Westshore Rebels receiver Kieran Poissant showed why he dressed for two CFL exhibition games this year with the B.C. Lions despite still being in junior football. Poissant was named B.C. Football Conference offensive player of the week for his 10 receptions, 181 yards and touchdown in last week’s win over the Langley Rams as the undefeated Rebels moved to 5-0.
It was the second game of the Telling Triad of the BCFC season for the Rebels. Poissant and the Rebels conclude that key trio of games today at 4 p.m. against the Fraser Valley Huskers of Chilliwack (4-1) at Starlight Stadium.
“This is for first place and we’d like to put some distance between ourselves,” said Rebels head coach Dexter Janke.
The Rebels got through the first two games of their toughest three-game stretch by beating the Okanagan Sun (3-1) by a 52-23 count in a battle of previous unbeatens two weeks ago at Starlight Stadium as quarterback Te Jessie passed for five touchdowns and ran for another.
That was followed by the 28-21 comeback win in Langley last weekend against the Rams as Westshore rallied from trailing 14-7 after the third quarter in the first time the Rebels had faced real adversity this season as Westshore prevailed in a wild fourth quarter.
“It was great to see how we responded in Langley when things were not going our way,” said Janke.
“It was a testament to how strong our relationships are. There was no finger pointing when things were not going well.”
Those situations can be the making moments of a season.
“We learned some lessons and it really brought the group together,” said Janke.
Another stirring performance today against Fraser Valley could do the same.
The game is a reprise of last year’s BCFC playoff semifinal, won 34-0 by the Rebels over the Huskers at Starlight Stadium, before Westshore was beaten by the Sun in Kelowna the following week in the 2022 BCFC Cullen Cup championship game.
The Huskers’ dynamic offence is led by quarterback Tyran Duval and receiver Payton Lake, who have both been named offensive players of the week this season after victories.
Westshore’s Jessie and Valley’s Duval sit atop the BCFC quarterback parade with 1,260 and 1,252 passing yards, respectively. Poissant and Lake are also 1-2 in the league with 439 and 415 receiving yards, respectively. Emerging Cairo Berry of Westshore is third with 361.
“The Huskers have a high-powered offence but we are looking forward to playing in front of our home supporters,” said Janke, who played in three Grey Cup games during his CFL playing career.
The winless Vancouver Island Raiders of Nanaimo (0-5) are at the Apple Bowl today to play the Sun in Kelowna.
