DUBAI // The Emirates American Football League (EAFL) season kicks off on Friday with the Turkey Bowl between the Abu Dhabi Wildcats and Dubai Barracudas at Dubai Sports City.
The Barracudas will look to put behind them last season’s disappointment of losing Desert Bowl III to the Dubai Stallions, but given that they finished joint last in the EAFL just two years ago, will be happy for their upwards trend to continue.
They face a formidable opponent in the Wildcats, however, who again are likely to be one of the teams to beat over the next four months.
Winners of Desert Bowls I and II, both over the Stallions, in large part behind the play of Vivaldi Tulysse, the Wildcats’ prospects are even stronger this season having secured the services of former Georgia Tech defensive lineman Tony Robinson as coach. His experience playing and coaching in the US could well see the championship return to Abu Dhabi.
The Barracudas enter their fourth EAFL season under the same coach, Kyle Jordan, and having finished the past regular season in first place, will look to take that final step at the season-ending Desert Bowl IV.
The four-team EAFL is completed by the Al Ain Desert Foxes, who will kick off their season against the Stallions at a later date.
At the end of the regular season, the team in top place faces the bottom-placed team and second plays third for the right to compete in the Desert Bowl.
The Abu Dhabi Scorpions, and Dubai Sandvipers also take part in the EAFL age-group competitions.
The Turkey Bowl, so-named because of the game’s proximity to America’s Thanksgiving holiday, kicks off at 6pm and headlines a day which will see eight games from various age groups take place at Dubai Sports City.
Fans can enjoy entertainment and food stands all day. Also, a dedicated area will allow fans to don helmets and pads and take part in some light action of throwing and catching.
akhaled@thenational.ae
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