The Okanagan Sun advanced to the Canadian Junior Football League’s Canadian Bowl with a 28-14 victory over the Regina Thunder Sunday at Leibel Field.
With temperatures in the low double-digits and wind gusts out of the southeast aroud 40 kilometres per hour, ball security was essential for both teams looking to advance to the national championship.
The Thunder started the game with the football; however, a quick two-and-out would allow the Sun to gain possession.
On the ensuing possession, Okanagan methodically moved the ball down the field but was stopped on a second down run at Regina's two-yard line. Sun head coach Travis Miller wasted no time sending his short-yardage team onto the field for a third-down gamble. Jacob Bond, who was listed as a receiver and started the game as a middle linebacker, came onto the field under centre. Bond took the ball and powered his way into the end zone behind the right side of his offensive line. The major with the convert gave the Sun a 7-0 lead, which was how the opening quarter ended.
In the second quarter, the teams swapped ends, giving the Thunder the wind at their backs. Regina took advantage, marching the ball into Okanagan territory. That’s when Thunder running back Sadik Sadik crossed the goal line from three yards out to tie the game 7-7.
However, on the conversion, the Sun, who battled discipline issues all day, took a roughing the kicker call that allowed the Thunder to boot the ball into the end zone. The Sun surrendered the rouge, giving Regina their first lead 8-7.
After trading possessions, the Thunder again began marching the ball into Sun territory. However, a pass from Ethan Hugg to the far side flat landed David Lewis' arms as he 70 yards to the end zone for a pick-six. The point after was good and the Sun retook the lead 14-8.
The team's defences took turns stopping offensive opportunities from both sides. However, the Thunder defence was able to strip the ball twice. The first fumble recovery resulted in a two-and-out for the Regina offence. A second opportunity saw the Thunder move the ball to Okanagan's 12. Shawn Green kicked a 19-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter to cut the Sun’s lead to 14-11 at halftime.
The wind faded a bit to begin the second half, but Okanagan got the ball and the wind at their back in the third quarter.
After an Okanagan two-and-out to start the half, Regina's offence began their first drive in the second half from the Sun’s 47-yard line. The Thunder gained a first down, but no more. Green came back out on the field and knocked the ball through the uprights from 25 yards out into the wind to tie the game 14-14.
Following the field goal, Okanagan’s offence found some success running the ball, which also opened up the passing game. Their ensuing drive stalled at the Thunder 22-yard line. Liam Attwood entered the game for his first field goal attempt in the game. The 29-yard attempt sailed through the middle of the uprights to give Okanagan a 17-14 lead midway through the third quarter.
After another defensive stop by the Sun, Okanagan's offence got to work, moving the ball to the Thunder 28-yard line. After a second down stop by Regina's defence, Attwood would jog onto the field and make his second field goal in the quarter to extend the Sun’s advantage 20-14.
In the fourth quarter, Regina's offence took numerous shots through the air downfield. However, Carter Moberg and Benjamin Walz just missed connecting on deep passes on three straight possessions.
Momentum was clearly on Okanagan’s side and the offence moved the ball slowly into Regina territory while going into the wind. With four minutes and 24 seconds to go, Elelyon Noa dashed into the end zone from 17 yards out to extend the Sun’s lead to 28-14.
Regina attempted to claw back into the game. But Okanagan recovered a fumble with less than four minutes to go and Vicente Ferreira intercepted a second Regina pass with 65 seconds left to seal the victory for the Sun.
“They give it their all and they always do -- it's the Thunder way and we're proud of the guys," Regina head coach Scott MacAulay said post-game.
“They did a good job moving the ball and scoring some points. Then when they were going into the wind, they were able to get some success. That was the difference."
Thunder running back Ryland Leichert had over 70 yards rushing in the first half but said Okanagan took advantage of their opportunities in the second half for the win.
“In the second half, they jumped the gun on us and we couldn't respond in time, so they won.”
Leichert, a fourth-year running back and the Thunder’s all-time rushing leader said the team knew Okanagan would focus on stopping Regina's run game.
“Our bread and butter is our run game. We thought that we had times where we were moving the ball really well, but it was about finishing, and we couldn't get in the end zone.”
The Sun advance to the Canadian Bowl as Okanagan takes on the Ontario Champion St. Clair Saints on Saturday, November 9.
