After a victorious road trip to visit the Kamloops Broncos on Saturday July 20, the West Shore Rebels return to Starlight Stadium for their home opener against the Prince George Kodiaks.

"I am looking forward to the home crowd...we can show up to the field and do our thing," said Rebels Quarterback Ethan Pickard, who threw for 348 yards and five touchdowns in the win against the Broncos.

The season opener started with the team scoring on its first possession of the game, led by a pair of solid runs by halfback Ryan Vincent.

"We start the game with the ball, we drive down the field and we score," Pickard said.

When the Rebels defence jumped onto the field, a scary moment occurred when Kamloops offensive lineman Ashton Jackson suffered a leg injury on his team's first offensive play of the game and was taken from the field in an ambulance. 

"You never like to see an injury," Pickard said. "It is the worst part of the game."

Once the game resumed after the injury to Girard, defensive Oluwaferanmi Okunlola was able to intercept a pass from Broncos Quarterback Clark Snider. Immediately, Pickard threw a pass to a wide-open Chris McLarty, who ran it in for the touchdown.

Despite the victory, penalties haunted the team throughout the game, and linebacker Byrce Reuther said that even though it was the first game of the season, the team needed to step up in this area. 

"We need to clean up many things with the penalties," said Reuther. " A lot of those penalties came at really bad times."

The 43-27 final score does not reflect the work done by the defence, Reuther said.

"I think that if we didn't shoot ourselves in the foot, they probably would not have scored the touchdowns they did," said Reuther.

The defensive unit is mostly made up of members from last year's record-setting performance, but a few new faces were able to step up and contribute to the victory, Reuther added. 

"Cornerback Ben Matai had a pick. He was in a tough match-up and did well.' 

After the road trip, Reuther feels like the team has bonded more and is looking forward to coming home to Starlight Stadium, despite the team now placing a target on their back after an almost undefeated season in 2023 and a strong season opener. 

Defensive End Cory McMahon put some of the blame for the penalties on the team coming a little bit too aggressive to start the game. 

"We had a temper going on. A lot of nerves," McMahon said. "Everyone is just excited to play."

In Kamloops, the team played in 37 C weather. Because it got so hot, the players' mouths dried up during plays.

"It was kind of like holding your breath while playing," McMahon said."Your mouth is completely dry."

McMahon also complimented his quarterback's five touchdown performance at the media availability on Tuesday night.

"I mean, what's not to love about that," McMahon said.

Kick-off against the Kodiaks will be at 4 p.m. on Saturday but the doors to Starlight Stadium will open at 3 p.m. It is forecasted to be 19 C in Langford.