Photo courtesy of Crazy Bees Photography

For the first time in recent memory the CJFL season will officially kickoff in Chilliwack, BC when the Valley Huskers host the Westshore Rebels on Saturday afternoon at 2:00pm.  A pair of BC Conference games will follow on Saturday, but it’s the Huskers and Rebels that will get it all going.

The Huskers are coming off one of their most impressive seasons ever finishing 6-4 and averaging the third highest points per game in the BC Conference.   This year they will try and find that magic again despite losing a pair of lethal offensive weapons after the graduation of All-Star quarterback Julian Wytinck and All-Canadian receiver Anthony Dyck.  Wytinck threw for 17 touchdowns in which Dyck caught 11 of them.

The Rebels are looking to bounce back after an off year last season.  They missed the playoffs with a 3-6-1 record after a coaching change halfway through the season.   They have retooled this year and have landed some major fire power to kick start their office.  Former CJFL Rookie of the Year, quarterback Colby Henkel is back following a season at the University of Windsor.  Former CJFL Outstanding Offensive Player of the Year Brycen Mayoh also returns to the BC Conference after a season at the University of Calgary.

In their last meeting at Exhibition Stadium in 2018 the Huskers claimed a 23-19 victory.  Huskers’ quarterback Wytinck threw for 244 yards on 12 completions with seven of his passes caught by Remis Tshiovo for 156 yards.  On the ground Von Richardson scored a pair of touchdowns on 20 carries.

The very next week in Westshore the Huskers again recorded a massive 52-38 win to sweep the seasonal series for the first time in franchise history.

These pair of wins sent the Huskers to the post season and eliminated the Rebels.  But that was then and Saturday begins the “now” as both teams are looking to jump start their season with a victory.

This game also features two former CJFL Coaches of the Year.   Last season Huskers’ head coach Bob Reist won the award, while Rebels’ head man Shane Beatty is a two time winner, winning the Gordon Currie trophy in 2014 and 2015.

The Rebels visit the Huskers on Saturday afternoon as the 2019 CJFL season opens up.