ADU BCFC PLAYER OF THE WEEK

(ISN) — The BC Football Conference Offensive Player of the Week is Sam Adu, a member of the Victoria Rebels.

In their third win of the year the Rebels recorded 70 points and 644 yards of total offensive. Their ground attack was led by Adu.

The Victoria native carried 15 times for 239 yards, setting a new club record, and four touchdowns tying a team record. The old record of 237 was held by former Victoria Payless running back Sasha Petrovic, who set the standard in 1988. The four rushing touchdowns tied a Rebels mark with Karim Lowen who scored four for the Rebels in 2000.

Adu made three catches for 47 yards. After his 239 yards he now leads the league with 888 yards through six games.

REBELS ROLL OVER HUSKERS

By Scott Earle

The 2-3 Victoria Rebels looked to climb back to the .500 mark as they hosted the 0-5 Chilliwack Huskers at Bear Mountain Stadium Saturday.

The Rebels moved the ball with ease and followed up an early Quinn Van Gylswyck field goal with 1st quarter

running touchdowns from RB Sam Adu and QB Nick Cobb on a keeper.

The second 15 minutes was a nightmare for the Huskers as Adu struck for 2 more running majors in a dominant 1st half, then Cobb threw touchdowns to Kyle Pich and Dallas Holyk.

The halftime score was 45-0 Rebels. Sam Adu finished the first half with 13 carries for 168 yards and 3 touchdowns.

The second half was not much kinder to the Huskers as Adu scored his 4th major just over 4 minutes into the 3rd quarter, followed by a Nick Cobb to Travis Corazza hookup for 7 more. Jesse Fitch ran in the Rebels’ 9th touchdown of the day to make it 67-0 for the home team.

In the 4th quarter both teams played many of their backups and a Rebels field goal was sandwiched between two late scores from Chilliwack that made the final Rebels 70 Huskers 13. The Rebels now stand at 3-3 on the season and Chilliwack falls to 0-6.

The Victoria Rebels have one week off then begin 2 weeks on the road starting September 11th against The Vancouver Island Raiders.  The Rebels’ next home game is Sunday, Sept. 26th VS Okanagan Sun at 1pm at Bear

Mountain Stadium.

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.

SPORTING LEGENDS CELEBRATE ISLAND SPORTING ACHIEVEMENTS

By Sean Convy

(ISN) — Some of the biggest names of Victoria and Vancouver Islands sporting legends met in Victoria to honour members of the Burrows family who have been the architects or instrumental in the start of many a sporting career.

As the sun beat down into the large oceanside auditorium last month smiling faces and old sporting friends and foes gathered for this celebration of their sporting careers.

Some neat memorabilia was on display including the June 20th 1957 Centennial Edition of the Daily Colonist, The Hockey Pictorial and Canadian Weekly magazines, one of which featured a run down on the 1964-65 season that featured Vezina Trophy Winner ‘Charlie Hodge’ on the cover and was priced at 35 cents. Several hockey sticks and basketball equipment and a dark green Oak Bay vest decorated many tables.

Our invitation was organized through Gord Hoshal and Earl Large who both featured in past sporting finals for basketball teams including Oak Bay and DataTech, and a warm thank you goes out to those guys.

The stage was set for an evening entertainment and to take centre stage was long-time BCTV sports broadcaster John McKeachie, who was joined by Rick Mark (baseball and basketball) and Gord Hoshal (basketball)

Hoshal, played great level basketball here in Victoria, and has remained an avid fan of the sport spending some time coaching. His memories of the Burrows family remain to this day, as you can see from the video clip (http://vimeo.com/14285192).

He talked about how it was great to meet old friends and foes from games gone by. I asked him how he thought that the face of sport had changed since his day and he reminded me that it’s now a lot more about the money in sports.

It was delightful to see the banter exchanged on the stage between Dave Cutler and Geoff Courtnall.

Cutler (Edmonton Eskimos – considered one of the greatest placekickers of all time Hall of Fame player six Grey Cup wins between 1975 and 1982) recalls how the Burrows used to take them to hockey practice when they were kids, also receiving good sound advice of always to make it you just gotta work harder and talk less! (Hard task for Cutler).

Dave also was the first recipient of a football scholarship from Simon Fraser and was actually drafted by the Green Bay Packers.

One of the funniest comments of the evening was made by Cutler, who was explaining to McKeachie that a very good friend of his, Alex Robertson, had called to explain that he couldn’t attend the function that night because he had just got a brand new house, and they were going to take the wheels off it that night.

Gerry Lister said the Burrows family has to be one of the top 10 families in Canada when it comes to dedication to sport, and contribution, and noted that it was Bob Burrows who was instrumental in him being selected to play baseball.

