The 2015 Commonwealth American Football League's (CAFL) Boil Fish Bowl, featuring the Fast Track Jets and the Orry J. Sands Pros is expected to be one of the better championship games in recent years, not only because of the action on the gridiron, but also because of the off-field activities as well. This year, CAFL Chairman Mel Ferguson, along with proprietor of The Crabhouse Seafood Emporium Danny Ferguson, have worked to ensure that this weekend's off-field activities are much improved compared to past years.

"The Crabhouse considers it a pleasure to be affiliated with the CAFL," Ferguson said. "When we were invited I did not hesitate, because we love to participate in local activities. On Sunday during the Super Bowl, we will be having a tailgate party, which should begin about 4 p.m. here at the crabhouse, and then we will watch the Super Bowl game on the inside. Part of the proceeds will be donated to the CAFL and we endeavor to do our best to help out in any way that we can."

During the half-time break of Saturday's Boil Fish Bowl game, there will be a punt, pass and kick competition for the kids, as well as giveaways for the fans who have supported the league over the course of the season. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Island Boyz Entertainment Maurice Saunders will be on hand to help out with the off-field activities.

"We are working behind the scenes to make this an event, rather than just a football game," said CAFL Chairman Ferguson. "We also want to thank our fans for coming to all of the games this year and supporting the CAFL. We have some good things in store for this game, and we invite everyone to come out because it will be a very spirited and highly competitive game."

The Boil Fish Bowl will be played on D.W. Davis Field on Saturday and is set to get underway at 1:30 p.m.

The Pros booked their ticket to the championship game last weekend when they knocked off the V-8 Fusion Stingrays, 22-14. Jamaal Colby was named as the game's Most Valuable Player (MVP), rushing for 86 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. The week before, the Jets trampled the Kingdom Warriors 54-0.

Philmon Rolle was named the game's MVP. He completed 12 passes for 246 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 98 yards and had one rushing touchdown.

Sheldon's picks

SHELDON LONGLEY
Guardian Sports Editor
slongley@nasguard.com
CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES 1-1
PLAYOFFS: 6-4

Sunday's game

Super Bowl XLIX
New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks, 6:30 p.m.
I made the mistake of going with offense in last year's Super Bowl over what is undoubtedly the most dominant defense I have seen since the Ravens of the early 2000s. I certainly won't make that mistake this year. To think that Russell Wilson could have a game where he threw four picks against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, and still come on top, and in the National Football Conference's (NFC) Championship Game at that too.... it just wouldn't be wise to go against them right now. There's no way he and the Seahawks perform that poorly in the Super Bowl this Sunday, and with that in mind, I think they'll power past the Patriots just like they did to the Denver Broncos last year.

The score might not be as overwhelming, but man-to-man, unit-to-unit, the 'Hawks have the better team. This game will come down to ball control, and the ability of the Seahawks' "Legion of Boom" defense to limit the effectiveness of Tom Brady and the Patriots' passing game. There's no way the Pats will be able to run the ball for 150-plus yards like they did on the Colts in the American Football Conference's (AFC) Championship Game two weeks ago. They'll be able to get some yards through the air, but Richard Sherman and company will make it difficult for them to convert in the red zone, just like they dit to the Packers. Both Sherman and Earl Thomas will play despite being banged up, which spells doom for the Patriots.

On the other side of the ball, the Patriots will struggle to contain Marshawn Lynch, and that defense is not fast enough to keep up with Russell Wilson. I expect both Lynch and Wilson to make plays with their legs, and as he proved with the game-winning touchdown two weeks ago, Wilson can get it done through the air as well. Flat balls won't save the Pats this time.... this will be a grueling, physical battle, and the defending Super Bowl Champs will prevail.

Seahawks 27, Patriots 20

Naughty's picks

NAUGHTY
Guardian NFL Analyst
naughtyradio@gmail.com
CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES: 1-1

PLAYOFFS: 5-5

Sunday's game
It's been a fun time contributing in this column the last two years. It's a great group. I will miss you all, but not as much as you think. I'm kidding... all the best to the Commissioner Sheldon Longley and this group of pigskin prognosticators. I'm sure our paths will cross again. Oh, and it was a catch by Dez Bryant!

