RAIDERS ROLL OVER VICTORIA REBELS

(ISN) – The Victoria Rebels, with no defence and no offence,  lost their third straight game 47-15 Sunday afternoon to the Vancouver Island Raiders at Bear Mountain Stadium.

The Rebels tried to improve on their 2-2 record as they took on the 3-1 Raiders.

The game remained scoreless for the first nine minutes but the Raiders erupted for two 1st quarter touchdowns and added two more in quarter number two, building a commanding 28-0 lead. Victoria running back Sam Adu’s touchdown run capped off a nice drive late in the half to make the score 28-7, but the Raiders returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown to make the halftime score 35-7 Raiders.

Rebels’ backup QB Cat Todorovich ran in a late touchdown to match a Raiders major from earlier in the 4th quarter and a late safety rounded out the day’s scoring for the Rebels. Final score Vancouver Island Raiders 46 Victoria Rebels 15. The Rebels now move to 2-3 at the season’s halfway mark and the Raiders go to 4-1.

Next Saturday marks the inaugural Tour De Rock game at Bear Mountain Stadium when the Rebels host the Chilliwack Huskers with kickoff at 4 p.m.

A fundraiser tailgate starts at noon sponsored by White Spot and Lighthouse Brewery.  Half time will see /A\ News Sports Anchor Mira Laurence and Kool FM’s morning co-host Robin Farrell  perform live their itunes hit “We Bike,” and Rebels’ president Roger Wade will shave his head if he reaches a pledge total of $10,000.

For every ticket sold in advance, Rebels’ will donate $1 to the cause.

REBELS, RAIDERS, SUNS 2-0

By Ryan Watters

(ISN) — The home teams prevailed in week two of the BCFC as Victoria, Vancouver Island and Okanagan all jumped to 2-0 on the year.

In Victoria, the Rebels held their second home opener at Bear Mountain Stadium and for the second consecutive year, they won, beating the Kamloops Broncos 23-7.

The Rebels defence was outstanding holding the Broncos to 90 total offensive yards and just seven first downs.  The “D” was led by Adam Grilj who recorded five tackles, one of the six Rebels quarterback sacks and even blocked a kick.  Nick Duncan chipped in with two sacks and Johnny Daniel picked off a pass.

Offensively quarterback Nick Cobb  in just his second BCFC start finished 13-23 for 219 yards and two touchdown passes.  Cat Todorovich and Garth Green both caught touchdown passes and Sam Adu led the ground attack carrying 18 times for 113.  Adu is this week’s BCFC Spotlight player.

Kicker Quinn Van Gylswyk was 2-3 in field goals, hitting from 22 and 29 yards.

The Rebels offence would outgain the Broncos 352-90.

The Broncos defence was solid forcing three turnovers, but found themselves on the field for the majority of the game.   The only scoring on the night came from a Shayne Arthurs interception which he ran back 65 yards for a major.  He would also record four tackles.  Alex Adams who picked up where he left off last week, making plays and leading the club with five tackles and recovering a fumble.  Spencer Martin also intercepted a pass, his first of the season.

The Bronco offence struggled all night as quarterbacks Dylan La Prairie and Jesse Neufeld combined for 14 completions and 78 yards.  Adam Nesbitt caught five balls for 29 yards and Darcy Macdonald had three catches for 30 yards.

Next week the 0-2 Broncos begin a home and home with Chilliwack at Exhibition Stadium, while Victoria stays home to host the South Surrey Rams.

In Kelowna the Okanagan Sun beat the South Surrey Rams 30-3 on their 30th home opener at the Apple Bowl.

On the very first play from scrimmage Sun DB Jesse Warawa picked off a pass and spirited 30 yards for a major. His second interception of the night put the Sun offense at their own one yard line, before Tore Tarcon (pictured), on the next play, ran a 109 yards for a touchdown setting a new Sun team record for longest run.  Tarcon would lead the ground attack with seven carries for 133 yards and two touchdowns.  The run also tied a CJFL and BCFC record.

Quarterback Bobby Davis was 13 of 27 for 141 yards, while former Ram Taylor Potkins was 3 of 3 for 69 yards and 53 yard touchdown pass to Matt Scheurwater.

