It was an exciting night of football in the British Columbia Football Conference yesterday.
In Langley the Rams surged to a 25-0 lead under the guidance of a new starting quarterback before the VI Raiders showed heart, storming back to within 8 points before dropping a game on the road.
The Broncos got their first win in a game in Chilliwack that looked like until the last minute would be ending in a tie. Which in an ironic twist would have kept a pair of winless teams just that.
In Langford the battle for first place got a whole lot more confusing after the Westshore Rebels win over the previously undefeated Okanagan Sun.
Let’s look at winners and losers beyond the scoreboard…
Winner-Westshore Rebels
The Rebels did something they haven’t done since 2012, namely beat the Okanagan Sun at Langford. They ended the Sun’s 24 game winning streak and moved into a tie for first place in the conference.
Along the way they again won the second half, something they have done every game with the except of the season opening win over Langley. A big lead there lead likely caused the foot to come off the pedal.
Westshore head coach JC Boice said it best in a post-game interview. “It’s a good day to be a Westshore Rebel.”
Loser-Okanagan Sun schedule decision
The Okanagan Sun lost what was an outstanding game, in hostile territory, against a very good Rebels team. That doesn’t make them a loser on this night.
The Sun could just as easily have won this game and be in the driver’s seat for first place as they hold the tie breaker over the Rebels based on fewest points allowed overall in league play.
What makes the Sun a potential loser on this night depends on what happens next weekend. The Sun agreed to play an inter-conference game against the defending national champion Saskatoon Hilltops. In the process they gave up what arguably would have been an automatic two points against the Valley Huskers.
If the Rebels run the table the rest of the regular season the Sun must do the same.
Next Saturday’s game against a storied franchise could be a key moment in the Sun season if they beat a strong opponent.
A loss could cost them first place and huge home field advantage come play-off time.
Based on the two games the Sun and Rebels have played this season, home field can mean everything when the final gun sounds.
You have to wonder of the Sun wouldn't welcome a game against the cellar dwelling Huskers to regroup now with games against the Raiders and Rams to follow.
Winner-Ashton MacKinnon
The Rebels quarterback was made the starter for the rest of the season by Rebels head coach JC Boice last week. His stablemate Scott Borden chose to hang up his cleats and left the team rather than play on. A lot can happen on the field to get him his job back the rest of the way, leaving the Rebels might have been short sighted on his part.
Having a quarterback with plenty of game experience behind him or not, McKinnon led his team to a win against a tough Sun defence that game planned to shut down the Rebels vaunted run game.
He was a bit erratic at times as his 3 interceptions attest to. But in addition to 262 yards through the air, his 85 rushing yards and managing of the Rebels run-option offense got the job done.
Winner-Okanagan Sun defense
The Sun came out on the short end of the scoreboard but not for lack of effort on the part of the Sun defense. They largely kept the duo of Lyles and Campbell in check along the ground.
If these two teams meet again this outstanding chess match will continue. If defense wins championships as they say…the Sun have every reason to feel confident.
Winner-Langley Rams
The Rams smothered the VI Raiders in the 32-17 win yesterday. The score likely could have been more lopsided had the Raiders not scored a couple late touchdowns with the Rams up 25-0. Unofficially they limited the Raiders to 18 yards of offence in the first half.
The Rams have both the Sun and Rebels up on their schedule in two of their remaining three games. Although they lost both previous meetings against them, the scores were close and the 3rd place Rams at 5-2 are from out of the 1st or 2nd place race.
Technology
The Kamloops Broncos scored the winning touchdown with 54 seconds on the clock when QB Colby Henkel connected with Garret Kryzanowski.
The touchdown that broke a 23-23 deadlock was clearly not a score though, as the VBN broadcast replays show. There was still time on the clock and the Broncos would very likely have scored a touchdown or kicked a game winning field goal. The score isn't the big deal on this win.
Video replay showing a referee got a call wrong at the professional level is nothing new, and many of us think it is used far too often. But it’s still pretty cool that fans at the junior level can enjoy that debate now as well.
