The Westshore Rebels hope they have themselves a 1-2 punch in the offensive backfield, so much so that their new runningbacks will actually be wearing the No. 1 and 2 jerseys.
Having lost all-star Ontario runningback Greg Morris to junior college, the Rebels recruited a pair of easterners to help fill his shoes and possibly those of Niles Goguen, whose return also looks murky.
Juma Emanuel joins the Rebels from Windsor, Ont., and his backfield partner, Terry Houngbo-Gody, was born in Africa, moved to the United States at age two and then headed to Quebec in his late teens.
They now look forward to tearing up some turf in the sa国际传媒 Football Conference.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a new opportunity. I get to see something new,鈥� said Houngbo-Gody, who was told to give the Island a shot by former Rebels defensive back Quincy Van de Cruize.
Houngbo-Gody and Emanuel have both heard the lore that surrounded Morris, an All-Canadian in 2012 after rushing for 1,527 yards on 150 carries and scoring 14 touchdowns. He led the league in rushing and surpassed sa国际传媒 Lions鈥� star and former Vancouver Island Raiders running back Andrew Harris for the second-highest run totals in a season.
The previous year, Morris was named the BCFC rookie of the year after producing 1,064 yards rushing on 128 carries.
鈥淚鈥檝e heard about Greg and I鈥檝e come out here to break those records,鈥� Houngbo-Gody, 21, said of Morris鈥檚 marks. 鈥淣o pressure, no. I like a goal. I like a challenge. It makes me work harder and it makes me want to beat that record. I know he was a good guy and I鈥檓 a good guy.鈥�
The 5-foot-10, 185-pounder may not have heard of Morris鈥檚 Canadian Junior Football League record of yards rushed in a game when he rumbled 24 times for 405 yards, last season against Kamloops.
Emanuel is an 18-year-old who stands five foot seven and 180 pounds.
鈥淭o be honest, I鈥檓 ready for this league,鈥� said Emanuel, whose highlight tape brought attention to the Rebels. 鈥淚鈥檝e seen Greg鈥檚 numbers and I鈥檓 just going to try my best. Giving it 100 per cent.鈥�
As for what type of back he is, the newcomer stated: 鈥淵ou鈥檒l have to see for yourself, but I鈥檓 a speedy, shifty guy and I can take hits all day. Yes, I鈥檒l be playing against older guys, but I鈥檝e got used to the speed and level.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e bigger guys, but if they can鈥檛 catch me, they can鈥檛 hurt me,鈥� he said with a chuckle.
Both have established goals for the 2013 BCFC season.
Emanuel is hoping to reach the 1,000-yard mark in rushing, despite the unknown of opposing defences.
鈥淚 think I can do it. I do,鈥� he stressed.
鈥淚鈥檓 trying to get a ring, not just for myself, but for everyone as a unit,鈥� said Houngbo-Gody.
Both will also return kicks for the Rebels, who open the season Saturday at 7 p.m. against the Raiders at Westhills Stadium.
