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The best from Week 1 of the season
The CJFL in conjunction with the BC Conference is pleased to announce the Week 1 Football Canada Players of the Week
Offensive Player of the Week
QB Ethan Pickard – Westshore Rebels
The Rebels needed a big game offensively to show the rest of the Conference they are fully prepared to defend their Cullen Cup title and they got it. Quarterback Ethan Pickard was outstanding as the new starter completing 16 passes for 358 yards and he threw five touchdowns. Perhaps most importantly he ran a very balanced passing attack finding eight different receivers with five of them hauling in a touchdown strike.
Defensive Player of the Week
LB Jacob Bond – Okanagan Sun
With the game winding down the Okanagan Sun defence needed to stand tall, and linebacker Jacob Bond made sure they did securing their first win of the season. He was an important piece of the Sun defence all night long making five solo tackles, assisting on another and recovered a fumble. He is the emotional leader of that Sun defence and he seemingly willed his team to a victory.
Special Teams Player of the Week
PK Brady Harper – Prince George Kodiaks
For the first time in their franchise history the Kodiaks have a winning record and kicker Brady Harper’s foot is all over the scoresheet. He booted two field goals and three converts to account for nine of the Kodiaks 39 points scored on Saturday. After each score Harper would also manage the kick-offs and averaged 32.6 net yards with each one.
The Rebels, Sun and Kodiaks win
Photo courtesy of AllSportMedia.ca
Westshore Rebels 43
Kamloops Broncos 27
It’s only Week 1 but the defending Cullen Cup champion Westshore Rebels came out with a statement win on Saturday night in Kamloops beating the Broncos by 16 points.
After last year’s Canadian Bowl, the Rebels lost several key pieces to their team along with their head coach, but that didn’t seem to matter. They scored 20 points in the first quarter, then added 23 in the third to thump the Broncos.
A lot of eyes were on the new starting quarterback for the Rebels and Ethan Pickard didn’t disappoint. He threw for five touchdowns, to five different receivers on 16 completions, good for 358 yards. The balance aerial assault saw eight receivers catch passes, including Zion Brown, Chris McLarty, Carter Williams, Ryan Vincent and Tristan Remus-Arevalo each hauling in a touchdown. Vincent also rushed eight times for 65 yards and had a major.
Defensively they held the Broncos to 28 yards and forced four inceptions by four different players.
The Broncos offence struggled to run but did find some success through the air collecting 272 yards. Colton Meikle was a major factor with seven receptions for 103 yards and had a touchdown. Ty Holmes also caught a touchdown from quarterback Clark Snider.
Next week the Rebels (1-0) will host the Prince George Kodiaks (1-0) while the Broncos (0-1) visit the Valley Huskers (0-0).
Okanagan Sun 22
Langley Rams 15
The Sun scored all 22 points in the second half and held on to beat the visiting Rams by seven points.
They had a balanced attack both running and passing the ball, moving the chains. Elelyon Noa had a wonderful game with 138 yards on the ground on 19 carries and scored all three Sun touchdowns. He also caught four balls for 52 yards.
Rookie quarterback Marek Filipek looked poised under center leading the Sun and threw for 184 yards on 19 completions. He found six different receivers.
The Rams played a solid road game and found success through the air gaining 235 yards. Quarterback Jovyn Sangha completed 12 passes, two of them for touchdowns. His favourite target was Terrel Jones making four receptions for 121 yards and a 70-yard touchdown catch and run. Isaiah Edwards also hauled in a major.
On the defensive side Isaiah Cooper was a beast, making seven solo tackles, had a blocked kick and recovered a fumble.
Next week the Sun (1-0) will visit the VI Raiders (0-1) on the island and the Rams (0-1) have a bye week.
Prince George 39
VI Raiders 34
For the first time in their three seasons, the Kodiaks have a winning record after an exciting win that came right down to the wire.
