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Volume 3 Issue 4

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"The Canadian Junior Football League provides the opportunity for young men aged 17 to 22 to participate in highly competitive post-high school football that is unique in Canada. The goal of the league is to foster community involvement and yield a positive environment by teaching discipline, perseverance and cooperation. The benefits of the league are strong camaraderie, national competition and life-long friends." Canadian Junior Football League – Players of the Week – Week Three

Ben Gorniak – – Huskies The 5th-year quarterback had a most impressive start to the 2011 as the Huskies faced the Rifles on Sunday. Gorniak would complete 27 of 47 passes for 407 yards, throwing for 2 touchdowns to receivers Yannick L’Abbe & Anthony Barrett in the 41-34 setback.

Jayson Bates – Defensiveback – Huskers Like the offensive side, the defensive side of the ball also had a number of terrific individual performances. For the second consecutive week the Defensive Player of the Week is a member of the Chilliwack Huskers. Defensive back Jayson Bates had a wonderful game and kept the Huskers close with two interceptions, two solo tackles, one assist, one special teams tackle and one ball batted down. Bates is in his fourth year with the Huskers organization.

Kyle Willis – Returner – The rookie running back that spent last season with the BCFC’s South Surrey Rams made a huge impact in his first PFC game. He returned 3 punts for 108 yards, including a 57- yard return for a touchdown as part of a 20-point third quarter that propelled the Green Gunners to a 41-34 win over the . The History of Junior Football

This is a story about the 128 year history of junior football in Canada and the 104th anniversary of the first inters provincial play-off game. It’s about a blue collar football league that opened its doors to the young men of Canada to provide them with the opportunity to play the great game of .

What do you know about the history of junior football? We must thank historians like Reg Green, Ed Henick and Robert Sproule for preserving the history of junior football. Did you know that junior football started in 1883 as a feeder system for the senior leagues? Did you know that the first Rugby Football Union (ORFU) junior championship game was played on November 1, 1890 when the University of II defeated the Hamilton Ontarios 26 to 3?

We now know that the first Canadian (CRU) championship game was played on November 30, 1907. Toronto Parkdale Canoe Club, the champions of the Ontario Rugby Football Union Junior league, played the University of Toronto Varsity II of the Inter-Collegiate Football Union. Parkdale defeated Toronto Varsity II 11 to 0. That was an interesting concept, a junior football club playing an inter-collegiate team for a Canadian Rugby Union championship. They were all one big happy family at that time, how times have changed.

Why is 1908 an important milestone in junior football history? The game played in 1908 was the first inter provincial championship game. A gentleman by the name of Weismuller brought all of the junior teams from the leagues in Ontario and together in one room to negotiate the first Canadian Junior Rugby ( Football) Inter Provincial play offs. This is the milestone and the anniversary that we are celebrating.

The and Toronto newspapers provided a lot of information about the 1908 game. The Montreal Star reported that the Parkdale Club had accepted a guarantee for the game and would be ready to play on the Saturday; there no record of what this guarantee entailed. The Star stated that this was for the Dominion Championship. We now know that the game was played on November 29, 1908 in Montreal on the M.A.A.A. grounds. The final score was 18 to 1 for Parkdale. The Globe and Mail gave all the details of the game including the lineups for both teams.

One interesting and controversial fact was noted in an article in the Montreal Gazette on November 17, 1908. It stated as follows. “Montreal holds the Dominion Junior Championship as a result of Parkdale’s default last year (1907).” However, the Toronto Globe debated that fact in an article on December 2, 1907 that stated that the Parkdale Canoe club was the Canadian Junior champions in view of their Canadian Rugby Union (CRU) championship in 1907. Parkdale apparently declined to play Montreal probably because of the weather conditions or perhaps it had to do with the lack of a guarantee. Do we have a Dominion junior champion in 1907? What would sports be without controversial issues?

In 1919 the Western Canadian Junior Championship was established when Alexander John Gillespie donated a trophy. This is junior football’s oldest continuous trophy and it has its war wounds to prove it. It is a sterling silver trophy that now shares the spotlight in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame and Museum with the . The first team name engraved on the trophy in 1919 was actually a league, the Regina Junior . The team that won the trophy was the Regina Winners. They were part of the first junior league formed in Regina. The Regina Junior Rugby League consisting of teams in , Regina and Moose Jaw. Winnipeg formed their first junior league in 1919 with the Tammany Tigers, St. Johns and Crestwood. Tammany won the Winnipeg title and then played Regina in a two game total point series which Regina won 17 to 6.

