CJFL Playoff Primer: Semi-Final Saturday Set Across the Country

The road to the Canadian Bowl kicks into gear this weekend as the CJFL playoffs open with semi-final action across the country. From Kelowna to Windsor, four matchups will decide who advances to their respective conference championship games.

Okanagan Sun vs. VI Raiders

Saturday, October 11 – 1:00 PM PT | Apple Bowl, Kelowna

The defending BC Conference champion Okanagan Sun enter the playoffs as the top seed after another undefeated regular season, averaging over 52 points per game while surrendering just 9.1. Quarterback Liam Kroeger led the way with 2,860 yards and 26 touchdowns, while Gerren Hardisty paced the ground attack with 1,025 rushing yards and nine majors. Defensively, Tariq Brown’s seven interceptions and the relentless pressure of JaQuintis Summers and Jarveon Williams highlight one of the league’s most complete units.

The VI Raiders arrive as underdogs but with momentum, unbeaten in their last four games. Pass rusher Tani Wisdom, who tallied 11 sacks, anchors a defensive front that will need to disrupt Kroeger’s rhythm. Offensively, the Raiders will look to establish Rhonde Lyle on the ground and open up passing lanes for quarterback Brayden Jupe, who threw for 1,429 yards this season. The winner advances to the Cullen Cup next week.

Westshore Rebels vs. Prince George Kodiaks

Saturday, October 11 – 3:00 PM PT | Starlight Stadium, Langford

The second BC semi-final features the Westshore Rebels hosting the Prince George Kodiaks in the latter’s first-ever playoff appearance. These two sides met back in Week 1, with Westshore claiming a 33–13 win led by the explosive connection of Gavin Session and Zion Brown. That duo has been electric all year—Session threw for 2,806 yards and 28 touchdowns, 18 of which went to Brown.

Prince George’s playoff hopes rest on quarterback Sawyer Thiessen, who passed for 1,694 yards and 15 touchdowns, supported by receivers Ben Fehr and Matthew Sturgess. Defensively, linebacker Caiden Crow will be tasked with containing Session’s mobility, while the Rebels will rely on Cameron Coan—who led the conference with seven interceptions—to shut down the Kodiaks’ aerial attack. Expect fireworks between two of the BC Conference’s top passing units.

St. Clair Saints vs. Sault Ste. Marie Cougars

Saturday, October 11 – 1:00 PM ET | Acumen Stadium, Windsor

In Ontario, the defending national champion St. Clair Saints open their title defence at home against the Sault Ste. Marie Cougars, who are making their playoff debut. St. Clair rolled through the regular season at 8–0, winning every game by at least 35 points. Quarterback Matthew Guenette shattered conference records with 2,299 passing yards and 35 touchdowns, distributing the ball to standouts Cameron St. Kitts-Park and Marselio Mendez. On the ground, MJ Doyle-Marshall added 640 yards and a league-best nine rushing scores.

The Cougars, meanwhile, will look to rely on their run game led by Sam Mustapha, who racked up 854 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging over 11 yards per carry. Quarterback Grayson Weber will need a quick-release passing game to offset the Saints’ dominant front seven, anchored by Jaylin Burnett and his 11 sacks. The winner will move on to the Teddy Morris Championship.

London Beefeaters vs. Hamilton Hurricanes

Saturday, October 11 – 3:00 PM ET | London, ON

The other Ontario semi-final features two heavyweights in the London Beefeaters and Hamilton Hurricanes, both finishing 6–2. London locked up the second seed after a dominant 52–7 win over Ottawa, powered by a bruising 145-yard performance from Zach Delwo. Quarterback DJ Fonti was efficient through the air, tossing a pair of touchdowns, while the defence allowed just 29 total yards and scored twice.

Hamilton enters on a high after a 46–6 rout of the GTA Grizzlies, with quarterbacks combining for over 300 passing yards and four touchdowns. Defensive back Janal Williams added a pick-six as the Hurricanes closed their season strong. These teams met once earlier in the year—a Beefeaters win that now serves as the tiebreaker giving them home field. The rematch promises to be physical, with a berth in the Teddy Morris Championship on the line.