VANCOUVER - UBC Thunderbirds quarterback Billy Greene was in the midst of an interview following practice on Wednesday afternoon when he caught sight of receiver Spencer Betts who was also being interviewed a few yards away.
"I was just thinking about this the other day," Greene said with a smile. "Spencer and I have gone all through elementary school together, all through high school together, and by the time we finish our five years at UBC it will be 18 years together."
For virtually all of that time, the second-year UBC teammates have played sports together. And now, as UBC prepares to open the 2009 Canada West season on Saturday (2 p.m., citr.ca & CiTR 101.9 FM) against visiting arch-rival Simon Fraser, their shared history of success highlighted by a 2007 B.C. Triple A Subway Bowl championship at Surrey's Holy Cross, has made them a focal point on a young UBC team which struggled mightily through the air last season en route to a 2-6 record and a second straight season out of the playoffs. "They are the best of friends and they have played catch together all of their lives," UBC head coach Ted Goveia said of the two 19-year-olds from Surrey, who last season had varying degrees of success as Canada West rookies. "There is definitely some chemistry there so we have tried to put them in positions where they can keep that connection going."
It's something that never got a chance to happen in 2008.
Betts made a huge early splash last season. Two weeks into his CIS career he was leading the Canada West in both punt and kickoff return yardage and had already showcased a penchant for the big play. He caught an 82-yard pass for a score in a win over Alberta and then followed with a 98-yard punt return touchdown in a road win over the Vanier Cup champ Manitoba Bisons which had UBC sitting at 2-1.
But he suffered a concussion the next week in UBC's chaotic home loss to Regina, and struggled to find the same consistency upon his return two weeks later.
Greene didn't assume the starting quarterback duties from Marc McVeigh until the final three weeks of the season, but went through a rough rookie's initiation. So now, with one full CIS season under their belts, both are ready to try to make their high school history repeat itself at the next level. In fact the last time Greene connected with Betts for a score was in the 2007 B.C. high school final.
In that 49-19 win over St. Thomas More at B.C. Place, Betts caught seven of Greene's passes for 272 yards and three touchdowns, capping a perfect 12-0 season.
And although they have gone through the drill so many times together, this past summer was just like any of the past 13. "Bear Creek, Newton Athletic, South Surrey, wherever we can get a field," Betts explained of their usual summer sessions of throw and catch. "We arranged it around work schedules. We were always texting each other. I am excited to get that connection going again. It's been too long. I am hoping the season opener can bring back some of that magic."