoffs on May 18.
Prince George opens the season on the road against the defending champion Longhorns in North Delta on Sunday.
Rositano, has taken over the head coaching duties this season from Tim Lozon and will also serve as the offensive co-ordinator.
This season, Rositano has implemented a hybrid offence, combining the Canadian style with an "American pistol" formation where the quarterback stands three yards back of the offensive line instead of the usual five in a shotgun formation.
"The guys have adapted well to it," said Rositano. "It's a basic Canadian style, but it's a quick tempo offence and we can run a lot of misdirection plays."
Calling the plays for the offence is Duncan Finch, a six-foot-two 235-pound pivot who graduated from College Heights last season.
Veterans Brogan Cruse (Duchess Park) and Jamie Bellamy will anchor the offensive line.
Finch will have a pair of good receivers to toss the ball to in Jordan Angove and Devin Readman.
On the ground, the Eagles will attack with full-back Chandler Lafleur, a Kelly Road secondary grad, and tailbacks Nick Wingfield and Daniel Weisgerber.
On defence, Wingfield will start at safety in the secondary. He'll be helped by Readman who's pencilled in as the other cornerback.
The secondary also includes Kayle Thomas and rookie Lane DeWitt.
The defensive line will be anchored by Jason Chesley (six-foot-four, 350-pounds) and rookie Ragan Lavoie. Brandon Vicker and Brennan Adrian make up the linebacker corps.
Rositano, who's overseen Duchess Park's program for the last 23 years, will be joined on the sidelines by Dave Moore from Vanderhoof (defensive co-ordinator); Rick Krahn (College Heights) as the defensive line and offensive line coach. Ken Hawker will oversee the running backs, while Tim Bradbury is the linebackers coach.
The team has been practising indoors at the Northern Sports Centre and the PGYSA soccer facility since February, as well as learning the plays in the classroom.
After their game this weekend, Eagles will visit Richmond April 20 and then host North Delta April 27 and Richmond May 4. Playoffs are slated for May 18 with the championship game on May 25.
