Football

V.I. Raiders quarterback Ben Chomolok looks to connect with a receiver in practice Tuesday, July 19, at Caledonia Park. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)

Vancouver Island Raiders excited about the start of football season

Raiders play Okanagan Sun this Saturday, July 23, in Nanaimo

 

Football equipment that may be salvaged litters the ground in front of the V.I. Raiders football team’s practice facility at Caledonia Park following a fire early Tuesday, July 12. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Fire damages Vancouver Island Raiders practice facility and equipment

Football team’s general manager estimates lost gear was worth tens of thousands of dollars

 

B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke (12) throws the ball during first half CFL football action against the Ottawa Redblacks in Ottawa on Thursday, June 30, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

B.C. Lions still unbeaten after thrilling 34-31 win over Redblacks

QB Rourke tosses for 359 yards as Leos move to 3-0 on CFL season

 

Brock Gowanlock sets his sights on an Ottawa Redblacks player during his CFL preseason debut for the Montréal Alouettes on June 3. (Minas Panagiotakis/Montréal Alouettes)

Vancouver Island’s Gowanlock makes CFL debut with Alouettes

Duncan-raised defensive end was drafted by Montréal in 2020

Brock Gowanlock sets his sights on an Ottawa Redblacks player during his CFL preseason debut for the Montréal Alouettes on June 3. (Minas Panagiotakis/Montréal Alouettes)
Jordan Vearer listens to instructions from the V.I. Raiders coaching staff during a drill Sunday, May 29, at the team’s spring camp at NDSS Community Field. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)

Female offensive lineman signs with V.I. Raiders

Jordan Vearer first female player to ever sign with Nanaimo junior football team

Jordan Vearer listens to instructions from the V.I. Raiders coaching staff during a drill Sunday, May 29, at the team’s spring camp at NDSS Community Field. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)
B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke knows that taking over the starter spot isn't going to be easy. Not only is the 24-year-old Ohio product under the spotlight as a rare Canadian QB, he's also stepping into a role vacated by Michael Reilly, the man who led the league in passing last season. Rourke passes during the first half of a pre-season CFL football game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Vancouver, B.C., Friday, June 3, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. Lions look to capitalize on continuity heading into 2022 campaign

Nathan Rourke steps in at QB after Michael Reilly retired in January after 11 CFL seasons

B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke knows that taking over the starter spot isn't going to be easy. Not only is the 24-year-old Ohio product under the spotlight as a rare Canadian QB, he's also stepping into a role vacated by Michael Reilly, the man who led the league in passing last season. Rourke passes during the first half of a pre-season CFL football game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Vancouver, B.C., Friday, June 3, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Players from the Westshore Warriors and the Victoria Spartans (black) play a football match on Goudy Field on May 29, 2022. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Only 2 lit turf fields leave minor football struggling for field space in the West Shore

West Shore minor teams may be relocated to Saanich or shut down if no solution found

Players from the Westshore Warriors and the Victoria Spartans (black) play a football match on Goudy Field on May 29, 2022. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
CFL football seen during the Hamilton Tiger-Cats opening day training camp at Ron Joyce Stadium in Hamilton, Ont., Thursday, May 19, 2022. CFL players have rejected the new collective bargaining agreement with the league. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn

CFL players report to work after rejecting tentative agreement

Source: CFL has tabled a new offer to the players that reportedly included ratification bonus

CFL football seen during the Hamilton Tiger-Cats opening day training camp at Ron Joyce Stadium in Hamilton, Ont., Thursday, May 19, 2022. CFL players have rejected the new collective bargaining agreement with the league. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn
Mount Douglas Rams offensive lineman Sebastian Sibbald hopes to showcase his skills at a couple of upcoming football events, including the CFC Prospects Game in Ottawa on May 27. (Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria, Island football players take their game to the next level

National showcase games coming up for Vancouver Island high school standouts

Mount Douglas Rams offensive lineman Sebastian Sibbald hopes to showcase his skills at a couple of upcoming football events, including the CFC Prospects Game in Ottawa on May 27. (Black Press Media file photo)
Black Press reporter and NFL expert Erin Haluschak. (Peter McCully photo)

PODCAST: Black Press gridiron expert Erin Haluschak breaks down the 2022 NFL draft

Today in B.C.: NFL report chat includes favourite picks, Seahawks QB situation

Black Press reporter and NFL expert Erin Haluschak. (Peter McCully photo)
Enzo Agostini (65) was a key player on defence and offence for the Ballenas Whalers senior varsity football team. (PQB News file photo)

Vancouver Island football star Agostini named to prestigious national prospect game

