The Westshore Rebels wonB次元官网网址檛 have any time to ease into their quest to defend .
The Rebels travel to Kelowna on Saturday for their season opener against the Okanagan Sun in a rematch of last yearB次元官网网址檚 B.C. Football Conference championship game.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 excited. WeB次元官网网址檝e put in a lot of work and weB次元官网网址檝e got a lot of really good athletes here,B次元官网网址� said rookie head coach Charlie Cardillichia ahead of Tuesday nightB次元官网网址檚 practice. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e really excited to see what this season holds for us.B次元官网网址�
The Rebels took two out of three from the Sun last year, including a 32-21 win on home turf in the Cullen Cup, but lost their only game in Kelowna.
B次元官网网址淭he hardest part is probably the bus trip,B次元官网网址� said returning running back Trey Campbell, who is expected to be one of the teamB次元官网网址檚 featured weapons on offense. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e going to be up at 6 a.m. and getting the first ferry B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 a long day.B次元官网网址�
Weather forecasters are also calling for a Saturday high of 34 degrees, adding another challenge, although the late 7 p.m. kickoff should help cool things down at the Apple Bowl.
Campbell rushed for 605 yards on 65 attempts last year for a league-high 9.3 yards per carry among players with 50 or more attempts. He added 80 yards on six carries in the Cullen Cup and should expect to see even more of the football this season in the absence of last yearB次元官网网址檚 top rusher .
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 just expecting to contribute more to the team offensively and play a bigger role this year whether itB次元官网网址檚 running, catching passes or blocking,B次元官网网址� he said.
Cardilicchia expects the Rebels to have an aggressive game plan on Saturday.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e going to come out guns blazing. WeB次元官网网址檝e got some athletes and weB次元官网网址檙e going to let them shine,B次元官网网址� he said.
Scott Borden, who split time with Ashton Mackinnon last year prior to leaving the club, will get the start under centre.
Cardilicchia doesnB次元官网网址檛 believe the ex-Saint MaryB次元官网网址檚 Husky has gotten nearly enough respect around the league. B次元官网网址淚 feel like heB次元官网网址檚 kind of getting slighted. [Pundits] are acknowledging that heB次元官网网址檚 a talent but theyB次元官网网址檙e not saying what he is, and thatB次元官网网址檚 the best quarterback in the BCFC.B次元官网网址�
Defensively, co-ordinator Shane Beatty noted that the RebelsB次元官网网址� D is ripe with both speed and veteran savvy.
Returning linemen and Jeremie Drouin are among those who are expected to win battles in the trenches, pressure the quarterback and free up the rest of the defense to make plays. TheyB次元官网网址檒l be joined by newcomers Ovie Akpeneye and Chris Larsen along what should be a formidable defensive front.
B次元官网网址淥ur D-line is going to be very, very good. Our secondaryB次元官网网址檚 deep and our linebackers, IB次元官网网址檓 happy with. TheyB次元官网网址檙e physical and can run,B次元官网网址� Beatty said.
The Rebels have a road-heavy schedule to open the season. TheyB次元官网网址檒l visit the Vancouver Island Raiders Aug. 5 and the Kamloops Broncos Aug. 12.
TheyB次元官网网址檒l open their home slate on Aug. 19 against the Langley Rams, the first of four consecutive games at Westhills Stadium.
joel.tansey@goldstream
