The Westshore Rebels’ perfect record at home remains intact after Saturday’s 37-14 victory over the Kamloops Broncos at Westhills Stadium.
After starting the season with three straight road games, the Rebels have settled into the comfy confines of home where they are undefeated (3-0) and improve to 5-1 overall.
The offence was sluggish to start, up just 3-0 on Kyle Clarke’s 34-yard field goal 4:39 into the game. It ignited when quarterback Scott Borden Jr. rambled 41 yards on a run play and followed that up two plays later with his first pass completion, a 20-yard touchdown strike to D’Saun Greenaway midway through the second quarter. Trey Campbell added a three-yard TD run to give the Rebels a 17-0 lead at the half.
“It’s been like that for a while, this whole season. We’ve been working out our kinks in the first half and in the second we click together. Once we play a full game, we’ll get it,” Borden said of the offence. “I always tell these guys, I’m just a spark plug. I’m just here to get these guys going. I have so many athletes around me, all I have to do is get them the ball and we’ll win games.”
After missing on his first five pass attempts, Borden completed his next four for about 110 yards and the TD pass to Greenaway in the first half. The QB added a 68-yard touchdown strike to Birhanu Yitna before being replaced by backup quarterback Cole Theobald in the final quarter.
Theobald made his presence felt early with a 32-yard run, followed by a 28-yard touchdown pass to Austin Lindo-Brow. Kain Stevenson added an impressive 93-yard TD run late in the game.
Defensively, the Rebels were led by Tristan Francis who had two fumble recoveries, a QB sack and an interception. Connor Whitney, Jeremie Drouin, Kent Hicks and Ovie Akpeneye also added sacks. Brandon Gandire added an interception and the Rebs recorded a few turnovers on downs.
“We played fast, had lost of sacks and created six turnovers on defence. I’m happy with that,” said defensive co-ordinator Shane Beatty, who added safety Robbie Lowes from the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ practice roster last week.
Kamloops’ only TD came with 33.3 seconds left when QB Colby Henkel connected with Brody Bernier from 13 yards out. Henkel added a two-point conversion run and Landon Munk earlier had field goals.