Bob Burrows (turned down a draft with the Seattle Sonics to play baseball with Kansas City and played for Team Canada in the 1967 Pan-Am games)

Geoff Courtnall (Vancouver Canucks) talked a little about how much of an honour it was to be a part of the Canucks and the games 5, 6 and 7 in the 94′ cup run.

I had a chance to meet Geoff after the speeches were over and told him how I was watching game 7 over in The Maple Leaf Bar in London, England, and what the heck went wrong and why didn’t he score the winner and bring us home the cup?

Geoff simply smiled and showed me that big smile and answered, “Speak to Linden”

Players from days gone aired many sporting stories while enjoying this wonderful event.

The finale for the evening was the presentation by Robbie Parvis to Don Burrows with his induction into the Oak Bay Hall of Fame for Sports.

We heard many heartfelt stories throughout the evening about how Don and his brother Bob have contributed to sports for this city.

In fact Gord Hoshal summed it up when he said that the Burrows have been sports for Victoria over the last 40-50 years. With the greatest amount of humility Don walked forward to accept his award, and it was noticeable as we looked around the room how much this award meant to many people present that night.

Don, you are a shining example of everything that is great about sports in this great city, you have taught and helped so many people enjoy sports and life and truly deserve every accolade that is bestowed upon you.

SPARTANS PLAY TOUGH IN PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY VS. NANAIMO REDMEN

By Bob Dubicki

(ISN) — On one of the hottest days of the summer, the Victoria Spartans Bantam team played a “friendly” with Island rivals, the Nanaimo Redmen at Pioneer Park on Sunday August 15.

What was to be a continuation of an annual tradition of Island teams battling it out for Community Football bragging rights, the Nanaimo Invitational tourney unfortunately was pared to simply Victoria and Nanaimo after a scheduling conflict forced the Cowichan Bulldogs to back out at the last minute.

Temperatures hovering around 38 degrees did not all help the smaller squad Nanaimo team who needed “both ways” duty from several key players. The Spartans took advantage by consistently moving the ball on offence and being stingy on defence. The end-result was a 20-0 score.

Spartans scoring came first by way of a short bull-run up the middle by Sam Varao. Later, a bootleg around the corner from the 15 yard line by QB Lowell McDonald resulted in a 2nd TD. Late in the game, a beautiful 35-yard yard reception by Logan Maher led to another passing play, this time a 25-yard Lowell McDonald pass to Elyjah Halstad in the end-zone. Two converts were successful by kicking specialist Callum Duke.

On defence Alex Rutten, Brian Galbriath McTavish, Carson Scotney and Ben Sloat kept the other side to no nearer than the 25-yard line with 2QB sacks along the way.

As always, Nanaimo Football were great hosts. Next stop for the Spartans will be their VMFL season opener on Labour Day at Eagle Ridge/Bear Mountain Stadium.

WOODLAND 5TH IN JUNIOR GIRLS

(ISN) — Megan Woodland of Victoria finished fifth today in the 2010 Royale Cup Canadian Junior Girls Championship at Sawmill Creek Golf Resort in Camlachie, Ont.

Despite being chased by five British Columbians who finished among the top 10, Toronto’s Rebecca Lee-Bentham survived a pair of back nine bogeys to capture the championship.

Lee-Bentham, who finished third at last year’s event, had a two-stroke lead coming into today’s final round. She started the day with three birdies, which put her four-strokes ahead of competitor Taylor Kim of Surrey who was following closely in second.

Kim finished with a final score of 71-69-70-72-282 (-2) to finish tied for second in the Junior division with Brittany Marchand of Orangeville, Ont. Kim was also crowned the winner of the Juvenile division by an impressive nine-strokes, ahead of runner-up Jennifer Yang of Coquitlam who finished with a score of 78-72-73-68-291 (+7).

Finishing tied for third with a total score of 294 (+10) was Katlyn Elliott of Peterborough, Ont., and Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont.

2010 Royale Cup Canadian Junior Girls Championship

Individual Stroke Play
1. Rebecca Lee-Bentham, Toronto, ON, *73-68-67-70-278 -6
2. Brittany Marchand, Orangeville, ON, *67-71-72-72-282 -2
2. Taylor Kim, Surrey, BC, *71-69-70-72-282 -2
4. Delaney Howson, Newmarket, ON, *73-70-70-73-286 +2
5. Megan Woodland, Victoria, BC, *69-68-76-75-288 +4
28. Szu-Hsuan Huang, Qualicum Beach, BC, *75-74-75-81-305 +21
39. Cari Chow, Colwood, BC, *79-77-80-75-311 +27

DID NOT FINISH
CUT. Michelle McCann, Courtenay, BC, *+30
CUT. Nicole Jordan, Sidney, BC, *+33
CUT. Lauren deGoey, Victoria, BC, *+41

The junior boys did not fare as well.

