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Rebels Host Huskers

By Ryan Watters (@ryan2tswatters), 10/16/22, 12:00PM PDT

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The final BC Conference Semi-Final

Photo courtesy of Crazy Bees Photography

Valley Huskers @ Westshore Rebels – Sunday October 16, 3:00pm – Starlight Stadium | WATCH HERE

The final CJFL playoff game of the weekend kicks off in Victoria on Sunday afternoon when a pair of 7-3 teams battle in a BC Conference semi-final when the #2 Rebels host the #3 Huskers.

This is the third meeting of the season between these two and the series rubber match with everything on the line.  It’s also the first time these two franchises will meet in the playoffs.  The Huskers last playoff game was last season in a semi-final loss at Langley while the Rebels are back in the playoffs since losing the 2018 Cullen Cup.

In Week 2 the Rebels claimed a 38-17 victory over the Huskers in their first meeting of the season.  The BC Conference Offensive Player of the Year, quarterback Te Jessie was outstanding completing 18 passes for 277 yards and two touchdowns and then rushed for another one.  Receiver of the Year Kieran Poissant made five receptions for 100 yards and a score.

The tables were flipped in their second meeting when the Huskers came away with a 28-10 victory in Chilliwack on October 1st.  They torched the Rebels defence for 401 yards of total offence.  Running back Reece Wyke gained 102 yards on 18 carries and quarterback Josh Janssen threw for 274 yards on 19 completions and three touchdowns.  They scored all 28 of their points in the second half. 

This game will be very interesting as both teams have a balanced attack, however they do lean on certain aspects.  The Rebels love to throw and keep the ball in the hands of Jessie, while the Huskers love to run with Wyke who is the CJFL’s only 1000-yard rusher.   

The Rebels offence has put up more points on the scoreboard averaging 34 compared to the Huskers 27, however defensively they are quite even both giving up just over 24 points a game.

This semi-final is packed with Conference award winners as well.  Jessie and Poissant along with receiver Zion Brown who is the Offensive Rookie of the Year on the Rebels side, while the Huskers feature Jaiden Claassen the Defensive Player and Outstanding Linebacker of the Year and Isaiah Letander the Offensive Lineman of the Year.

Weather will not be a factor as it often can be in Victoria in October.  Mother Nature will pull out the sunshine for Sunday afternoon with an expected high of 22 degrees at kick-off.

The winner will play the Okanagan Sun in the 2022 BC Conference Cullen Cup title game next week.

Head-to-Head

Records: Huskers 7-3 – Rebels 7-3
Points For: Huskers 268 – Rebels 34
Points Allowed: Huskers 246 – Rebels 245

Passing Leaders: Josh Janssen – 156 of 169 for 2221 yards and 22 touchdowns (Huskers) – 169 of 305 for 2864 yards and 28 touchdowns (Rebels) 

Rushing Leaders: Reece Wyke – 200 carries for 1095 yards and 8 touchdowns (Huskers) – Garren Hardisty – 121 carries for 797 yards and 2 touchdowns (Rebels)

Receiving Leaders: Luc Rodrigues – 32 receptions for 478 yards and 6 touchdowns (Huskers) – Kieran Poissant – 44 receptions for 811 yards and 10 touchdowns (Rebels)

Leading Tacklers: Jaiden Claassen – 43 tackles (Huskers) – Dolani Robinson – 33 tackles (Rebels)