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Off-Season Forecast: Okanagan Sun

By Ryan Watters (@ryan2tswatters), 08/02/21, 10:15AM PDT

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The sun comes up later this month

Photo courtesy of Tamiko Lyle

The sun will come up on another CJFL season later this month and in Kelowna one of the most storied franchises is ready to go after sitting idle last year.

Like the rest of the CJFL, the Okanagan Sun are itching to get back onto the field here in 2021 following the cancellation of last season due to the ongoing pandemic.  They will have some new and familiar faces on and off the field this year but the expectation is still the same; win.

What’s New:

On the field a handful of alumni are back to join the coaching staff most notably former offensive lineman Travis Miller has been named the Offensive Coordinator while former linebacker Eli Haynes takes over as Defensive Coordinator. Off the field the Sun executive have several familiar faces in new roles including President Evan Parker, GM Nat Nagy and Vice President Jason Harding.

Key Grads:

DB Mitch Walz – he was an important part of the Sun secondary in 2019 intercepting a pass, making 12 tackles and forced a fumble

RB Kelton Kouri – he leaves a big hole in the Sun backfield after gaining 804 yards on 126 carries in 2019 and added a pair of touchdowns.  He also made 13 receptions for 98 yards and scored a major coming out of the backfield

DL Cory McCoy – he had 19 solo tackles in 2019, added four sacks, a knockdown and was named a CJFL All-Canadian

Entering Final Season:

DB Cole Stregger –will be asked to make an impact in the secondary after a 2019 season where he collected 15 tackles, three knockdowns, forced a fumble and had three interceptions

LB Tyler Going – he was a CJFL All-Canadian in 2019 and will be asked to do even more this season after compiling 32 tackles, two sacks, two knockdowns, forced a fumble and picked off two passes

OL Dan Townsend –he’s been an anchor on the Sun offensive line and is back after his All-Canadian performance in 2019

What They Need:

Head coach Jamie Boreham is pleased with the players they have signed and will see in camp when the wildfire smoke clears in Kelowna.   That said the Sun are “always looking for the right players with the right character.”

Counting On:

DB Garret Cape –he will be counted on for even more production this season after a solid 2019 performance.  That season he collected 25 tackles, had a pair of knockdowns, forced three fumbles and intercepted a pass

LB Tyler Going – heading into his final season Going will be one of the leaders on the Sun defence after an All-Canadian performance in 2019

OL Dan Townsend – the Sun run game will be only as good as the All-Canadian can take it.  He will be again asked to blow open running lanes and in the same breath give the quarterback time to look down the field

The Sun will open the 2021 CJFL season on Saturday August 28th when they host the Kamloops Broncos.  This game will officially kick-off the BC Conference schedule as the lone game of the weekend.