Firecats open 9th season March 21
The Florida Firecats kick off their 2009 arenafootball2 (af2) season March 21 when they host the South Georgia Wildcats at Germain Arena.
The schedule, unveiled Tuesday, features first-time matches against four league teams — Corpus Christi, Spokane, Lexington and Central Valley. The Firecats take their longest road trip in franchise history in June when they head west to Fresno, Calif., to play the Central Valley Coyotes.
“This year’s schedule is daunting,” Firecats coach Kevin Bouis said in a release. “Tennessee is the defending champion, we’ll play South Georgia in back-to-back games twice this year, and all four teams in our division made the playoffs last year. We’ve got to be ready to play each week.”
The Lexington Horse-men, South Georgia Wildcats and Tennessee Valley Vipers are the South Division rivals for the Firecats. Florida plays 10 divisional games in the franchise’s ninth season in the af2
Each af2 team will play 16 games over 19 weeks — eight home, eight away. The Firecats play 14 games on Saturday nights and two Friday night games with three bye weeks.
There are three divisions in each of the American and National Conference. The East, Midwest and South Divisions are aligned in the American Conference. Thir-teen teams make up the American Conference with 12 in the National Conference.
“This year’s schedule encompasses the best af2 has to offer in terms of competition, rivalry and balance,” said af2 president Jerry Kurz. “We’re excited by the addition of Milwaukee to our league family and feel this, our 10th season, will be our most competitive and most entertaining ever.”
The Firecats hold their second open tryout on Jan. 24 at Estero High School. The tryout is open to all players and positions. Players are required to participate in a pro-style combine, outdoors on natural grass. Proper workout attire is required. Cleats are recommended. The tryout begins at 11 a.m. with registration starting at 10 a.m.
A $75 cash-only registration fee is due the day of the tryout. Players are encouraged to preregister by calling 239-390-2287.
The complete schedule:
Saturday, March 21 — Florida vs. South Georgia 7:30 p.m.
Week 1 Saturday, March 28 — Florida at South Georgia 7:30 p.m.
Week 2 — Bye
Week 3 Friday, April 10 — Florida at Albany 7 p.m.
Week 4 Saturday, April 18 — Florida vs. Lexington 7:30 p.m.
Week 5 Saturday, April 25 — Florida at Tennessee Valley 8:30 p.m.
Week 6 Friday, May 1 — Florida vs. Corpus Christi 7:30 p.m.
Week 7 Saturday, May 9 — Florida at Arkansas 8:05 p.m.
Week 8 Saturday, May 16 — Florida vs. Spokane 7:30 p.m.
Week 9 Saturday, May 23 — Florida at Lexington 7:00 p.m.
Week 10 Saturday, May 30 — Florida vs. Manchester 7:30 p.m.
Week 11 — Bye
Week 12 Saturday, June 13 — Florida at Central Valley 10:00 p.m.
Week 13 Saturday, June 20 — Florida at Tennessee Valley 8:30 p.m.
Week 14 Saturday, June 27 — Florida vs. South Georgia 7:30 p.m.
Week 15 — Bye
Week 16 Saturday, July 11 — Florida at South Georgia 7:30 p.m.
Week 17 Saturday, July 18 — Florida vs. Tennessee Valley 7:30 p.m.
Week 18 Saturday, July 25 — Florida vs. Lexington 7:30 p.m.