Week two is in the books and I would think most of the football experts figure that so far, everything is going as planned. With two games under each team’s belts, now you’ll see the play of the teams who were supposed to challenge for the BCFC championship start to improve immensely. Unfortunately, like most football leagues across the country, there will be two teams that will be way out ahead and will challenge for the title. One team will have it fingers grasped to the top step, but will not have enough strength to pull themselves up. One will start out looking like Tarzan, but will play like Jane, and two will have some great games between them in the battle to stay out of last place. Not dissin’ on any team, but history indicates, this is how it goes.
The best thing so far in 2017 is the elimination of the mercy rule. As you know I was never in favour of it when it first was implemented. I always felt and still do, that the BCFC shouldn’t do anything different from the other two CJFL conferences. In my opinion, putting a rule in or restrictions on players and coaches that the PFC and OFC haven’t adopted, puts the BCFC at a disadvantage. It has be a level playing field in all aspects of the game.
This weekend is the start of the CJFL cross-over games between the PFC and OFC. Edmonton Huskies visit Windsor AKO Fratmen and the Winnipeg Rifle travel to Ottawa to play the Sooners. Other games are being played on August 26th, when the Sooners travel to Saskatoon and the next day the 27th, the Regina Thunder will visit Hamilton for a game against the Hurricanes. On September 23rd, the London Beefeaters travel to Calgary to take on the Colts and the Edmonton Wildcats will host the Hurricanes. Like it was here last year, all these games will count in their standings. Pretty tough start for the OFC to face the PFC when you’re just back in the CJFL after three years away. The match-ups look to be similar in talent, and I’m curious to see how it unfolds. I just hope, that unlike how the PFC put the boots to the BCFC last year, it doesn’t happen to the OFC.
As the BCFC teams prepare for week three, I’d like to recognize the first timers and the notable achievements from week two.
First off, congratulations to Rebels’ Head Coach Charly Cardilicchia. Charly got his first win in his junior coaching career and the victory over the Raiders was the first time that any Rebels team had won a game in Nanaimo. Prior to Saturday’s game, the best the Rebels had done was a one tie (2016) in the twelve games played in the Hub City. It was only the eighth time in 61 games, that the Raiders had lost a BCFC game at home.
Congratulations to Valley Huskers Quarterback Noah Falconer. Noah moved into 6th place on the all-time BCFC passing list for pass attempts. Noah now has 731 attempts in his career. A ways to go to catch the leader, former VI Raiders QB Jordan Yantz who ended his BCFC career with 949 attempts, but the pace Noah is on, it could happen this year.
Langley Rams Kyle Clarot had a 106 yard interception return for a touchdown on Saturday against the Huskers. It was the longest interception return in Rams’ history and the third longest in BCFC history. The B.C. record is 117 yards, which was set by Greg Hallifax of the Vancouver Trojans in 1994. Well done Kyle.
Also would like to recognize Kamloops Broncos Bryce Couture. Bryce established a new Broncos record for the most punts in a game. He punted 14 times in the game against the Sun on Saturday night. The old Kamloops record was 11, which had happened three different occasions. The 14 punts also ties many others for 3rd place in the BCFC record book.
