July 15, 2019 Victoria, BC (ISN) – The British Columbia Football Conference Westshore Rebels broke main camp Sunday at the newly renovated Westhills Stadium looking hungry to start the 2019 season.
After a busy off-season of recruiting, the Westshore Rebels put on display their 2019 team in a weekend-long training camp in preparation for their away-game opener versus Valley Huskers in Chilliwack on August 3rd, 2019. The Rebels will host the VI Raiders at Westhills Stadium the following weekend on August 10th, 7:00 pm kick-off.
After a tumultuous 2018 season that saw the 2017 Cullen Cup championships fall short of expectations on and off the field, the Rebels organization seems to have found forward momentum this preseason even with the start of the season still 3 weeks away.
Boasting talent on both sides of the ball with new and returning athletes, the Rebels displayed that talent during main camp.
It would be hard to conceive, with some of the past alumni that have graced the Rebel’s roster, that the Langford-based team could field a team considered by the front office and coaching staff to be the best in a few years, but Head Coach Shane Beatty is all smiles.
When asked how he was able to build such a roster he would turn to the newly-built stands and comment somewhat tongue and cheek, not letting up on any recruiting secrets, “Look at this. Who wouldn’t want to come here?”
“We’re athletic, we’re fast, we can run, and we’re a close group,” Head Coach Shane Beatty would comment when asked how what his preseason impression of his roster is.
With the offensive-likes of USport QB 6’3” Colby Henkel, a former BCFC and CJFL Rookie of the Year, and USport 6’1” Brycen Mayoh, a receiver and ball returner with his own BCFC and CJFL accolades including All Canadian and Most Outstanding Offensive Player only to name a few, it’s apparent that the Rebels are looking to tread deep into the post-season with an offensive core that is poised to put points on the board this season in a competitive conference that has seen an upswing in team parity the last few seasons.
Oh yes, did we forget to mention the return of former 2017 Cullen Cup champion Head Coach JC Boice, who will serve as the offensive coordinator to meld all that game- winning talent into a high-scoring core.
Offensive Coordinator JC Boice is confident the Rebels are going to improve over last season, and has set the bar high to once again win the Cullen Cup.
Those offensive successes that lead to points in the standings won’t come easy without a tight defense, and Head Coach Shane Beatty, a proven defensive specialist, has ensured that the Rebel’s opponents will have their hands full.
Boasting an explosively fast secondary, Beatty’s heavy recruitment efforts off-season have seen eleven defensemen with CIS experience take to the field wearing the Rebel’s red and white for the 2019 bid.
A few noted returning defensive players such as Rebels veteran linebackers Cordell Willmott, Byron MacKinnon, in addition to DE Machuor Akau from the Winnipeg Rifles, 2017 BCFC Defensive Allstar and McMaster LB Jesse Zajaros and Polis Koko from the University of Regina, only scratch the surface of the new-look defensive core aiming to put the pressure on a few opposing QB’s this season. “We have one of the best defensive lineups I’ve seen in years,” Head Coach Shane Beatty would comment.
Following a “We, not me” credo, the Rebels look to show fans and supporters that not player individual talents, yet their team cohesiveness on the field will lead to an entertaining and successful winning season.