Who was Alexander John Gillespie? He was born in Regina in 1890 and died in 1952. He has an interesting sports history; however, it doesn’t look like he played football. He was a track star, played and hockey. He suffered a serious injury in hockey as a goaltender which caused the loss of his right leg. In 1919 he presented his trophy for the annual competition in Western Junior Rugby (Football). He was an administrator, businessman and citizen and a generous contributor to sports in Regina. The first East/West junior championship game was played on December 12, 1925. The Regina Patricias (Pats) defeated the Edmonton Junior Eskimoes in the Western Canadian Championship (Gillespie trophy). The Montreal AAA Juniors defeated the Toronto Junior Argonauts in the Canadian Rugby Union (CRU) semifinal game. The Pats traveled by train to Montreal and a sports reporter, Dick Gibbons, accompanied the team on the trip. Dick was amazed to find out that the two teams were playing for a Canadian junior football championship that didn’t have a trophy. He wired his newspaper, the Regina -Leader Post, for permission to purchase a trophy and received $100.00. The Montreal AAA juniors were victorious on that day and they were the first team to have their name engraved on the Leader-Post trophy. The Leader- Post trophy was fifty years old when it was retired following the 1974 Canadian junior championship played in . The last team to have its name engraved on the trophy was the Sooners. The Leader-Post trophy now sits proudly on display in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame and Museum.

In 1975 the Armandale Corporation became the major sponsor of the Canadian junior Championship. The trophy was presented for the first time in Hamilton, Ontario on November 16 when the defeated the . The Armandale Cup was retired after the 1989 Canadian junior championship game played in on November 12. The defeated the Burlington Junior Tigers on that day. The Armandale trophy was given to the Hall of Fame by the Armandale Corporation.

In 1990 Canadian Airlines International became the sponsor of the Canadian junior championship and the championship game became known as the . After the demise of Canadian Airlines the junior championship game continued with the name and it is now the nationally recognized name of the Canadian junior championship and hopefully it will continue long into the future.

The Canadian Junior Football League has been a tradition for128 years. We must never lose the focus on what this league is all about, its mission and vision to provide young men from every walk of life the opportunity to play the game of Canadian football. That was the vision 117 years ago and it continues to this day with thousands of young men playing this game from Vancouver Island to Quebec.

A small group of dedicated people back in 1883 had an idea and they were committed to make that idea work. One aspect of that idea that has remained the same with junior football clubs providing the opportunity for young men to participate in a highly competitive league that is unique to Canada. The senior teams are now professional and the inter collegiate teams are now the Canadian Interuniversity Sports (CIS).

Never doubt that a small group of dedicated people can do the impossible. The Canadian Junior football League in 2011 is the proof of the commitment and dedication of that small group of people who met in a room in Hamilton Ontario in 1907with the concept of opening the boundaries for junior football in Canada. Let’s keep the tradition of junior football alive and well.

Ron White www.bcjuniorfootball.ca

Team Record Home Away PF PA Pts 3-0 1-0 2-0 171 26 6 Sun 3-0 1-0 2-0 88 51 6 2-1 1-1 1-0 71 94 4 Broncos 1-2 0-1 1-1 58 114 2 0-3 0-2 0-1 50 87 0 Chilliwack Huskers 0-3 0-2 0-1 36 102 0

BCFC WEEK 3 SUMMARY By Ryan Watters – BCFC Media Coordinator

Week 3 of the BCFC has come and gone and two teams remain undefeated, while another two teams are still searching for their first win.

The most exciting game of the week came in Langley as the Rams and battled in the tail end of a home and home. Both defences were terrific as the Sun escaped with a 15-14 win.

The Sun would tally 331 yards of total offense led by quarterback Bobby Davis. He would complete 15 of 30 for 231 yards and threw one touchdown hitting seven different receivers. On the ground Davis was the team’s leading rushers with 89 yards on 10 carries, including a 39 yard scamper for a major.

Davis’ favourite target was Mike Friend who would catch six balls for 70 yards including an eight yard touchdown. Dan Turek caught two passes for 45 yards, while Mitchell Thompson also caught two for 41 yards.

