Photo courtesy of Greystoke Photography

Westshore Rebels 34
VI Raiders 29

For the first time since 2004 the Westshiore Rebels will compete for the BC Conference Cullen Cup after a thrilling five point win over their Island rivals the VI Raiders.  The Rebels scored the game winning touchdown on a Jamel Lyles run with just 23 seconds left in regulation.    Lyles was outstanding with 25 carries and a game high 198 yards and the game winning score.  Quarterback Ashton MacKinnon completed just five passes but rushed 13 times for 79 yards and a pair of majors.

Lyles set the tone early by returning the opening kick-off 103 yards for a touchdown.

The Rebels defence was led by Jailen Goodson and his five solo tackles.  Jeremie Drouin had the lone sack.

The VI Raiders, as the #4 seed proved to be a formidable opponent giving the top seeded Rebels all they could handle.    Rookie quarterback Jake Laberge finished 20 of 37 for 278 yards and threw a touchdown pass to Dustin Rodriguez, playing in what would be his final junior game after an outstanding career.  Hugh Rainey caught a game high eight passes for 124 yards.

On the ground Nathan Berg was terrific rushing 27 times for 139 yards and had a score.  Kicker James Parker connected on four field goals, including a 44 yarder.

Defensively the Raiders forced six turnovers.  Both Jeremie Cheng and Dexter Shea had interceptions.  Shea along with Cole Virtanen each recovered a fumble.

The Rebels (8-1-1) will now host the Okanagan Sun (7-3) in the CJFL Canadian Bowl BC Conference Cullen Cup game on Saturday October 29th.  It’ll be the sixth time these two franchises meet in the Cullen Cup and first since the 2004 season.  The Rebels has just one win against the Sun in the title game.

Okanagan Sun 26 (OT)
Langley Rams 23

A 34 yard field goal off the boot of Sun kicker Kealey Heintz in overtime propels the Sun into their third consecutive CJFL Canadian Bowl BC Conference Cullen Cup game.

It was a game of two halves.  The Sun winning the first half 20-6 on the strength of a touchdown run by Lliam Wishart and a 75 yard touchdown bomb to Shamar Donelson.

After halftime the Rams started to fight back, winning the second half 17-3.  Quarterback Tommy Robertson threw a pair of majors to Jay Jay Jackson and Jules Kehler.  Robertson and Colby Peters finished 13 of 28 for 166 yards.

Both defences were outstanding.  The Sun saw two interceptions by Raquille Cespedes and a fumble recovery from Connor Novak all in the first quarter.    Cory McCoy had a pair of sacks and Conor Richard had five tackles.

The Rams wer equally as good, if not slightly better.  They held the Sun offence to 183 yards, most of that in the first half.  Brendan Desjardine had an interception and six tackles, while Nick Wastad, Adam Marchetti and Shaiheem Charles-Brown each had five stops.

In overtime the Rams failed to score after trying to fake a field goal on their first overtime possession.  The Sun took advantage.  After two fullback dive plays, Heintz kicked it through the uprights for the victory.

With the win the Sun advances to the CJFL Canadian Bowl BC Conference Cullen Cup title game.  They will play in their third straight championship, when they travel to Westshore to face the Rebels.  This will be the first time the Sun play a Cullen Cup game on the road since the 2008 season.