SAINT JOHN • The Saint John Wanderers spent the last five Maritime Football League seasons as a team with a target on its back.

That is, until the Moncton Mustangs stonewalled Saint John’s march to a fifth consecutive MFL championship with a 43-23 victory in last year’s Maritime Bowl XVI, an outcome which also ended the Wanderers’ 36-game winning streak.

The Mustangs put a stamp on that win with a 34-33 triumph over Saint John in the MFL’s season opener last month. Since then, Moncton has cruised to a 3-0 record while Saint John (3-1) has rebounded with three consecutive wins to press the argument for top spot as the powerhouses prepare for trench warfare in Saturday’s crucial rematch at Shamrock Park’s Emera NB Field. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.

Wanderers’ long-time president, former all-star defensive lineman and assistant coach Scott McNamee acknowledges the two teams have reversed roles in what he calls a “season of redemption” for the Port City gridders.

“We have definitely gone from being the hunted to becoming the hunters,” said McNamee.“We are chasing Moncton and looking to get back on top. Our first game was an absolute barnburner. These will be two very, very good teams for years to come. The Mustangs don’t crack under pressure, but we feel confident we’ll get back that top-dog spot this weekend.”

One other Saturday game has the Halifax Harbour Hawks (1-2) in Charlottetown to tackle the Island Mariners (0-4) at 4 p.m.

With teams playing a six-game, home-and-home schedule, the Wanderers-Mustangs matchup will determine home-field advantage in the MFL playoffs. McNamee said a win will go a long way to securing Saint John’s eighth consecutive regular-season pennant.

“We want that – we’re hungry,” he said. “The guys are really going to be up for this one. New head coach J.J. Joudry and his staff are doing a great job moving players around and finding the best possible fits. It’s hard not to like what our team is doing on the field.”

It begins with veteran quarterback Jon Golacki, a three-time league MVP and an 11-time all-star who has the offence humming at a 43 points-per-game clip.

“Jon is playing better than I’ve ever seen him before and that’s without four-time MVP Jon Haines,” said Mc-Namee in reference to the running back, who retired after last year’s final. “He has never been as focused and on point as he is this year.

“Jon (Golacki) works very well with offensive co-ordinator Mike McGarvey and he has some new weapons in running back Tyler Kurnew and receiver Nick Bynkoski, who played collegiately in North Carolina for Fayetteville State Broncos and later for the Acadia Axemen. Nick’s one of the best players I’ve ever seen. After losing Jon Haines, adding Nick is like a godsend. As good as our running game is, the passing attack under Golacki is out of this world – it keeps defences guessing.”

The Wanderers’ defence is led by middle linebacker Danny Oliver, defensive end Rob Fox, linebacker Tom Making and defensive backs Joel Seale and Alex McGarvey.

“We have a lot of leaders on defence and it’s a very strong group,” said Mc-Namee.

“We also have a lot of new guys who are fitting in with the team – a nice combination of youth and experience. We have what it takes to win on both sides of the ball.”