BCFC Week 5 Summary: Vancouver Island wins in battle of undefeateds

The home teams would prevail in Week 5 of the BCFC as the Raiders, Rams and Rebels all held serve as only one team remains undefeated as the Conference hits the halfway point.

In Nanaimo the final two undefeated teams would square off in a rematch of the 2010 Cullen Cup. It was another classic game between the Okanagan Sun and Vancouver Island Raiders with the home team recording a 33-20 victory to take sole possession of top spot in the
Conference.

The first half was an up and down battle as the Raiders scored first on their first two possessions before the Sun rattled off 17 unanswered points and led at halftime 17-14. In the second half the Raiders would outscore the Sun 19-3 on route to the win.

The Raiders amassed 554 yards of total offence in a very balanced attack. The aerial assault was led by quarterback Jordan Yantz. He would finish 20 of 28 for 300 yards and four more touchdown passes. He would find five different receivers including Michael Schaper who caught a game high seven passes for 137 yards and had a major. Whitman Tomusiak had five catches for 72 yards and a score.

On the ground the BCFC’s leading rusher was outstanding as Jordan Botel carried 24 times for 165 yards. He would add two catches for 13 yards and had a touchdown. Rookie Ashton Galloway was very effective with eight carries for 61 yards.

The Raiders defence was solid and would hurry the Sun offense the majority of the afternoon. They would force three interceptions as Adam Laurensse, Ariel Fabbro and Glenn Boyce would pick off passes. Nick Woznesensky made five tackles and Ash Gayat had the only sack and two tackles.

The Raiders enter the bye week 5-0 and have won 40 straight games at home. Following the bye, they’ll host the 3-2 Rebels.

The Sun drop to 4-1 after their first loss of the season. After trailing 14-0 after the Raiders first two possessions the Sun would throw for the majority of the game compiling 279 yards of total offense, 249 of which was from the passing game.

Jeremy Mraovic would make his second BCFC start after a week 3 injury to Bobby Davis. Mraovic had a defender in his face for most of the game, but finished 14 of 26 for 249 yards and threw one touchdown pass and score another with his feet. Tommy Howes caught four balls for 49 yards, and Ben White caught three passes for 120 yards including a 92 yard
touchdown pass.

On the ground the Sun would carry 12 times, six by Mraovic for 21 yards and a one yard touchdown plunge. The other six carries were by Arman Bokitch for just 13 yards.

Kicker Steve McFadyen added to the scoring with two field goals, from 12 and 35 yards out.
The Sun defence forced two turnovers as Brandon Donkers had a pick and Beau Barthel jumped on a fumble. Evin Polak had eight tackles and four assists, while Robbie Yochim and Tynan Pearce each had six tackles and one assist. Jordan Pfieffer had the only sack for the Sun.
The Sun will host the 0-5 Chilliwack Huskers when play resumes on Sunday September 11 at the Apple Bowl.

Also on the Island on Saturday afternoon the Westshore Rebels recorded their third win of the year and first BCFC shutout beating the Kamloops Broncos 47-0.

The Rebels would use the run game to and pound away at the Broncos. They would use nine different ball carriers and tallied 423 yards on the ground. Greg Morris was unstoppable with 13 carries for 259 yards and four touchdowns; his longest being a 100 yard scamper. Andre Skinner ran four times for 35 yards and quarterback Cat Todorovich would call his own number five times for 32 yards.

Through the air the Rebels would gain 148 yards as Todorovich would finish eight of 20 and had one TD pass. Kyle Pich would record the major on just two catches for 45 yards. Vinnie Cannata had two catches for 49 yards.

Kicker Quinn Van Gylswyck was perfect on three kicks from 17, 36 and 40 yards out.
Defensively the Rebels would force three turnovers, highlighted by two interceptions by Dane Douglas. Chris McCormick forced a fumble and Shane Little would jump on it. Justin Perrie had three tackles, one assist and a half sack to lead the club.

The Rebels sit in third place with a 3-2 record at the halfway point. They’ll visit the Raiders when the schedule resumes after Labour Day.

The Broncos were frustrated gaining 187 yards of total offence. The passing game was stymied as Drew Jacobson was seven of 19 for 81 yards. Sean Poeppel would make two catches for 49 yards and Adam Nesbitt would also make two catches for 21 yards.

On the ground the Broncos would rush 27 times for 117 yards. Mike McMaster carried 13 times for 54 yards and Joel Mukendei had four touches for 33 yards…30 of which was on one carry.
The Broncos “D” spent the majority of the game on the field, but would create five turnovers. Mitch Day had an interception and would recover a fumble. It’s the 10th recovery in his career which places him second all time in BCFC history. The record is 13 held by former Tri-City Bulldog Matt Begley. Defensive back Scott Nelson also intercepted a pass. Drew Markortoff and Ben Hoffman recovered the other two Rebel fumbles. Clayton Ludba recorded another four
tackles while five other players had multi-tackle games.

Following the bye week the 1-4 Broncos stay on the road and visit the 2-3 Langley Rams.
The Saturday night cap saw another lopsided score as the Langley Rams recorded their first home win of the season beating the Chilliwack Huskers 46-7.

The reining BCFC Offensive Player of the Week Nick Downey pick up where he left off last weekend…scoring touchdowns. After three scores last weekend, Downey caught two balls for 110 yards and had a major. Although he has four offensive touchdowns in the last two games, you can never hold down a great returner forever. Downey would run back the only kick-off that came his way on Saturday night 84 yards for a major.

Quarterback Brandon Leyh was nine of 13 for 207 yards and had two touchdowns. Jerod Zaleski caught three passes for 41 yards and Daniel English made three grabs for 38 yards and would score the other TD through the air.

On the ground the Rams would tally 134 yards, highlighted by Clay Ross who rushed 16 times for 101 yards and scored two touchdowns. Rookie kicker Nick Naylor would hit three field goals from 35, 40 and 43 yards out.

The defence would also get in on the scoring as Nick Felicella returned an interception 13 yards to pay dirt. Charles Scott, Joe Patko and Jeff Paras would also pick off passes in front of Rams faithful. The “D” would also record four sacks by Chris Mulangu, Scott Puffer, Sheldon Vanroon and Ben Olson. Eight Rams would record multi-tackle games.

The Rams have won two in a row and are 2-3, in fourth place in the Conference and will host the 1-4 Broncos following the bye.

The Chilliwack Huskers suffer their fifth consecutive loss to open the season. The offense would compile just 124 yards as quarterback Adann Hendrickson finished 12 of 31 for 111 yards and a touchdown. Adam Leggott caught five passes for 53 yards while Alex Sattar had two catches for 14 yards and had the lone Huskers touchdown. Hendrickson would lead the ground game with 25 yards on five carries.

The Huskers special teams unit did a decent job of giving the offense their chances. Levi Weaver returned seven kick-offs for 160 yards including a 71 yard return. He would also return two missed goals totalling 65 yards. Kicker Jayson Bates had six punts for 123 gross yards.
The defence of the Huskers spent the majority of the game on the field and would force one turnover. Chris Schindel jumped on a fumble after Andy Goyer forced it. Brad Bomberry led the way with four tackles and an assist while Warren Jarak and Travis Mackie would pick up sacks.
The Huskers will travel to the Okanagan following the bye.

By Ryan Watters BCFC Media Coordinator