The football season has been repetitive in some ways for the V.I. Raiders.

Three games in, it’s been blowout win, blowout win, blowout win.

This week there’s more inrigue – the Raiders are heading down the Malahat Saturday (Aug. 29) to take on the Victoria Rebels.

The Raiders (3-0) and Rebels (3-1) find themselves atop the B.C. Football Conference. Both are curious to find out just how good they are.

“We need to be in a situation where we’re tested, where we’ve got to count on each other,” said Matthew “Snoop” Blokker, Raiders coach. “The one thing that I still feel is missing a little bit with this team is an opportunity for us to truly prove to each other as teammates and coaches that we can go and win big games.”

Regular-season games don’t get any more important than Island rivalry matchups.

“Every year it’s the biggest game we have,” said Graham Norrish, Raiders defensive back. “Everybody’s really excited to finally get out there and play against a team that’s hopefully going to put up a good challenge.”

Playing a top-tier opponent, obviously, is different than taking on the league’s lesser lights. Blokker said the Raiders will game-plan for a specific opponent more than they have previously.

Receiver Tyson Buchannon said the Raiders need to be prepared to face adversity.

“There’ll be injuries, there’ll be times when things don’t go your way,” he said. “You have to fight through that, stay strong and execute.”

At game’s end, one of the Island teams will be alone in first place in the BCFC. Bragging rights are just as much of a motivating factor, though.

“It’s for king of the rock,” Blokker said.

GAME ON … The Raiders and Rebels play Saturday (Aug. 29) at 7 p.m. at Langford’s City Centre Stadium.

sports@nanaimobulletin.com