Some of last yearB次元官网网址檚 key contributors may have moved on, but there was still a lot of optimism around the defending B.C. Football Conference champion Westshore RebelsB次元官网网址� spring camp this weekend at Westhills Stadium.
Gone are head coach JC Boice, running backs Jamel Lyles and Trey Campbell, and quarterback Ashton MacKinnon. But rookie head coach Charly Cardilicchia and defensive coach Shane Beatty, both returnees from last yearB次元官网网址檚 staff, were keen to talk about the players expected back for another run at the Canadian Bowl championship.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 really excited. I think weB次元官网网址檝e got some really good talent out here,B次元官网网址� Cardilicchia said. B次元官网网址淭he truth is that weB次元官网网址檙e still a little light and weB次元官网网址檝e got some work to do, but I think weB次元官网网址檝e got the nucleus of something really special.B次元官网网址�
While the 2016 RebelsB次元官网网址� offence relied heavily on the rushing exploits of Lyles, Campbell and even MacKinnon, Cardilicchia wouldnB次元官网网址檛 commit to his club being a run-heavy team this season.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檒l be balanced. IB次元官网网址檒l go as we go. If we have certain games where weB次元官网网址檙e running the ball really well, weB次元官网网址檒l run the ball. If we have certain games where weB次元官网网址檙e going to throw the ball, thatB次元官网网址檒l depend on the opponent that weB次元官网网址檙e playing and how we want to approach them,B次元官网网址� he said.
Newcomers to the mix on the line will be six-foot-three, 230-pound offensive tackle Tyrese Hogue, a Mt. Douglas secondary grad.
Hogue worked out with the Rebels last year and has been coached by Cardilicchia in the Greater Victoria Minor Football Association for most of his football life. Hogue also credited returning centre Christian Krause, last yearB次元官网网址檚 BCFC offensive lineman of the year, with bringing him along.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been drawn to this team for a while. The movement theyB次元官网网址檝e got going on right now is awesome,B次元官网网址� Hogue said. B次元官网网址淎nd junior footballB次元官网网址檚 a good move for me coming out of high school, because IB次元官网网址檓 a little undersized, so itB次元官网网址檒l give me time to bulk up and get bigger.B次元官网网址�
BeattyB次元官网网址檚 defense will benefit from the return of linemen Kent Hicks, Jeremie Drouin and Byron MacKinnon.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 lots of speed in the secondary and weB次元官网网址檙e very big up front on the defensive line and linebackers B次元官网网址� weB次元官网网址檙e really fast and athletic,B次元官网网址� Beatty said.
If the Rebels had a weakness last year, it was the secondaryB次元官网网址檚 susceptibility to the big play, but the unit improved dramatically throughout the course of the season and Beatty expects they can build on that momentum. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檒l be much better this year in the secondary. WeB次元官网网址檙e more athletic, weB次元官网网址檙e faster and weB次元官网网址檝e got some really good young kids in here.B次元官网网址�
The Rebels kick off the 2017 season on July 29 in Kelowna against the Okanagan Sun in a , which ended in a 32-21 Westshore win.
Their first home game isnB次元官网网址檛 until the fourth week of the season, when the Langley Rams visit Westhills Stadium on Aug. 19.
