Photos courtesy of in_motion_sports_photography and Wanda Harron Photography

Okanagan Sun @ Regina Thunder – Sunday October 27, 1:00pm – Leibel Field | WATCH HERE

They have met on the national stage before, but it’s been 29 years since these two franchises played in the National Semi-Final game. 

This Sunday the Sun and Thunder will play for the right to advance to the 2024 Canadian Bowl that will be hosted in Ontario on November 9th.  Just like in 1995 the Sun come into the game with a perfect 12-0 record this season and the Thunder had to beat their rivals, the Saskatoon Hilltops to be here.  The only difference is the Thunder were called the Regina Rams in 1995 and the beat the Sun 11-8.

Coming into this game these two teams are very evenly matched, much like they were in 2022 in the Canadian Bowl.  Both teams have spectacular defences that feature speed, agility and some absolute ballhawks in the secondary.  The Thunder’s defence is anchored by linebacker and Prairie Conference Defensive Player of the Year Stephen Smith.  He collected 34 tackles, 20 assisted stops and had an interception.  His linebacker partner Mitch Tanchak also turned in an incredible regular season with 23 tackles, 17 assists and two interceptions.  Speaking of picks, Lorrin LcBlanc shared the Conference lead with four and Noah Zimroz had three including a pick-six. 

The Sun defence were the class of the BC Conference this year allowing just over 13 points game.  They are also anchored by a linebacker in Jacob Bond, the Conference Defensive Player of the Year.  He had 49 tackles, six assists and like Smith also had an interception.  Bond was on the field in the 2022 Canadian Bowl and made the game saving tackle in the dying seconds of that game to give the Sun the victory. 

In the secondary the Sun are scary collecting a CJFL high 21 interceptions led by Ahmed Borhot and his league leading eight.  Kenley Williams had five picks and David Lewis recorded three in the Cullen Cup title game against the Westshore Rebels. 

The front seven of both teams will be tested early and often as these offences love to run the ball.  The Thunder possess two talented backs in Sadik Sadik and Ryland Leichert who combined for over 1100 yards in the regular season and ran wild over the Saskatoon Hilltops in the Conference final game. 

Meanwhile the Sun running game features Elelyon Noa who set a new BC Conference single season record for rushing with 1612 and had 23 touchdowns.  Tristen Peddle averaged over five years a carry and scored four touchdowns during the season but was a bit overshadowed by the record setting season of Noa.

With so much success on the ground, will these offences throw the ball?  If they do their quarterbacks do have the ability to move the ball down the field.  

Carter Moberg led the Prairie Conference with 1688 passing yards and completed 59% of his passes, throwing 11 touchdowns.  He primarily used three receivers during regular season targeting Zak Woidyla, Lucas Di Iorio and Ben Walz who combined to haul in seven of the 11 touchdown passes.

The Sun have used two quarterback this season in Conference Rookie of the Year Marek Filipek and Liam Kroeger.  During the playoffs Kroeger has been under centre and orchestrated last week’s Cullen Cup win over a very good Rebel defence.   He threw for 739 yards during the regular season.

A game with two evenly matched teams tends to come down to special teams and these units could be the deciding factor this Sunday as well.  Shawn Green was very good for the Thunder with 16 field goals this year and don’t be surprised to see Sadik returning kicks using his electric speed and football IQ.

In the BC final kicker Liam Attwood was called upon often and booted three field goals, two in the final quarter to secure the victory.  He connected on 14 during the regular season and can be a difference maker.  Look for the very exciting Jordayne Falconer to be used by the Sun to return kicks.  He has blinding speed and get squeak through the smallest of openings when looking for a spot to gain some extra yards on returns.

Many believe this game has all the makings of an instant classic and could come right down to the final play like in the 2022 Canadian Bowl when the Sun became the first BC team to go into the Prairies and win, thanks to a 21-19 victory. 

The winner of this game advances to the Canadian Bowl on November 9th in either Windsor or London Ontario.  The Conference championship game is scheduled for Saturday night.