If there was a mid-way report card in football, Kain Melchior would get an A in his first campaign with the Westshore Rebels.
And the A could easily stand for adjustment.
The 19-year-old Cowichan Valley product, who played most of his minor football at quarterback, has successfully made the transition to receiver for the 4-1 Rebels, who will entertain the 0-5 Valley Huskers today at 4 p.m. at Westhills Stadium before enjoying a bye week.
The six-foot-two, 170-pound speedster has 13 catches for 294 yards for a 22.6 yard average, the second-highest average in the league behind veteran Dustin Rodriguez of the Vancouver Island Raiders at 28.6 yards. Melchior also has five touchdowns.
Last weekend he caught five passes for 91 yards and two majors (his longest was 59) in the 47-23 win over the Huskers in Chilliwack.
“And he’s had two 50-yard plus touchdowns called back. He’s an explosive kid, right from the Cowichan Valley. He’s an Island product and a great kid, too,” Rebels head coach J.C. Boice said proudly.
“This is his first year playing receiver so his learning curve is going through the roof. I’ve been pumping this kid for a while,” said Boice. “We’ll get him one more year and then I think he’ll be gone. He’s got a great chance to play down south because he has the grades and he has such a high ceiling.”
Not to mention producing.
“I’d say it’s going pretty well. I’m having a lot of fun and it’s a big step up from midget. I’m just trying to do my part in helping this team win,” said Melchior. “Obviously, I had put in a lot of work in the off-season trying to get to this point, but I’m definitely happy with my results.”
Having played quarterback obviously helps him in reading defences and route running.
“Right now, the coaches are trying to help me with better field vision, where to break down and where to speed up,” he said.
He’s also adjusting to playing against men who can be up to three years older.
“A lot of guys are a lot bigger than me. I’m just a speedy guy that runs straight,” he said with a laugh. “I’m super happy with the program. Last year I came down to spring camp as a quarterback. I went to university for a year and took a break.
“This year I’m taking a year off school and trying to earn a scholarship to save my parents and me some money. … J.C. and Beatty [Shane Beatty the associate head coach] have turned this program around. If you’re not going to university you want to come here. This is the place where you want to play junior football right now.”
Quarterback Ashton Mackinnon was 10 of 18 for 183 yards in passing with three TDs last weekend. Nate Skeete added four catches for 72 yards and Nathaniel Pinto grabbed two for 29, including a 23-yard TD.
Trey Campbell went off for 173 yards rushing on eight carries and two TDS, including a 55-yarder and he added 67 yards on three kick returns.
