Vancouver Island Raiders gear defence to stopping Edmonton Wildcats’ standout running back
By Scott Petersen,
Edmonton Journal
NANAIMO, B.C. – Victory or defeat will almost assuredly rest at Tristan Jones’s feet.
Both the Edmonton Wildcats and Vancouver Island Raiders know as much heading into their Canadian Bowl meeting today in Nanaimo, B.C.
Jones, named the Canadian Junior Football League’s MVP at the awards banquet Friday night, is the key.
The Wildcats will be trying to free their star running back’s legs and unleash him at his dashing and cutting best. The Raiders need to stuff Jones quick, and keep his feet from churning out the kind of yardage and scores he’s helped himself to on a weekly basis this season.
Either that, or match him drive for drive and score for score.
“They’ve proven over and over that they’re committed to doing what they do offensively and running the football with him and why wouldn’t you?,” said Raiders coach Mathew Blokker, named national coach of the year Friday night. “No one in the country’s stopped him so why wouldn’t you? I wouldn’t change one thing.”
The Raiders hope to slow down Jones by keeping him off the field with sustained scoring drives of their own, added Blokker. The sidelines may be the only place he’s not a threat.
Jones racked up five national records through eight regular-season games, including 1,903 rush yards and 26 touchdowns. And in three playoffs games, he’s added another 531 yards and four touchdowns rushing, caught a touchdown pass, and then threw for the winning score against the rival Edmonton Huskies when they were keying too much on him.
His variety of abilities are a throwback to the days of Edmonton Eskimos legend Jackie Parker, who died earlier this week. A multi-talented offensive threat, Jones is also an adept kicker, trading punts with regular kicker Ryan Elaschuk at a recent practice and out-booting him on several attempts.
Its all added up to a spectacular season that’s caught the attention of the Eskimos organization and numerous universities in Canada and the U.S. Now with two weeks rest behind him to heal his body, Jones will be looking to cap it all with a storybook ending in the national championship.
“It would be one of those things where you can’t ask for anything more,” said Jones. “To have the records would be nice. But to have the records and eventually win a national championship would be surreal.”
In front of Jones are several of the top junior offensive linemen in the country, with Terriss Paliwoda leading the attack. They opened gaping holes for the Wildcats’ deep arsenal of running backs early in the season. Then, as teams stacked the line, still managed to free Jones and Co. enough to rattle off 11 straight wins to this point.
The Raiders will counter with their own star running back, Jaiden Smith. He’ll have B.C. Lions signee and practice -roster member Lorne Plante, an offensive lineman, opening holes for him.
They also have top-notch receiving targets in slotback Andrew Harris and leading B.C. receiver Ricky Clarke. Their array of talent has helped them to an undefeated season as well, going 12-0 against B.C. opponents.
“I think we’re the better team if we show up to play,” said Wildcats quarterback Brendan Maher. “On our offensive line, I don’t think they can handle us, but if they come out to play, they’re going to be a good team.”
Instead of the frozen turf at Clarke Park, the Raiders will get the hometown advantage with the grass at Caledonia Park in Nanaimo. The weather forecast calls for light showers and a high of 10 C. Any rain before or during the game would only enhance the pressure on the teams’ run games to produce.
