By Dominic Abassi

Five Raiders, including four Island products, named BCFC all-stars

Oct 11, 2016 | 5:58 PM

NANAIMO — Several members of the VI Raiders should have an extra bit of confidence when they take the field in Westshore on Saturday for playoff football.

Five Raiders have been named to the BCFC’s all-star team, including four island products.

On the defensive side of the ball linebacker Dexter Shea and defensive backs Cole Virtanen and Josh Paisley have been dubbed all-stars. On offense receiver Dustin Rodriguez and running back Nate Berg are at the top of the conference in their respective positions. Shea, Virtanen and Berg are all graduates of the storied John Barsby Bulldogs football program. Rodriguez meanwhile played his high school ball for the Ballenas Whalers in Parksville.

Rodriguez and Berg, both in their final seasons of junior football, were at the top of the stat columns in the conference. Berg finished second to Westshore’s Jamel Lyles in rushing yards with 930. Lyles ended up breaking the BCFC’s single-season record for yards with more than 1,600. Meantime Rodriguez led B.C. in receiving yards, racking up 941, more than 200 clear of second place.

Paisley and Shea ranked first and second respectively for defensive points in the BCFC. Paisley’s stat line included 63 total tackles, one blocked kick, a fumble recovery, three interceptions and a 102-yard return touchdown. Virtanen wasn’t far behind his teammates finishing 6th in defensive points. The former BCFC rookie of the year racked up 51 total tackles and three interceptions.

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Another Nanaimo product who plays for the Langley Rams, offensive lineman Chae Faickney, was also named to the all-star team. He came up through the Redmen program.

The Raiders will need big contributions from all five of their all-stars if they hope to knock off their island rivals in the BCFC semi-final on Saturday. Westshore finished first in the conference with an impressive 8-1-1 record this season. That included the Rebels first ever win over the Raiders in week two at Westhills Stadium and a tie in Nanaimo in week eight.

Kick-off is 7 p.m. on Saturday.