By Dan Marshall

VI Raiders have one more test before BCFC playoffs

Oct 11, 2018 | 8:31 PM

NANAIMO – There’s one more regular season game for the VI Raiders before the start of the Cullen Cup playoffs. 

This weekend the Raiders host the Valley Huskers with playoff positioning still up for grabs.

At 5-4 the Raiders can finish no higher than third in the BCFC standings once you factor in the tie-breaker rules.

Currently they sit fourth behind the 6-3 Huskers.

Valley stunned the Raiders 33-31 in the season opener in August so VI will be looking for some payback in the season finale.

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There hasn’t been a runaway leader in the BCFC this year although the Sun, Rams and Huskers could make it to seven wins this weekend.

Going into the playoffs with momentum would be huge for the Raiders and quarterback Jake Laberge says playing a 60 minute game of mistake free football is key.

“We need to run the ball well, complete passes when we need to, and the defense make some big stops,” said Laberge.

Whether it’s in the three spot or as the fourth seed the Raiders will be on the road and underdogs in their first round playoff matchup.

It’s a similar scenario to last year, and 2017 ended with VI taking home a provincial championship.

Laberge feels the 2018 version of the Raiders will be a strong playoff club.

“We have a lot of veteran leadership and good core group of guys,” said Laberge. “We’ve been there before with last year’s season. Those are contributing factors to why I think we’ll be a good playoff team this season.”

The VI Raiders hard at work during a Tuesday night practice at Comox field.

Saturday’s game is a 1 p.m. kickoff at Caledonia Park.

It shows how tight the BCFC is with the other two games on the final weekend also carrying playoff implications.

The two other games will happen later on Saturday with Langley at Kamloops at 4 p.m., and Westshore visiting Okanagan at 7 p.m.

QB Jake Laberge on the regular season finale, the playoffs, and the Raiders BCFC All Stars.

There was plenty of good off field news for the Raiders this week as well.

The team has six BCFC All Stars with offensive lineman Traven Weasel Traveller, receiver Mike West, and running back Rhett Williams selected on offense.

Defensive lineman Connor Kyliuk, and defensive backs Jeremie Cheng and Gevhahn McNalley-Hardisty were named league All Stars as well.

Another special announcement came from the BC Football Hall of Fame.

On November 3 the VI Raiders organization will be enshrined in the Hall.

An amazing accomplishment for a franchise that has only been around since 2005.

dan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On twitter: @danmarshall77