The V.I. Raiders make their return to Caledonia Park this Saturday (Sept. 29) a different team.
The Raiders team that will take the field that day against the Okanagan Sun will be a first-place club after back-to-back road wins against the Sun and the Langley Rams.
After two good games, and two good wins, Nanaimo fans will be waiting for a chance to cheer on their team.
"We're waiting to see them," said Jon Jones, Raiders linebacker. "It's going to be good to be back home."
The Raiders and the Sun kick off Saturday at 2 p.m. For a preview, please pick up Thursday's print issue of the News Bulletin or check back that day at www.nanaimobulletin.com/sports.
Receiver can't be covered
Defensive backs around the B.C. Football Conference haven't found a way, yet, to slow down V.I.'s Whitman Tomusiak. The receiver had two more long TD catches against the Rams on Saturday to boost his league-leading statistics to an even 700 yards.
He said he thinks other teams might be watching for him on deep routes, but for the most part, they haven't been able to key on him.
"Simply put, our three other receivers can't be covered in one-on-one," Tomusiak said. "I think I haven't been keyed on that much this year, as much as other teams maybe would like to, because if they're going to key on me they can't leave Dustin Pedersen or Mike Schaper or Matt Sawyer in one-on-one coverage."
Pinball tilts field for first TD
The Raiders needed a spark to start the second half against the Rams on Saturday, and they didn't have to wait long to get it.
V.I.'s Aaron (Pinball) Gordon returned the opening kickoff of the second half 100 yards to the endzone. He credited the whole kick return unit for helping him make the play.
"As soon as I started running I saw my wedge and they just made a seam, and as soon as I saw it, I hit it," he said.
It was Gordon's first CJFL major.
"It's an incredible feeling," he said after the game. "There's really no way to describe it."
On Wednesday Gordon was named as the BCFC's Special Teams Player of the Week.
Yantz stands out in win
Jordan Yantz was selected as the BCFC's Offensive Player of the Week. Yantz was 19-for-30 passing for 370 yards against the Rams, throwing for four touchdowns and one interception. He added 12 rushing yards and had a rushing TD called back on a penalty.
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