After a strong finish to the 2024 junior football season and narrowly missing out on the playoffs, the VI Raiders are looking to continue building momentum in 2025. (inkspirationwithsheri)

By Dan Marshall

Retooling the Raiders

VI Raiders open BCFC season on the road

Jul 19, 2025 | 10:06 AM

NANAIMO — The VI Raiders want to see the 2025 season begin the same way the 2024 campaign ended, on a winning streak.

The team earned a 4-6 record but capped off their last BCFC season with three consecutive wins.

Raiders Head Coach Shawn Arabsky said the next step for the organization is getting back into the postseason.

“We’re looking to continue taking a step forward from a positive year last year and the goal is to make a playoff game and ideally host it. We have some very positive players on the team that are working extremely hard.”

VI returns all-stars like defensive back Felice Toscano and receiver Ruben Bonsu.

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Arabsky is very high on his receiving corps as a whole this year.

“Bonsu is potentially the best receiver in the country. We’re eight to nine receivers deep with guys that could be starting on a lot of teams. Our linebacker room with Colton Finstad, Max Shippam, and Kaleb Charlton is the heartbeat of our defence.”

The Raiders begin the season with a pair of road games on July 19 at Kamloops and July 26 versus Okanagan.

With a bye week on the August long weekend, VI won’t play their home opener until Aug. 9 against Valley.

Kamloops struggled with a 1-9 record in 2024, but Arabsky isn’t taking anything for granted heading into the opening day matchup.

“The game plan is to focus on our game as it’s week 1 and you don’t know really anything about your opponent. We want to be dialled in on our schemes. They have a top player in the country Colton Meikle whose practiced with the BC Lions the last few years.”

There are five home dates on the Raiders’ schedule this year: Aug. 9, Aug. 16, Aug. 30, Sept. 21 and Oct. 4.

All games are at Q’unq’inuqwstuxw Stadium with kick-off times at either 5:30 p.m., 7 p.m. or 2:30 p.m.

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