Defensively the Sun forced two fumbles and had three quarterback sacks, two from Aaron Goddard and one from Steven Doege who has 12 sacks in 11 games in his BCFC career.  Daylon Pommier, Matt Harris and Charles Henderson all had four tackles.

The Rams could manage just three points on Saturday off a 33 yard field goal from Nick Boyd despite 280 yards of offence.    QB Jon Ellingson may have won the starting role completing 13 of 21 for 175 yards and also ran for 10.  Former Vancouver Trojan Griffin Bullock had six catches for 124 yards, while Brian McLean caught five balls for 33 yards.  2009 CJFL Return Specialist Nick Downey was held to 65 yards.

On the defence the Rams were led by Nick Felicella and Grant Fitzpatrick who had four tackles each and Shane Poberznick and Kyle Ouwehand recorded sacks.

The 2-0 Sun will host the Vancouver Island Raiders in week three, while the 0-2 Rams will stay on the road and travel to Victoria.

The Vancouver Island Raiders flexed their muscle for the second straight week at Caledonia and sunk the Chilliwack Huskers 54-3.

Quarterback Jordan Yantz had another big week throwing 13 of 20 for 207 yards and two touchdowns, while back up Derek Cooper was 4 of 5 for 79 yards and a score.  Michael Schaper had seven catches for 109 yards and a touchdown.  Andrew Smith and Whiman Tomusiak also had touchdown catches.

The Raiders had a well balanced attack on Saturday gaining 295 yards on the ground, led by Jordan Botel (pictured) who carried it 17 times for 168 yards and three touchdowns.  Mike McMaster had a touchdown rushing four times for 113 yards including an 85 yard run.

The Raider defence allowed just 165 yards of Husker offence, forcing two turnovers.  Aaron Davis picked off a pass and McMaster had a fumble recovery.    Ranji Atwall had five tackles to lead the club, while Andrese Iwanegbe had three tackles.

The Chilliwack Huskers allowed over 50 points for the second consecutive week.  Their defence was busy Saturday afternoon was Warren Jurak and Ryan Hipwell combined for two sacks and Levi Weaver had eight tackles.

Offensively the Huskers sputtered as QB Clayton Kroeker was 8 of 26 for 98 yards.  Teague Funk was the leading receiver catching two passes for 51 yards.  On the ground Austin Kappell carried the load rushing 12 times for 57 yards.  The Huskers would score all their points on a 25 yard field gold from Dan Sturm.

The 2-0 Raiders will play their first road game of the year as they travel to Kelowna to take on the Okanagan Sun in the first of a home and home.  The Raiders last lost came in the Okanagan at the hands of the Sun in August of 2008.  The 0-2 Huskers will host the 0-2 Kamloops Broncos next Saturday.

VI RAIDERS HONOUR SUPERMAN

By Tali Campbell

(ISN) — The Vancouver Island Raiders have lost a member.

Rhys Coppens, 20, was found dead in Fernie, B.C. March 21 2010.

He was in Fernie with others and his older brother for a skiing trip which turned tragic.

Southeast District Major Crimes Unit investigators said a 20-year-old man found unconscious in downtown Fernie was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Rhys wore number 2 while playing for the Raiders.

The VI Raiders have placed a plaque on their ship to remember Coppens, who often got called “Superman” so the saying is “Superman Forever.”

During their July 31 game against the Chilliwack Huskers the team dedicated the game to Rhys.

Coach Mike Gilcash even rocked out in a “Superman Forever” t-shirt during the pre-game.

And, Aaron Davies did the honours by revealing the plaque to the Raider fans, and after going to the bleachers to give Mrs. Coppens a hug!

Rhys will be missed by the Community of Nanaimo, and the players and coaches on the Vancouver Island Raiders.

He will be remembered as a warrior on the field, and a wonderful human being in all aspects of life.

A trust fund in Rhys’s name has been created by his family, and the Raiders will be collecting donations to forward to them.

If you would like to help, please contact the Raiders at 250-754-1004 — Tali Campbell is ISN correspondent in Nanaimo

REBELS ROLL OVER BRONCOS

(ISN) — The Victoria Rebels, led by a strong defensive effort that held Kamloops to less than 100 yards total offence, defeated the Broncos 23 – 7 Saturday at Bear Mountain Stadium.

