Okanagan Sun Set to Host VI Riders In 45th Home Opener

July 22, 2025


Okanagan Sun Game 2 Preview 


Tickets Here


Saturday July 26th, 2025


Apple Bowl Stadium


Vs Vancouver Island Raiders


Kick-Off – 7:00 PM


RadioBroadcast – AM1150 with Ryan Watters and Bill Long


Streaming – BCFCTV.com


Special Notes:  This is the Sun’s 45th Home Opener.  A pre-game concert with local band Stereo Sunday will begin at 5:45 PM, they will also perform at half-time.  Always a kids favorite, the bouncy castle is back to keep all the little ones entertained. 



The Okanagan Sun (1-0) are set to host the Vancouver Island Raiders (1-0) on Saturday night at the Apple Bowl, in what should be a battle of two high-octane offences.  The Raiders put up 50 points and 360 offensive yards vs Kamloops last week, while the Sun blanked Langley scoring 39 pts. with 400 yards of offence.


While it always seems that offences garner all the attention, it’s a solid defence that wins championships, at least according to football folklore.  


In last weeks game vs the Rams, the Sun defence smothered any offence that Langley could muster, holding them to a measly 116 net yards.  Newcomer DL Jaquintis Summers led the defensive onslaught with 3 QB sacks, 2 tackles and a forced fumble that led to DL Jarveon Williams fumble recovery for a 55-yard TD romp.


The Raiders manhandled the Broncos last Saturday holding Kamloops to a net offensive total of 140 yards, while DB Israel Waitman pitched in with 3 interceptions for 96 yards and 1 TD.




Players To Watch


Offensively the Sun shone in week one with 106 yards along the ground and 303 yards thru the air.  RB Gerren Hardisty chipped in with 70 ground yards for 2 TD’s and 4 receptions for 42 yards.  WR Jordayne Falconer had an impressive game with 5 catches for 144 yards.  QB Liam Kroeger had 16 completions on 24 attempts for 260 yards, while backup QB Marcus Christos threw a 43-yard TD strike to WR Chase Scrivener.


The Raiders are led by QB Brayden Jupe, who last week went 16 of 23 attempts for 222 yards and 3 TDs.  Jupe spread the ball around to six different receivers, WR Parker Moscrip, 4 catches for 58 yards, WR Blaze McCarty, 4 for 77 yards, 1 TD, and WR Ruben Bonsu, with 4 receptions for 47 yards and 2 TDs.  Raider RB Rhonde Lyle carried the ball 11 times for 106 yards.


On the defensive side of the ball the Sun have numerous leaders to keep your eyes on.  First year DL JaQuintis Summers stood out last week with 3 QB sacks, 2 solo tackles, 2 assisted tackles, 1 special teams tackle, and one forced fumble.  LB Phil Palmarin picked up 4 solo tackles, and 1 assisted tackle.  DL Mitchell Hickingbottom chipped in with 3 solo tackles.  Honourable mentions to DL Jarveon Williams and LB Benson Gruninger.


The Raiders had a strong performance from their defensive backs last week, led by DB Israel Waitman who picked off 3 passes for 96 yards and 1 TD, while fellow DB Felice Toscano had 1 INT for 1 TD.  LB Max Shippam led the linebackers with 4 solo tackles and 1 QB sack and keep an eye on DL Tani Widsom who had 2 QB sacks, 3 solo tackles, 1 pass knockdown, and 1 forced fumble.