Training camps open the next couple weeks across the BCFC. The first clubs to kick things off are the Valley Huskers and Langley Rams on July 4th. The Huskers are just a few days ahead of the Rebels and Raiders who open July 7th.The Kamloops Broncos are next July 10th while the Okanagan Sun are the last club to get started Judy 13th.

Interesting time gap between the Sun and Rebels camps. With almost a full added week of prep time the Rebels might arguably be better prepared when the teams meet opening night in Kelowna. The Sun feel confident that with enough key veterans in place that know their system, a shorter camp with less “training camp lull” is the way to go. If the Rebels come away with the W July 29th that theory will be questioned no doubt.

 

CJFL.ORG has a couple pre-season coaches interviews up, with Bob Reist (Huskers) and Charly Cardilicchia (Rebels). I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again. The Huskers have a coach in Chilliwack who understands junior football, what makes these players tick and how to recruit them. They won’t make the playoffs this year, but they will likely make teams take notice. As for Cardilicchia…this guy may not quite be the the Conor Mcgregor of the BCFC, but he does make things interesting.  If you are a fan of another team you may not like what he says, but it sells the game and that’s what the BCFC needs. Charly, you should finish every interview with “I want to apologize for absolutely nothing!”

 

Rookie initiations will no doubt be taking place in the locker rooms of all the teams this year. “Hazing” that used to take place as in so many sports really doesn't exist anymore as awareness has turned things a lot more civilized than past years.

A situation took place recently with the MT. Douglas high school team that caused a temporary shutdown of the program. The Victoria Sports News questioned why the story made the news, and suggested the issue should have been kept within the confines of the MT. Douglas program. I disagree, reminding other athletes of consequences might keep them from treating a teammate in a similar or worse manner. Better to get the message out and remind our players to think about how their actions might be reacted to.

 

The BCFC mercy rule that has been in place the past few years has been put out of its misery finally. The rule, which saw running time in place if a team was up by 30 points in the 4th quarter was pee wee football stuff. It cheated paying fans out of game time and did the same to back up players who lost the opportunity for playing time as the game was cut short.

I think all our coaches respect each other enough to not unnecessarily points to the scoreboard, and if they do run it up, or their opponent feels they do? So what, these are young men who can take it. If getting lit up in a junior football game is the worst thing that happens to them in 2017 things aren't all bad.

In my opinion, the key thing most often is for the coach on the receiving end of the lopsided score to look at the offence he was facing. Was it a back-up receiver catching the pass from a starting QB or visa-versa? Were there back up offensive linemen on the field? Unless the starting 12 is still on the field administering the punishment late in the game you should remember the back-ups have the right to try and make their mark as well.

And if the coach across the field is just running it up on your team? Well, maybe he just had a bad day at the office and you are bearing the brunt of his frustration that day. Don’t get angry, get even when your team is a little better than his in a couple years.

Better yet, to all the coaches who understandably disliked the mercy rule in the first place. Respect your opponent enough so that rule never sees the light of day again.

 

I’m planning my road trips to catch games from my home in Kelowna. Things can change as the season progresses but as of right now these are the ones I plan to be at;

 

Week 1

Huskers @ Broncos, Raiders @ Rams, Rebels @ Sun

BCFC schedule maker Dino Bernardo put together as good an opening night as possible. I’m really curious to see what the new look Huskers do in what is likely their most winnable road game of the year against a Broncos team that finished out of the play-offs last year.

But a game between last seasons Cullen Cup combatants in Kelowna? That’s a can’t miss.

 

Week 2

Rebels @ Raiders, Broncos @ Sun, Rams @ Huskers

The Huskers hosting their bully big brothers from up the highway would be interesting. But the Raiders and Rebels are the best rivalry in the conference bar none.

 

Week 3

Raiders @ Huskers, Sun @ Rams, Rebels @ Broncos

The Sun and Rams have a long-standing rivalry and these ones generally come down to the wire. This week is a no brainer for me.

 

Week 4

Broncos @ Raiders, Rams @ Rebels, Huskers @ Sun

I’ve got a better chance of winning 649 than the Broncos & Huskers do on their road trips. I’m not convinced the Rams win in Westshore either but at least the game will still be in doubt at halftime.

 

Week 5

Sun @ Raiders, Huskers @ Rebels, Rams @ Broncos

This one was a tough call as the Sun/Raiders Caledonia battles are always worth the admission. But the Broncos feel they are going to make a serious play-off push. If this assessment is correct, this is a game they must win. If they pull it off, the  “Bronco Stomp” that their fans perform will be off the charts.

 

Week 6

Broncos @ Rebels, Huskers @ Rams, Raiders @ Sun

The Sun host a Sunday game so I get to see two this weekend.

 

Week 7

Sun @ Huskers, Broncos @ Rams, Raiders @ Rebels

The battle of the rock continues but I can only stand so many ferry rides in a season. I’d vote NDP if they built a bridge…The Huskers host the Sun at 1 and then on to what might be a good one in Langley.

 

Week 8

Huskers @ Raiders, Rebels @ Rams, Sun @ Broncos

I’m going to reserve judgement on this week until the season progresses. The Rebels/Rams match-up is the logical choice today as these clubs will likely be in a tight play-off battle right around now.  A win could mean everything for either side by this time. But, if the Broncos aspirations are legit who knows? Hillside Stadium is my favourite place to watch a game. The Sun can’t win here forever so I could see the end of Sun dominance there.

 

Week 9

Rebels @ Huskers, Raiders @ Broncos, Rams @ Sun

Another Sunday game in Kelowna means I get to watch the game of the week and what might be the coming out party for the Broncos. They beat the Raiders at home a couple years ago, can they do it again? If they do are the punting the Raiders to 5th place in the process? Interesting weekend possibly.

 

Week 10

Broncos @ Huskers, Rams @ Raiders, Sun @ Rebels

Another weekend where I am going to reserve judgement. If it’s the usual suspects in the play-offs then I can catch the Rams/Raiders at 1 then drive south to catch the Sun and Rebels in a 7PM game. But, that ferry again…Lets wait and see how the Huskers and Broncos make out this year. I’m giving the Huskers credit as an improving team but not much more in 2017. If they have been punching teams in the face all year and are hosting a good Broncos team, a 3 hour drive up the Coquihalla might just be in my future.

 

Opinions expressed are my own and not those of the BCFC, its executive or teams