The Raiders were winners in Week 1, and now they’ll try to win the battle of the Rock.
The Vancouver Island Raiders host the Westshore Rebels on Saturday (Aug. 5) in B.C. Football Conference action at Caledonia Park.
V.I. is coming off a 20-13 road win over the Langley Rams that surprised some around the BCFC, but the Raiders have already put that positive result behind them.
“We preach to our guys, one rep at a time, one game at a time, so we’ve flushed last week…” said Doug Hocking, Raiders coach. “Our focus is completely on Westshore and getting prepared for them.”
Victoria and Nanaimo have had a sometimes bitter rivalry for more than a decade, and last season saw the Rebels gain an edge, eliminating the Raiders in a playoff thriller last fall.
“I don’t think you need to go back to last year to find motivation to play these guys,” said Hocking. “I think our guys are completely, 100 per cent motivated to play any team in the BCFC.”
The coach buys into the rivalry, but said it ultimately doesn’t change much because “we prepare one way and that’s the Raider way and we get our guys ready to play and it doesn’t change.”
Nanaimo will be aware, however, of Westshore’s strengths and style of play heading into this weekend. The defending BCFC champs lost their opener 19-15 on the road against the Okanagan Sun in Week 1.
“They’re very physical defensively and offence, they’ve always had athletes,” said Brycen Mayoh, Raiders receiver and BCFC Special Teams Players of the Week.
Hocking said the Rebels like to throw the ball downfield, but also have an athletic quarterback who will tuck the ball and take off on some designed runs.
On the other side of the ball, Hocking said his team will need to be able to find success running the football and protect the quarterback against an aggressive Rebels defence.
Mayoh said the Raiders can find some advantages using their speed on offence, but will need to do a better job executing, particularly in the red zone.
“It’s going to be a war with them coming down to the wire,” Mayoh said.
Hocking also predicts “a great game” no matter the outcome.
“It’ll be an intense football game and I think that people should come out and see this 2017 Raider football team,” he said. “I think it’s a different attitude, a different group of kids, I think we showed that last week and we’re looking forward to playing in front of our home fans and providing them with an exciting brand of football.”
GAME ON … The Raiders and Rebels kick off Saturday at 2 p.m. at Caledonia Park. Tickets will be available at the gate and cost $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $5 for students and free for children five and under.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com
