The rivalry on the rock wasn’t very close this time around.
The V.I. Raiders defeated the Westshore Rebels 33-7 on Saturday in Langford.
Nanaimo led Victoria 10-0 after one quarter, 17-0 at halftime and 19-2 after three quarters.
Raiders rookie receiver Eli Nelms-Horton, who is from Victoria, scored two touchdowns as part of his 155 receiving yards on the night. Mike West also caught a touchdown pass and Rhett Williams added a rushing touchdown. North Rainey had 87 receiving yards.
V.I. quarterback Jake Laberge finished 17-for-32 passing for 347 yards, three TDs and no interceptions.
The Raiders benefited from turnovers as Gevhahn McNally-Hardisty, Isaiah Johns and Riley Caljouw had interceptions. Todd Campbell had six tackles and a sack and Ethan Moran made seven tackles. Matt Hill had a sack and a fumble recovery and Brody Taylor and Connor Kyliuk also had sacks.
For the Rebels, tailback Khaliel James scored his team’s only touchdown to cap off a 134-yard rushing performance. QB Mason Brown was 15-for-31 for 161 yards, no TDs and three INTs.
Raishaun Provo led Vic’s defence, forcing and recovering two fumbles. Benjamin Pierik had one and a half sacks. Byron Mackinnon and Eric Williams made five tackles apiece.
The Raiders were able to win without a full week of practice. General manager Glenn Cook told the News Bulletin that the Raiders cancelled practices up until Thursday due to concerns over air quality.
Also of note, the Rebels were without head coach Charly Cardilicchia for Saturday’s game after he was suspended earlier in the week for three games for violating the BCFC coaches’ code of ethics.
Blake Roberts, head of BCFC’s media and business development, told Black Press that Cardilicchia was suspended for comments he made during an interview with a newspaper in Kamloops when he said the league was “pretty Mickey Mouse” after a game in the Interior was cancelled due to poor air quality.
B.C. Football Conference standings going into the bye week. Chilliwack Valley Huskers in 1st place… #football pic.twitter.com/2hPJ1WuiJZ
— Greg Sakaki (@BulletinSports) August 27, 2018
GAME ON … The B.C. Football Conference is entering a bye week. Next action for the Raiders is Sept. 8, when they host a rematch against the Rebels at Nanaimo’s Caledonia Park at 2:30 p.m. Tickets will be available at the gate or can be purchased in advance at www.viraiders.ca.
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