The Sun defence would bend but not break giving up 314 yards. Jordan Nemeth would lead the club with five tackles and two assists while Tobi Sroka had three tackles and would recover a fumble. The “D” would tally three sacks as Alex Law, Derek Hurlock and Tynan Pearce got to the quarterback.

The Sun up their record to 3-0 and will host the 2-1 Westshore Rebels on Saturday.

As for the Rams, they lose their third straight to begin the year, but for the second consecutive week played good enough to win. Quarterback Brandon Leyh was terrific completing 14 of 28 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns. He would find five different receivers including Daniel English seven times for a game high 134 yards and had a major. Nick Downey would make just one catch, but would find pay dirt 26 yards later. Mike Park caught three balls for 56 yards. On the ground the Rams would use four different runners including Malcom Freeman who carried seven times for 30 yards. Leyh would rumble seven times for 46 yards.

All-Canadian Downey showed off his speed returning seven kicks for 94 yards, but didn’t find the end zone.

The Rams defence was simply great, forcing four turnovers. Chris Graziano picked off two passes while Jordan Linnen had one and Kurt Pederson recovered a fumble and would add a sack to his two solo tackles. Arie Nakagawa had a big game making five tackles, had three assists and one forced fumble. Scott Puffer had three tackles and two assists.

The Rams fall to 0-3 on the young season and will travel to 1-2 Kamloops this weekend.

Earlier in the day the Vancouver Island Raiders finally had their 2011 home opener and showed the hometown crowd why they are the five time defending BCFC champs after a 60-7 win over visiting Kamloops.

The Raiders had a balanced attack of 265 yards on the ground and 247 through the air. Quarterback Jordan Yantz accounted for five touchdowns, throwing 17 of 33 for 316 yards and threw three more touchdown passes. His three majors give him 63 in his junior career and sets a new BCFC record for most touchdown passes thrown. Yantz would also run five times for 33 yards and two touchdowns.

Six different receives caught balls including Dustin Peterson who received five passes for 81 yards and a score. Whitman Tomusiak caught four passes for 60 yards and had two touchdowns, while Michael Schaper made four receptions for 96 yards.

On the ground Jordan Botel had a game high 16 carries for 112 yards and had a major. Ashton Galloway and Taylor Flavel also had touchdown runs.

The Raiders “D” would dominate causing six turnovers including fumble recoveries by James Riley, Dylon Chapdelaine and Evan Forster, while Glenn Boyce, Cole Bishop and Ariel Fabbro had interceptions. A number of Raiders would have multi-tackle games, none bigger than Ranji Atwall who had six tackles and two assist. Atwall is featured in the BCFC segment “In The Huddle” this week.

The Raiders have scored 132 points in their last two games moving to 3-0 on the season and will head to Chilliwack on Sunday.

The Broncos managed just 80 yards of offense in the first half and would finish with 280 in the game.

Quarterback Drew Jacobson was 12 of 29 for 208 yards through the air and had a touchdown. His top receiver was Brennan Plante who caught four passes for 102 yards and had the only major. Adam Nesbitt also had four catches for 41 yards.

On the ground former Raider Mike McMaster ran eight times for 19 yards while Jacobson took off three times gaining 20 yards to lead the club.

On special teams the reigning BCFC player of the week Derek Apps returned six kicks for 88 yards.

The Broncos defence had a tough time keeping Raiders QB Jordan Yantz in check. Clayton Lubda made a game high seven solo tackles and had five assists. Scott Nelson made a pair of tackles and picked off a pass and Tyler Lee had two sacks.

The 1-2 Broncos will host the 0-3 Rams on Saturday. Also on Saturday afternoon, for the second time in three weeks the Westshore Rebels and Chilliwack Huskers locked horns with the Rebels scoring a 28-14 victory.

The Rebels compiled 348 yards of total offense, more than half (209 yards) of which on the ground. They would use seven ball carries as Greg Morris led the charge. He would carry nine times for 73 yards while Nile Goguen carried seven times for 62 yards. Goguen also caught three passes for 40 yards and had a touchdown.

Between two the Rebels completed just nine passes as Cat Todorovich finished five of 13 for 106 yards and Mark Black was four of eight for 41 yards and had two touchdown passes. Three receivers each caught three passes, Goguen, Kyle Pich for 47 yards and Eric Eggleston for 60 yards and had a touchdown.

