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V.I. Raiders earn first home-field win under the lights

Nanaimo beats Victoria 35-25
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V.I. Raiders players including Ethan Moran, left, and Nick Robinson tackle Westshore Rebels opponent Zach Lubin during Saturday’s B.C. Football Conference game at NDSS Community Field. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)

The Raiders defeated the rival Rebels to earn a first-ever win at their new home field.

The V.I. Raiders outscored the Westshore Rebels 35-25 on Saturday, Oct. 9, under the lights at NDSS Community Field.

The Raiders had a rough start and found themselves in an 11-0 hole, but were able to turn things around.

“The first quarter, anything that could have gone wrong did go wrong, but after that, everything settled down and it turned into a football game,” said Curtis Vizza, Raiders coach. “Once we calmed down and the weather slowed down a little bit, we were able to focus on little things and executing correctly.”

While the Raiders were able to make plays in all phases of the game, the coaching staff will continue to demand better discipline as home team took 259 penalty yards, more than double to opposition.

“It’s a game of emotions so for us, it’s constantly reminding or reiterating what we’re in it for, what we’re out to do and how much those penalties hurt us,” Vizza said.

At the end of the day, it was “pretty sweet,” the coach said, to beat the rival Rebels for a first win at NDSS Community Field.

Receiver Alex Bonnetplume caught three touchdown passes for 93 yards as quarterback Jake Laberge ended up with 348 passing yards, three passing TDs, one rushing TD and no interceptions. Marcel Grant had 123 receiving yards and Taylor Becker scored a rushing TD.

Defensively, Ethan Moran had two fumble recoveries and a sack, Gevhahn McNally-Hardisty had eight tackles and Sean Adams had an interception.

GAME ON … The Raiders play the Okanagan Sun on Saturday, Oct. 16, at Apple Bowl stadium in Kelowna. V.I. has just one more home game, Oct. 30 at 3 p.m. against the Valley Huskers.

READ ALSO: V.I. Raiders take on rival Rebels under the lights in Nanaimo



editor@nanaimobulletin.com

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