Quarterback Nicholas Cobb threw touchdown passes to Cat Todorovich and  Garth Green as the Rebels moved out to an 18 – 0 lead at the half.

Quinn Van Gylswyk  scored two field goals in the game for the Rebels whose other points resulted from two safeties.

The only Kamloops points in the game came on a third quarter 65 yard interception for a touchdown by Shayne Arthurs of the Broncos.

In other games Saturday:

VI Raiders-54  Chilliwack Huskers-3
Okanagan Sun -30   South Surrey Rams-3

PIPPY TO LEAD REDMEN OFFENCE

The Nanaimo Midget Redmen football club has appointed Colin Pippy as its new offensive coordinator for the 2010 season.

 

Pippy played all through the Football Nanaimo program and also played with the V.I. Raiders.

 

“His knowledge of football and offensive creativity will be valuable assets,” said Head coach Sean Roden. “He follows in the large footsteps of Rick Keen who helped lead the 2009 Redmen to the VMFL Championship. Rick will stay with the team as a unit coach and mentor for Colin.”

BC LIONS HONOUR NANAIMO COACH

(ISN) — Nanaimo Midget Redmen and U15 flag head coach Sean Roden has been named the Community Coach of the Year for BC at the 2010 Orange Helmet Awards.

The BC Lions also contributed $1,000 to Football Nanaimo.

Also awarded an Orange Helmet Award was Vancouver Island Raiders head coach Matthew “Snoop” Blokker. The award recognized his team as B.C. champions. It’s the fourth year in a row that the Raiders have won the provincial title.

More than 1,000 people attended the event, now in its seventh year, which is the Lions’ salute to BC amateur football and featured former Lions and CFL legends Doug and Darren Flutie as keynote speaker and master of ceremonies.

Roden, who guided Football Nanaimo’s midget team to a Vancouver Mainland Football League championship, said he was thinking about his 25 players when he accepted his award.

NANAIMO HONOURS ITS CHAMPIONS

World champion canoeist Nicole Haywood and 2009 WWA Wakeboard World Champion Aaron Rathy were named Nanaimo’s male and female individual athlete of the year at the 2010 Sport Achievement Awards.

Pan-American and Canadian national champion Haywood was this years’ recipient of CanoeKayak BC’s Junior Female Athlete of the Year based on her successful performances this summer at the World Championships (Gold), Canada Summer Games (2-gold, 1-silver, 1-bronze, 1-fourth, & 1-fifth), and National Championships (2-gold, 3-silver, & 1-fourth).

Rathy was also crowned the “King of the Wake” following an eight-stop series across the U.S. He also finished second in the 2009 Pro Tour.

Also honoured was the Vancouver Island Raiders football team, which won its third consecutive Canadian Bowl national title.

The Raiders’ Andrew Harris was named  Male Team Athlete of the Year while Matt Blokker won coach of the year (high performance) for leading the Raiders to an undefeated season and for giving Nanaimo its third national junior football crown in the last four years.

Vancouver Island University Mariners’ women’s soccer player Aileen Holder was named  Female Team Athlete of the Year.

PacificSport hosted the annual achievement awards event that showcased the top level of athletes, coaches, officials, and volunteers from the City of Nanaimo.

The awards banquet also served as a fundraiser to help high performances athletes from Nanaimo and PacificSport XploreSportZ program that targets children who wish to learn leadership through Olympic values and participate in sport camp experiences.

Also honoured were:
- Official of the Year – Harry Sommerfeld
- Masters Athlete of the Year – Linda Keatley-Campbell
- Partners of the Year – Meghan Dougan/ Nicole Dean
- Sport Administrator of the Year – Hadi Abassi
- Grassroots Coach of the Year – Jamie Gilles
- High Performance Coach of the Year – Matt Blokker
- Female Junior Athlete of the Year – Karleena Hatch
- Male Junior Athlete of the Year – Stefan Melideo
- Junior Team of the Year – Nanaimo Raiders U14 Field Lacrosse Team
- Sports Story of the Year – Nanaimo 2010 Olympic Torch Relay

VI RAIDERS RUNNING BACK SIGNS WITH LIONS

By Jack Emerson Low

All-Star running back Andrew Harris of the Canadian Junior Football League’s Vancouver Island Raiders has signed a professional contract with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League.

