The BCFC is gearing up for its 64th season which begins this weekend and after the improvements each team has made in the offseason, all indications are pointing to another very balanced campaign.
In 2010 the BCFC used home field advantage to help them win the national semi-final as the Vancouver Island Raiders made their third consecutive Canadian Bowl appearance and fourth in five years. This season the BCFC will once again host the Intergold game and all six teams are optimistic they will get the honour to host the national semi-final.
The biggest change at the league level is the Rams organization moving out of South Surrey to the city of Langley. The Rams will play at the McLeod Stadium as Langley city council has welcomed them with open arms.
OKANAGAN SUN β 9-1 (2010 record)
For the first time since 2005 the Okanagan Sun finished with the best record in the BCFC. They would finish first on βpoints for and againstβ and would host the Cullen Cup Championship game.
They would beat the Victoria Rebels in the BCFC semi-final before hosting their arch rivals from Nanaimo. The Sun would eventually fall 16-14 to the Raiders in one most the exciting and well balanced championship games in recent memory.
This offseason the Sun organization made the biggest change at the head coaching position. They would promote Defensive Coordinator Jason Casey to the head role as he becomes the third head coach in four years. Casey will remain the βDCβ while Tony Lindsey remains the Offensive Coordinator.
Local product Bobby Davis returns for his second year as the starting quarterback; however will be pushed this season by two others behind him. Davis finished 2010 with 108 completions in 206 attempts. He would pass for 20 touchdowns and 2,168 yards, second only to CJFL Offensive Player of the Year, Jordan Yantz from the Raiders. Davis would also rush for 394 yards on 55 carries and scored five times.
The biggest offensive piece the Sun lose is All Canadian receiver Matt Scheurwater. The fifth year Calgary native graduates after owning a number of team and league records. With Scheurwater gone, the bulk of the passes should be thrown in the direction of fourth year receiver Dan Turek. The Winnipeg native received a main camp invitation from the BC Lions this season which will add to the confidence and learning of Turek. Knowing that teams will watch Turekβs every move, the Sun have recruited heavily at the receiver position. The Sun believe their much improved offensive line in 2010 has grown stronger this year with the addition of some key pieces.
The Sun defense was one of the, if the best in the CJFL in 2010, allowing just 104 points scored against. The 2011 version should be just as dominate as Steven Doege in his third season is bigger and stronger and has the potential to be the top defensive lineman in the country this year after 11.5 sacks in 2010.
The biggest question is the kicker position with Steven Shott on the shelf for the beginning of the year due to injury. Shott was terrific kicking the ball in 2010 and hit a new CJFL record 57 yarder against the Rebels
The Sun will travel to Kamloops on Sunday to open the 2011 season. The same place they opened the year in 2010.
VANCOUVER ISLAND RAIDERS β 9-1 (2010 record)
For the first time in two seasons the Raiders finished the year with a loss. In their third straight appearance in the Canadian Bowl, the Raiders would fall to the hometown Saskatoon Hilltops on a very cold November day.
Despite the setback, the Raiders return a number of key pieces from their last two championship winning teams including quarterback Jordan Yantz. The Regina native was the βCJFL Offensive Player of the Yearβ setting a number of personal and league records. Yantz would set a new BCFC mark with 182 completions and would tie a record with a 64% pass completion percentage. He would also throw 33 touchdown passes and would run for three more.
2010 BCFC rushing leader Jordan Botel along with All-Canadian receiver Michael Schaper and BCFC Rookie of the Year Whitman Tomusiak will also return to the Raiders. Botel would rush for 1,261 yards on 124 carries and scored 13 touchdowns. Schaper caught 60 passes for 1,179 yards (CJFL record) and 12 TDs. Tomusiak made 39 catches for 704 yards and nine scores.
Defensively the Raiders will have some holes to fill but with the mix of the returning veterans and the experience of the new recruits, it could be the defense that leads the Raiders back to the top of the standings. One of the returning veterans is linebacker Ranji Atwall who led the club with 48 tackles in 2010.
The Raiders played an exhibition game on Saturday and picked up right where they left off in 2010, blowing out the Westshore (Victoria) Rebels 53-11.
The Raiders will begin defense of their five straight BCFC titles on the road this Saturday when they take on the new look Langley Rams.
LANGLEY RAMS β 5-5 (2010 record)
The Rams organization are hoping a change of scenery will allow them to take the next step in 2011. Back in 2009 the Rams came up one win short of hosting the Canadian Bowl. Unfortunately in 2010 they would lose 26 players and finished third with an even 5-5 record. It would turn out to be the final year in South Surrey.
This offseason the Rams would announce a move to the city of Langley and will play out of McLeod Stadium. They would also change their head coach after the hiring of Jeff Alamolhoda, who had been the defensive coordinator of the Chilliwack Huskers.
The Rams would struggle offensively in 2010 and made it a priority in 2011. They would sign 22 year old Jerod Zaleski who played with Simon Fraser last season. Zaleski caught 16 passes for 146 yards in 2009 before the Clan moved to NCAA Div 2 last season. He would be used in various ways because of the US style rules.
