The Cox Colts had a surprisingly successful season last year, considering it was their first time being a member of the Cayman Islands Flag Football Association. They made it all the way to the championship game, just being edged out by the West Bay Hellcats in the final moments of the contest.
Despite the loss, it left the Colts feeling very good about themselves going into the offseason. Dave Nielsen, the sponsor and member of the Colts roster, feels very good about the Colts chances this year, “We had a really exciting year last year, making it all the way to the finals was awesome and we’re excited to make it back there this year.”
The Colts addressed the weaknesses in their team in the secondary (defence) and their offensive line. “We’ve added a lot of size to our offensive line, and we brought in Richard ‘Stiffler’ Campbell as a safety so we definitely think we’ve improved.”
Along with their key veteran additions, they added some new young talent improving the team’s speed. Cornerback/wide receiver Brad Conolly commented on the new additions, “Our team looks a lot better, along with the new talent we’ve also implemented an offensive coordinator so our quarterback doesn’t have to worry about calling plays, just executing them.”
Conolly also commented on the team coming together last season, “We were a new squad, we just kept working on our chemistry and things came together at the right time and we made a run.”
The Colts were a rookie team and enjoyed a lot of success, leaving a lot of good feelings amongst key contributors like QB Kevin Solomon, running back Chester Hurlston and second string QB/cornerback Taj Haye. Their finals loss, however, does not sit well with the players and coaches. In spite of their surprise success, they’re a very motivated team.
“We’ve built on our success from last year,” Conolly said, “Our expectations are one-step further than we were a season ago: a championship.”
His team is definitely poised as the Colts sport a slew of star players such as last season’s leading touchdown receptionist in tight end Rhys Ebanks and star wide receiver Andrew Frederick.
The Cox Colts are a force to be reckoned with, improving on last season’s roster and making strengths out of their previous weaknesses. There’s no doubt that this is an improved team and are going to play a much higher quality of football. Their rookie season amounted to a second place finish but perhaps their sophomore year will see the ultimate prize become theirs to own: a championship trophy.
“Our expectations are one step further than we were a season ago: a championship.”
BRAD CONOLLY
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