On the defensive side of the ball the Rebels forced five turnovers including two interceptions by Dane Douglas and one by Jake Morris. Both Aaron Kuntz and Carlos Cerrato-Hiebert made fumble recoveries. Colton Farago would lead all tacklers with six solo take downs, two assists and a knockdown. Chris Pastro had four tackles and one assist.

The Rebels jump to 2-1, both wins against Chilliwack, and they will travel to face the 3-0 Okanagan Sun on Saturday night.

The Huskers would record 276 yards of total offense, led by quarterback Adann Hendrickson. He would finish 20 of 37 for 244 yards and had a touchdown pass. He would find Adam Leggott eight times for 99 yards and Jake McKinnon six times for 62 yards and a touchdown. Peter Johns made three catches for 60 yards.

On the ground the Huskers were held to just 63 yards, as Hendrickson would compile 54 of those yards on eight carries and had a touchdown.

The Huskers kept the club in the game recording six takeaways. Leggott, Ryan Gallo and Cole Herrmann recovered fumbles while Andy Goyer had a pick and Jayson Bates intercepted two passes. Herrmann added five tackles and a special teams assist Josh Giroux also had five tackles.

The 0-3 Huskers will host the 3-0 Raiders on Sunday.

Simply Fan"Yantz"tic By Ryan Watters

Last Saturday one of the most prestigious BCFC records was broken as Vancouver Island Raiders quarterback Jordan

Yantz threw three touchdown passes against the .

Prior to the game, the BCFC all-time record for touchdown passes was 62, held by two quarterbacks; Shawn Olson from the Surrey Rams (1992-1995) and Nate Cote from the Victoria Rebels (2005-2007). Yantz was second on the list with 60...until Saturday afternoon at Caledonia Park.

During the Raiders 2011 home opener it seemed to be another day at the office for Yantz who was facing the Broncos defence for the first time this season, but fifth time in his career. He would find Whitman Tomusiak and Dustin Peterson for majors to tie the BCFC record, before a second TD reception by Tomusiak from 26 yards out broke the record with his 63rd career touchdown pass. He now has 10 this season in three games.

“It was in the back of my head a little bit,” said Yantz. “I kind of wish it wasn’t, so it would take a little bit of pressure off. It’s definitely a great accomplishment that I can always have.”

In his rookie year (2008) Yantz recorded two touchdown passes as he played behind Campbell Antonini. The next season (2009), his first as the starting quarterback he increased to 18 majors. In 2010 Yantz threw an unbelievable 33 touchdowns, an incredible 13 more than the next quarterback’s total. His sum would help him capture the 2010 CJFL Offensive Player of the Year.

It is the strength and accuracy of Yantz’s arm that completely changed the Raiders offense after the departure of Andrew Harris. With Harris in the backfield, the Raiders would pound the ball on the ground seemingly every play. Once Harris left and Yantz became the starter, the Raiders will pass first and run second.

For Yantz, individual records are great, but he would like nothing more than to hoist the Canadian Bowl trophy in 2011.

BCFC Players of the Week – Week Three

The Football Conference is pleased to announce the ”Players of the Week” for Week Three of the 2011 Season.

It was a week that saw a number of terrific individual efforts. However the BCFC Offensive Player of the Week is Langley Rams receiver Dan English. The New Westminster native was a serious threat catching a game high seven passes for 134 yards and had a touchdown. His 53 yard reception was instrumental in a Rams major. An honourable mention goes to Raiders quarterback Jordan Yantz who set a new BCFC record for touchdown passes, connecting on the 63rd of his career.

Like the offensive side, the defensive side of the ball also had a number of terrific individual performances. For the second consecutive week the Defensive Player of the Week is a member of the Chilliwack Huskers. Defensive back Jayson Bates had a wonderful game and kept the Huskers close with two interceptions, two solo tackles, one assist, one special teams tackle and one ball batted down. Bates is in his fourth year with the Huskers organization.

For the first time this season the 3-0 Okanagan Sun receive a weekly award. The Special Teams Player of the Week is returner DJ Weber. At just 5’7, 180 pounds the shifty native had seven punt returns for 39 yards, four kick-off returns for 96 yards and a missed field goal return for 24 yards. The missed field goal return came in a one point game, if Weber doesn’t return the miss the Rams and Sun would have been tied. All in all he would tally 159 return yards which would help give the Sun offense very good field position.

