Photo courtesy of the Okanagan Sun

Okanagan Sun 37
Westshore Rebels 24

The Sun clinched homefield advantage throughout the BC Conference playoffs with a win over the visiting Rebels on Saturday night at the Apple Bowl in a very entertaining game.

In the first quarter the Sun hit the scoreboard for 14 points, getting majors from both sides of the ball.  Quarterback Liam Kroeger found receiver Seth Famakinde from 30 yards out to open the scoring.   Later in the quarter with the Rebels driving, defensive back Tariq Brown ripped a pass away from an intended receiver and rushed 98 yards the other direction for a pick-six giving the Sun a two-score advantage. 

The Sun extended their lead to three scores in the second quarter when Gerren Hardisty plowed into the endzone on a short run and things looked to be well in hand…but wait.

As the second quarter went on the Rebels started to mount a comeback.  First, running back Carter Williams scored on a six-yard run, then quarterback Gavin Session led a drive down the field that he finished off with a hard-nosed five-yard touchdown run dragging a couple of Sun defenders.  Suddenly it was a seven-point game going into halftime. 

After Rebels kicker Charlie Wiersma booted a 35-yard field goal to cut the lead to four points, the Sun offence went back to work.  They ate up most of the third quarter with a sustained drive, relying on Hardisty to chew up the clock and yardage. They finished the drive when backup quarterback Marcus Christos pounded in from a yard out to extend the lead again.   Hardisty finished with 109 yards on 20 carries and scored a major. 

In the fourth quarter the Rebels drew a bit closer when Session connected with Tristan Remus Arevelo for a 15-yard touchdown pass.

However, the Sun would not be denied.  Kicker Liam Attwood connected on three second half field goals including a 32-yarder with 1:37 to go in the fourth quarter to set a brand new CJFL career record with his 74th field goal. He breaks the old mark of 73 held by former Calgary Colts kicker Brian Demug who kicked from 1985-1988. 

Kroeger finished the game throwing 238 yards on 15 completions and the first quarter touchdown to Famakinde.  His counterpart Session completed 26 passes for 355 yards and a touchdown but threw three first half interceptions.

Defensively JaQuintis Summers was credited with two more sacks and now has 12 on the season, one off the Sun team record and four away from a CJFL record with two games to go.  Jarveon Williams also had two sacks and now has 10 on the campaign. 

Next weekend the Sun (8-0) host the Langley Rams (2-4-1) and the Rebels (6-2) visit the VI Raiders (2-4-1). 

Prince George Kodiaks 35
Valley Huskers 35

A wild game in Prince George on Saturday night ends in a tie after the Huskers came storming back in the fourth quarter, scoring 20 points.   As a matter of fact, the teams combined to score 30 points in the final frame. 

With the single point the Kodiaks inch closer to securing their first ever playoff berth with two games to go.  They are three points back of second place and a home playoff game in their fourth season. 

The Huskers offence was dynamic on Saturday night recording 595 total yards gobbled up by their passing attack.  Quarterback Key’Shaun Dorsey threw for 432 yards on 22 completions and hit Arman Sharma for two touchdowns including a 65-yarder in the second quarter.  He would finish with five receptions for 117 yards while Dhag Mora also hauled in five passes for a game high 139 yards.

On the ground Dorsey also rushed for a touchdown, but Jawad Harb did most of the heavy lifting rushing 18 times for 109 yards and got into the endzone. 

The Kodiaks offence did only half the damage the Huskers did but still managed to come away with a point.  Quarterback Sawyer Theissen completed 12 passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns connecting with both Nikolas Ramirez and Kayle Cowley.  He also rushed for a touchdown.

Special teams was key for the home side as Andrew Brown returned a punt 50-yards for a second quarter touchdown and kicker Brady Harper nailed two field goals. 

Defensively four different pass rushers recorded a sack. 

Next weekend the Kodiaks (4-3-1) will have their last bye of the season, and the Huskers (2-4-1) will visit the winless Kamloops Broncos (0-7).

VI Raiders 29
Langley Rams 29

Two teams fighting for their playoff lives finished in a tie on Saturday afternoon with the Raiders accounting for the only fourth quarter points, a field goal to pull them into a tie. 

Raiders quarterback Brayden Jupe threw for 131 yards and hit Jakob Celso for a 10-yard touchdown pass.  He found seven different receivers to keep the Rams defence guessing while Parker Wills had a big game on the ground adding a touchdown to the Raiders scoring on 17 carries and 102 yards. 

Special teams played an important part, in particular Cole McQueen booted two field goals including the game tying score in the fourth quarter. 

The Raiders defence also got into the act with the biggest play coming from Aiden Beitel who intercepted a pass and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown.  Both Torin Farrow and Haris Malik jumped on fumbles as the Raiders created three turnovers on the afternoon. 

The Rams offence welcomed back quarterback Palaina Hooper who completed 12 passes for 167 yards and a pair of touchdown passes finding Tyson Galye and Reggie Elie.   They scored two touchdowns on the ground when Elie scored in the first half, and Lukas Boecking rumbled in for his first career CJFL touchdown.  Bruce Jones didn’t get into the endzone but had a game high 105 rushing yards on 21 carries. 

Next week the Raiders (2-4-1) welcome the Westshore Rebels (6-2) and the Rams (2-4-1) visit the Okanagan Sun (8-0).