By Dan Marshall

Raiders host the best of the BCFC on back to back weekends

Sep 15, 2016 | 12:29 PM

NANAIMO — The VI Raiders have three games left in the regular season, and the next two are against the top two teams in the BCFC.
 
The 3-4 Raiders will host the 6-1 Westshore Rebels on Saturday, and then the 6-1 Okanagan Sun will come to Caledonia Park the week after.
 
Coach Jerome Erdman doesn’t want his team to get too far ahead of themselves.
 
He says they do have some positives to build off of from the second half of their 32-17 loss in Langley last weekend.
 
“We have to play one play at a time, win your individual battle and the rest will take care of itself.  We did a good job of that the second half.  But we’ve got to be more consistent.  Sometimes that’s the issue with young teams, it’s like a roller coaster, up and down, they get too high and they get too low,” said Erdman.
 
Westshore took care of the Raiders 45-22 in Week 2 of the season but Erdman says his team doesn’t need any extra motivation against their island rivals.
 
“The thing about rivalry games, these types of games you tend to throw the records out the window.  Because there is so much emotion the key is to channel those emotions in a positive, constructive manner and not to let it take you over and let things get away.”
 
The Raiders are sitting in fourth place in the BCFC standings as they prepare to host the Rebels Saturday at 2pm at Caledonia Park.
 
Other Weekend Sports:
 
Paralympics
Michelle Stilwell competes in the 100M race in Rio at 7am 
 
BCHL
Nanaimo Clippers @ Alberni Valley – Friday 7pm Weyerhauser Arena
Nanaimo Clippers vs Surrey – Saturday 6pm Frank Crane Arena 
 
PACWEST
VIU Mariners Soccer vs Capilano – Saturday 1pm, 3:30pm Merle Logan Field
VIU Mariners Soccer vs Quest – Sunday 12pm, 2:30pm Merle Logan Field
VIU Golf @ Okanagan Golf and Country Club – Saturday and Sunday
 
VIJHL
Nanaimo Buccaneers @ Saanich – Friday 6:30pm George Pearkes Arena
Oceanside Generals vs Saanich – Saturday 7:30pm Oceanside Place
Oceanside Generals vs Comox Valley – Sunday 2:30pm Oceanside Place