By Dan Marshall

Building momentum key for Raiders in final three games

Sep 21, 2017 | 12:17 PM

NANAIMO — The VI Raiders have emerged from the toughest part of their season in fourth place.
 
In the past three weeks VI has played the first place Okanagan Sun twice, and the second place Westshore Rebels.
 
Their 0-2-1 record in those three games was not what the club wanted but coach Doug Hocking says the way the Raiders played, the group feels they can have success on the road come playoff time.
 
“We travel well as a football team and play well on the road. We feel that we can compete at a high level and deal with adversity on the road, and those are two tough stadiums to go to,” said Hocking.
 
The Raiders haven’t clinched a playoff spot yet, but that could happen this weekend.
 
They’ll realistically have to travel to either Kelowna or Westshore to start the playoffs, and the Raiders may have to win in both places to capture a Cullen Cup in 2017.
 
The final three games of the season are this weekend at home against Valley, then on the road in Kamloops, and at home again October 7 versus Langley.
 
VI will be heavy favourites the next two weeks with the Huskers and Broncos having just one win between them.
 
Hocking says that won’t change the team’s preparation and he expects the players will be at their best.
 
The Langley game at the end of the season could be critical in deciding playoff position but Hocking refuses to look that far ahead.
 
Despite a 22-17 loss to Westshore last Saturday the Raiders still earned two BCFC Player of the Week awards.
 
Running Back Rhett Williams had 150 yards rushing on 16 carries to win the Offensive Player of the Week. 
 
His rushing totals were more than double what any other back had put up against the Rebels in a game in 2017.
 
Returner Brycen Mayoh won his third Special Teams Player of the Week and continues to be the BCFC’s all purpose yards leader.
 
Mayoh had five punt returns for 73 yards, five kick returns for 115 yards, and another 103 yards receiving plus a touchdown.
 
Saturday’s home game against Valley is a 1 p.m. kickoff at Caledonia Park.
 
 
dan@nanaimonewsnow.com
 
On twitter: @danmarshall77