The V.I. Raiders showed they’re not planning to take a step backwards in 2010.
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Nanaimo’s Canadian Junior Football League team won its season opener in overwhelming fashion on Saturday, defeating the South Surrey Rams 37-13 at Caledonia Park.
Even though the Raiders lost a lot of offensive playmakers after last season, they clearly still have a lot of guys who can make plays. Quarterback Jordan Yantz threw for five touchdowns and Mike Schaper and Mark Mueller each caught two TD passes as the home team generated 545 yards of offence.
“The first quarter we came out and it was like pitch and catch,” said Schaper. “We had a lot of fun and we started succeeding. To be able to prove that we can still win, and win by 20 points, makes you feel fulfilled.”
“I like the way we finished. We went after them, we were aggressive and it was great to put one in with no time left,” said Matthew “Snoop” Blokker, Raiders coach. “If we end up tied with them it’s going to be a point differential between the two teams. Our job is to win games and host the B.C. championships.”
GRID BITS … Yantz finished 23-of-35 for 423 yards with five TDs and an interception. Whitman Tomusiak had four catches for 125 yards and Schaper had six catches for 122 yards. Running back Jordan Botel gained 78 yards on eight carries. Quinton Clarke and Ranji Atwall had sacks … Mueller, the team’s kicker, got on the field in five-receiver sets and responded with two TD grabs. Add his five converts and he accounted for 17 points in the game. “It felt great,” he said. “I came in as a receiver in ’08, didn’t get a touchdown. It feels great to get two in this first game.” So far he’s not concerned about the toll it might take on his body. “We’ll see, it’s still early,” Mueller said … Other CJFL action Saturday saw the Victoria Rebels beat the Chilliwack Huskers 55-27 in the Fraser Valley and the Okanagan Sun beat the Kamloops Broncos 24-10 in the desert … Nanaimo’s next game is Saturday (July 31) against the Huskers at 4 p.m. at Caledonia Park.
By Greg Sakaki – Nanaimo News Bulletin
PICTURE: V.I. Raiders receiver Mike Schaper makes a catch and jogs into the end zone for the first touchdown of the Canadian Junior Football League season on Saturday during a game against the South Surrey Rams at Caledonia Park.
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