Football: UNBSJ coach feels first-year loop attainted some major goals

B6

ANDREW MCGILLIGAN
TELEGRAPH-JOURNAL

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SAINT JOHN - It will take a few days for the sour taste to leave Dave Grandy's mouth following Sunday's loss in the inaugural championship game of the Atlantic Football League.

Grandy, the head coach of the University of New Brunswick Saint John Seawolves, and his squad fell one game short of the title, losing a 3-1 heartbreaker to the UNB Red Bombers. It was the Seawolves' only blemish it what Grandy calls a great season.

"Anytime you're just starting out, it's going to be baby steps, some positive and some negatives. But overall I thought it was a fabulous (season)," Grandy said. "It gave 47 guys from Saint John an opportunity to play football beyond high school."

The Seawolves were the class of the league in the regular season, racking up a 4-0 record before falling one game short of the title. The head coach attributes the success to his players being fast learners and team chemistry.

"We've got great local talent here, so it was a just a matter of getting them all together," he said. "The guys gelled so quickly and that was really our strength. They had all played against each other, but came together quickly as one."

One of the talented local players the coach is referring to is halfback Justin Cavan. Not knowing what to expect in his first season with the Seawolves, Cavan said he loved playing in the AFL and feels the level of play is going to be even higher next season.

"The games were all so even, most of them were decided by a score or two," Cavan said. "It was good football this year and it will be even better next year.

"There are some impact guys out there that will join and it will make it even more worth watching."

The head coach of the Saint John High Greyhounds as well as the Seawolves, Grandy has seen first hand some of the players who could be suiting up in the league next season.

"The first year you play with the cards you're dealt and now we've got a great base and kids coming out of high school who will push the guys even more for spots," Grandy said. "We can have 46 of 47 guys come back next year, so there could be some guys on the team this year who might not make the squad next season."

The league is also looking to expand with teams from Charlottetown and Halifax expressing interest. The league executive - a group Grandy credits with much of the league's success -and coaches will meet this weekend to discuss the future of the AFL and expansion.

As for the Seawolves goals, both Cavan and Grandy are not satisfied with second place. The running back vows the team's offence will be a force to be reckoned with next year.

"Our offence, with a year under our belts, will be a lot better, more in tune and harder to stop," Cavan said.