Week Four of the BCFC season has a full slate of games. Saturday night the 3-0 Okanagan Sun will host the 2-1 Westshore Rebels at the Apple Bowl at 7:00pm. At the same time in Kamloops the 1-2 Broncos will host the 0-3 Langley Rams at Hillside Stadium. Sunday afternoon at 2:00pm the 0-3 Chilliwack Huskers will host the 3-0 Vancouver Island Raiders at Exhibition Stadium.

(L) Photo courtesy of Greg Sakaki - Bulletin

(R) Photo courtesy of Alexander Stewart www.pfcfootball.com

Team Record Home Away PF PA Pts Winnipeg Rifles 1-0 1-0 0-0 41 34 2 1-0 0-0 1-0 15 10 2 Calgary Colts 1-0 0-0 1-0 9 5 2 0-1 0-1 0-0 5 9 0 0-1 0-1 0-0 10 15 0 Edmonton Huskies 0-1 0-0 0-1 34 41 0

PFC Week One in Review By Tom Hallick – PFC Media Coordinator

Saskatoon Hilltops 15 @ Regina Thunder 10 August 13th @

In the 2011 regular season opener featured the two clubs that had an epic conference championship clash last November in Saskatoon.

After the opening kick-off, the Hilltops drove 101 yards in 11 plays, capped by a 17-yard Bradshaw to McGinnis touchdown pass. Regina got the field goal from 38 yards from Koot on their first possession to make it 7-3. Then, in the second quarter, Regina made it 10-7 when Catley threw five yards to Clay Cooke for the touchdown before Andre Lalonde went 43 yards to pay-dirt off a fake punt to make it 14-10 Saskatoon.

Zach Schmidt would miss on a 44-yard field goal, but it would be good for a single point to make it 15-10 after 30 minutes. The single would cap the scoring for the night as the second half was scoreless.

The teams combined for 29 penalties for 268 yards and would each turnover the ball three times each.

The Hilltops host Winnipeg in their home opener next Sunday, while Regina hosts the Edmonton Wildcats next Sunday.

Edmonton Huskies 34 @ Winnipeg Rifles 41 August 14th @

The Winnipeg Rifles opened their 10th anniversary season on the right note as they scored a 41-34 victory over the Edmonton Huskies in front of 633 fans at Canad Inns Stadium. The Huskies opened up the scoring on a Ben Gorniak 1-yard sneak 7 minutes into the game, accounting for the lone score of the frame.

Edmonton would up its lead to 8 as Jonathan Heidebrecht was wide on a 44-yard attempt early in the second stanza. The Rifle offense found their footing after a shaky first period as Ryan Marsch, who went 13 of 19 for 243 yards with 3 touchdown strikes, would connect with rookie Julian Banares on a 9-yard pass play. For the Sturgeon Heights product, his 1st PFC TD reception.

The visitors would regain their 8-point-edge as Ben Gorniak sneaked in from a yard out to make it 15-7 Huskies at the half.

The home side would charge back in short order in the 3rd frame. Two plays after a Jamie McPherson 14-yard shank set the Rifles up at the 27, Martin Hovi would go the distance to get Winnipeg back in the ball game. After the Brad Mikoluff convert, it was 15-14. On the next Rifle drive, Ryan Marsch would dial long distance and connect with slotback Derek Dean to vault the Green Gunners into the lead for the first time at 21-15.

It would get even better for Winnipeg as newcomer Kyle Willis would take a McPherson punt back 58 yards to expand the lead to 27-15. The convert try was blocked. The Huskies would fight back late in the third as Anthony Barrett would score on a 5-yard catch to pull Edmonton to within 5 at 27-22.

The Rifles would start to pull away early in the 4th as Martin Hovi scored on a 7-yard dash to up the lead to 34-22. Hovi would run the rock 16 times for 122 yards on the day. And then Matt Lariviere’s 25-yard touchdown grab gave Winnipeg a 41-22 edge. Lariviere reeled in 6 balls for 99 yards.

