Photo courtesy of Greystoke Photography

For the first time in BCFC history, the Okanagan Sun and Kamloops Broncos will face each other in the post season, when they battle in the semi-final on Sunday at the Apple Bowl.

The Sun finished undefeated at 10-0, becoming the first BCFC team to run the table since the 2011 VI Raiders.  It’s also the first time the Sun have accomplished the feat since 2004.
This semi-final is very intriguing.  The Sun defence finished with a CJFL low 108 points allowed, and boast the BCFC’s Defensive Player of the Year Brennan Van Nistelrooy.  The Broncos on the other hand scored 377 points and have the BCFC’s Offensive Player of the Year Derek Yachison and the Top Offensive Back, running back Jacob Palmarin.

With all the records the Broncos offence has displayed this year, in the two regular season games it’s been the Sun offence that has played extremely well.  In the two match-ups this year the Sun offence is averaging 515 total yards while the Broncos are averaging 379 yards.

Both quarterbacks have been solid.  Cam Bedore of the Sun has completed 25 of 35 for 461 yards and has thrown four touchdown passes versus the Broncos.  Compare those numbers to Broncos QB Stephen Schuweiler who completed 62 of 90 for 706 yards and six touchdowns.  

One of the main differences in this series has been the amount of pressure the quarterbacks have seen.  Schuweiler has been sacked eight times in two games by the Sun defence, while the Sun signal callers have been sacked only once.

Both clubs have extremely gifted athletes at the receiver position. When Schuweiler does get the time he needs he has two All-Star receivers to throw to.  During the regular season against the Sun, Derek Yachison and Devin Csincsa have combined to receive 35 balls for 408 yards and five touchdowns.

On the other side of the field the Sun big play receiver has been Kyle Kawamoto.  Against the Broncos he was outstanding with 12 catches for 282 yards and three touchdowns.

It’ll be up to the defences to stop or slow these offences.  The Sun are led by the Top Defensive Lineman Jonas Gering and his 13 sacks, while the Broncos linebacker Braden Vankoughnett has been great with 103.5 defensive points, including a team high 38 tackles.  For the Sun, their secondary will need to be sharp, led by Van Nistelrooy who should play a major factor as well with his BCFC leading six interceptions.
While the Sun secondary will be tested, the Broncos front four will need to get pressure on Bedore and the running backs to have success. Vankoughnett and Michael Ochoa will have to play their best game of the year.  They have combined to make 66 stops and two interceptions.

This has all the makings of a classic, much like last year’s semi-final when the Broncos traveled to the heavily favoured Langley Rams and fell two points shy of a major upset.
What was done in the regular season, now means nothing , it’s playoff time as the Sun and Broncos kick off at 1:00pm at the Apple Bowl on Sunday.