Okanagan Sun 28
Regina Thunder 14

For the second time in three seasons, the Okanagan Sun go into Regina and beat the Thunder on the national stage.  With the victory in the CJFL National Semi-Final the Sun punch their ticket to the Canadian Bowl in Windsor on November 9th. 

The Sun opened the scoring in the first quarter after a great drive down the field.  They got to the two-yard line and on a third down gamble they brought in the “jumbo package,” handed the ball to linebacker Jacob Bond who got into the endzone.

In the second quarter the Thunder would tie it just two minutes into the frame when Sadik Sadik found pay dirt from three yards out.  Then on the ensuing kick off the Thunder kicked the ball through the endzone for a rouge and they took their only lead of the ballgame.

Later in the quarter defensive back David Lewis intercepted a pass and returned it 74 yards for a touchdown giving the Sun a lead they would not relinquish.  The play was a giant moment for the visitors, but also a backbreaker for the Thunder who were driving at the time and had the lead.

Just before half the Thunder would put more points on the board with a 19-yard field goal from the right foot of Shawn Green.  That cut the Sun lead to 14-11 at the half.

Early in the third quarter the Thunder would tie this national semi-final when Green booted a 35-yard field goal just three minutes into the second half.   It would be the last time the Thunder would put points on the board.

Five minutes after Green’s field goal, the Sun kicker, Liam Attwood responded with a 30-yard field goal of his own.  He would then extend the Sun lead to six with his second field goal of the third quarter, this one from 35-yards out with just over three-minutes remaining in the frame.

In the fourth quarter the Sun would ice the game with 10-minutes to play after a great drive down the field capped off by an Elelyon Noa 17-yard touchdown run.  They added a two-point conversation when Noa threw a pass into the endzone that was deflected but ended up in the hands of Mitchell Hickingbottom.  That was the story of the game, the Sun got the bounces, the Thunder didn’t. 

Noa was named the Player of the Game with 84 yards on 18 carries and the touchdown.  They would gather 119 yards in total on the ground.   Quarterback Liam Kroeger found eight different receivers on 12 completions and threw for 151 yards. 

Defensively the Sun were simply outstanding holding the Thunder passing game to just 93 yards.  They did give up 206 yards on the ground as the Thunder went to their strength with Sadik Sadik and Ryland Leichert.  Sadik had their lone touchdown and 107 yards in the setback. 

Linebacker Jacob Bond was named the Defensive Player of the Game making 11 solo tackles and assisted on eight others, plus forced a fumble.   Dylan Remillard collected the lone sack and Lewis along with Vicente Ferreira had interceptions.  Ferreira’s was on the last play of the game as the Thunder tried a hail Mary. 

The Sun advance to their second Canadian Bowl in three years and will face the St. Clair Saints in Windsor on Saturday November 9th at 7:00pm EST at Acumen Stadium.  They met in the 2022 National Semi-Final as well with the Sun winning on the road.

Offensive Player of the Game – Elelyon Noa – Okanagan Sun
Defensive Player of the Game – Jacob Bond – Okanagan Sun
Special Teams Player of the Game – Jakeb Cortus – Regina Thunder