The Huskies would rebound on a Jonathan Heidebrecht 17-yard field goal. Edmonton drove down to the. Rifles 5 when receiver Anthony Barrett was ejected after firing a forearm smash at a Rifle defender, moving the ball back to the Winnipeg 30. The Huskies drew to within 8 as Yannick L’Abbe made a circus catch as the ball went off of two sets of hands before L’Abbe hauled it in. Sam Schwab would get the two-point convert. Heidebrecht would notch a single on the ensuing kickoff to make the final 41-34.

Huskie pivot Ben Gorniak would have a sensational afternoon as he completed 27 of 47 for 407 yards and 3 touchdown passes.

The Rifles hit the road next week for a Sunday date in Saskatoon versus the national champion Hilltops. While the Huskies continue their season-opening road swing at McMahon Stadium against the Calgary Colts.

Calgary Colts 9 @ Edmonton Wildcats 5 August 14th @ Clarke Park

The Wildcats viewed their home opener as the start of their road back to the conference playoffs after missing the post- season party last year with a 3-5 mark. While the Colts enter the new season with a lot of optimism, especially on defense who held both Wildcat & Huskie offenses scoreless during last week’s pre-season jamboree of scrimmages at McMahon Stadium.

This game turned out to be a titanic defensive battle as the teams played a scoreless opening 15 minutes. Colts kicker Andrew Fabian would supply the lone points of the half, courtesy of a 35-yard field goal a little over 9 minutes into the middle frame. The Colt offense did move the ball, but ended up committing a pair of turnovers inside the Cats 20.

Fabian and Wildcat kicker Jean-Luc Bugeaud would trade third quarter placements. Fabian from 35 and Bugeaud hitting from 29 to make it 6-3 Colts after 3.

Fabian would add his third field goal of the day to up the Calgary lead to 9-3, but the Wildcats would throw a scare into the Colts in the game’s final minute as they drove to the Calgary 10, but pivot Jonathan Olson would be sacked, ending the threat. The Colts would concede a safety to close out the scoring.

Calgary hosts the 0-1 Edmonton Huskies Saturday evening at McMahon Stadium, while the Wildcats travel to Mosaic Stadium in Regina to play the Thunder next Sunday.

PFC Players of the Week – Week One

Ben Gorniak - Quarterback - Edmonton Huskies The 5th-year quarterback had a most impressive start to the 2011 season as the Huskies faced the Winnipeg Rifles on Sunday. Gorniak would complete 27 of 47 passes for 407 yards, throwing for 2 touchdowns to receivers Yannick L’Abbe & Anthony Barrett in the 41-34 setback.

Richard Zacharias – Linebacker - Saskatoon Hilltops Saturday night’s contest between the Hilltops and provincial rivals Regina Thunder was a defensive struggle. The 4th-year linebacker picked up a sack, 3 assisted tackles, a pass knockdown as well as a 28-yard interception return in the Hilltops 15-10 win. The 5’10, 220 linebacker is a product of Hague, SK.

Kyle Willis - Returner - Winnipeg Rifles The rookie running back that spent last season with the BCFC’s South Surrey Rams made a huge impact in his first PFC game. He returned 3 punts for 108 yards, including a 57-yard return for a touchdown as part of a 20-point third quarter that propelled the Green Gunners to a 41-34 win over the Edmonton Huskies.

PFC Week Two Preview By Tom Hallick PFC Media Coordinator

EDMONTON HUSKIES (0-1) AT CALGARY COLTS (1-0) - AUGUST 20, 7PM MDT

The Colts open up their home schedule following a 9-5 win at Clarke Park over the Huskies’ Clarke Park co-tenants, the Wildcats last Sunday.

Rookie RB D.J. Whetton got off to a great start as he dashed for 99 yards in the win. One source of concern is the quarterback spot as Clayton Masikewich & Jeremy Long found the going tough as they went a combined 4 of 18 on the day.

Defensively, the Colts got off to a blazing hot start, holding the Wildcats to only 159 yards in net offense. Defensive End Prince Baffoh had a pair of sacks & a forced fumble, while Steven Dereniwski recorded 10 solo stops & a sack. Calgary racked up 4 sacks on the day.

The Huskies had Winnipeg on the ropes at halftime last Sunday before the Rifles fired back with a 20-point third quarter.

PFC Offensive Player of the Week Ben Gorniak had a superb start to his season as he completed 27 of 47 for 407 yards.

