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Is it Saturday Yet?

By Tyler Mclaren, 10/07/17, 3:15PM PDT

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Junior Football fans across the province have waited since July 29th for these two BCFC powerhouse to collide once again. On that hot Saturday night at the Apple Bowl in Kelowna, the hometown Okanagan Sun prevailed over the defending Cullen Cup Champion Westshore Rebels by a score of 19-15.  Since Week 1, the Rebels have yet to lose again, while the Sun have cruised along, going undefeated, with only a 31-31 tie to mark their perfect season to date. Both teams would likely say they have played well at times, and poorly at times along the way. Both have had some scares throughout the regular season, which should make both teams battle tested heading into this first place show down and beyond.

 

                  Let’s look a little closer at some of the finer points, leading into Saturday’s tilt, starting with the home side, and defending Cullen Cup Champion Westshore Rebels (8-1).

 

                  There hasn’t been a Cullen Cup “hangover” in Langford this year, as the Rebels only loss of the season came at the hands of the Okanagan Sun in Week 1. The Rebels have since had two spirited games against their island rivals from Nanaimo, coming away with hard fought victories on both occasions. They have also had to come from behind in a tough game in Kamloops against the Broncos early in the season as well as a comeback win recently against the Langley Rams. Those games stand out for the Rebels, as does the fact the Rebels have racked up penalty yardage never seen before in the BCFC, and yet here they stand at 8-1, and one victory away from homefield advantage throughout the 2017 BCFC playoffs. Pretty remarkable in-itself, but throw in the fact the Rebels have a rookie Head Coach in Charly Cardilicchia, are playing without the top player in Canada from 2016 in Jamel Lyles (now at University of Manitoba), and have had numerous roster changes, including 2016 starting QB Ashton Mackinnon (not playing in 2017) being replaced this year by Scott Borden, and it makes for a great storyline. They have battled injuries, player suspensions, and likely worn out tires on the club vehicle heading to the airport to improve upon an evolving roster all season long. The Rebels have also had a change at President as well in 2017, as Doug Kobayashi had to step down for personal reasons, with Rebels alum Rob Lervold stepping in to steer the ship.

 

                  So with all the changes, the rivalry games, the comebacks, the penalties all season, how have the Rebels got themselves to this point? For starters, they have added some key pieces in 2017 to their roster. Most notably receiver D’Saun Greenaway, Scott Borden (QB), and Robbie Lowes. Greenaway has been a big target for Borden, hauling in 42 passes for 652 yards and 6 touchdowns this season. Whenever the Rebels seem to need a play, targeting Greenaway is never a bad option. Borden is a field general, and the Rebels seem at their offensive best when they are in the “hurry up,” which causes opposing defenses fits, and allows Borden to get in a rhythm and take charge of the offense. He is most effective on the move, and the duel threat of his arm and feet, make him tough to contain.  Throw in a massive offensive line (led by Christian Krause), one that is arguably the best in the Conference, and it makes for a potent offensive recipe.  On the opposite side of the ball, the addition of Robbie Lowes has done wonders. He is a downhill physical threat from the safety spot, and adds polish in the Rebel secondary. Opposing receivers are aware of where #17 is when heading across the middle of the field or down the seams.

                 

                  The last part of the 2017 Rebels to have a look at is Trey Campbell. Arguably the best back in the Conference this year, the talented runner had big shoes to fill with the departure of the Top Player in Canada last season, Jamel Lyles.  Campbell has racked up almost 700 yards in rushing (to date) to lead the Conference, and yet missed multiple early season games recovering from an injury. It is a safe bet, Campbell could and would have hit the thousand yard mark had games not been missed due to the injury. He has quietly gone about his business, and proved with his play the Rebels really did have a 1A and 1B backfield in 2016. Now the ball is his, and as the weather changes heading into the playoffs, there is no doubt the Rebels will lean on their talented back.

 

                  Looking across the field, we see the Okanagan Sun (8-0-1). The perennial BCFC powerhouse once again finds itself in a familiar position. After the 2016 Cullen Cup defeat, the Sun were forced to hop back on the ferry and head back to Kelowna without the Cullen Cup in its grasps. It was a tough pill for the Sun to swallow, one they would have to attempt to digest the whole off-season. The good news was they had an opportunity to get some kind of retribution early in 2017, with the rematch happening in Week 1, and at home nonetheless. They took care of business defeating the Rebels 19-15, and showed they would be a constant force in 2017 to recon with. I am sure everyone in the Sun organization from the top down would trade this win with a 2016 Cullen Cup victory, but it was a statement game early in 2017.

 

                  The 2017 Okanagan Sun have had their fair of challenges and storylines as well. An early season injury to opening night starting QB Keith Zyla, might have sent teams into a tailspin, but backup Nick Wenman has guided the team for much of the 2017 season to a perfect record. The Sun have had to battle through their fair share of injuries as well, including exciting receiver Shemar Donelson, who has missed most the season, but did manage to score 4 TD’s in a 31-31 tie with the VI Raiders at the Apple Bowl a few games back. Veteran team leader Beck Fullerton (DB) has also battled injuries as well, as have many Sun notables. Much like the Rebels and Jamel Lyles, the Sun had to deal with the loss of an MVP as well, as 2016 defensive player of the year in the BCFC Layne Hull graduated from the program.

 

                  The 2017 Sun are built through their stingy defense. Tye Kitzman has emerged as a possible All-Star, and likely even a defensive MVP candidate in the Conference. Beck Fullerton is another staple in the Sun secondary, which is arguably tops in the BCFC. Conor Richard who has yet to hit 20 years old, is quickly emerging as another top defender in the league, as he has moved from linebacker to half back in recent weeks. Wherever he plays, he is a difference maker and is only going to keep getting better. Throw in the addition of Shaun Robinson, and the reliable veteran Eli Haynes, and it is no wonder the Sun are stingy on defense. That could be the difference as the playoffs loom as everyone knows “offense wins games, but defense……,” you get the point.

 

                  Speaking of offense, although consistency has been a problem at times this year, the Sun continue to trot out some impressive threats. Their offensive line is big and nasty, and Wenman seems to be nudging ahead of Zyla when it comes to taking the controls. Their receiving core is led by 19 year old star Nate Anderson, with Kyler Mosley also being a solid weapon. Former Cincinnati Bengal Rashaun Simonise hasn’t found his grove yet with the Sun, but he has only played in a handful of games thus far, and could prove to be important down the stretch.  Throw in a stable of running backs the Sun can roll through, and the ground game can always feature a fresh back with the depth the Sun have there.

 

                  The team has battled a couple games where they haven’t been at their best, and some might say the odd listless effort, but still managed to rack up the “W’s”. That is a sign of a good team, when you can not play your best, but still manage to win, although Sun Head Coach Ben Mccauley probably doesn’t prefer to test that theory.

 

                  All in all, these two teams have been on a crash course since Week 1. They have both faced the daunted “injury bug,” and a more parity based BCFC during the regular season. It hasn’t been easy by any stretch, but both these teams face a winner take first season finale. It is fitting that this game will be the final one of the regular season of the BCFC season. These two titans are ready for the finale, and so are we!