Real BCFC season opens Saturday

If last Saturday served as an appetizer, Saturday's BCFC showdown between rival Okanagan Sun and VI Raiders should serve as both the main course and dessert rolled into one.

Photo: Wayne Moore - Kelowna - Castanet

Theo Deezar will get his first start in the BCFC Saturday when the Okanagan Sun host rival VI Raiders.

The BCFC season opened as it should have, the Sun pounding hapless Chilliwack 66-10 and the Raiders rolling over Westshore Rebels 35-10.

Both teams will step up in class when they clash at the Apple Bowl Saturday.

While the two teams have been rivals of sorts since the Raiders entered the BCFL - to call this a classic rivalry would be overstating the case.

The Raiders have won eight in a row (including playoffs) and 13 of the last 15.

Despite the lopsided nature of the head-to-head series, first year Sun head coach Shane Beatty says the Raiders dominance is not in his player's heads.

"If you look at our defence, we have six new starters. Those kids don't know anything about it. On offence we have a lot of returners there but these kids are ready to go," says Beatty.

"We just have to make sure we're sound - that we are keeping it simple - and use our speed because we're fast. If we do that I think we'll be fine."

While it's only week two, a win Saturday could help establish the Sun as one of the teams to beat in the BCFL, thanks to a favourable schedule in which the Sun will face bottom feeders Chilliwack and Kamloops six times over the course of the 10 game schedule.

But, while the team is going out to win Saturday he stresses it's more important to be playing at peak efficiency in weeks eight, nine and 10 than in week two.

"I would say it's big for the guys who have been here a long time. I think it's bigger for the image right now," says Beatty.

"But right now, to me, it's more important in game seven, eight, nine and 10 - going into the playoffs if we are going to make the playoffs and turning things around."

Beatty says for the town and the organization, it's a big game.

As for Saturday's opponent, after waiting them on film, Beatty says one word describes the 2013 edition of the Raiders.

"Physical." They have a great linebacking corps, a physical defensive line and a younger defensive secondary," says Beatty who admits his club will try to throw the ball a lot to counter what the Raiders do well.

That task will fall, at least initially, on the 6'6" shoulders of quarterback Theo Deezar.

The first year pivot picked apart the Huskers defence a week ago completing 11 of 15 passes for 173 yards and three touchdowns in two quarters of work.

"Theo is the starter this week. I would like to continue using both of them but I'm leaving that in coach (offensive coordinator Nat) Nagy's hands."

Saturday's game kicks off at 7 p.m. at the Apple Bowl.

Following Saturday's game the Sun will hit the road for consecutive games in Victoria and Kamloops.

Their next home game is Aug. 24 against the reigning BCFC champion Langley Rams.