Photo courtesy of Jake Bradley Photography

It’s Week 7 of the CJFL season as we have turned the corner into the second half with wins and points even more important. 

SATURDAY 

BC CONFERENCE

Prince George Kodiaks @ Langley Rams – Saturday September 9, 4:00pm – McLeod Stadium | WATCH HERE

The first of a home and home kicks off on Saturday when the Rams host the Kodiaks in the BC Conference.  The winner takes the driver seat for the final playoff spot. 

The Rams are coming off a hard-fought loss at home at the hands of the Westshore Rebels last week 28-21.  Their defence was outstanding for the first three quarters but ran out of gas against the highflying Rebels in the final frame.   

Meanwhile the Kodiaks are coming off a bye weekend and have had plenty of time to get ready for the Rams.  This is only their second road game this season and will be tested in all three facets of the game.

Head-to-Head

Records: Kodiaks 2-2 – Rams 2-2
Avg Points For: Kodiaks 13 – Rams 32.2
Avg Points Allowed: Kodiaks 26.7 – Rams 15 

Passing Leaders: Quinn Neukomm – 29 of 67, 342 yards, 2 touchdowns (Kodiaks) – Trey Jones – 52 of 95, 821 yards, 10 touchdowns (Rams)

Rushing Leaders: Xander Shane – 38 carries for 227 (Kodiaks) - Kairo Hassan – 48 carries for 261 yards and 3 touchdowns (Rams)

Receiving Leaders: Kaden Wagner – 15 receptions for 175 yards, 1 touchdown (Kodiaks) – Isaiah Edwards – 20 receptions for 312 yards, 4 touchdowns (Rams)

Leading Tacklers: Ryley Amendt – 22 tackles (Kodiaks) – Kyle Huish – 12 tackles (Rams)

Valley Huskers @ Westshore Rebels – Saturday September 9, 4:00pm – Starlight Stadium | WATCH HERE

It’s the first and only meeting of the season between these two teams and is a first-place showdown featuring the top two quarterbacks in the BC Conference. 

The Rebels are unbeaten, collecting their closest margin of victory last weekend in Langley.  Meanwhile the Huskers have won three straight and with an Okanagan Sun bye last weekend, they find themselves in second place with eight points.

Looking at the quarterback match-up, Rebels pivot Te Jessie has thrown for eight more yards than the Huskers’ Tyran Duval but has connected on 13 more touchdowns.  Both QBs are completing an incredible percentage of their passes; Jessie at 71%, Duval at 62%. 

Head-to-Head

Records: Huskers 4-1 – Rebels 5-0
Avg Points For: Huskers 39.8 – Rebels 43.2 
Avg Points Allowed: Huskers 22 – Rebels 8.2 

Passing Leaders: Tyran Duval – 79 of 128, 1252 yards, 8 touchdowns (Huskers) – Te Jessie – 84 of 118, 1260 yards, 21 touchdowns (Rebels)

Rushing Leaders: Reece Wyke – 72 carries for 556 yards, 5 touchdowns (Huskers) – Gerren Hardisty – 56 carries for 486 yards, 5 touchdowns (Rebels)

Receiving Leaders: Payton Lake – 23 receptions for 415 yards, 4 touchdowns (Huskers) – Kieran Poissant – 31 receptions for 439 yards, 6 touchdowns (Rebels) 

Leading Tacklers:  Jaiden Claassen – 23 tackles (Huskers) – Demar Hohnstein – 35 tackles

VI Raiders @ Okanagan Sun – Saturday September 9, 7:00pm – Apple bowl | WATCH HERE

It’s the lone meeting of the season between these once storied rivals.  The Raiders will climb aboard the ferry and head to Kelowna to face the Sun on Saturday night.  Both teams are coming off the Labour Day bye week so will be rested for this matchup.  Entering the bye week the Sun fell for the first time this season, getting hammered by the Westshore Rebels. Meanwhile the Raiders dropped a close two-point game to the visiting Prince George Kodiaks.  

This is an important game for both teams.  The Sun are trying to keep pace with the Rebels and Valley Huskers in the BC standings, while the Raiders are already fighting for a playoff spot and desperately need a win.

