Photo courtesy of Brendan Pawliw, MyPGNow.com staff
Prince George Kodiaks 28
Valley Huskers 20
The Prince George Kodiaks have their first CJFL victory after an eight win on Saturday night on their home turf over the visiting Valley Huskers.
The turning point was a 70-yard pick six in the second half when Keon Raymond Jr. intercepted a pass and took it back the other way to pay dirt. It was one of five turnovers their defence forced on route to the victory. Marcellus Pope was a one-man wrecking crew with 12 solo tackles, three assists and forced a fumble. Jaden Craig was also solid blocking a kick, jumping on a fumble and tallying three tackles.
Offensively the Kodiaks did their scoring on the ground. Andrew Johnson rushed for two touchdowns on just two carries and quarterback Liam Oczkowski also scampered into the end zone. Keanu Brown carried the load with 10 carries for 106 yards.
The Huskers played well, but the turnovers hurt them. Quarterback Josh Janssen completed 21 passes for 320 yards and found Andrew Locke and Luc Rodrigues for majors. Meanwhile Reece Wyke continued to be a force on the ground with 24 carries and 124 yards.
Next week the Kodiaks (1-3) travel to face the Okanagan Sun (4-0) and the Huskers (3-2) will enjoy a bye week.
Langley Rams 24
Kamloops Broncos 6
The defending Canadian Bowl champion Rams finally found their first win of the season with a dominating game on both sides of the ball.
Ground and pound appeared to be the strategy as the Rams called 38 run plays and gained 254 yards, scoring three touchdowns. Steven Dilorenzo carried his club with 118 yards on 14 carries, while Hunter Norman, Caleb Wheeler and quarterback Tristen Secord-Yanciw each scored touchdowns.
On the defensive side the Rams held the hometown Broncos to 135 yards of total offence. Kinneth Balucos had an interception and three tackles to lead the visitors and Cole Barron had a sack.
The only Broncos points came from their kicker Kaidence Keepness who booted a pair of field goals from 16 and 28 yards out.
Next week the Rams (1-3) host the VI Raiders (1-4) and the Broncos (2-2) visit the Westshore Rebels (3-1).
Okanagan Sun 58
VI Raiders 1
The Sun continued their scorching pace to open the season tallying another 563 yards of total offence and holding the Raiders to just a single point and 14 yards on the ground.
Quarterback Dominic Britton was on fire with 207 yards on 15 completions and threw three more touchdown passes while running for another. Back-up quarterback Liam Kroeger also threw a touchdown pass. Noah Bymak hauled in two majors and Blaise Beauchemin and Mike O’Shea accounted for the others. Meanwhile the ground game chewed up 312 yards led by Aidan Wiberg who averaged 17 yards a carry, rushing seven times for 120 yards and a score.
For the second straight week O’Shea returned a punt for a touchdown, this time around he went 82 yards to the house.
The defence accounted for seven sacks led by Romareo Reid who had four of them. Isaac Wegner intercepted a pass, recovered a fumble and had two tackles. Devan Boos had a team high seven tackles and blocked a kick in the blowout.
Next weekend the Sun (4-0) will host the Prince George Kodiaks (1-3) for the first time, and the Raiders (1-4) visit the Langley Rams (1-3).