Rebels post grand numbers
BCFC action has Westshore in Chilliwack today
Four weeks into the 2016 B.C. Football Conference season, the Westshore Rebels are already spinning team records.
Running back Jamel Lyles had 301 all-purpose yards in last weekend’s 45-32 victory over the Kamloops Broncos (238 rushing and 63 on punt returns) as he became the first Rebels player to have two 300-plus all-purpose yard games in the same season.
Lyles, named the BCFC offensive player of the week, also had 307 yards in a win over the Vancouver Island Raiders back in Week 2 and easily leads the league with 697 yards rushing.
The 3-1 Rebels also set a team mark for the most 600-plus totalyard games in a season with their second this year, totalling 602 in Kamloops after firing off for 669 at home against the Raiders.
They hope to add to those impressive numbers in Chilliwack this afternoon at 1 as they visit the 0-4 Valley Huskers.
It all starts up front for the Rebels, with a powerful offensive line that includes plenty of Canadian Interuniversity Sport experience in opening gaping holes for Lyles and talented teammate Trey Campbell.
Campbell also went off on the Broncos last week for 158 rushing yards, another 62 receiving and 20 more on kick returns.
The O-line is now anchored by centre Christian Krause, who returned from the University of Manitoba to solidify a unit that includes his former Mount Douglas teammate Aarmin Purewal at right tackle, right guard Connor Bryan, left guard Tyson Thompson and left tackle Kyle Harrington.
Veteran Jake Hall spells off at left tackle and head coach J.C. Boice also incorporates Kolton Henderson and Sandy Walker anywhere on the line.
“I’ve said since Day 1 we’re big and physical up front and they haven’t even remotely hit their potential yet. We’re seeing moments where they do great things, but they’re working at it,” said Boice.
“We have two dynamic backs in Jamel Lyles, who is a special kid, and not always in his shadow is Trey Campbell, and Trey is incredibly dynamic, too.”
Campbell stands just five-footsix, but weighs 185 pounds and Boice says, pound-per-pound, he may just be his strongest player.
“It is easy when you can just hand the ball off to Jamel or Trey behind that big O line up front, and the BCFC is going to continue to see a lot of that,” insisted Boice.
That factor puts a smile on the faces of the hogs up front.
“We just have to move guys and let them do the running down the field,” said Krause, 20, who stands six-foot-five, weighs 305 pounds and has pro aspirations. “Seeing that most of the O-line is CIS transfers, we have the experience that some of the other teams haven’t had, necessarily.
“I guess we’re lucky that way. We all expect each other to be doing the right thing and we hold each other accountable.”
Quarterbacks Scott Borden and Ashton Mackinnon, who have battled nagging injuries early, have also benefited and are both very capable of throwing the ball behind that O-line or taking off with it along the ground.
“We’re just pushing hard every game. We want to get as many rushing yards as we possibly can and maybe break a record. If not, whatever, we just want to rack up some yards,” said Krause. “Hitting guys every play is pretty fun and seeing Jamel run down the field for a nice 60-yard run, or Trey fly down the field as well — it’s all nice.”
Borden threw for 201 passing yards last week, completing 15 of 21, including a pair of touchdown passes to Campbell and Nathaniel Pinto. Borden also ran three times for 20 yards.
Defensive lineman Kent Hicks kicked the lone field goal for the Rebels last week as Callum Duke left the club earlier than expected to join the military. Hicks and Nathaniel Skeete each booted three converts for Westshore.