July 30, 2022 Langford, BC (ISN) – The Westshore Rebels of the British Columbia Football Conference rolled on to their second victory in as many games with a convincing 38-17 win over the visiting Valley Huskers of Chilliwack on Rebel Alumni Night Saturday afternoon in their season home opener at Starlight Stadium in Langford, BC.
After a poor outing last season that saw the Rebels finish out of the playoff contention, their 36-20-win last weekend in Langley against the defending 2021 National Champion Langley Rams had already turned some heads prior to Saturday’s matchup. The Huskers, also winners in their first week with a 31 -5 win over the newly-formed Prince George Kodiaks, looked to put a second good foot forward with back-to-back wins. For both teams, a win Saturday would have possible statement-making implications for both sides of the ball.
The Westshore’s starting quarterback Tim Jessie would engineer a Rebels 388-yard net yards of offense, throw for 277 yards, 2 touchdowns, and a keeper for his own major in the game.
Defensively, Rebels veteran Cordell Holder would standout with six total tackles, and an assisted tackle. The Rebel’s defense would collectively hold the Husker’s QB Josh Janssen’s passing game to a dismal 92 yards total. Not to be outdone, the Huskers defensive pair of Jaden Claassen and Andy Ofusuhene would do the heavy lifting with a combined 14 tackles in the game to prove a thorn in the Rebels offensive game.
The Rebel’s wouldn’t waste time setting the tone in the game. Kick returner Gerren Hardisty would take the opening Husker’s kick-off back 96 yards, the longest in the still-young BCFC season, for the opening score of the evening to get the partisan Rebels fans out of their seats. The Husker’s Aiden Saunders would get his team on the scoresheet with their only field goal attempt of the game to make it a 7-3 Rebel lead. A successful Simon Hales field goal from 21-yards out would give Westshore a 10-3 lead after the first quarter of play.
The Rebels would add to their lead in the second frame on a 1-yard QB keeper by Tim Jessie, and another Hales field goal to take a 20-3 half-time lead.
The Huskers would come out in the third quarter with renewed determination on both defensive and offensive play. Valley Huskers’defense would hold the Rebel’s off the board in the quarter to give their offensive an opportunity to climb back into the game. The Husker’s defense would frustrate the Rebel’s offensive game plan long enough to score a pair of touchdowns, taking advantage of a pair of Rebel’s misplays to put their team within striking distance of the lead, closing the gap still in favour of the Rebels 20-17. Husker’s Chris Rolack II would factor with a punt return for a TD, and backup QB Tryan Duval would rush 3 yards to the house to bring their team back into the game.
A reenergized, resilient Rebel’s team would stand together-strong in the fourth quarter to steal away the Husker’s gained third quarter-momentum. Defensive pressure on Husker’s passer Janssen put added pressure on Huskers in the fourth quarter, helping keep ball possession and game rhythm in favour of Westshore. Janssen, affected by the Rebels defensive presence, would complete a mere 33 yards in the half. The Rebel offensive would dominate the fourth scoring, bolstered by their defensive squad’s play to negating the Husker’s passing game, but also keeping in check a potent Valley Husker running attack which still dialed up 153 yards rushing against the Rebels in the game.
The Westshore Rebels would seal the win with an 18pt final quarter performance on a pair of touchdowns by Kieran Poissant and Eli Nelms – Horton. Kicker Simon Hales would add a field goal and a safety to help propel his team to the 38 – 17 win.
Next up for the Westshore Rebels ( 2-0 ) will be the “Battle of the Rock” against the VI Raiders ( 1-1 ) of Nanaimo next Saturday, August 7th at Starlight Stadium.
Game Highlights:
Rebels
Keiran Poissant 5 rec / 100 yrds, 1 TD
Gerren Hardisty – 96 yrd kickoff return for TD
Tim Jessie – 18/30 passing ( 60 % ) 277 yds, longest completion 61 yds
Cordell Holder – 6 tackles, 1 assisted tackle
Simon Hales – 4/4 conversions, 3/3 field goal ( 21,24,29) 74 yds total
Huskers
Jaiden Claassen – 7 tackles
Shane Claridge – 5 tackles, 1 knockdown, 1 fumble recovery
Andy Ofusuhene – 7 tackles
Christopher Rolack II – 69 yd punt return for TD
