The V.I. Raiders should be a well-oiled football team on Saturday (Aug. 27) when they kick off against the Okanagan Sun.
They’ve had two weeks to prepare, after all. Other than the brief diversion of playing the Chilliwack Huskers last Sunday, all the Raiders’ attention of late has been directed on this next game.
“We’re as prepared as we can be,” said Mark Mueller, Raiders kicker. “Two weeks, that’s more than enough time to prepare for one game.”
V.I. coach Matthew “Snoop” Blokker said everything that’s happened from the beginning of the year until now is “irrelevant” as his team gets ready to face the league’s other undefeated team.
“For both teams it’s been like a pre-season until we play each other,” Blokker said. “I wish we could play each other five, six times a year because it’s great competition and both teams go out and play good, honest football against one another.”
The Raiders all said the games against the Sun are the ones they’ve been looking forward to all season. So if there is more being asked of them at practice, they understand why.
“We’re making sure everything’s crisp, making sure there’s no mental busts,” said Erling Skuggedal, defensive back and special teamer.
“Until we have a perfect game – which we probably never will – we’re not really satisfied at all and neither is the coaching staff. So everyone’s going to be working really hard this week preparing for Okanagan.”
GRID BITS … The Raiders and the Sun kick off Saturday at 4 p.m. at Caledonia Park. Tickets will be available at the gate … For a game preview, please check back at www.nanaimobulletin.com tomorrow (Aug. 26) or pick up Saturday's print issue of the News Bulletin … The Raiders continue to add personnel. This week Nanaimo’s Canadian Junior Football League team signed two more former players, defensive end Teddy Ash and defensive tackle Scott McEachern. Ash was a leader and a starter on last year’s B.C. championship team and McEachern adds size and experience. Both will be in the lineup Saturday, said the coach, but probably in limited roles to start.
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