Quarterback Sawyer Theissen threw three touchdown passes and 206 yards on 16 completions. He also punched in two touchdowns with his legs on the goal line. All three majors through air were caught by Carson Briere, who finished the game with six receptions for 112 yards. Running back Gavin Halvorson had a solid performance of 95 yards on 19 carries.
On the defensive side they combined for six sacks and forced five turnovers.
The Raiders played a very good road game but found it difficult to hang onto the ball. Quarterback Sadler Smith turned in a great game completing 20 passes for 210 yards, three touchdowns and ran for another but was tagged with two interceptions. Ruben Bonsu caught six passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns while Paul Romanoff also caught a major.
Defensively the Raiders got on the board as well when Denzel Igiehon intercepted a pass and returned it 65 yards for a touchdown. Colton Finstad was terrific with a game high nine solo tackles.
Next weekend the Kodiaks (1-0) will visit the Westshore Rebels (1-0) and the Raiders (0-1) welcome the Okanagan Sun (1-0)
The CJFL season open kicks off
Photo courtesy of Shoot the Breeze Photography
The CJFL opens the 2024 campaign on Saturday with three games set to kick-off in the BC Conference. Check out the head-to-head.
VI Raiders @ Prince George Kodiaks – Saturday July 20, 6:00pm
This is the first official kick-off of the 2024 season as the Kodiaks host the Raiders!
Players to Watch:
Raiders – WR Paul Romanoff – if the Raiders have time to throw the ball and find Paul Romanoff, good things will happen. Now entering his fourth season the Raiders are looking to him to help lead their offensive push. Last year he finished with 21 receptions for 395 yards and had four touchdowns.
Kodiaks – DL Jason Kragt – the third-year defensive line will be asked to lead this Kodiaks defence this year that has higher expectations now in their third season of existence. He has shown he is a defensive workhorse coming off a 2023 campaign of 18 solo tackles, 11 assisted tackles, half a sack, and three knockdowns.
Head-to-Head in 2023
Records: Raiders 0-10 – Kodiaks 2-8
Avg Points For: Raiders 13.2 – Kodiaks 12.6
Avg Points Allowed: Raiders 58.7 – Kodiaks 42.1
Saturday August 26, 2023 – Kodiaks win 17-15 at VI Raiders
Westshore Rebels @ Kamloops Broncos – Saturday July 20, 7:00pm
Players to Watch:
Rebels – LB Bryce Reuther – Coming off a Cullen Cup title and hosting the Canadian Bowl Reuther is looking for more in 2024. Last season he made 11 tackles, had three sacks and a pair of interceptions.
Broncos – WR Colton Meikle – he is one of the most dangerous weapons on the Broncos and will no doubt play a major role again this season trying to lead his club back to the playoffs. A year ago, he had 39 receptions for 598 yards and seven touchdowns.
Head-to-Head in 2023
Records: Rebels 10-0 – Broncos 2-8
Avg Points For: Rebels 58.3 – Broncos 11.5
Avg Points Allowed: Rebels 11.2 – Broncos 39.4
Saturday August 5, 2023 – Rebels win 70-10 at Westshore
Saturday September 23, 2023 – Rebels win 46-6 at Kamloops
Langley Rams @ Okanagan Sun – Saturday July 20, 7:00pm
Players to Watch:
Rams – WR Isaiah Edwards – he will need to be a focal point of the Rams offence this coming season and is extremely dangerous with the ball in his hands. Last season he caught 36 passes for 550 yards, had a 15.3 yards per catch average and hauled in six touchdowns.
Sun – LB Jacob Bond – he was a BC Conference All-Star last season and for good reason. Now entering his fourth campaign he will be looked upon to lead this already talented defence. Last year he recorded 21 solo tackles, two sacks and one knockdown.
Head-to-Head in 2023
Records: Rams 5-4 – Sun 8-1
Avg Points For: Rams 33.5 – Sun 53.4
Avg Points Allowed: Rams 20.7 – Sun 14.4
The only meeting scheduled in 2023 was cancelled due to poor air quality during a wildfire season.
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