Raiders Pass Latest Test with Flying Colours

August 31, 2009

Michael Rhode, The Daily News

When push came to shove on Saturday, the Vancouver Island Raiders took the Victoria Rebels to the ground.

In what was thought to be their biggest test of the season, the Raiders cruised to a convincing 45-21 win over their Island rivals in B.C. Football Conference play at packed Bear Mountain Stadium in Langford.

The Raiders improved to 4-0, tops in the BCFC. Victoria dropped to 3-2.

"I loved how our team performed, I loved how aggressive and physical we were and most of all I loved the fact that we didn't retaliate the way we have in the past.

Andrew Harris scored three touchdowns in the first quarter, including a 74-yard run, to give the Raiders a substantial lead.

But the star running back didn't see the field in the second half, allowing newcomer Brett Willsie to shine.

Willsie led the team in rushing on the night with 155 yards on 20 carries and one touchdown.

The Raiders other major score came on a 21-yard pass play from Jordan Yantz to Robin Medeiros in the second quarter.

Defensively, the Raiders were pretty solid, especially early when Rebels quarterback Yannick Rickli engineered a pair of promising drives.

Neither resulted in any points.

The Raiders are back home on Saturday to play the Okanagan Sun at Caledonia Park.

Kickoff is 1 p.m.