OKANAGAN AERIAL ATTACK DECIMATES KAMLOOPS AS SUN BREAK TEAM RECORDS IN 55 – 1 WIN

Story Courtesy Eric Stansfield


It was almost a forgone conclusion that the 9 and 0 Sun would defeat the 0 and 9 Broncos, but that is why they play the game.

The Sun, ranked number one in the BCFC, with home-field advantage in the playoffs secured, were facing the last place Broncos in the regular season finale.

The result was never in question as quarterback Liam Kroeger engineered a record-breaking aerial assault in a 55 – 1 romp.

The victory marked a franchise milestone, as for the first time in the club’s 44-year history in the BCFC, the Sun put back-to-back perfect seasons on the board…including a club record 25th straight regular season win.

With the league’s leading rusher, Gerren Hardisty, not dressed, it was evident that Kroeger’s right arm and his receiving corps were going to be busy.

The Sun rolled up 48 first half points on Kroeger’s five touchdown passes utilizing four different receivers.

Kroeger kicked off the scoring barrage in the first quarter with a pair of touchdowns to Vincent Chuoi of 14 and 6 yds; with five minutes left he hooked up with Chase Scrivener on a four yarder.  In the second he found Seth Famakinde for 18 yards to make it 30 – 0 Sun and finished off the half with a 32-yard strike to Jasiah Haliburton.

With just over a minute to half-time defensive back Tariq Brown went pick-six to close out the scoring with a 31-yard INT…Sun 48 – 0 at the half.

The Sun failed to score in the third quarter as penalties snuffed out promising drives.

With just over five minutes to play in the game, Kroeger connected for his sixth passing touchdown on a five-yard hit to Haliburton for his second of the game…Sun 55 – 0.

Kroeger, who played the entire game, save the final series, threw on every play except for one when he handed the ball off to Ethan Bilo who scampered six yards. 

The Sun’s fourth year quarterback went 36 of 55 passes for 429 yards, giving him the league lead in total passed yards with 2,860, 54 yards more than Westshore quarterback Gavin Session.

Kroeger re-wrote another club record with his 6 touchdown passes, giving him 26 on the season and his 36 completions was yet another record, while his 55 attempts tied a mark set in 1983.

He wasn’t finished yet with team records, Kroeger surpassed 2000 National Champion quarterback Zach Silverman, beating his 2,828 yards passing by 32 yards as well Silverman’s total completions in a season, 168, Kroeger with 190.

Haliburton was Kroeger’s favorite target on the night with 9 receptions for 130 yards and 2 TD’s, while Chuoi was close behind with 8 for 98 yards and 2 TD’s.  The Sun totaled a net offense of 506 yards, with 464 of that thru the air.

JaQuintis Summers continued his strong defensive play, adding another quarterback sack for a league leading total of 13, while teammate Jarveon Williams picked up his 11 of the season.

Linebacker Phil Palmarin lead the Sun in tackles with 5 while Ty Walker and Mitchell Hickingbottom picked up 4 each.

The Sun will now prepare to host the Vancouver Island Raiders, who finished fourth at 5 – 4 – 1, in the BCFC Semi-Final on Saturday October 11th at the Apple Bowl.  Kick-off is set for 1:00 PM. Tickets are on sale beginning tomorrow morning, online at www.okanagansun.ca