Eric Gilmour had 6 grabs for 101 yards. On defense, Kevin Francis had 8 tackles and blocked a convert.

EDMONTON WILDCATS (0-1) AT REGINA THUNDER (0-1), SUNDAY AUGUST 21, 1PM (LOCAL)

The Cats as previously mentioned dropped a 9-5 decision to the Colts last Sunday. Sophomore running back Taylor Souster ran for 79 yards on 24 carries in the loss. The Edmonton defense was led by Steven Giang who had 3 tackles, a forced fumble & fumble recovery and an interception. Foremost on Head Coach Darcy Park’s mind will be finding a way to get the Wildcats offense firing on all cylinders after only getting 159 yards of net offense last week.

The Thunder dropped a 15-10 decision to Saskatoon in their home opener. Quarterback Wyatt Catley completed 21 of 41 passes for 221 yards. Kolten Solomon had 7 grabs for 56 yards. However, the run game was held to only 72 yards. Linebacker Phil Bairu led Regina with 3 tackles, 6 assists, a special teams stop and an interception

WINNIPEG RIFLES (1-0) AT SASKATOON HILLTOPS (1-0), SUNDAY AUGUST 21 1PM (LOCAL)

The Rifles come into Saskatoon with a little momentum, thanks to a come from behind 41-34 win over the Huskies. Pivot Ryan Marsch rebounded from a shaky first half as he went 7 for 7 in the second half and ended up with 243 yards & 3 touchdowns. Receiver Matt Lariviere had 6 grabs for 99 yards. Tailback Martin Hovi leads the conference in rushing with 122 yards. Punt returner Kyle Willis picked up Special Teams Player of the Week, thanks in large part to his 57-yard punt return touchdown. But the defense will have to step it up a notch as they surrendered 512 yards in net offense last week.

The Hilltops gutted out a season-opening win in Regina. Defensive Player of the Week Richard Zacharias had a forced fumble and an interception. Linebacker Dylan Kemp had 5 tackles and 4 assists. Quarterback Chase Bradshaw struggled somewhat as he threw for 218 yards with a touchdown and 3 interceptions. Graham Unruh hauled in 5 catches for 78 yards, while Kyle McGinnis had a major as he snagged 4 catches for 44 yards.

The Hilltops swept the regular season set in 2010, 51-14 at home & 42-9 in Winnipeg.

www.ofcfootball.com

Team Record Home Away PF PA Pts Twin Cities Predators 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 Burlington Braves 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 Hamilton Hurricanes 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 St Leonard Cougars 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 Windsor AKO Fratmen 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 Brampton Bears 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 Week One –

Friday August 26 Hamilton Hurricanes @ Burlington Braves @ Nelson Stadium – 7:30 pm

Saturday August 27 Windsor AKO Fratmen @ Ottawa Sooners @ Keith Harris Stadium – 5:00 pm Brampton Bears @ London Beefeaters @ TD Waterhouse Stadium – 7:00 pm St Leonard Cougars @ Twin Cities Predators @ Knight-Newbrough Field – 7:00 pm

After a decade wait, Nelson has new turf

The Burlington Braves will host the OFC Champion Hamilton Hurricanes on the new artificial turf at Nelson Stadium Friday August 26th . No more tripping over the ‘cut in’ yard lines and years of playing on a grass field that turned to mud in the latter weeks of the schedule. The fans and statisticians will now be able to follow the play much easier.

At half time Friday the Braves will retire Lee Knight’s #23. Knight played two and a half years for the Braves before being called up to the CFL by the Hamilton Tiger Cats. Lee has stayed in the community and given back both personally and professionally and is a standard for the current players.

Another former member of the Braves will be playing in the Northern Football Conference final Saturday night in Waterloo. Craig Davoren punished offenses as a linebacker and then directed the charges as head coach in Burlington. Now playing for the Tri City Outlaws in their 5th consecutive trip to the NFC final he looks to again punish another offense, that of the Ottawa Invaders. The 2011 CJFL Record Book is available on www.cjfl.net

The top picture is of the 1909 junior Hamilton Alerts. except they lost to a stronger St. Michaels College Saints in the CRU Championship. Hosted by the Ontario Football Conference – Saturday November 12th

CJFL Canadian Bowl Trophy