Head-to-Head

Records: Raiders 0-5 – Sun 3-1
Avg Points For: Raiders 9.6 – Sun 32.7
Avg Points Allowed: Raiders 55.6 – Sun 4.5

Passing Leaders: Ben Chomolok – 62 of 128, 663 yards, 4 touchdowns (Raiders) – Liam Kroeger – 56 of 87, 643 yards, 2 touchdowns (Sun) 

Rushing Leaders: Ben Chomolok – 28 carries for 198 yards, 1 touchdown (Raiders) – Aidan Wiberg – 56 carries for 416 yards, 2 touchdowns (Sun)

Receiving Leaders: Hayden Day – 11 receptions for 161 yards, 1 touchdown (Raiders) – Kenny Williams – 12 receptions for 173 yards (Sun)

Leading Tacklers: Kaleb Charlton – 16 tackles (Raiders) – Sheldon Gerlib – 11 tackles (Sun)

PRAIRIE CONFERENCE

Saskatoon Hilltops @ Regina Thunder – Saturday September 9, 7:00pm – Mosaic Stadium | WATCH HERE

Every year when the schedule comes out fans in Saskatchewan circle this match up when the Hilltops and Thunder meet under the lights. 

Both teams are coming off their bye week and are undefeated atop the Prairie Conference standings.  This is the first of two meeting this year, the rematch is scheduled for September 30th.   This heavy hitting tilt features the two stingiest defences in the Conference, combining to average 12 points allowed per game.

Before the Labour Day bye the Thunder beat the Winnipeg Rifles 45-21 while the Hilltops handed the Calgary Colts a 50-18 setback.

Head-to-Head 

Records: Hilltops 3-0 – Thunder 3-0
Avg Points For: Hilltops 49.6 – Thunder 44.6
Avg Points Allowed: Hilltops 6.6 – Thunder 18.3

Passing Leaders: Trey Reider – 45 of 68, 716 yards, 8 touchdowns (Hilltops) – Carter Moberg – 51 of 91, 1025 yards, 10 touchdowns (Thunder)

Rushing Leaders: Boston Davidsen – 49 carries for 458 yards, 3 touchdowns (Hilltops) – Ryland Leichert – 51 yards, 373 yards, 2 touchdowns (Thunder) 

Receiving Leaders: Drake Douglas – 18 receptions, 254 yards, 1 touchdown (Hilltops) – Isaiah Woodley – 14 receptions, 383 yards, 3 touchdowns (Thunder) 

Leading Tacklers: Matt Wist – 7 tackles (Hilltops) – Stephen Smith – 14 tackles (Thunder)

ONTARIO CONFERENCE 

GTA Grizzlies @ Ottawa Sooners – Saturday September 9, 1:00pm – Lee’s Stadium | WATCH HERE

It’s the first meeting of the season between these two teams who are fighting for their seasons as we turn the corner on the halfway point.  With a victory, the Sooners are right back in the playoff picture, but a win for the Grizzlies gives their season some hope.

For the Sooners they are trying to build upon their dominating performance last weekend and win their second straight.  For the Grizzlies they are trying get their offence rolling and have only scored points in one of their first four games. 

Head-to-Head

Records: Grizzlies 0-4 – Sooners 1-3
Avg Points For: Grizzlies 3 – Sooners 18.7
Avg Points Allowed: Grizzlies 49.5 – Sooners 41.5

Passing Leaders: Owen Cowan – 51 of 87, 712 yards, 4 touchdowns (Sooners)

Receiving Leaders: Jonathan Stoddard – 15 receptions for 204 yards, 1 touchdown (Grizzlies) – Marcus Lynch – 18 receptions for 268 yards (Sooners) 

Leading Tacklers: Devonte Edwards – 17 tackles (Grizzlies) – Noah Nelson – 13 tackles (Sooners) 

Quinte Skyhawks @ London Beefeaters – Saturday September 9, 5:00pm – City Wide Field | WATCH HERE

Sole possession of third place is on the line when the Beefeaters host the Skyhawks on Saturday.   Both teams are coming off a loss last weekend and will need to score early to regain their confidence.  

This is the first of two second half meetings between these two with the rematch set for October 1st in the regular season finale. 

