GAME DAY: WESTSHORE AT CHILLIWACK, 2 P.M.
Coming off a record-breaking performance, the question for Braeden Swatez is what can he do for an encore?
The Westshore Rebels' cornerback established a new B.C. Football Conference mark for defensive knockdowns in a game when he batted down five passes in Westshore's 48-41 win over the Kamloops Broncos last Sunday. The effort also equalled a Canadian Junior Football League record.
On top of that, Swatez added an interception with a 45-yard return, three solo tackles, two assists and one special-teams tackle in a remarkable performance.
So what does the 20-yearold have in store this week when the Rebels pay the Chilliwack Huskers a visit today at 2 p.m. looking for their sixth straight win?
"Maybe two interceptions," Swatez said with a smile. "I actually should have had two last week, but I dropped the one that hit me right in the chest."
Besides that glitch, there wasn't much Swatez - who could easily be dubbed the Sultan of Swat - did wrong last week, or the game previous where he had two fumble recoveries and a pair of knockdowns in the win in Kelowna against the Okanagan Sun.
That Kelowna trip was his first start for the Rebels, since joining them in Week 3 after taking a year off of playing. The Nanaimo native played the previous season with the Nanaimo Redmen after suiting up for John Barsby in high school.
"If you look at his Kelowna numbers, he didn't break any records, but they were almost as good with the recoveries and the two late knockdowns," said Rebels' defensive co-ordinator Scott Mennie. "Two starts and he's doing pretty well for us.
"He was a late pickup who has played his way onto the roster. The week we played Chilliwack we noticed him a bit more on defence. I had faith in him to start him against Kelowna, which is a big task, and he stepped up to that and he's exceeded our expectations so far."
Swatez had an interception in that 58-0 pasting against Chilliwack, so he's recorded a turnover in three straight outings.
"He's not your typical corner, running a 4.2 (second) 40 (yard dash), but he sees the game well," said Mennie.
"He reads patterns. He's a former quarterback so he knows the patterns coming at him and he reacts quickly towards them, and doesn't second guess himself, which is huge at that position."
His determination has earned him a regular spot and Swatez has responded to the challenge.
"I came out and worked my way up. I was a little surprised I got the start against Kelowna, but I was ready for it," said Swatez, whose sister Rachel is an MMA fighter with a record of 4-3 and due to fight soon in Kansas.
As for his record performance, which earned him BCFC defensive player of the week honours, Swatez said: "I didn't even know it was a record till about mid-week. The ball just kept coming my way and I was ready for it."
Knocking it down almost at every turn.
"I wouldn't have minded seeing four interceptions out of him instead of five knockdowns because a few hit him in the right spot, but kudos to him for being in the right spot," Mennie said with a chuckle.
EXTRA POINTS: The Rebels have defeated the winless Huskers twice so far this season, 46-8 and 58-0. "The message this week is we want to play a full 60 minutes, no matter who the opponent is, from start to finish," said Mennie.
