Presented with a choice between two of BC's Canadian Junior Football League programs, Raiders slotback/linebacker Layne Hull opted with staying with the colors of orange and brown next season, heading to Kelowna's Okanagan Sun over Kamloops. Hull spent two weeks out west, attending both Kamloops and Kelowna's spring camps along with visiting some family who live out in the area.
After the two camps came to a close, Hull chose the Sun over a promise of first year playing time in Kamloops, opting to go to a Sun team that is one of the top programs out west in the CJFL.
When asked what influenced his decision, Hull made it clear he wanted to get himself into the best program he possibly could, regardless on if it would give him an early opportunity or not. "I went with the Sun because I really liked what the coaches have put together there and I seemed like I really fit in with the team and the direction they are headed," says Hull.
Hull, who is one of a long line of Hull family members to star for the Raiders was a standout at the slotback position as one of the Raiders best pass targets as well as in his natural position of linebacker where the hard hitting Hull was no stranger to distributing the punishment despite being small for the position.
Sun head coach Shane Beatty noticed at Sun camp that despite Hull's smaller frame, he plays like one of the biggest players on the field, something that gives him an edge. "Hull is a rangy linebacker, a bit light right now, but he is another kid who came in and played bigger than what his size indicates he would be able to do," says Beatty.
Hull says that his spring camp trip was a motivational one, as he noticed the higher level of play at the CJFL level. Despite that step up in competition, Hull felt that he had good showings in both of his camps in his first taste of what the next level is like. "There were a lot of good players at camp and that definitely motivated me to come here to play on a team with a great group of players and I hope the coaches feel that I can continue to contribute like I did at the camp once the preseason starts going," says Hull.
The Okanagan Sun are the winningest team in BCFC history, winning 241 games and 14 titles in their history including an incredible run of league titles from 1995-2002.
Yet the Sun have not won a league championship since 2004, last appearing in the BCFC Championship in 2010 when they lost to the Vancouver Island Raiders. The type of strength that the Sun have as a program in terms of stability and opportunity to showcase his skills on a team that is considered one of the top in the province will be extremely valuable to the development of the young Hull's career.
While coming into a team like the Sun Hull may have to adjust to a smaller role as a depth linebacker and special teams player, the hard working farmer from the small village of Willowbrook has never stayed on the sidelines for long, something that he hopes will carry onto his Junior career.
Hull had a strong senior season for the Raiders, coming up with some huge touchdown catches as well as being a force at the linebacker position. Showing two way skills that are the hallmark of the pure football player that Hull is. With the ability to catch, run, block and play in both pass coverage and run stopping situations, Hull is aas versatile as they come out of high school, something that will bode well for the youngster as he attempts to crack Beatty's starting squads.
For now Hull will be focused on finishing the rest of his Grade 12 year as a student before continuing to train and hit the gym in anticipation of training camp and his first season as a junior player.
Like his graduating teammate Dalton Fichtner, a trip to the bottom of the ladder might be a bit of a new experience for two players who are used to being the stars of the YRHS, but the physical linebacker will make the most of whatever shot he gets.
Unlike Fichtner, Hull does have the advantage of being experienced in his position, being a key factor to the Raiders defense since he first moved up to Sharpe's Sr. squad. That experience plus his love for physical play will be a huge help in the development of his play in Kelowna.
If his high school career has been any indication, the firey and passionate Hull will continue to bring his physical play and hard work into his new team and will be a player to watch as he takes his career past high school after one of the better YRHS careers in recent memory.
