Friday night lights and Saturday showdowns are back in full force across North American football, and fans are already buzzing about the early-season action. From New York’s Class B high school gridirons to the competitive fields of the British Columbia Football Conference, teams are making statements, stars are emerging, and playoff dreams are already taking shape. Let’s dive into two pivotal stories that have set the tone for an exciting September weekend.
In Gloversville, New York, the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk (RCS) football team kicked off their 2025 campaign determined to bounce back after losing their grip on the Class B crown last season. Facing the Gloversville Huskies on September 5, the Ravens wasted no time in showing they’re still a force to be reckoned with, notching a 19-8 victory that showcased both resilience and talent.
The Ravens built a commanding 13-0 lead by the time the fourth quarter rolled around. Their defense stood tall, stifling the Huskies’ offense and keeping the home crowd quiet for much of the game. But football’s never short on drama, and Gloversville quarterback Ayden Sturgess gave the local fans something to cheer about. Sturgess found Devin Butcher on a crucial touchdown pass, and the Huskies converted the two-point attempt to slice the deficit to just 13-8. Suddenly, the momentum seemed to be shifting.
But just as the pressure mounted, RCS answered in emphatic fashion. Johnny Jones broke free for a 23-yard touchdown run, restoring a double-digit cushion and effectively putting the game out of reach. That powerful ground attack has long been a Ravens trademark, and it proved decisive once again under the Friday night lights.
With the win, Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk opens their 2025 season at 1-0, setting the stage for what they hope will be another deep postseason run. The team’s next test comes soon enough: they’ll host Averill Park on Friday, September 12, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. at their home field. After the opening night’s performance, expectations are running high among the Ravens faithful.
While the high school ranks are heating up in New York, out west in British Columbia, the B.C. Football Conference (BCFC) is providing its own share of intrigue and rising stars. On Saturday, September 6, all eyes turn to Starlight Stadium, where the second-place Westshore Rebels (5-1) look to extend their three-game winning streak against the struggling Kamloops Broncos (0-6).
The Rebels have been one of the league’s most electrifying teams so far, and much of that success can be traced to the dynamic partnership between rookie quarterback Gavin Session and veteran receiver Zion Brown. Session, a prized recruit from Houston, Texas, has wasted no time making an impression in Canadian junior football. He currently leads the BCFC with 1,452 passing yards and 12 touchdown passes—a remarkable feat for a first-year player north of the border.
On the receiving end of many of those throws is Zion Brown, who’s already being talked about as a future CFL prospect. Brown’s league-leading 532 receiving yards and nine touchdowns have made him a nightmare matchup for opposing defenses. The chemistry between Session and Brown has been a highlight for the Rebels, and it’s no exaggeration to say that this duo has ripped through opposing secondaries week after week.
But it’s not just about the offense in Westshore. The Rebels’ defense, anchored by ball-hawking defensive back Cameron Coan, has been equally impressive. Coan is second in the league with five interceptions, consistently shutting down passing lanes and giving his offense plenty of chances to shine. According to rookie head coach Connor Bryan, "The offence, defence and special teams have all come together and we want to keep that energy going. We have moved the ball on offence and limited chances on defence."
Coach Bryan, in his first season at the helm, credits his staff for turning a young squad into a group of playmakers. "We have a young team but our position coaches have done a great job this season to make our guys into playmakers," Bryan said, underscoring the collaborative spirit that’s fueled the Rebels’ rise. Despite their impressive run, the Rebels aren’t taking anything for granted, especially with a crucial showdown against the undefeated Okanagan Sun (6-0) looming next Saturday in Kelowna.
"We get one more chance to make that right, to win the regular season and host the playoffs throughout in front of our fans at Starlight Stadium, when we play there [Apple Bowl in Kelowna next Saturday]," Bryan noted. Still, he was quick to emphasize that his team isn’t looking past today’s matchup: "But we’re not looking ahead and past anybody. We focus on each game and the little things." That focus will be vital against the Broncos, who, despite their winless record, will be eager to play spoiler and perhaps turn their season around.
Elsewhere in the BCFC, the Vancouver Island Raiders (2-4) are fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive as they square off against the fourth-place Langley Rams (2-3) in Langley. The Raiders are coming off a tough three-game losing streak, but they have a defensive ace in Israel Waitman. Waitman leads the league with six interceptions, and his knack for reading quarterbacks could be a game-changer as the playoff picture starts to take shape.
With the regular season racing toward its conclusion, every game carries added weight. The playoff semifinals are set for October 11 or 12, with the league champions hosting the fourth-place team and the second seed hosting the third. The Cullen Cup championship, scheduled for October 18 or 19 at the home of the highest remaining seed, will determine who hosts the national semifinal on October 25 or 26. The ultimate prize? A spot in the Canadian Bowl national final, where the BCFC’s best will battle the Prairie Junior Football Conference champion for junior football supremacy.
Back in New York, the Ravens’ opening win and the Huskies’ valiant effort set the tone for a season filled with promise and unpredictability. Meanwhile, in British Columbia, the Rebels, Raiders, and Rams are all jostling for position in a league where every week brings new heroes and fresh storylines. As the leaves begin to turn and the stakes grow higher, one thing’s for sure: football fans have plenty to cheer about on both sides of the border.
With September’s action heating up, all eyes turn to the next slate of games. Will the Rebels keep their streak alive and set up a showdown for first place? Can the Ravens build on their opening statement and reclaim their spot atop Class B? The answers will come soon enough, but for now, the excitement is just getting started.
