Photo courtesy of Crazy Bees Photography

Week 1 of the CJFL season opens on Saturday as the BC Conference kicks off with three games on the schedule. 

Westshore Rebels @ VI Raiders – Saturday July 29, 3:00pm – NDSS Field | WATCH HERE

The island rivalry is the first game of the CJFL season for 2023 as the Raiders host the Rebels.   This is an intriguing match-up as the Rebels were one win away from the Cullen Cup title last season.  They return several key pieces but have a new head coach as Dexter Janke makes his heading coaching debut. 

The Raiders are looking to rebound after last season, winning only one game. They named former Raider Andrew Harris the new head coach this season, however Harris and his 5-0 Toronto Argonauts are hosting the Saskatchewan Roughriders at 1:00pm so he will miss his first game.

Players to Watch: 

Rebels – QB Te Jessie is the reigning CJFL Offensive Player of the Year and was recently ranked the top player on the CJFL Top 50 players list.  He led the CJFL with 28 passing touchdowns last season.

Raiders – DB Jacub Gillman will need to play a big role for the Raiders in this game, keeping an eye on the passing attack of the Rebels after collecting 20 tackles, 1.5 sacks and three knockdowns last year. 

Okanagan Sun @ Prince George Kodiaks – Saturday July 29, 7:00pm – Masich Place Stadium | WATCH HERE

The defending national champion Sun open their title defence against the Kodiaks who are starting their second season.   The Sun graduated several players following their title run last year including quarterback Dom Britton so it will be up to a new pivot to lead the champs.

The Kodiaks won once last season and are looking to build this year.  They hired former Sun head coach Jamie Boreham to lead them in 2023 and he has started to create a football culture in Prince George but it will be put to the test in game 1.

Players to Watch

Sun – DL Romario Reid and DL Tarik Polius will give the Kodiaks fits with their speed and strength off the edges.  Reid was a second team All-Canadian and led the CJFL with 12.5 sacks last season while Polius who came over from the Westshore Rebels had 26 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

Kodiaks – DL Jason Kragt was arguably the best Kodiaks defender last year with 27 tackles, 11 assists and four sacks.  He will need to play a factor on Saturday night.

Langley Rams @ Valley Huskers - Saturday July 29, 7:00pm – Exhibition Field | WATCH HERE

This is too difficult to predict as the Rams and Huskers open the season. They clinched the last two playoff spots last year and are both looking to make their mark here in 2023.   

The Huskers have returned several pieces of their offence from last year including 1,000-yard rusher Reece Wyke.  With this nucleus returning along with head coach Bob Reist, they need to be taken seriously this season. 

The Rams will see the debut of new head coach Jordan McCarty.  They finished 5-5 last year and have high expectations for this campaign with several new recruits from the SFU football program joining their club.  Their defence has the potential to be one of the best in the BC Conference this year.

Players to Watch

Huskers – RB Reece Wyke rushed for 1,095 yards last season and will play a major factor running behind first-team All-Canadian Isaiah Letander.

Rams – WR Terrel Jones can be dangerous when he gets his hands on the ball making 23 receptions last year for 406 yards and three touchdowns.