Photo courtesy of Greystoke Photograhy

It was one of, if not the best defensive games the Sun have ever played in the eight seasons I’ve been involved with the Sun.

Here are "five takeaways" from the Sun radio network broadcast booth with Ryan Watters:

1)    Defence: The defence was simply outstanding against their arch rivals on Sunday afternoon.  Fans have been accustom to the Sun defence dominating a game, but this was exceptional.  First of all, 13 sacks sets a new BCFC record and second all time in CJFL history.  The stats will read 13 sacks, but each and every time the Raiders quarterback dropped back, he was under pressure, had to hurry or force a throw and was left uncomfortable all game.  There were two plays in particular in which, Layne Hull and Isaiah Stewart came through the line untouched at the exact moment the ball was snapped.  The timing was impeccable.   The game plan against the Raiders worked perfect, and the defence completely dominated.  Kudos to the coaching staff and to the players for executing, it was pretty to watch.

2)    Patchell is one tough dude: Kyle Patchell is enjoying his best season as a member of the Sun with 29 receptions for 428 yards with three games to go.  But he’s lucky to be moving today.  In the third quarter and the fourth quarter Patchell took two huge hits that would leave most players crumpled on the ground.  The first one in the third quarter was high pass in front of the Raiders bench.  Patchell leaped in the air and was clobbered from behind sending him to the ground hard.  Then a second Raiders player piled on drawing a penalty.  Patchell was a bit slow to get up, but did.  The second was in the fourth quarter, as he ran a route over the middle of the field, he made a catch just as the defender put his helmet in his chest, sending Patchell backwards seemingly breaking him into two.  However Patchell hung onto the ball for a first down and got up under his own strength.    It was two of the biggest hits I’ve seen a receiver take.

3)    New Offensive Threat?:  Most Sun fans know offensive lineman Cliff Crews for his All-Canadian play in the trenches, but throwing him a pass?  To add another wrinkle for opposing defences, the Sun showed that even an offensive lineman could become a receiver, sort of.  Cliff’s number was called in the red zone in the fourth quarter, but as he ran his route, he got hung up by the linebacker and the pass sailed over his head and fell incomplete.  A threat?  Maybe not yet, but look out defences.

4)    Bye Bye, Bye Week Struggles:  Prior to this weekend the Sun were 3-3 following the Labour Day bye, losing twice to the Raiders in 2009 and 2013, both times in Nanaimo.  After Sunday’s dominating performance, the Sun put to rest any talk of a Labour Day curse.

5)    Returning Ross:  Shai Ross is turning into a very effective returner.  Since the graduation of Robbie Yochim, coach Beatty has been experimenting with a few players on kick returns.  Ross is starting to stand out with his great speed.  Sunday he returned four kick-offs for 70 yards including a 45 yarder.  Every time he touches the ball he is one or two blocks away from breaking out for touchdown.