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Hype for Henkel

By BCFC Media, 06/04/19, 7:45AM PDT

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Spring is in the air, which means football season is just around the corner. For the Westshore Rebels, they are looking forward to putting a disappointing 2018 campaign in the rearview mirror. After a turnaround season in 2016, which ended with a tough 37-25 defeat to the Saskatoon Hilltops at Westhills Stadium, a game many Rebels brass thought they let slip away, the Rebels were poised to get back to the dance the following year. Headed into the 2017 playoffs as the top seed and regular season BCFC Champion, it looked like the Rebels might just get their shot, but the rival upstart VI Raiders ruined the party and ended the Rebels season in a pouring rain game in late October. Fast forward to 2018, and the goal in Langford was take care of business in BC, and get back to the CJFL Canadian Bowl, and that didn’t go as planned either. Unlike 2017, the Rebels didn’t have the best regular season record, far from it actually. The team stumbled to a 3-6-1 record and missed the BCFC Playoffs. There was a mid-season coaching change, that the Rebels believe will pay dividends for the 2019 season. Head Coach Shane Beatty, who took over during the 2018 season, got a full off season of recruiting, and the ability to shape this year’s version of the Rebels from a players and coaching perspective.

 

               The first big offseason news came with the confirmation that 2016 Head Coach JC Boice would be the teams Offensive Coordinator in 2019. Boice who is widely respected for his quarterback coaching and game planning on the offensive side of the ball, is a huge addition to the Rebels. As the offseason progressed, Beatty would continue to add to his 2019 coaching staff, including 2018 VI Raiders bench boss Doug Hocking. Things were definitely “Westshore Booming” in Langford, especially with the stadium upgrades to an already outstanding facility at Westhills Stadium. It has been an offseason full of buzz, and no doubt Rebels fans can’t wait for the season to open August 3rd In Chilliwack when they tangle with the Valley Huskers, a team who surprised many in 2018 by making the playoffs while beating the Rebels twice during the regular season.

 

               On the field, a recent change by the BCFC in 2019, allowed teams to secure USports and transferring players to commit early, as teams looked to shape their roster ahead of the June 1st CJFL National Signing Day. One of those commits is familiar face to the BCFC, one which the Rebels have big expectations for, and that is quarterback Colby Henkel.  The talented gun slinger first came into the BCFC in 2016 with the Kamloops Broncos. Henkel, who is listed at 6’3, 225, captured the BCFC and CJFL Rookie of the Year Awards in his first season. Notably, Henkel took home the prestigious CJFL award while attending the CJFL Banquet of Champions in Langford as the Rebels were set to play the Canadian Bowl the following day. Henkel would also play the 2017 season with the Broncos before heading off to USports for the 2018 season with the Windsor Lancers. Now Henkel is back in Langford and will play for the Rebels in 2019 and he couldn’t be more excited for the 2019 season to come.

 

               “I’m really excited to be joining the Westshore Rebels, and everything that is being built over there,” gleamed Henkel. “I think Westshore is the best fit for me as a player and a person” he continued. Henkel is also chomping at the bit to work with Rebels offensive coordinator JC Boice, which no doubt was an attractive opportunity for him. “I truly believe Coach Boice and myself can do some amazing things with the talent this team has coming in on the offensive side of the ball,” Henkel noted.

 

               The Rebels couldn’t be happier to have Henkel in the fold for 2019. “Colby brings us experience, composure, and great leadership,” Head Coach Shane Beatty pointed out. “Both JC and I believe he is a big part that can lead us to a Championship” he continued. Henkel will have some weapons at his disposal, including returning speedster Cody Holmes and fellow 2019 commit Brycen Mayoh, who captured the Offensive Player of the Year in the BCFC in 2017 while playing for the VI Raiders.

 

               There is reason for optimism for the 2019 edition of the Rebels, and Henkel has already familiarized himself with the team goals for the season. “The main goal, and obviously the most important is definitely a National Championship and a ring” Henkel said. “Of course I keep personal goals and such, but with the kind of team this is going to be, I’m thinking and focusing on team success this season,” he added.

 

               Henkel along with his teammates hit the field for Rebels Spring Camp at Westhills Stadium this past weekend. The regular season kicks off August 3rd on the road against the Valley Huskers. The first chance to see Henkel and the 2019 Rebels at home will come the following week (August 10th, 7PM) against the rival Vancouver Island Raiders. What could be better than a rival team home opener, in a beautifully renovated stadium, on a warm summer evening with a team with lots of talent?