Week 5 in the BCFC saw the Okanagan Sun, VI Raiders and Westshore Rebels claim victory.

The most exciting game this week across the country was in Nanaimo where the Raiders beat the Langley Rams in a wild back and forth shoot-out 52-44 despite begin down 44-28 late in the third quarter.

Raiders’ receiver/returner Michael Ritchott had a performance that will not be soon forgotten.   He returned the opening kick-off for a touchdown, hauled in a 105 yard touchdown pass and then returned another kick-off 108 yards for a major in the victory. 

Quarterback Liam O’Brien finished 17 of 26 for 336 yards and threw three touchdowns.  Ritchott caught one, Marshall Cook and Arthur Fabbro caught the others.  Cook finished with six receptions, while Fabbro had four.

Defensively the Raiders stood tall in the late stages of the game, led by Josh Paisley and his eight solo tackles.    Dan Dubinski had three stops, three knock-downs and a block and Kyle Vollet had the lone sack.

The Raiders (2-3) head into the bye week, then will host the Valley Huskers (0-5) on September 6 at Caledonia, their third straight road game.

The Langley Rams fall for the first time this season. 

Quarterback Dylan Tucker finished 14 of 29 for 188 yards and threw two touchdown passes.  His favourite target was Malcolm Williams who made a game high eight catches for 115 yards.   Both Dan English and Kyle Pich caught touchdown passes.

On the ground Tucker and Jordan Traversy scored majors as the Rams collected 147 yards.

The Canadian Junior Football League record books were rewritten by returner John Beckerleg who returned his fourth kick-off this season for a touchdown setting the new mark.

The Rams “D” tallied four sacks as Brandon Klein had 1.5, Saeed Hosain and Ryan Nicholls each had one and Dylan Roper shared one with Klein.   Ethan Schulz recovered two fumbles and Alex Benning had three tackles.

The Rams (3-1) will host the Kamloops Broncos (3-1) on Sunday at 7:00pm at McLeod Park Stadium.

Photo courtesy of Greg Sakaki

Like the Rams, the Kamloops Broncos also fell for the first time this season as the Okanagan Sun handed them a 54-16 loss on their home turf.

The Sun amassed 480 yards of total offense, 333 of which was on the ground led by Dillon Fortune.  The third year running back carried nine times for 123 yards including a 29 yard run for a touchdown.   Kasey Russell carried twice and scored two touchdowns and Alex Bradley and quarterback Cam Bedore also scored on the ground.

Bedore completed just four passes for 98 yards and threw a 35 yard touchdown to Lerone Robinson.  Backup Josiah Joseph played the fourth quarter and was 2 of 2 and hit Kamloops native Lliam Wishart for a 45 yard touchdown strike.

The Sun defensive didn’t allow a point in the second half and created six turnovers.   JT Fernandez, Landon King and Brennan Van Nistelrooy each picked off a pass, and Triston Nwagwu recovered a fumble.  Twice the ball was turned over on downs. Robbie Yochim had eight tackles, and Lucas Machado, Zak Ironstand and Jonas Gering each had a sack.

The Sun (4-1) take possession of first place in the BCFC and will have the Labour Day weekend off.  They will host the Langley Rams (3-1) on September 6 at 7:00pm at the Apple Bowl.

For the first time this season the Kamloops Broncos offense was held under 475 yards, gaining just 295 against the Sun.

Quarterback Steve Schuweiler found nine different receivers, finishing 26 of 46 for 255 yards and a touchdown.  Both Derek Yachison and Jesse Neufeld made six catches, while Brody Bernier made four catches.  Yachison hauled in a 13 yard touchdown pass.

Fifth year kicker Aaron Smit was a perfect 3-3 in field goals.

The Broncos defense forced one turnover as Brennan Adrian recovered a fumble.  Tristan Murray had the lone sack and Mike Ochoa and Jake Bainas each had four stops.

The Broncos (3-1) will play in Langley on Sunday night at 7:00pm against the Rams (3-1).

The Westshore Rebels claimed their second win of the season on Saturday afternoon beating the Valley Huskers for the second time this season 41-7.

Behind quarterback Hunter Lake, the Rebels gained 525 yards of total offense.  Lake finished 25 of 43 for 406 yards and threw four touchdowns.

His biggest target was Jordan Rodinsky who caught a game high eight passes for 184 yards and a pair of TDs.  Quinn Takar and Josh Beauchamp also hauled in touchdown passes.

Lake also ran three times for 64 yards while Johnny Quan rumbled 50 yards on six carries.

The Rebels defense threw a shutout in the second half and also got on the scoreboard as Jake Hauge had a 46 yard pick six.  Chris Pastro tallied six tackles and two knock-downs.   Tyler Leader, Connor Bryan and Jordan Worth each had a sack.  Leader had five tackles.

The Rebels (2-3) will have a bye this week, then will open the second half of the season on September 6 when they host the Kamloops Broncos (3-1).

The Valley Huskers are still in search of their first win this season despite gaining 251 yards through the air.  Quarterback RJ Begg completed 13 of 22 for 197 yards and scored their lone major on the ground.

Blake Draper made six catches for 134 yards and Cody Vinish hauled in six passes for 77 yards.

The Huskers defense was led by Jason Gahg and his game high seven tackles and two knock-downs. He also forced the lone Rebels turnover, intercepting a pass.  Sharif Ali and Dylan Boykowich each made four stops.

Following the bye week, the Huskers (0-5) will travel to the Island to play the Raiders (2-3) on September 6.