The first two games of the season series were close, the rubber match wasn’t.
The V.I. Raiders lost 53-14 to the Langley Rams on the road Saturday evening in B.C. Football Conference play.
The game was 0-0 for a quarter, but the home team broke through with four touchdowns in the second quarter to lead 28-7 at halftime. Nanaimo closed the gap to 28-14 in the third quarter, before Langley ran away with it.
The Raiders did some things well in the game, compiling 22 first downs compared to 14 for the Rams, but Langley was more opportunistic.
V.I. leaned on its passing game, as Liam O’Brien completed 21 of 38 passes for 333 yards and one touchdown and was intercepted twice.
The Raiders gained only 33 rushing yards, 40 from O’Brien, and four other backs combined for negative yardage.
The Raiders got their TDs from Alex Kutra on a three-yard receiving TD, then Nate Berg on a one-yard TD run.
Taylor Flavel was V.I.’s top receiver with seven catches for 129 yards.
Dylan Chapdelained led the defence with seven tackles.
The Rams did not commit a turnover, while the Raiders threw three interceptions and lost two fumbles.
GAME ON … The Raiders visit the Kamloops Broncos on Saturday (Sept. 27) at 7 p.m.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com