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V.I. Raiders handle Huskers at home

Nanaimo’s B.C. Football Conference team defeated Valley 44-27 on Saturday at Caledonia Park
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V.I. Raiders defensive back Tristan Muir breaks up a pass during Saturday’s BCFC game at Caledonia Park. The Raiders defeated the Huskers 44-27. (GREG SAKAKI/The News Bulletin)

The V.I. Raiders found their rhythm in the second half and were able to win a football game.

The Raiders defeated the Valley Huskers 44-27 in B.C. Football Conference play Saturday at Caledonia Park.

V.I. actually trailed 20-18 at halftime after two interceptions and two fumbles in the first half.

Kaelan Botel, V.I. offensive lineman, said the Raiders got better at protecting the football after the first-half troubles.

“We came out a little slow, slower than the team would like to see, but [in] the second half we started picking it up and started putting points on the board, defence held them to two and outs all game and that really helped us, gave us great field position.”

Jérémie Cheng, Raiders defensive back, said his team was successful when it played simple football.

“We came out really flat, it showed, but we picked it up second half,” he said. “Defence really balled out, I think. We limited them to really minimal yards, kept them in their zone and that’s what we’ve got to do.”

Cheng said his team didn’t really make a lot of adjustments, it just settled into the game.

“It’s just football, and when we play our game, that’s what happens…” he said. “It wasn’t pretty, but a win’s a win.”

Jamie Ybarra played the entire game at quarterback for the Raiders, finishing 14-for-18 with three touchdown passes and two INTs.

Brycen Mayoh had two TD catches, a 14-yard catch-and-run TD and then a 28-yard catch in the endzone. Adam Finnik made a 21-yard TD reception. Caliel Dingwell scored a TD on a one-yard run and V.I.’s other TD came when Josh Paisley blocked a punt, recovered it himself and fought his way into the end zone. James Parker kicked two field goals. V.I.’s other points came on a two-point conversion as Cheng threw a pass to Botel in the endzone.

Mayoh finished with 101 receiving yards on six catches.

Defensively, the Raiders held the Huskers to just 12 rushing yards. Cheng had two interceptions and five solo tackles and Tristan Muir had one interception.

GAME ON … The Raiders visit the Kamloops Broncos next Saturday (Sept. 30), then host the Langley Rams on Oct. 7. Kickoff in that one has been changed to noon.

sports@nanaimobulletin.com