The Winnipeg native captured the Peter Dalla Riva Award in 2009 as the Canadian Junior Football League’s Outstanding Offensive player.

 

 

 

Harris becomes the seventh junior football player in as many years to win the nationally coveted Wally Buono Award.

As a five year member of the Vancouver Island Raiders Harris set numerous CJFL marks.

The three time CJFL All Canadian (2007-2009) finished with 506 career points and 84 touchdowns, both CJFL records.

He finished his CJFL career with 4133 rushing yards on 416 carries for a CJFL best 9.9 average per rush.

Territorially protected by the Lions, Harris spent the 2009 season on their practice roster. Weekdays he would practise with the Lions and on the weekends play for the Raiders.

RAIDERS STOMP REBELS 15-6

By Jordan Koren

While BCFC pundits may have predicted a high scoring affair between two of the league’s finest offensive teams, Saturday’s

Rebels-Raiders showdown proved to be far from an “offensive masterpiece.”

Despite a fantastic effort by the Rebels’ defense, the Raiders managed to come out on-top of a 15-6 decision at Caledonia

Park.

Both teams committed numerous turnovers, with an interception return by Beau Barthel accounting for the Rebels’ only

points of the game.

Saturday also marked the return to BCFC action for Raiders’ Both teams committed numerous turnovers, with an interception

return by Beau Barthel accounting for the Rebels’ only points of the game.

Saturday’s game also marked a return to BCFC action for Raiders’Running Back Andrew Harris. Harris was only given a few

carries, all in the fourth quarter and was held in check by the Rebels defense.

The Rebels are back in action next Saturday as they look to lock up a playoff spot against the Kamloops Broncos. Kickoff

is 7pm at Bear Mountain Stadium. Broncos. Kickoff is 7 p.m. at Bear Mountain Stadium.

First Quarter:
- VI: 4:57 – Marc Migneualt 21-yard Touchdown Pass to Matt Sawyer.
7-0 Raiders

Second Quarter:
- VIC: 8:54 – Beau Barthel 48-yard Interception return for a Touchdown.
*Extra point is no good. 7-6

Third Quarter:
No Scoring

Fourth Quarter:
- VI: 0:17 – Jordan Yantz 15-yard Touchdown pass to Matt Sawyer.
14-6 Raiders
-VI: 13:34 – Single Point.
15-6 Raiders

Final Score: 15-6 Raiders

REBELS INSIDER – NOTES FROM THE G-M

By George Penwarn

The countdown to kickoff continues for this weeks tilt against the league-leading Vancouver Island Raiders.

The Rebels travel North this Saturday looking to avenge a home field loss to the Raiders at Bear Mountain

Stadium back on August 29th.

The Rebels lost to the South Surrey Big Kahuna Rams on the weekend in front of a good crowd in Langford in spite of a good

first half of football.  The game turned into a penalty filled affair that included the ejection of the Rams head coach

and a number of players on both sides of the ball.

Half time featured an introduction of the Rebels special guest, local football legend, Dave Cutler.  The six-time Grey Cup

champion assisted the contestants of the “outkick Cutler” contest and had his picture taken with a number of fans.

Dave made one young fans day when he let him wear one of his Grey Cup rings.

This weekend’s game should be interesting as the Rebels are hungry to get a win in the tight BCFC and solidify a playoff

position.

REBELS NOTES

Speedster Sam Adu returned to the field and carried the ball 10 times for 97 yards

SB Tyson Takasaki recorded his league leading 14th touchdown catch

Riley Parker led the defence with eight solo tackles and four assists

QB Yannick Rickli was injured late in the game and was replaced by Brett Seryenko who engineered a TD drive and finished

the day 10 of 19 for 97 yards

REBELS PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

Josh Gillespie
#9
SB

6′ 1″ – 220 lbs.
Hometown – Edmonton
3rd year veteran of the CJFL

Favourite team – Dallas Cowboys

— George Penwarn is the Victoria Rebels’ general manager