Photo courtesy of Greystoke Photography

The 34th season of the Okanagan Sun will kick off on Saturday night with the visiting Westshore Rebels in town.

This is the first time since 2003 that the Sun open the season at home against the Rebels and the first time since 2009 that the two clubs have locked up in an opener.  In ’09 the Sun traveled to Westshore and helped open the brand new Bear Mountain Stadium.

These two clubs met just once last season.  Following the sudden passing of JT Fernandez, the Sun blasted the Rebels 92-7.  Robbie Yochim returned three kicks of touchdowns.

Speaking of Yochim, this will be the first time in five seasons the RSS grad will not take part in a Sun home opener after graduating last year.  So who will return kicks?

That will be unveiled on Saturday night as the coaching staff is still looking at possibilities.  It appears Beck Fullerton maybe the front runner.

The defensive will once again be strong. The graduation of Yochim, Dexter Janke, Zac Ironstand, Landon King and Manu Eli left some big holes to fill, however younger players and new recruits are up for the challenge.  Jonas Gering and Lucas Machado will anchor the defensive line, while Brennan Van Nistlerooy, Matt McConnell, Wes Geisler, Cord Delinte and Jamie Turek lead an extremely talented group of defensive backs.

On the other side of the ball, Coach Beatty is very excited with the speed they have added.  Quarterbacks Cam Bedore and Josiah Joseph will have plenty of speedy receivers to choose from.  Shai Ross, Shamar Donelson, Kyle Kawamoto and Terrance Williams just to name a few will join veterans Lerone Robinson, Cole Lindsay and Kyle Patchell.

In the backfield, the graduation of the BCFC’s leading rusher Alex Bradley has opened the door for Dillon Fortune and Kory Nagata to bust through.  Newcomers Abdi-Nasir Abdi, Jack Welsh, Marcus Cooper and Braden Mann will be pushing for more touches, while Kasey Russell will be a key cog in short yardage situations and blocking.

The best offensive line in the country in 2014 continues to get even stronger as All-Canadians Cliff Crews and Michele Vecchio return, while veterans Wes Furhmann and Josh Troman are poised for a big year.  Cole Bertram and 20 year old Ryan Wengelinski at 340 pounds will give the backs plenty of time to make good decisions.

Despite the lopsided score last year in their only meeting, the Rebels have vastly improved.  They have a core of CIS transfers including 6’7 quarterback Ashton Mackinnon.  Their most dangerous weapon from a year ago returns in Hunter Lake.  He led the club in passing and rushing last year.

The Rebels will have a fresh new look at the Apple Bowl on Saturday night with red helmets, a new logo and coaching staff.  

Unlike in years past, this Week 1 match-up is very intriguing.  There has been a lot of buzz coming out of Westshore this offseason, but will they be able to transform that onto the field and into a winning performance?

Tickets for the home opener are still available and can be purchased HERE.  It’ll be an exciting night at the Apple Bowl as the 34th season opens up.