2018 CJFL REGULAR SEASON UPDATE

By Ameeta Vohra

While it’s only past the midway point of the USports season, it’s close to playoff time for conferences in the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL).

Here is an update on each conference as they head into the stretch run before the postseason.

BRITISH COLUMBIA FOOTBALL CONFERENCE (BCFC):

With one week left in the conference, it is a dogfight to the end for teams jockeying for positions.

Leading the way in the conference is the Okanagan Sun with a 6-2-1 record.  Javen Kaechele has the most punt returning yards with 189.  All-Stars Derek Walde (OL), Isaac Wegner (K), Nicholas Dheilly (DL)who represented Canada at the 2016 International Bowl in Texas, J’Min Pelley who was on the Junior National Team that won gold in Harbin, China in 2016 (DL), Conor Richard (LB), Tyler Going (LB) who helped Canada win gold at the 2018 IFAF World Junior Championships in Mexico, Tye Kitzman (DB), Jordan Rae (DB) have all played significant roles in the team’s success this season.

In second place is the Langley Rams who have a 6-3-0 mark on the season. The Rams are in this position due to the contributions of All-Stars Ross Baykay (OL), Niko Lazarakis (OL), Maximillan Joseph (RB), Jevon Cottoy (RB), Skye King (DL) who won gold with Canada at the 2016 IFAF World Junior Championships in Harbin, China and Kyle Clarot (DB).

Also, with a 6-3-0 record are the Valley Huskers which boasts running back Keegan Vicklund who was a member of the Junior National Team that won gold in Mexico this past July.  Quarterback and all-star Julian Wytinck is the conference leader in passing with 128 completions in 214 attempts for 1867 yards, 12 touchdowns and a completion rating of 59.8 percent.  All-star Anthony Dyck is tops in the BCFC in receiving with 592 yards on 34 receptions and eight majors.  Dawson Davis, who is a BCFC All-Star is the leading defensive player in the conference, registering 30 tackles.  Another all-star Brandon Poulin is atop the kick returning statistics with 317 yards on 14 returns.

The Vancouver Island (VI) Raiders sit in fourth place with a 5-4-0 mark.  All-Star Rhett Williams is the rushing king with 575 yards on 95 attempts and six touchdowns.  Other key contributors this season are all-stars Traven Weasel Traveller (OL), Conor Lyliuk (DL), Gevhahn McNally-Hardisty (DB) and Jeremie Cheng (DB).

In fifth place are the Westshore Rebels with a 3-5-1 mark on the season.  Basement dwellers are the Kamloops Broncos who are winless with a 0-9-0 record.

PRAIRIE FOOTBALL CONFERENCE (PFC):

Like the BCFC, the Prairie Football Conference are entering their final weekend of the regular season.

Defending Canadian Bowl champions Saskatoon Hilltops have continued where they left off from last year as they are the conference leaders with a 7-0-0 record.  Josh Ewanchyna is the rushing leader with 830 yards in 107 carries and 10 majors.  Jason Price, who represented Canada as part of the under-19 Junior National Team at the 2016 International Bowl in Texas leads all receivers with 586 yards on 26 catches and four touchdowns.

In second place is the Edmonton Huskies who sport a 5-2-0 mark on the season.  Meanwhile, the Regina Thunder are right below them with a 4-3-0 record.  The Winnipeg Rifles are fourth with 3-4-0 mark.

The Edmonton Wildcats sit in fifth with 2-5-0 record.  Jayen Dalke leads all defenders with 39 tackles on the season while Jake Withrow is tops in punt returning with 392 yards.  In last place are the Calgary Colts who are winless in seven games.  A silver lining to their season is the performance of pivot Cole Belway who leads in passing with 75 completions on 175 attempts for 814 yards and two majors. Additionally, David Bowers is atop the statistics for kick returns with 289 yards on 18 returns.

ONTARIO FOOTBALL CONFERENCE (OFC):

With the bulk of the games completed, the Hamilton Hurricanes are proving once again to be invincible and perfect.

The team is in first place with an 8-0-0 record.  Jake Marquette is the top passer in the conference with 53 completions in 79 attempts for 991 yards and 15 touchdowns for a 67.1 percent completion rate. The OFC rushing king is Jaiden Hyland who racked up 276 yards on 44 carries and two majors.  The Hurricanes are also at the top in receiving as Keyshaun Jordan has amassed 468 yards on 16 catches and eight touchdowns.

In second place is the Windsor AKO Fratmen who sport a 6-2-0 record.  Marcus Cooper is the conference leading punt returner with 203 yards on 10 returns.

Coming in third place are the London Beefeaters who are 5-3-0 on the season. Below them are the Ottawa Sooners with a 2-5-0 record. The GTA Grizzlies are fifth with a 1-6-0 record.

Niagara Regional Raiders are the basement dwellers of the conference with a 1-7-0 mark.  There have been a couple of bright spots this season for the team.  Teddy Mansell leads all defenders with 18 tackles.  The team also has the lead in kick returns as Rhys Rusby has 254 yards on 10 returns.

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