Okanagan Sun clinch second in the BCFC with a convincing win over visiting Westshore Rebels

Story Courtesy Wayne Moore Castanet

Photo Courtesy BCFC

This time there would be no wild swings in momentum - there would be no late comeback.

While recent games between the Okanagan Sun and Westshore Rebels have featured both, the Sun were in complete control from start to finish in a 42-7 thumping of the Rebels, a score that actually flattered the visitors.

It was the most complete, most dominant performance by the Sun this season against an opponent that took apart the previously unbeaten Langley Rams the week prior.

“I thought it was excellent to see these guys, the resilience they’ve shown and nobody gave up. I think it was a nice reset for us and obviously looking big going into the playoffs,” understated head coach Travis Miller.

The resilience was evident - and important - when you remember this team played as poor a game as they have ever played at the Apple Bowl just two weeks earlier in that 50-16 defeat at the hands of the Rams.

The Sun wasted little time getting on the board. Starter Marcus Christos led the team on an eight-play, 91 yard drive on their opening possession, capped off with a 29-yard strike to Gage Parker.

Up 10-0 following a Grady Hay field goal early in the second quarter, the Rebels mounted their only real offensive threat. Jerin Harinen finished off a lengthy drive with a 16-yard scamper to bring the Rebels within three. They didn;t threaten after that.

In fact, the Sun defence were like a vice grip around the Rebels, holding them to just 130 yards of offence, 70 of that coming on the scoring drive.

Miller said the game turned for good at that point when the Sun responded on their next possession, methodically marching 85 yards in 12 plays as Christos hit Adnesse Pannenbecke with a 17-yard strike to restore the 10-point lead.

A Hay field goal put the Sun up 20-7 at the half.

The Sun kept their foot on the throttle in the third quarter, scoring three unanswered touchdowns to put the game out of reach.

Christos hit Devontae Mozee on a 39-yard strike when the Sun receiver ripped the ball of of the defenders hands at the goal line.

Then, after Michael Sneed recovered a fumble at the Rams 48, running back Jaxon Allan sprinted 36 yards to the Rams four, setting up a four-yard Christos touchdown.

Allan closed out the touchdown parade with a 60 yard burst.

To illustrate just how dominant the Sun were on the defensive side, Rebels quarterbacks were a combined eight for 26 for only 53 yards. On a number of occasions Rebels receivers had the ball in their hands, only to be met by a hard-charging defensive back who jarred the ball loose.

The defence caused five turnovers in the game, including a pair of interceptions in the first half and two turnovers on downs.

While the defence stuffed the Rebels, the offence racked up 543 total yards, including 308 through the air.

Perhaps lost in the numbers was Colton Meikle becoming the CJFL’s all-time leader in career receptions. His two catches for a meager 11 yards gives him 200 on his illustrious career, breaking Andrew Busby’s mark of 199 established in 2008 while a member of the Saskatoon Hilltops.

“It’s been a long time coming. I’ve been in the league for six years now so it’s been pretty cool to be around the guys and just everyone I’ve met through it,” said Meikle.

“I’ve had 10 different quarterbacks throw me the ball and they’ve all been a part of it. It’s been a great time.”

Meikle spent his first five seasons as the go-to-guy in Kamloops. This year, he’s part of a much more talented group of receivers where he doesn't have to be the guy in every game.

“It’s great to be a part of a machine. You’re not getting thrown the ball and hope for the best, here there are guys all over the field that can catch some balls.

“It’s been great to be a part of and we’re just going to keep on rolling.”

The Sun closed out the regular season with Saturday’s win, clinching second place in the BCFC and a home playoff date in three weeks time.

They will face the winner of next weekend’s game between the Rebels and VI Raiders. The winner of that game will finish third.