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VI Raiders @ Okanagan Sun – Saturday October 11, 1:00pm – Apple Bowl | WATCH HERE

The CJFL Canadian Bowl playoffs open on Saturday and in the BC Conference both semifinals will kickoff. 

The first semi will see the #1 Okanagan Sun host the #4 VI Raiders at the Apple Bowl in Kelowna.  These two teams meet for only the second time this season after the Sun shut the Raiders out 42-0 July 26 at the Apple Bowl.

The Sun earned their second straight undefeated regular season averaging over 52 points offensively while shutting down the opposition only allowing 9.1 points a game.   Seven times during the regular season the defence held teams to under 10 points and collected three shutouts, one of them against the Raiders.

Their offence has several weapons that can make the opposing defence frustrated.  Running back Gerren Hardisty is the only BC Conference runner to reach the 1000-yard plateau galloping to 1025 yards on 164 carries and had nine touchdowns.  He rushed for 124 yards against the Raiders this season and scored a pair of majors.   Meanwhile, quarterback Liam Kroeger was terrific completing 67% of his passes for 2860 yards and 26 touchdowns, two of those against the Raiders. 

Defensively the Sun team is fast and strong.  JaQuintis Summers and Jarveon Williams off the ends combined for 24 sacks and defensive back Tariq Brown shared the Conference lead with seven interceptions, two coming against the Raiders.  As a unit, they don’t give up much particularly on the ground, holding their playoff opponent to 14 yards rushing in their meeting earlier this season. 

On Special Teams, kicker Liam Attwood led the club with 103 points scored knocking in 13 field goals including a Conference long 51-yarder.  He set a new CJFL record this season with the most made field goals over the course of a career.

On paper this is a David versus Goliath matchup with the Raiders coming in as underdogs.  They have peaked at the right time and are unbeaten in their last four games clinching a playoff spot and coming in with confidence. 

Their defence has shown they can get pressure on the quarterback led by Tani Wisdom.  He is a fast, relentless end with a lightning quick first step. He along with his teammates set a new team record for sacks in a single game just two weeks ago recording 10 in one game.  Wisdom had four of them and finished with 11 on the season.   He and Stirling Henry will need to have a big game getting into the backfield to disrupt the Sun offensive timing.

On the offence the key is the run game.  If the Raiders offensive line can open some holes for Rhonde Lyle then that will help the passing attack, which arguably is their best option.   Lyle finished with 562 yards this season and three touchdowns.  He is a shifty back that can find the smallest of holes to sneak through, which is all he may get against the Sun.  With him clicking that will give either Brayden Jupe or Zach Golab time to look for an open receiver like Ruben Bonsu or Parker Moscrip.  Jupe finished the year with 1429 passing yards and eight touchdowns, completing 64.7% of his passes.   Moscrip recorded 551 receptions yards while Bonsu added 390 with six touchdowns.

The last time these two met in the playoffs was the 2021 semifinal which the Sun won 33-0.  The winner on Saturday advances to the BC Cullen Cup Championship game next week.

Head-to-Head

Records: Raiders 5-4-1 – Sun 10-0
Avg Points For: Raiders 23 – Sun 52.3
Avg Points Allowed: Raiders 21.1 – Sun 9.1

Passing Leaders: Brayden Jupe 139 of 215 for 1429 yards and 8 touchdowns (Raiders) – Liam Kroeger – 190 of 281 for 2860 yards and 26 touchdowns (Sun)

Rushing Leaders: Rhonde Lyle – 105 carries for 562 yards and 3 touchdowns (Raiders) – Gerren Hardisty – 164 carries for 1025 yards and 9 touchdowns (Sun)

Receiving Leaders: Parker Moscrip – 47 receptions for 551 yards and 1 touchdown (Raiders) – Vincent Chuoi – 35 receptions for 540 yards and 6 touchdowns (Sun)

Leading Tackers: Max Shippam – 37 tackles (Raiders) – Phil Palmarin – 27 tackles (Sun)