Kamloops Broncos vs Langley Rams on August 20 (CFJC)
ON THE RIGHT TRACK

Kamloops Broncos’ hot season start attributed to change in mentality

Aug 23, 2022 | 11:21 AM

KAMLOOPS — Over the last few seasons, the Kamloops Broncos have suffered losing season after losing season. The last time the team was at the .500 mark was in 2015.

This year, however, the Broncos started the season 2-1 heading into Saturday and the team has a different mindset going into each game.

“The last couple of years have been really hard with lots of player turnover — lots of guys going to the next level. We’ve got a really good group of guys this year that are buying into the culture that I’m trying to build and develop here it hasn’t been easy but we’re just getting started,” says Head Coach Brayden “Coach Vanky” Vankoughnett.

The Broncos finished in last week’s BC Football Conference’s power rankings — which has not been seen in a few seasons.

Although it’s early in the season, Broncos players are saying the energy feels different this season.

“The energy is always high at the competition level now that we’ve proved what we can do and going forward we’re definitely more excited coming to work every day and we just want to go 1-0 every week and that’s our mindset,” says linebacker Evan Guizzo.

Defensive back Logan Ritchie says the whole team is buying into the culture.

“Everybody’s having fun. Our main goal is to just have fun and play football right. You can kind of just see it on the sidelines we’re just having fun.”

It’s a different-looking Broncos squad this season and, so far, Coach Vanky says it’s all about accountability.

“If they all come out and do their job, the rest will take care of itself. I give a lot of credit to our captains in the locker room for turning that around it’s something we’ve been missing the past couple of years. We’re playing as a team rather than individuals and I think that really shows.”

This high-energy Broncos crew hopes to carry their momentum into the rest of the season and with a goal of making the playoffs.

Unfortunately, the Broncos came up short against the Langley Rams Saturday night (Aug. 20), losing 24-6. The team travels to Vancouver Island this Saturday to start a home-and-home against the Westshore Rebels. The return engagement goes September 3 at Hillside Stadium.