The Prince George Northern Eagles are making plans for a spring migration.
They plan to be on the road for at least five games against their B.C. Football Conference tier 2 junior opponents for the April-to-May season.
The Eagles joined the league last year, part of a four-team loop that includes the Richmond Raiders, South Delta Rams and North Delta Longhorns. The Eagles went 1-5 in their first season, while often having fewer than 20 players in uniform.
This year the Eagles are hoping to double their roster size and with 38 players already verbally committed, head coach Mike Rositano says his team is showing signs it will be a lot more competitive than it was in its inaugural season.
The Eagles will play an eight-game season with three games in Prince George at Masich Place Stadium, three in Chilliwack and one in Kamloops. Last season, four of the Eagles six games were on the road.
"We only had two games in Prince George last year and it's kind of hard to bring a fan base out when you only have two home games," said Rositano, who took over the head coaching duties from Tim Lozon.
"We are trying to get four games in Prince, but due to the weather, in the beginning of May it's pretty wet, but we might be able to do four games in May. We're trying to get out there in the community and build a successful program. We want it to be the premier team in town, just like the Cougars and Spruce Kings."
The juvenile league is a stepping zone for graduating high school players who plan to move on to the B.C. Junior Football Conference, which starts its team workouts in July. Many of the players in the juvenile league suit up for junior teams as well.
Players in the 17-21-year-old age category who want to play for the Eagles are invited to attend the registration session Wednesday from 7-9:30 p.m. at the Charles Jago Northern Sport Centre. The cost to play for the two-month season is $450 per player, which covers all travel costs.
Rositano says players will be subject to testing for performance-enhancing drugs.
Indoor workouts begin in March at the Northern Sport Centre with three-hour practices planned for March 8, 17 and 29, with the possibility of more indoor workouts at the Prince George Youth Soccer indoor field on Winnipeg Street.
Rositano, the Eagles head coach and offensive co-ordinator, will have plenty of coaching help this season. Scott Wagner is the assistant coach and will handle the running backs; Dave Moore of Vanderhoof, a former Nechako Valley Viking high school coach, takes over Rositano's spot as defensive co-ordinator; Rick Krahn is the offensive line coach; Jim Young will coach the receivers; Tim Bradbury is the linebacker coach; and Cam Reed of Vanderhoof is in charge of the defensive line.
The team's major fundraiser this year is a dinner/dance planned for the Treasure Cove Casino on March 8.