Ballenas Whalers coach pleased with special opportunity for towering lineman

Enzo Agostini (65) was a key player on defence and offence for the Ballenas Whalers senior varsity football team. (PQB News file photo)
Randy Ambrosie at the Hamilton Convention Centre in Hamilton on Friday, December 10, 2021. The CFL will move its harshmarks closer to the centre of the field and allow teams to take the ball at the 40-yard line following a successful field goal or single in 2022. “It’s about improving game flow,” the CFL commissioner said Wednesday.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn

CFL to move hashmarks closer to the centre of field in 2022

Rule changes: 2 QBs allowed on field at the same time

Randy Ambrosie at the Hamilton Convention Centre in Hamilton on Friday, December 10, 2021. The CFL will move its harshmarks closer to the centre of the field and allow teams to take the ball at the 40-yard line following a successful field goal or single in 2022. “It’s about improving game flow,” the CFL commissioner said Wednesday.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn
Okanagan Mission Secondary School (Google Maps)

Kelowna football coach under investigation for over-age players, false address registrations

The school has cut ties with former head coach Johannes Van Leenen

  • Apr 25, 2022
Okanagan Mission Secondary School (Google Maps)
Black Press reporter and NFL expert Erin Haluschak. (Peter McCully photo)

PODCAST: Black Press NFL expert Erin Haluschak dissects a turbulent off-season

Today in B.C.: Talk includes Russell Wilson’s departure, Pete Carroll’s future

Black Press reporter and NFL expert Erin Haluschak. (Peter McCully photo)
Ottawa Redblacks CFL football quarterback Henri Burris smiles as he announces his retirement in Ottawa Tuesday January 24, 2017. Burris joined the B.C. Lions coaching staff Tuesday as an offensive consultant.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Chartrand

Former CFL quarterback Henry Burris joins B.C. Lions coaching staff

Burris was quarterback for head coach Rick Campbell in 2016 when the Ottawa Redblacks won Grey Cup

Ottawa Redblacks CFL football quarterback Henri Burris smiles as he announces his retirement in Ottawa Tuesday January 24, 2017. Burris joined the B.C. Lions coaching staff Tuesday as an offensive consultant.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Chartrand
Sebastian Sibbald stands out among his Rams football teammates at Mount Douglas Secondary. The six-foot-seven, 340-pound lineman is already highly rated among his peers, despite still being in Grade 11. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Saanich high school football star combines size, athleticism

6-7, 340-pound offensive lineman Sebastian Sibbald turns heads on and off the field

Sebastian Sibbald stands out among his Rams football teammates at Mount Douglas Secondary. The six-foot-seven, 340-pound lineman is already highly rated among his peers, despite still being in Grade 11. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
Dan Smith, left, has stepped down as head coach of the Ballenas Whalers football program. (PQB News file photo)

Legendary Vancouver Island high school football coach stepping down

Dan Smith stepping down as head coach of Ballenas Whalers football program, Jeremy Conn to take over

Dan Smith, left, has stepped down as head coach of the Ballenas Whalers football program. (PQB News file photo)
Tanya Walter began coaching at St. Francis Xavier High School in Edmonton in 2017. (The Canadian Press)

B.C. Lions become first CFL team to hire full-time female coach, adding Walter to staff

Former national team player Tanya Walter hired as a defensive assistant

Tanya Walter began coaching at St. Francis Xavier High School in Edmonton in 2017. (The Canadian Press)
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) eyes a pass in the end zone as Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Eli Apple (20) attempts to tackle during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game, Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

MVP Kupp scores on late 1-yard reception as L.A. Rams beat Bengals 23-20 in Super Bowl

Stafford tosses three touchdowns for victors in home stadium

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) eyes a pass in the end zone as Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Eli Apple (20) attempts to tackle during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game, Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
FILE - A gambler makes a sports bet at Bally's casino in Atlantic City N.J., Sept. 5, 2019. A record 31.5 million Americans plan to bet on this year's Super Bowl, according to the gambling industry's national trade group. The American Gaming Association on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, released its annual predictions for wagering on pro football's championship game, forecasting that over $7.6 billion will be bet legally and otherwise. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry, File)

Bet on it: a lot of money is going to change hands Super Bowl weekend

31 million Americans to bet on their annual football title game, gambling group estimates

FILE - A gambler makes a sports bet at Bally's casino in Atlantic City N.J., Sept. 5, 2019. A record 31.5 million Americans plan to bet on this year's Super Bowl, according to the gambling industry's national trade group. The American Gaming Association on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, released its annual predictions for wagering on pro football's championship game, forecasting that over $7.6 billion will be bet legally and otherwise. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry, File)