“We’re really excited to get going,” said head coach Matthew “Snoop” Blokker. “We’re ready to play; we’re ready to hit someone else and ready to see where we stand. We’re ready.”
The Raiders didn’t play in any exhibition games and haven’t played a meaningful contest since last years’ loss to the Saskatoon Hilltops in the battle for the Intergold Cup. Despite the lengthy absence from the grass, Coach Snoop doesn’t expect field-rust to be a problem.
“We have a lot of veteran guys back and we feel very confident,” Blokker said prior to Saturday’s season opener.
Ladies and Gentleman, the 2012 V.I. Raiders:
On offense, the relentless attack that has become synonymous to the Raiders’ core is expected to return for the 2012 season. Jordan Yantz returns as quarterback. As last year’s top passer, he is expected to be better than ever after spending the offseason at the B.C. Lions training camp. Yantz will once again be airing it out to veteran receivers Mike Schaper, Dustin Pederson, Whitman Tomusiak, Marhsall Cook and Matt Sawyer. They will be joined this year by impressive rookie Dustin Rodriquez, who Coach Snoop said will be “an incredible play-maker”.
After his standout rookie campaign as a fullback, Ashton Galloway will take over as this year’s go-to running back. He will be backed up by Taylor Flavel and Andrew Deleon.
On the offensive line, rookie Jordan Kuziek is expected to be impressive, as he will be joined by Raider starters Tyler Oldendorf, Steve Daniel, Rama MacMillan and Quinton Clarke.
While the offense is set, the same can not be said of the defense. Under new defensive coordinator Jesse Ehrenberg, the Raiders defensive unit has a new mindset.
“The defense is a little bit of a question,” Blokker opined. “We got kind of a new group, but we feel good about it. Guys will step up.”
Pass rusher Ash Gayat and veteran linebackers Jon Jones, Dylan Chapdelaine and Glenn Boyce will be returning for another season with the black and red. They will be joined by defensive back Tremaine Apperley who, with fellow returnee Ariel Fabbro, are expected to showcase their veteran presence. Alex Shackleton, Erling Skuggedal, Prince Hylton and Elliot Jones are the other defensive backs who will see significant playing time. One name that opposing teams will soon become aware of is new safety Rockenson Angrand, coming from Florida Atlantic University.
“We’re really excited about having Rockenson.” Coach Snoop said. “He’s a freak on the field.”
On special teams, Mark Mueller is expected to continue his dominance as one of junior football’s all-time scoring leaders.
So with the roster set and the team chomping at the bit, what can fans expect from the 2012 Raiders?
“We’re going to be very competitive, very physical and very fast,” Blokker boasted prior to Saturday’s contest. “We’re going to be in every football game from start to finish and we feel we have a great team”
The Raiders will not only look at capturing their seventh straight BCFC title, but truly feel that they could also vie for the Canadian Junior Football League’s national championship.
“We want to win another national championship,” Blokker said. “We want to be in it, we want to play and without a doubt that’s our number one goal.”
For the V.I. Raiders, that journey starts now.
Game notes:
– Game one of the season goes Saturday night in Victoria against the Westshore Rebels. Kickoff at 7 p.m.
– First home game for the Raiders will be August 11th against the Langley Rams.
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