http://www.bcjuniorfootball.ca
The Okanagan Sun scored their first touchdown in eight quarters, but it wasn’t enough as they dropped their third straight B.C. Junior Football Conference game on Saturday in Nanaimo.
Despite 375 yards in total offence, the Sun couldn’t overcome four turnovers and 231 yards in penalties as they came out on the short end of a 14-8 decision to the host Vancouver Island Raiders.
The Sun loss, combined with a Westshore Rebels victory (38-29) over the Langley Rams on Saturday, clinched first place for the Rebels, who will have the home-field advantage throughout the Canadian Bowl playoffs. The Sun are now tied with Langley for second place in the BCJFC with 6-3 records.
A showdown between the Sun and Langley on Oct. 2 (1 p.m.) at the Apple Bowl will decide second place and who will host the other BCJFC semifinal two weeks later.
In a game that both defences were dominant, the Sun led 1-0 after the first quarter and trailed 7-1 at the half. It was 14-1 going into the fourth quarter while quarterback Keith Zyla scored what was — as of late — a rare Sun touchdown in the final frame.
Zyla came in relief of starting quarterback Foster Martens and ran the ball five times for 28 yards while going 2-for-7 (22 yards) through the air. Martens was good on 10 of 19 passes for 133 yards, the longest (32 yards) to Rashaun Simonise, who finished with five catches for 85 yards. Kyler Mosley gained 46 yards on three catches while Lliam Wishart caught a pair for 11 yards.
Brenden Hansen carried the ball 11 times for 63 yards, with Kelton Kouri gaining 53 yards on six carries and Mosley 47 yards on five runs.
The Sun defence held the Raiders to 100 yards along the ground while VI managed 241 yards passing.
Cory McCoy was the most dominant Sun defender, getting through for four sacks and three tackles on the day. Jonas Gering finished with five tackles and a sack and Raquille Cespedes and Layne Hull added four tackles apiece. Jamie Turek picked off a Rebels pass and ran it back 11 yards.
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