Raiders Score Easy Blowout

August 04, 2009

As expected, the first football game of the season was no contest.

The V.I. Raiders crushed the Kamloops Broncos 71-0 Saturday in Canadian Junior Football League play at Caledonia Park.

Andrew Harris was again the Raiders' biggest story. He set the all-time CJFL points record but it was how he did it that was so impressive - he rushed for 185 yards and three TDs on just eight carries and he also blocked two punts, one of which he recovered in the endzone for a major.

The game was never in doubt, as the Raiders led 14-0 after one quarter and 43-0 at halftime.

Nanaimo's starting quarterback Jordan Yantz played only one effective half of football, completing six of eight passes for 114 yards. Jared Ralko hauled in two TD passes and Tyson Buchannon, Matt Sawyer and Robin Medeiros also caught TD grabs. The Raiders' other touchdown was a nifty Wildcat trick play that Joe Holder turned into a major.

Backup QBs Marc Migneault and Derek Cooper both saw playing time with Migneault going 3-for-6 for one TD and Cooper 2-of-3 for two TDs.

Defensively, linebacker Cam Hoffman, playing hurt, recorded two sacks. Linebacker Lucas Desmet and defensive back Walker Morrison each had six tackles. DB Graham Norris added an interception deep in Raiders' territory.

GRID BITS . The Raiders' next game is on the road Saturday (Aug. 8) against the South Surrey Rams . In other CJFL action Saturday, the Victoria Rebels upset the Okanagan Sun 34-21 down the Malahat and the Rams edged the Chilliwack Huskers 9-3 in Surrey . Harris surpassed the previous CJFL career mark of 380 points that had been held by Saskatoon Hilltops player Jody Kerr.

The Raiders also set a record with their 20th straight home victory.