RECAP: Rebels nab first win of season, Suns earn shutout

Just two games across the BCFC this past weekend as the Okanagan Sun won their 33rd home opener and the Westshore Rebels recorded their first win of the season.

The Game of the Week in Kelowna turned out to a lopsided affair as the Sun beat the Vancouver Island Raiders 38-0.  The Sun rushed for 257 yards on the ground and compiled 439 yards of total offense, recording their franchise 50th shutout, which is second all-time in BCFC history. They reach the feat in 315 games.  The Vancouver Meralomes have 56 shutouts in 332 games to lead the history books.

Dillon Fortune led the attack on the ground rushing 10 times for 76 yards and had a one yard touchdown plunge.  Kory Nagata carried five times for 52 yards and scored on a 10 yard run, his first touch on the Apple Bowl grass.    Kasey Russell scored two touchdowns, each on a one yard dive.

Through the air quarterback Cam Bedore connected on 11 of his 22 attempts for 147 yards and threw a 24 yard touchdown pass to Jesse Kendall.  Zach Regert had a game high six catches for 64 yards, while Leone Robinson made three catches for 39 yards.

The Sun defense handed the VI Raiders their first shutout in franchise history.  It was also the team’s 50th shutout all time.

Rookie Jean Ventose led the way with four tackles and Landon King, Ron Mwamba and Oleks Bobrobskyy each had three.  Brennan Van Nistelrooy recovered a fumble for the lone turnover.

The defense also created two turnovers on downs.

The Sun (2-1) will now travel to Nanaimo for the back side of a home and home with the Raiders (1-2).  Kick off at Caledonia Park is set for 4:00pm.

It was the first time in franchise history that the Vancouver Island Raiders were shutout.  The 38-0 setback was also their largest margin of defeat.

Their offense collected 214 total offensive yards.  Quarterback Liam O’Brien finished 13 of 22 for 145 yards.  He found Marshall Cook five times for 58 yards to lead the team.

On the ground Nathan Berg carried a game high 11 times for 37 yards and O’Brien scrambled seven times for 44 yards.

Defensively the Raiders were led by Fabian Ross and Ash Gayat and their six tackles.  Dan Dubinski, the former Sun created the lone turnover, intercepting a pass.  Colton Copp chipped in with four stops.

The Raiders (1-2) will finally their play home opener this Saturday at 4:00pm in the second half of a home and home with the Sun (2-1).

This past weekend the Westshore Rebels tallied their first win of the season beating the Valley Huskers 28-14.

The Rebels scored three touchdowns through the air as quarterback Hunter Lake completed 10 of 28 for 120 yards.   Griffin Dear hauled in half of Lake’s passes for 35 yards and two touchdowns.  Jordan Rodinsky caught the other TD pass.

On the ground Lake led the club with seven rushes for 79 yards while Johnny Quan also carried seven times for 34 yards.

The Rebels “D” was solid and even put seven points on the board as Jake Hauge recovered a blocked a field goal attempt and returned it 65 yards for a score.  In all, the Rebels forced six Huskers turnovers.  Nathan Leader and Tanner Rodinsky also recovered fumbles and Nko Ceska, Braeden Swatez and Sam Richard all intercepted passes.

Tyler Leader made a Conference high nine tackles to lead the charge.  Chris Pastro had four tackles and Hauge also blocked a field goal attempt.

The Rebels (1-2) will host the Langley Rams (2-0) on Saturday afternoon at 4:00pm.  The Rams will play their first road game coming off a bye week.

The Valley Huskers remain winless at home, starting the season 0-3 with every game played at home.  They turned the ball over nine times, three interceptions, three lost fumbles and three turnover on downs.

The Huskers actually outgained the Rebels with 329 total yards.  They used three quarterbacks who combined for 215 yards.  Dylan LaPrairie completed 12 of 28 for 122 yards and threw a touchdown while RJ Begg was nine of 15 for 93 yards and a score. Seven different receivers were used as Nick Harper caught a game high six passes for 53 yards and a major.  Cody Vanish also hauled in a touchdown pass and Tyron Ledingham caught fives balls for 40 yards.

The Huskers did have success on the ground gathering 134 yards.  Benedict Muhima and Deion Bain each carried seven times.  Muhima for 38 yards, Bain for 35.

Defensively Jason Ghag, Sharif Ali and Jessie Smith each had four tackles and Mike Wiens jumped on a fumble for the lone turnover.  Smith also made two blocks and had the lone quarterback sack.

The Huskers (0-3) will play their first road game on Saturday night in Kamloops against the Broncos (2-0) at 7:00pm.

Photo credit:  Greystone Photography

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