The last Monday before the 2018 season kicks off. Not sure if it’s just me, but this off season seems a bit longer than the last few seasons. Let’s get going with Musings with the season now really just around the corner.
The Rams and Huskers held a joint practice in Langley Saturday afternoon. Sounds like it went over really well as it added some intensity having competing rosters involved. Would be nice to see this concept grow to have all 6 clubs pair up next year. Definitely wouldn’t hurt from a fan interest perspective.
It’s always tough to predict how teams are going to finish the season unless a stacked team from the previous season returns in-tact. We don’t have a central database of player ranking like junior hockey does, but I will make these predictions with some disclaimers and reasoning for my thoughts.
- 1st Place-Okanagan Sun
- The Sun, by most accounts had the strongest recruiting class this off season, with some pretty high-profile university transfers. The offensive line, where a football team’s success generally starts is said to be as good as any you will see in U Sport. Sun President Les Weiss, who has been involved with the Sun since 1986 feels this is one of the strongest Sun team he has ever seen. That’s a strong statement.
- 2nd Place-Langley Rams
- The Rams under-performed both in off season recruiting and on field play in 2017. Snoop Blokker is back in the BCFC as we all know, and essentially rebuilt the Rams roster. I don’t know enough about the Rams recruits to say I am slotting the Rams here for no reason other than Blokker’s recruiting ability and past track record. But this bet is safe.
- 3rd Place-VI Raiders
- The Raiders came out of third place to take the Conference last year and if they are to repeat will have to turn the trick again. With BCFC veteran QB Jake Laberge pulling the trigger they will have a shot every game. As of today, 2017 BCFC Outstanding Offensive Player Brycen Mayoh is a member of the Calgary Dinos. If he returns to the island I’d be a lot less likely to be wondering if I should have them slotted in 4th spot. Still they added Mike West at receiver who should soften the blow of losing Mayoh.
- 4th Place-Westshore Rebels
- Head coach Charly Cardilicchia was his usual vocal self this off season regarding his recruits, but the Rebels lost an awful lot of talent from last year’s first place club. Defensive coordinator Shane Beatty apparently feels this defense is the best he has coached in the BCFC. If it is indeed better than the 2015 Okanagan Sun version he had, I could be eating my words having them this low.
- 5th Place-Valley Huskers
- Huskers head coach Bob Reist made some big strides this off season in improving the Huskers roster from last year’s version that was young and feisty. This team is still a year or two away from challenging, but continues to progress and added a 22-year-old QB who should do wonders for the club’s composure. Do they steal a game from one of the teams above them?
- 6th Place-Kamloops Broncos
- As I mentioned above in referring to the Okanagan Sun that a team’s success starts with the offensive line. Unfortunately for the Broncos that might be where it stops as it was suspect enough at spring camp that 2-year QB Colby Henkel made the decision to move on to the university ranks. The Broncos added a good high school passer from Winnipeg but might be looking at a bit of a re-build this year. Time will tell…
Game of the Week
As interested as I am to see this version of the Valley Huskers and wonder if they steal a game as I mentioned earlier right out of the gate, the game of the week is without question the Westshore Rebels in Langley taking on the Rams. The Rams are winless against the Rebels the past two seasons. With home field on their side do the Rams end the Rebel’s dominance this weekend?
Musings does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the British Columbia Football Conference or its member teams
