The V.I. Raiders were right in the mix this season thanks in part to all-star efforts from their best players.
Three Vancouver Island Raiders were selected as Canadian Junior Football League All-Canadians last week – quarterback Liam O’Brien, receiver Marshall Cook and linebacker Dylan Chapdelaine.
Only one QB from all of Canadian junior football is an All-Canadian each year and this year it was the first-year Raider O’Brien who got the honour. He completed 171 passes for a Canadian-best 2,842 yards and 20 touchdowns and had a completion percentage of 64.5 and an efficiency rating of 113.1.
His favourite target this year was graduating receiver Cook, who led the CJFL in catches (64) and yards (1,084) and scored nine touchdowns.
Chapdelaine is an All-Canadian for a second straight year. In 2014 he had 42 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions and he was the only B.C. linebacker to be chosen an All-Canadian.
Also of note, Westshore Rebels defensive back Braeden Swatez, who is from Nanaimo, was an All-Canadian this year after leading the country with seven interceptions.
Another Nanaimo player to win a national award was Langley Rams linebacker Ethan Schulz, named CJFL Rookie of the Year after recording 23 tackles, four sacks, four fumble recoveries, a touchdown and an interception and making it to the Canadian Bowl game in his freshmen year.