Raiders continue to roll over opponents

Michael Rhode, The Nanaimo Daily News

With six-straight wins to start the B.C. Football Conference season, the Vancouver Island Raiders will get a well-deserved week off next weekend.

It's a league-mandated bye but they've earned it.

Saturday, the defending league and national champion Raiders won for the 24th-straight time at Caledonia Park, a 54-14 win over the Chilliwack Huskers to solidify their grasp on first place.

Hot on their heels is the South Surrey Rams, who pushed their record to 5-1 after a 34-26 win over the Okanagan Sun (3-3) in Kelowna on Sunday. Also Saturday, quarterback Yannick Rickli threw for a Canadian Junior Football League record nine touchdowns and receiver Tyson Takasaki caught six touchdown passes as the Victoria Rebels (4-2) lambasted the 0-6 Vancouver Trojans 84-19 in Vancouver.

After emotional wins over Victoria two weeks ago and Okanagan last week, the Huskers didn't force the Raiders to bring the same intensity to the field but Raiders head coach Matt Blokker said his squad did a great job in playing with focus and purpose.

"We played well," said Blokker. "It was tough game. It's tough to be intense coming off what we did last week against Okanagan but overall I was pretty happy. We're 6-0 and we clinched a playoff spot so from that standpoint it's a great win for us. We're in the dance so we've got to keep carrying on."

It was 7-7 in the early stages of the game but the Raiders quickly took command, building a 37-7 halftime advantage.

And it was a host of players who produced offensively.

On the ground, the Raiders scored five majors, including a pair from Mike McMasters (six carries, 86 yards) and singles from Brett Willsie (11-for-95), Jordan Botel and starting quarterback Marc Migneault.

Robin Medeiros (four catches, 112 yards) caught a pair of Migneault passes for scores while kicker Mark Mueller connected for 10 points, including a 40-yard field goal.

Defensively, Lavar Hayden intercepted two passes, including one on the first play from scrimmage from Huskers quarterback Clayton Kroeker. Mark DeSwart and Prashant Chaube each had three tackles to pace the Raiders defence.

Next action for the Raiders is Saturday, Sept. 26 (2 p.m.) at Caledonia Park against Victoria.