Super Bowl XLIX
New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks, 6:30 p.m.
In the words of Marshawn Lynch, "I'm submitting my prediction so I won't get fined". Keeping it short and sweet this week as I've done for most of the season (hey it got me second place overall didn't it), I'm looking forward to the passing of the torch from Tom Brady to Russell Wilson and from Bill Belichick to Pete Carroll. Finally, we can put to rest the overhyped, scandal-ridden Patriots... once and for all! No more "Cheatgates" of an kind moving forward, and watching a defeated Brady ride off into another miserable off-season due to another Super Bowl failure (third in a row as a matter of fact) is priceless. There'll be no more associating the word "dynasty" with the Patriots. Winners never cheat and cheaters never win. Behind an inspired dominant defense and some timely plays from the offense, I like the Seahawks in this one big, not as big as last year but they should get comfortable margin of victory.

Seahawks 31, Patriots 23

Jammal's picks

JAMMAL SMITH
Guardian NFL Analyst
njsmith242@gmail.com
CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES: 2-0
PLAYOFFS: 8-2

Sunday's game

Super Bowl XLIX
New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks, 6:30 p.m.
This marks the second straight year that the two best teams in football meet in the Super Bowl and I'm very confident that this game will be one of those Super Bowls that will be remembered for quite some time. Despite the controversial "Deflategate" story surrounding the Patriots over the past two weeks, no team has been more complete than them in every facet this year and they have earned the right to represent the AFC in Glendale, Arizona. As for Seattle, their strong surge and return to dominance playing smash mouth football has gotten them back in the Super Bowl. As much as I would like to dissect this game in its entirety, the winner of this contest will have to win the battle in the trenches and avoid giving up the big yardage plays that turn a game upside down.

The primary focus will be slowing down Marshawn Lynch for the Pats, and if they can contain him during key stretches and place more responsibility on Russell Wilson's shoulders to move the chains then the game becomes more manageable for New England. Rob Gronkowski will be the player to stop for Seattle, and if the likes of Bobby Wagner and Kam Chancellor can disrupt that element of Tom Brady's passing game then it will become harder for him to find his offensive rhythm. I feel this Super Bowl will be more of the defensive oriented ones and it will come down to the closing minutes, but my heart is leading me to pick the Patriots and my mind is convincing me that Brady and Bill Belichick won't lose three consecutive games to win it all. I have to roll with my preseason pick to pull off an amazing victory.

Patriots 24, Seahawks 20

Teej's picks

TONY 'TEEJ' GRANT JR.
Guardian NFL Analyst
grant.g83@gmail.com
CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES: 0-2
PLAYOFFS: 5-5

Sunday's game

Super Bowl XLIX
New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks, 6:30 p.m.
I'll keep this brief. The Seahawks are men, and the Patriots are boys. Cheaters never prosper, and winners play until the end. Expect Russell Wilson to be clutch in pulling out his second consecutive Super Bowl victory!

Seahawks 23, Patriots 17

Overall playoffs standings

Brent Dean
CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES: 2-0
PLAYOFFS: 9-1
Super Bowl Pick: Seahawks.

Wally Ferguson
CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES: 2-0
PLAYOFFS: 8-2
Super Bowl Pick: Patriots.

Brad Hanna
CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES: 2-0
PLAYOFFS: 8-2
Super Bowl Pick: Seahawks.

Jammal Smith
CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES: 2-0
PLAYOFFS: 8-2
Super Bowl Pick: Patriots.

Juan McCartney
CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES: 1-1
PLAYOFFS: 8-2
Super Bowl Pick: Patriots.

Devin Francis
CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES: 2-0
PLAYOFFS: 7-3
Super Bowl Pick: Patriots.

Antoinne Robinson
CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES: 2-0
PLAYOFFS: 7-3
Super Bowl Pick: Seahawks.

Tito Butler
CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES: 2-0
PLAYOFFS: 7-3
Super Bowl Pick: Patriots.

Simba French
CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES: 2-0
PLAYOFFS: 6-4
Super Bowl Pick: Seahawks.

