CJFL: Yantz sets new passing record in Raiders victory

“The job he does is amazing” said head coach Matthew “Snoop” Blokker. “It’s really a tribute to everyone on this team that contributes every single day, we’re really proud of him and of our entire organization.”

The Raiders got off to a quick start on Saturday, but the Okanagan Sun showed their grit by rallying back late in the game.

Whitman Tomusiak scored the first touchdown of the game, after linebacker Glenn Boyce got an early interception. The Sun’s next possession didn’t last long, as Dylan Dhapdelaine forced a fumble, giving the Raiders the ball right back. Andrew Deleon would finish off the drive with a rushing touchdown, before Dustin Pederson returned the next Okanagan punt 61 yards for a touchdown. Add in a field goal for kicker Mark Mueller, and just like that the Raiders were up 24-0 after the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Ashton Galloway tallied the first points of the frame, finishing off a drive with a 19-yard rushing TD. With the score 31-0, it looked as though the Raiders were on their way to their third straight lopsided victory. However, the gritty Okanagan Sun came storming back.

““We really couldn’t have scripted a better start,” said Blokker. “But then we got little lazy with a big lead.”

Sun quarterback Cam Bedore threw for a 29-yard touchdown, before second year running back Alex Bradley added a rushing touchdown, and suddenly the Sun were back in it – down 31-14 heading to half.

In the second half, the Sun would score on their first possession, before Mark Mueller kicked in his second of three field goals on the night for the Raiders. The Sun would answer back with one more TD, but a Whitman Tomusiak touchdown catch in the fourth sealed the victory for the Raiders, as they handed Okanagan their franchise-worst fourth straight loss.

For Yantz, his 9, 405 career passing yards passes former Regina Thunder and Victoria Rebels John Makie for first on the all-time list. Yantz now holds several CJFL and British Columbia Football Conference records, including career passing touchdowns (108) and passing touchdowns in a season (35).

“We’re incredibly proud of him” said Blokker. “At the end of the day, he’s going to go down as one of the best to play.”

Next up for the Raiders (5-0-1) is a rematch against the only team in the conference they haven’t beaten this season. The Langley Rams and V.I. Raiders battled to a 31-31 tie on August 11, which was the only other matchup between the two teams. Kickoff is scheduled for 4pm tonight (Sept 22) at Macleod Stadium in Langley.