The BCFC Game of the Week features a rematch of Week 4, but in a different venue as the VI Raiders (3-1) visit the Kamloops Broncos (2-2).

This will be the second half of the home and home after the Raiders came from behind and beat the Broncos 35-26 last Saturday in Nanaimo.

The Broncos owned the first half last week, jumping out to a 20-7 lead at halftime.  The Raiders turned the tide in the second half, outscoring the Broncos 28-6 on route to their third win of the season.

Broncos quarterback Steve Schuweiler set a new BCFC record with 35 completions and compiled 358 yards, throwing a pair of touchdowns.  However he was intercepted during a critical fourth quarter drive in which Cole Virtanen returned 95 yards for the go ahead touchdown.   Both his touchdown passes were caught by Derek Yachison who has a Conference leading eight touchdowns.

On the other side of the ball, the Raiders offence did not play well in the first half and give credit to the Broncos defence.  It wasn’t until a third quarter drive by quarterback Liam O’Brien did the Raiders look comfortable.  They made some major adjustments at halftime and played much better in the second half.  O’Brien completed just nine passes in total last weekend, but three of them went for touchdowns including a 76 bomb to Dustin Rodriguez.

Playing home and home games traditionally has been tricky for the winners of the first game to win back to back.  The Raiders have that challenge this weekend as they will look to have a much better first half so there is no need for a pressure packed second half comeback.

In order for the Broncos to claim their first ever win over the Raiders, they must be able to have success for all four quarters, eliminate turnovers and create one or two of their own.    Last week the Broncos forced just one turnover, but coughed it up four times.

This week’s game could factor in on playoff positioning.  If the Raiders win, they will have had swept the seasonal series.  In the event of a tie, in order for the Broncos to leap over the Raiders in the standings, they would need to win by more than 9 points.

In the last five games at Hillside Stadium in Kamloops the Raiders have outscored the Broncos 295-70, including last year’s 45-15 victory.  

O’Brien has made just one visit to Kamloops. Last season he finished 12 of 20 for 239 yards and three touchdowns.  Schuweiler has faced the Raiders four times at home with last year playing his best game, completing 23 of 35 for 338 yards and two touchdowns.  However overall against the Raiders at home he’s 40 of 68 for 602 yards, 3 touchdowns, but 8 interceptions.

Kick-off at Hillside Stadium is set for 7:00pm.