It wasn’t the start to their home season the Comox Valley Raiders Midget football team hoped for, but it wasn’t completely unexpected either
On Sunday, Sept. 13 the Raiders had their home opener at Bill Moore Park in Courtenay against the Langley Stampeders. The Raiders were in tough against the Stamps, who were undefeated last season until being upset in the championship game in overtime by the North Surrey Bears.
The Stampeders were coming off a bye week to open the season and this extra week of practice showed as they looked polished on offence and defence. The Stampeders appear to be the team to beat again this season as they beat the Raiders on both sides of the ball on their way to a 55-0 victory.
Once again the Raiders played hard to the final whistle but were clearly overmatched. The Raiders have to give the Stampeders their dues as they were prepared for the Raiders and executed their game plan.
After the game the Stampeders’ head coach commented that the Raiders drew the worst schedule to start the season, having to play the two best teams from last season, and the Raider coaches do not disagree.
On a positive note the Stamps’ head coach also commented how much the Raiders’ play has improved since returning to community football from high school football three years ago.
The Raiders have been bitten by the injury bug to start the season and had multiple players unable to play this past weekend due to various injuries, including veterans Aaron Slack, Brandon White and Darby Misener. They hope to get these key players back soon.
The Raiders look to turn around their season Sunday, Sept. 20 at 1:30 p.m. against the Cloverdale Bengals in Cloverdale.
The Bengals are also 0-2 to start the season. This should be a hard- fought football game as both teams will be looking to get their first win of the year. Last season the Raiders defeated the Bengals 23-0.
– Comox Valley Raiders