The Vancouver Island Raiders are off to yet another successful season of Canadian Junior football. If six consecutive BC Football Conference championships weren’t enough, the Nanaimo-based Raiders are well on their way to capturing a lucky seventh title. Aside from close games with Langley and Okanagan early in the season, the Raiders have destroyed their competition. Since finding their focus in the past four games, the team has outscored opposition by an astounding 229–74 (the Sept. 29 game against Okanagan concluded after the Navigator deadline, visit us online for an update).
Fans were treated to an 85–0 clobbering of the visiting Chilliwack Huskers in the squad’s last home game at Caledonia Park. With score 70–0 at half time, the league’s mercy rule took effect and the rest of the game was played with running time. Raider offense amassed 529 yards while the defense held Chilliwack to just seven completions and 17 rushing yards.
The Raiders followed up with a decisive 41–29 road victory against the Langley Rams, catapulting them into first place in the conference. The two powerhouse teams were both undefeated and deadlocked atop the standings, with Langley holding the tie-breaker. They met earlier in the season, battling to a 31–31 tie.
Quarterback Jordan Yantz notched his 100th career touchdown pass earlier in the season, becoming the first player in Canadian Junior Football League to reach the milestone. Yantz will continue adding to his record, and having already been invited to the BC Lions’ rookie camp in the summer has a bright future ahead of him.
Former VI Raider, Andrew Harris, is having a successful season with the BC Lions. The Most Outstanding Canadian Player in last year’s Grey Cup, Harris is currently third in the CFL with 764 rushing yards and has registered four touchdowns.
The Raiders’ next game is another clash with Langley on Oct. 6, and will host Westshore Oct. 13 in the final regular season game. Students can purchase discounted tickets for $10, or tune into the live broadcast on VI Raiders TV at <www.viraiders.tv>.