The Alaska Football League (AFL), an adult semi-pro developmental football league created in 2008, announced today plans to expand to nine teams with the addition of a franchise based in Soldotna.
The AFL will open its 10th season in 2017 with teams currently located in Anchorage,Wasilla, and Eagle River. The AFL season runs from early August through Mid-October, nearly shadowing the high school football season in Alaska.
According to Abe Hernandez, AFL owner, “(Tuesday) is a historic day for the AFL, The addition of a franchise in the Peninsula to the AFL is not only a perfect fit for our geographic map, it also provides a developmental league for players wanting to reach the next level of the sport.”
According to Hernandez, “the AFL is planning an official announcement in Soldotna on Sunday, January 15th at 1:00 p.m. at the Porterhouse Grill in Soldotna. The league will unveil the team logo, name and colors. The Peninsula team plans on playing its home games at Skyview Middle School starting in August “(approval for use of facility has not been confirmed).
The AFL is an adult league and participants must be 18 to play. AFL rules are based on NCAA rules. The league is a 9-man league (nine players on offense and defense). AFL games are 15 minute running quarters, with stop time last minute of each half. Team officials will be holding a tryout sometime in May. The leagues open signing period began November 1st, 2016.
The Greatland Packers are the reigning Alaska Football League champions defeating the Anchorage Cowboys in the AFL title game in October 2016.
Details on the Alaska Football League are available at www.akfootballleague.com