Sheldon Longley
CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES: 1-1
PLAYOFFS: 6-4
Super Bowl Pick: Seahawks.

Reggie Ocean
CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES: 2-0
PLAYOFFS: 5-5
Super Bowl Pick: Patriots.

Royston Jones Jr.
CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES: 1-1
PLAYOFFS: 5-5
Super Bowl Pick: Patriots.

Naughty
CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES: 1-1
PLAYOFFS: 5-5
Super Bowl Pick: Seahawks.

Stephen "Steebie J" Johnson
CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES: 1-1
PLAYOFFS: 5-5
Super Bowl Pick: Seahawks.

Kermit Rahming
CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES: 0-2
PLAYOFFS: 5-5
Super Bowl Pick: Patriots.

Tony "Teej" Grant Jr.
CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES: 0-2
PLAYOFFS: 5-5
Super Bowl Pick: Seahawks.

Randy Smith
CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES: 0-2
PLAYOFFS: 4-6
Super Bowl Pick: Patriots.

Richard Rudon
CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES: 0-2
PLAYOFFS: 3-7
Super Bowl Pick: Seahawks.

The Bahamas will continue to restrict both its international investment opportunities and its chances for domestic business growth if it does not update its family island port infrastructure, according to Arawak Port Development (APD) CEO and President Michael Maura.

Speaking at yesterday's 2015 Bahamas Business Outlook (BBO), Maura argued that renovations to family island ports are necessary to provide a level playing field for family island businesses and could bring a boon to local economies by allowing a wider variety of vessels, which would cut down the freight rate differential between islands and consequently lower costs.

"In terms of whether we can attract that special investor, we have to make sure that our port infrastructure, in terms of our sea and air infrastructure, is sufficient," said Maura, listing a host of domestic ports, including those at Cat Island, San Salvador and Exuma, as areas in need of renovation.

"We're so concerned with Nassau we have to appreciate that our family islands are competing with the same issues," said Maura, listing electricity costs and insufficient transportation networks as the main impediments to doing business.

He stated that additional public-private partnerships are needed to fund the critical developments. While he felt that there is "no easy road" in completing the projects, it was in the best interests of both the private and public sectors.

Maura used the Nassau Container Port (NCP) as an example of the economic benefits that an overhaul to outdated port infrastructure could provide select family islands, noting that NCP's container growth is up 2.1 from 2013 after the 2012 relocation from downtown Nassau to Arawak Cay, while Nassau's overall container volume continues to grow. Maura added that the port is able to process certain ships in half the time that it took at the previous port location.

While Maura is particularly optimistic about Exuma's prospects for a port overhaul, he said that discussions and reviews between the government and stakeholders are required to conduct a cost-benefit analysis for family island ports.

"The reality is that we'll never be able to build a beautiful new port in every family island," said Maura, adding that stakeholders would likely have to strategically pick a port and develop it in the hopes that island's economy would gradual expand to absorb the cost of investment.

"You have to start and list the family islands that have the greatest opportunities and offer the greatest turnaround in the shortest amount of time," he said.

Feeding into the government's desire to reduce crime in The Bahamas, Maura said that investment in family island port security is critical because heightened security at the NCP had driven criminals to ship contraband through underdeveloped family islands en route to Potter's Cay.

"The cost of doing nothing is very expensive. There's going to be increased subsidies and there's going to be more crime," he said.

The Bahamas Customs Department currently celebrates ‘International Customs Week.’ As part of the celebration, several staffers from the Customs Department on Grand Bahama visited Genesis Academy where they had the opportunity to address the students.

Customs officers also took the opportunity to donate a new Lawn Mower to the institute. Customs officers are pictured with Principal of Genesis Academy Ricardo Major and students from the Academy, seated from left -- Kitchener Penn, Keanu Morris, and Joshua Garvey. Standing, from left -- Barry Morris, Alexander Burrows Jr., Craig Lundy, Ricardo Major, Rudolph Stubbs, Reginald Minnis Jr., and Patrick Cooper. (BIS Photo/Vandyke Hepburn)