The New Year is here and for most of us it’s a time to reset, refocus and try once again to hang onto our resolutions for the next 12 months.  For the 19 CJFL teams, preparation for the 2026 season is well underway as they hope their own New Years resolutions will help them to success by holding the Canadian Bowl trophy over their head in November.

With resolutions fresh on your mind, here is just one for each of the seven teams in the BC Conference.

OKANAGAN SUN

Stay the course

This Sun franchise has appeared in the last two Canadian Bowls, both on the road resulting in heartbreaking losses.  They did get a measure of revenge in the CJFL national semi-final game beating the visiting St. Clair Saints, but untimely penalties hurt them tremendously in the national championship in Saskatoon.  Head coach Travis Miller and the rest of the coaching staff don’t need to change their schemes and systems much with all their success they have had in recent years.  Recruiting will be an important part of the offseason filling holes left by some of the talented graduates, but this Sun team continues to be the team to beat in BC. 

WESTSHORE REBELS

Run the ball

Over the past few seasons, the Rebels have been more or less a one-dimensional offensive team throwing the football thanks to some highly skilled and talented quarterbacks, but to have success in the CJFL a team must have a run game.  With all the focus on the pass, the top Rebels rusher had only 355 yards in the regular season while the second leading rusher gathered 231.  In total, the Rebels as a team rushed for 1073 yards. Balancing their potent passing attack with a solid ground game can get the Rebels back to the national stage.

PRINCE GEORGE KODIAKS

Start strong

The BC Conference schedule hasn’t dropped yet, but regardless the upstart Kodiaks need to start the 2026 season on the right foot to build upon their first ever playoff appearance last season.  Things on the offensive side will no doubt be different after the graduation of quarterback Sawyer Thiessen, so whoever is named their starting pivot will need to help set the tone early.  Defensively they should be solid with their returning leadership group who can help steal a game or two.  They need that strong start to stay in the hunt out of the gate in a Conference that expects to be very competitive this season.

VI RAIDERS

Dominate defence

The Raiders surprised several BC teams last season as they got back to the Canadian Bowl playoffs as the fourth seed.  Their defence was fast and fierce last year forcing 32 turnovers and featured players in the secondary that had a knack for the football as they combined for 13 interceptions.  The speed off the line caught the opposition on their heels as All-Canadian Tani Wisdom collected 11 sacks and will be hungry for more in 2026 as he’s set to return.  Both Stirling Henry and BC All-Star Max Shippam were major factors on the defence and will return giving the Raiders a veteran laced group that have learned what it takes to win.  They will be a tough group to move the football against this season.

VALLEY HUSKERS

Improve defence

The Huskers took a slight step backwards in 2025, something head coach Bob Reist will no doubt rectify here in the new year.  Their defence allowed the third most points on average in the Conference, something that fans haven’t seen from the Huskers in several seasons.  They lose the heart and sole of their defence after the graduation of Andy Ofosuhene who will be hard to replace but look for the Huskers to fill his cleats by committee rather than replacing his 47 solo tackles with one player.  They will have some holes to fill, but many around the CJFL expect the Huskers to be a lot better defensively in 2026.

LANGLEY RAMS

Resurgence

For the first time since 1988 the Langley Rams didn’t appear in the Canadian Bowl playoffs in 2025, and they immediately took action hiring Jesse Maddox as their new head coach.  He is currently the head coach of Team Canada’s Senior Men’s team that is making waves on the international stage and will bring a wealth of CJFL knowledge to the Rams along with the talented players that want to play for him.  Look for the Rams to be vastly different in 2026 and will no doubt be in the conversation when talking about favourites to win the BC Conference. 

KAMLOOPS BRONCOS

Find offence

The 2025 season was not a very impressive one for the Broncos particularly on the offensive side averaging just six points per game as they finished without a win.   Many thought the addition of former Regina Thunder quarterback Carter Moberg could ignite their club, but he found it difficult to get the ball down the field and in the hands of their playmakers like receiver Colton Meikle.  He made 26 receptions for 240 yards, often facing the opponent’s top defensive back or double coverage.  The Broncos will need to find the personnel that can make an immediate impact at Hillside Stadium in 2026 as this team is desperate to play at a competitive level along with getting back to the Canadian Bowl playoffs.
 

Photo courtesy of Erich Eichhorn - @AllSportMedia

Okanagan Sun 43
VI Raiders 12

A 24-point first half and the Sun cruised to a lopsided semifinal win on Saturday over the fourth seeded Raiders at the Apple Bowl. 

All three facets of the game put points on the scoreboard for the Sun.  Offensively quarterback Liam Kroeger threw for 139 yards and a touchdown to Sam Melanson while the ground game chewed up 161 yards led by Gerren Hardisty and his 95 yards and two touchdowns. 

Defensively Ty Walker intercepted a pass and returned it 89-yards for a touchdown and Jarveon Williams collected two sacks. 
Then on Specials Jordayne Falconer added to the touchdown parade with a 94-yard punt return for a major.  Kicker Liam Attwood was perfect on two field goal attempts and recorded 11 points.

All 12 of the Raiders points came in the fourth quarter.  Quarterback Zach Golab threw a pair of touchdown passes in the frame finding Parker Moscrip and then Jakob Celso from 27-yards out. 

With the victory the Sun advance in the CJFL Canadian Bowl playoffs and will host the Westshore Rebels in the BC Conference Cullen Cup championship game on Saturday afternoon at the Apple Bowl.  The winner will host the CJFL National Semi-Final. 

Westshore Rebels 45
Prince George Kodiaks 28

This game was tied at halftime before the Rebels outscored the Kodiaks 14-0 in the third quarter and cruised to a semifinal victory on their home turf.

Offensively All-Star quarterback Gavin Session completed 18 passes for 277 yards and three touchdowns, connecting with Jeremiah Beckwith for a pair and Tyrell Hofland for the other.   Their ground game had their best production numbers of the season as three rushers gobbled up 178 yards led by Carter Williams and his 146 on 22 carries and he added three more touchdowns.

Their defence did give up 28 points, however 14 of those were in the fourth quarter.   Bryce Reuther had the lone interception, and William Bromilow recovered a fumble. 

The Kodiaks played in their first playoff game as a franchise and performed very well on the road.  Quarterback Sawyer Thiessen was outstanding completing 24 passes for 259 yards and found Matt Sturgess and Kayle Cowley for touchdowns.  He also rushed for two majors on 12 carries and ate up 87 yards for a complete game.  Cowley had a game high 106 receiving yards on seven receptions. 

Defensively they did sack Session three times but couldn’t get the big stop when they needed to in the setback.

The Rebels advance and will play for the BC Conference Cullen Cup championship on Saturday when they travel to meet the Okanagan Sun.