2010 Canadian Junior Boys Amateur Championship
Richmond Country Club, Richmond

35. Cameron Davison, Duncan, *77-69-80-77-303 +15
35. Jared Hundza, Victoria,  *73-72-79-79-303 +15
CUT. Connor Gann, Victoria, , *+20
CUT. Christian Nowakowski, Victoria, , *+25

2010 – Canadian Junior Boys Championship – Juvenile Division

8. Cameron Davison, Duncan, BC, *77-69-80-77-303 +15
20. Mark Valliere, Nanaimo, BC, *75-76-74-85-310 +22
22. Brayden Eriksen, Parksville, BC, *81-71-80-80-312 +24

DID NOT FINISH
CUT. Connor Gann, Victoria, BC, *+20

REBELS DROP FIRST GAME OF HOME AND HOME

By Scott Earle

(ISN) — The Victoria Rebels put their 2-0 record on the line Saturday evening at Bear Mountain Stadium with the first of two straight games against the 0-2 South Surrey Rams.

Both teams struggled offensively early on until Rams starting QB Jon Ellingson hit Zach Middleton with a pass that turned into a foot race down the right sideline. The 65 yard touchdown would give South Surrey a 7-0 lead after 1 quarter of play.

The second quarter highlight was a breathtaking 86 yard punt return touchdown from the Rams’ Nick Downey who pulled several Houdini like escapes from would be tacklers. The Rebels answered with a second quarter field goal from the foot of Quinn Van Gylswyk to make the halftime score 14-3 for South Surrey.

It was an emotional first 30 minutes as the Rams took nine penalties for 75 yards and the Rebels were flagged 10 times for 125 yards in that first half alone.

The Rams were the only team to score in the 3rd quarter as running back Jake Glass capped a long drive with a short TD run and then second half QB Nathaniel White would silence the hometown crowd with a 91 yard bomb to Matt Chapdelaine. That made it 28-3 for South Surrey heading to the 4th quarter.

Victoria attempted to open up the offense in the final frame but Rebels’ starting QB Nick Cobb threw his 3rd interception on the day, this one to Belah Small of the Rams who put the game out of reach with a 43 yard touchdown return.

The Rebels’ backup QB Cat Todorovich would enter the game late and engineer two scoring drives which both ended with Sam Adu touchdown runs. The late scores would make the final 35-17 for the Rams, improving their season record to 1-2. Victoria now stands at 2-1.

The bright spot on the day for Victoria was the performance of running back Sam Adu who finished with 18 carries for 194 rushing yards and two TD’s. On special teams, the Rams’ Nick Downey compiled 7 punt returns for 171 yards, had a 34 yard kickoff return and 87 yards on 2 missed field goal returns. That makes a total of 292 return yards on the day for Downey.

The Victoria Rebels travel to South Surrey on Saturday to take on the Rams . The Rebels’ next home game is Sunday, Aug. 22at 1 p.m. at Bear Mountain Stadium.

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 BUCK BRONCOS

(ISN) — The Victoria Rebels improved their record to 2-0 on Saturday evening with a 23-7 victory over the visiting Kamloops Broncos in the team’s home opener at Bear Mountain Stadium.

The Rebels jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first quarter when the defence produced a safety. Defensive back Sean Bissonette corralled Kamloops punter Aaron Smit after the Bronco bobbled the football after taking the snap in his own endzone.

Victoria would add two touchdowns in the first half both through the air as quarterback Nick Cobb threw for his second and third majors of the season. The Rebels would tack on a field goal by kicker Quinn Van Gylswyk.

The Rebels defence was the story of the first half holding Kamloops to just three yards of total offense.

The Broncos would hit the board first in the second half. A Cobb pass was picked off by Broncos’ defensive back Shayne Arthurs and returned 65 yards for the major to cut the lead to 18-7, but that would be as close as the Broncos would get as the Rebels defense continued to hold Kamloops at bay.

Offensively the Rebels fed the Broncos a steady diet of running back Sam Adu in the second half. Adu would break the century mark on the day as he rushed for 113 yards on 18 carries. Van Gylswyk would add another field goal and the defence would force another safety to make the final score 23-7 in front of 947 fans.

Cobb ended the day going 13-23 for 239 yards. While the stingy Rebels defence allowed a total of 90 yards against (12 rushing/78 passing) on the day.

Victoria is tied atop the BCFC with their 2-0 record along with the Vancouver Island Raiders and the Okanagan Sun.

The Victoria Rebels stay at home next weekend to take on the South Surrey Rams on Saturday.  Kickoff is at 4 p.m. at Bear Mountain Stadium.

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