Surging Raiders look to start fast against Hilltops
Red-hot Vancouver Island relishing underdog role against national champs
Whether it’s rain, snow, wind or shine, the Vancouver Island Raiders are prepared for football flurry conditions on Sunday against the Saskatoon Hilltops.
“We need to weather the storm,” said Raiders head coach Doug Hocking, a former 12-year Canadian Football League veteran with the B.C. Lions and Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
“We need to come out in the first quarter and play outstanding and disciplined football. If we let it get into a football game, go back and forth and get into a chess match, we’re all right with that.
“We feel we can play with any team in Canada.”
Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant feels his team can play with any team in Canada and in any sort of Canadian conditions.
“There’s a slogan we use sometimes, saying, ‘When it’s getting a little too tough for them, it’s just right for us,’ so let’s go,” said Sargeant.
While Vancouver Island relishes the underdog role, the Hilltops are proud of their championship status and winning tradition.
The teams clash Sunday (1 p.m.) at SMF Field in a Canadian Junior Football League semifinal. The winner advances to the Canadian Bowl two weeks later in Ontario.
“We’ve certainly got a feel for where they’re at and what they’re doing,” said Sargeant, whose team has won the last three Canadian Bowls.
“No. 1, they’re a team that thrives on tough situations. They go into Okanagan, a tough place to play, and win there, go into Westshore and win again. So they’re fearless. They’re not scared of anything. Coming here isn’t a big deal for them.”
Vancouver Island (6-3-1 in the regular season) upset the Okanagan Sun (8-1-1) and Westshore Rebels (9-1-0) to win the British Columbia conference title.
Saskatoon (7-1) defeated the Winnipeg Rifles and Regina Thunder on its way to a fourth straight Prairie Football Conference crown.
The Raiders are red-hot with five straight wins.
“What we did to Kelowna and Westshore is no surprise to us,” said Hocking, who has had coaching stints with PFC’s Winnipeg Rifles, Langley Rams, University of British Columbia Thunderbirds and Westshore. “This team has been playing better and feeling better about ourselves and more confident every week.”
The Hilltops have won six in a row and nine of 10. Still, Sargeant said there’s room for improvement when it comes to the passing game.
Saskatoon outscored the opposition 338-127 in the regular season, racking up 2,068 yards rushing and 1,916 passing yards.
Vancouver Island relied a little more on the passing game with 2,320 yards in addition to 1,320 yards rushing.
Toppers defensive secondary coach Brent Turkington describes Raiders quarterback Jake Laberge as an “athletic” and “mobile” player who can get the ball downfield.
“As a defensive backfield, we’re going to have to stay disciplined and not get running around and chasing guys when he gets moving around,” said Turkington, adding the Raiders have really good receivers led by Brycen Mayoh, who can really make some plays.
The Raiders will fly out Saturday morning and practice at SMF Field on Saturday afternoon.
“It’s a business trip for us,” said Hocking. “We have a sense of professionalism as we do it. We’re not in there visiting family.”
Hocking was defensive co-ordinator for Vancouver Island when the Raiders defeated the Hilltops on the way to a national championship in 2006.
“We do understand who we’re playing,” Hocking said. “We’re playing the national champs. ”