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Rebels score win over VI

By Mario Annicchiarico / Times Colonist, 07/31/16, 8:30AM PDT

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what you’re seeing is the maturity of a program,

The streak is over. The Westshore Rebels defeated the Vancouver Island Raiders 45-22 on Saturday night at Westhills Stadium, the first time the locals have beaten their up-Island rivals since the Raiders moved to Nanaimo from the B.C. capital in 2005.

“That was a phenomenal team effort and what you’re seeing is the maturity of a program,” said Rebels’ head coach J.C. Boice.

“I think you’re seeing an acceleration of [associate coach] Shane Beatty and the acceleration of these kids and the work they put in. I’m excited for these kids and the community. We earned that win,” Boice said of his 2-0 team.

Quarterback Scott Borden ran for two touchdowns and threw for two more, all in the second half, as the Rebels rebounded from a 20-17 deficit at the half. The TD passes were 21- and 43-yard hookups with Nate Skeete.

Borden had also thrown for a 75-yard catch and run TD with Kain Melchior in the first half, one of just three completions in the opening 30 minutes, but for 184 yards as he amassed about 350 total yards through the air.

Jamel Lyles was also a beast along the ground running for about 250 yards and a touchdown.

Josh Paisley’s 69-yard punt return for a touchdown and a blocked punt that ended up in a 95-yard score by Gehvan McNally-Hardisty 1:01 before halftime break highlighted the Raiders’ scoring.

For emphasis the Rebels’ defence stopped the Raiders on three chances from the one with 1:37 to go. Westshore gave up a safety touch with 36.9 seconds left, the only points of the second half for the Raiders.

Callum Duke had one field goal for the Rebels while James Parker had two for V.I.