Head-to-Head

Records: Skyhawks 2-1 – Beefeaters 2-2
Avg Points For: Skyhawks 31 – Beefeaters 28
Avg Points Allowed: Skyhawks 20.6 – Beefeaters 19.7

Passing Leaders: Josiah Bowman – 33 of 58, 412 yards, 4 touchdowns (Skyhawks) 

Rushing Leaders: Jake Venditti – 49 carries for 271 yards (Skyhawks) – LJ Dyer – 67 carries for 422 yards, 3 touchdowns (Beefeaters) 

Receiving Leaders: Otis Newbury – 15 receptions for 113 yards, 3 touchdowns (Skyhawks) – Jagger Horst – 15 receptions for 281 yards, 2 touchdowns (Beefeaters)  

Leading Tacklers: Teagan Good – 12 tackles (Skyhawks) – N’Kosi Stewart – 13 tackles (Beefeaters) 

Hamilton Hurricanes @ St. Clair Saints – Saturday September 9, 7:00pm – Acumen Stadium | WATCH HERE

The nightcap in the Ontario Conference features the top two teams in the standings in their first meeting of the season.

In Windsor, the Saints remain undefeated after surviving last weekend against London.  The Hurricanes have had a couple of extra days rest, after their lopsided shutout of the Grizzlies on the Labour Day weekend. 

Head-to-Head

Records: Hurricanes 4-1 – Saints 3-0
Avg Points For: Hurricanes 34.7- Saints 34.3
Avg Points Allowed: Hurricanes 15.5 – Saints 19

Passing Leaders: Peyton Garvin – 8 of 17, 126 yards, 4 touchdowns (Hurricanes) – Matthew Guenette – 16 of 26, 409 yards, 3 touchdowns (Saints)

Rushing Leaders: Jesse King – 36 carries for 226 yards (Hurricanes) – MJ Doyle-Marshall – 18 carries for 204 yards, 3 touchdowns (Saints)

Receiving Leaders: Javier Lewis – 7 receptions for 227 yards, 3 touchdowns (Saints) 

Leading Tacklers:  Zach Chaddock – 12 tackles (Hurricanes) – Keewone Parker – 9 tackles (Saints)

SUNDAY

PRAIRIE CONFERENCE 

Edmonton Wildcats @ Edmonton Huskies – Sunday September 10, 1:00pm – JP Bowl | WATCH HERE

It’s the second half of a home and home with the Labour Day weekend in the middle as the Huskies host the Wildcats.  They met two weeks ago with the Huskies winning 30-19.

Both teams gained over 400 yards offensively with a combined 576 yards through the air. 

Head-to-Head

Records: Wildcats 0-3 – Huskies 2-1
Avg Points For: Wildcats 11.6 – Huskies 32.3
Avg Points Allowed: Wildcats 44.3 – Huskies 25.6

Passing Leaders: Caleb Taylor – 28 of 45, 307 yards, 2 touchdowns (Wildcats) – Carson Neitz – 33 of 59, 547 yards, 3 touchdowns (Huskies)

Rushing Leaders: Caleb Taylor – 15 carries for 106 yards (Wildcats) – Ife Adebogun – 27 carries for 168 yards, 2 touchdowns (Huskies)

Receiving Leaders: Xander Matheson – 8 receptions for 149 yards, 1 touchdown (Wildcats) - 

Leading Tacklers: Tytan Johannesson -15 tackles (Wildcats) – Tyson Colby – 13 tackles (Huskies)

Winnipeg Rifles @ Calgary Colts – Sunday September 10, 1:00pm – Shouldice | WATCH HERE

It’s the one and only meeting of the season between these two teams which means the stakes are higher.   The team that wins takes control of the tiebreaker that could occur later in the season.  

Both teams are coming off the bye weekend and suffered a loss the week before.  

Head-to-Head

Records: Rifles 1-2 – Colts 0-3
Avg Points For: Rifles 13.6 – Colts 25.3
Avg Points Allowed: Rifles 36.6 – Colts 45.6

Passing Leaders: Thomas Hubbard – 36 of 65, 354 yards, 2 touchdowns (Rifles) – Liam Ozkowski – 56 of 97, 823 yards, 5 touchdowns (Colts) 

Rushing Leaders: Kaiden Banfield – 57 carries for 229 yards (Rifles) – Liam Ozkowski – 23 carries for 132 yards, 2 touchdowns (Colts)

Receiving Leaders: Nicholas Sirleaf – 8 receptions for 185 yards, 2 touchdowns (Colts)

Leading Tacklers: Derek Gumieny – 11 tackles (Rifles) – Cody Anglo – 16 tackles (Colts)