Westshore Rebels

Week Two Headlines

By Ryan Watters 07/26/2024, 6:30am PDT

Some of the most interesting stories in Week 2

We enter Week 2 of the CJFL season and here are some of the headlines:

emotional home opener

The defending Cullen Cup champion Westshore Rebels will play in front of their hometown crowd for the first time this season. It will no doubt have a bit of a different feeling after the passing of General Manager Roger Wade earlier this week.

The Rebels will honour the life of Roger and have a moment of silence. They will also play the game, because that’s what Roger would have wanted. He would also want the Rebels to be celebrated for an incredible season they had last year. Starlight Stadium will be a buzz on Saturday.

A sub-headline to this story is the Prince George Kodiaks are the Rebels opponent and are making their first appearance in Westshore in franchise history. Now in their third season the Kodiaks will try and knock-off the defending BC Conference champions. They find themselves with their first ever winning record after a solid win last week at home.

Their offence will need to play mistake-free football against a very strong and talented Rebele defence. They did score 39 points last week in their win, something they are hoping to see again on Saturday.

CHILDREN OF THE CORN

The Valley Huskers will see their first action of the new CJFL season after having a Week 1 bye. They have some of their returning key pieces on the offensive and defensive sides that many people are excited to see.

Quarterback Tyran Duval leads a talented group, and will no doubt look to Payton Lake when they need some yardage. On the defensive side linebacker Andy Ofosuhene will be the leader and needs to have a big season for the green clad Huskers.

They have never had a home playoff game but many think this is the year they could get over the hump. They will host the Kamloops Broncos on Saturday night under the lights.

BATTLE AT THE HAT

A pair of teams in the Prairie Conference will get a chance to show off their skills in an exhibition game in Medicine Hat, Alberta. The Regina Thunder and Calgary Colt rivalry has started to grow over the last several years and Saturday they will get to know each other when they lock horns.

Medicine Hat is an amazing football community and has welcomed these two CJFL teams with open arms. The CJFL brand will be on full display giving the fans a chance to see high caliber football in their own backyard.

This could be the first of many showcase exhibition games between these two teams and they have already looked at Swift Current, Saskatchewan as a possible guest venue in 2025.

Rebels Legend Dies

By Ryan Watters 07/24/2024, 11:30pm PDT

GM Roger Wade will be missed

It is with a heavy heart that the Westshore Rebels and CJFL announce the passing of General Manager, Roger Wade. The CJFL extends our deepest condolences to his family—his wife Gina, and his children Danica, Stephen, and Gianna—as well as his friends and everyone in the football community during this difficult time.

Roger was a larger-than-life personality and was incredibly passionate of junior football in Westshore. His dedication and volunteer time was unparalleled at the team, conference and league level. Whether it was football or work in his community, Roger did everything to the fullest and will be greatly missed.

“I’ve known Roger for some time and always appreciated his friendship and passion for our game,” said CJFL Commissioner Jim Pankovich. “He saw the value of participating in a team sport such as football and would do what he could to support the athletes during their playing years and following their on-field time. His friendship and passion will be missed.”

The Rebels will host the Prince George Kodiaks this weekend and will no doubt pay tribute to Roger.

CJFL Players of the Week

By Ryan Watters 07/24/2024, 11:00am PDT

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.