BCFC: Yantz leads Raiders in season opening victory

“We knew in training camp that he was ready to have an outstanding season” said head coach Matthew “Snoop” Blokker after the impressive victory. “He’s matured, he understands everything happening on the field. He’s just out there having fun.”

Yantz finished 17-for-24 in passing and also added 89 rushing yards in the win.

Despite the games lop-sided score, it wasn’t all smooth-sailing for the team hailing from Nanaimo. The Raiders lead was a mere 10-7 late in the first half before two quick attacks, just 1:39 apart, made it 24-7 before the break. Yantz scored the first one by finishing off a drive, lunging in to the end zone. Then, on the Rebels next possession, Ariel Fabbro intercepted a pass that would eventually finish with a Dustin Pederson three-yard touchdown.

“Sometimes in a game, someone makes a play that really gains momentum for their team” said Blokker of the Fabbro interception. “When he made that play, we really felt it was our game to win.”

In the second half, the Raiders took over offensively, as Yantz took to the air for some big time yardage. The teams traded touchdowns in the third quarter, before kicker Mark Mueller tapped home his second field-goal of the night to make it 34-14 heading to the final quarter. The Raiders would add another touchdown and field goal in the fourth, to make it a 44-14 final.

Mueller had a solid game, cashing in on three field goals and adding five conversions. Other offensive standouts were Whitman Tomusiak, who had two touchdown catches and, a long with Dustin Pederson, had over 100 yards receiving. Tailback Ashton Galloway carried the ball 19 times for 108 yards, and Marshall Cook chipped in with a touchdown catch of his own.

“We were impressed with the effort” said Blokker when asked how the coaches felt about the win. “Our execution was good; we played at a high tempo. We’re happy with it.”

Despite the victory, the Raiders know there is still a lot of work to be done if they are to end the season as National Champions.

“We’re not where we need to be yet.” Said Blokker. “We know we have a lot of potential but, at the same time, we’re not afraid to work hard to be where we want to be – and that’s what we’re going to do.”

The Raiders (1-0) will face a big test on Saturday night against the Langley Rams (1-0) in Vancouver Island’s home opener.

“It’s a big matchup.” Blokker opined. “We’re going to see how good we really are.”

Kickoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. at Nanaimo’s Caledonia Park.

Gridiron Report
– Raider’s linebacker Anthony Bienvenue suffered a leg injury in the second quarter and had to be helped off the field. Injury report pending.

– The Westshore Rebels will have to wait till October 13th to try and get revenge on the Raiders, as the two teams meet again for the final game of the regular season.