One of, if not their biggest weapon Nick Downey will return. The CJFL Return Specialist of the Year recorded over 1,000 return yards in 2010 and ran back three kicks for touchdowns.
The Rams will begin the 2011 season in their new home as they host the five time defending champion Raiders on Saturday.
WESTSHORE (VICTORIA) REBELS β 4-6 (2010 record)
In 2010 the Rebels took a small step backwards after the loss of 2009 starting quarterback Yannick Rickli who was the BCFC Rookie of the Year that season. The Rebels finished 6-4 in 2009 and 4-6 last season.
The biggest and most noticeable change is their name and logo. The Rebels will now be the Westshore (suburb of Victoria) Rebels and the traditional horse logo has been replaced by large bold lettering.
The Rebels should be stronger this year with a number of strong recruits and a number of returning players. First and foremost John Cardilicchia returns for his second year at the helm in his second stint with the club. Cardilicchia was at the helm of the Rebels from 1998-2002 and would lead his team to a 33-15-3 record and was named a recipient of a BC Lions Orange Helmet Award in 2007.
Offensively quarterback Cat Todorovich returns after a year under the centre. In 2010 he was thrust into the starting role after the season ending injury to Nick Cobb. Todorovich would finish the year throwing 640 yards and six touchdowns. One of his biggest weapons will once again be Kyle Pich be looked upon to produce. He would lead the Rebels in 2010 with 24 catches for 528 yards and had five majors. The biggest loss offensively is running back Sam Adu who was used in so many offensive plays last season.
The defense of the Rebels is young and will need to grow up in a hurry. They would give up 53 points this past Saturday in an exhibition tilt with the Raiders. Coach Cardilicchia said after the game βWe had flashes and then we had a lot of crap. Stupid penalties, a lot of missed opportunities,β he said. βI just talked to the boys at halftime about not quitting and letβs go back out in the second half and fight hard. I think we have the talent to hang with these guys; we just have to get it mentally right. But itβs an exhibition game.β
The Rebels will start on the road in Chilliwack on Sunday.
KAMLOOPS BRONCOS β 3-7 (2010 record)
It was an excellent rebuilding year for the Broncos in 2010. They would record their first ever win against a βtop fourβ team after beating the Rams at Hillside Stadium in Kamloops.
The biggest move comes at the top as Duncan Olthuis takes over as the head coach following the resignation of Rob Ellis. Olthuis spent nine seasons as the head man of the South Kamloops secondary junior program before getting the call to join the Broncos. He played junior football in Kamloops with the old Kamloops Cowboys.
Offensively the Broncos return quarterbacks Jesse Neufeld and Dylan LaPrairie a year older and wiser. They also pick up Drew Jacobsen who spent time with the Sun in 2010. At receiver the Broncos will have one of their most dangerous weapons back in Darcy Macdonald along with running backs Clayton Ludba and Sheldon Brown.
Once again the Broncos strength should be their defense as they return a majority of players. Mitch Day and Tyler Lee will again be asked to carry the load. The offense should be much improved as well following their growth last year.
The Broncos also return kicker Aaron Smit, fresh off his BC Lions invitation to main camp. Smit tallied 48 points last year.
The Broncos played the first ever BCFC game in Prince George last Saturday and fell to the Huskers 19-14 in an exhibition game. Their first regular season game is set for Sunday at home when they host the Okanagan Sun.
CHILLIWACK HUSKERS β 0-10 (2010 record)
After a winless season in 2010, there is only one way for the Huskers this year and thatβs UP.
2011 marks the second season for head coach Luke Acheson and marks the second for the majority of the Husker players. Last year the Huskers had over 45 new players and after a year under their belts, this is the time to turn things around in Chilliwack.
Offensively the Huskers return quarterback Adann Hendrickson who has tremendous upside, has terrific athleticism and is very mobile. Hendrickson took over for injured pivot Clayton Kroeker last year and seemed to make some headway in the final couple of games of the season. He continued his good play during the exhibition game on Saturday in Prince George.
With just 2:12 to play Hendrickson would lead the Huskers to a comeback win over the Broncos. It was the first win for the organization since 2009.
Another key piece for the Huskers will be special teams and they have one of the best returners in the game. 21 year old Ben Skerrett will once again be asked to carry the bulk of the load in the return game as well as on offense. Last season he would amass 1,054 return yards and would average 21.5 yards per kick-off return. Following their win in PG Skerrett was quoted, βEven though this win doesn’t count for anything, it counts in our hearts.”
The Huskers defense will need to better in 2011 if they want to have any shot of returning to their playoff form of 2008. Last year this defense gave up the most points the BCFC allowing 458, over 120 more points than the next closest team.
The Huskers will open at home this season as they will face the Rebels in week one at Exhibition Stadium.
The 10-game BCFC schedule begins this Saturday as the five time defending BCFC Champion Vancouver Island Raiders travel to Langley for the first game ever at McLeod Stadium as they take on the Rams. Enjoy the return of the BCFC!
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