Sun secure 19 recruits
The Okanagan Sun locked up 19 recruits on Friday, bolstering their roster on the opening day for signings in the B.C. Football Conference.
The Sun secured 10 new players on offence and nine on defence, including three local products.
Receivers Dakota Cartier of Kelowna (KSS) and Steven Johnson of West Kelowna (Mount Boucherie) joined the fold, along with defensive back Jack Lawson (KSS).
“Dakota is a physical and fast receiver with loads of potential,” said second-year Sun head coach Ben Macauley, who coached the KSS Owls program before making the jump to the junior ranks.
Among the most intriguing prospects is offensive lineman Carter Comeau, a 6-foot-6 and 330-pound product of Riverton, Man. The 21-year-old is a former hockey player and current BCHL linesmen, and comes to the Sun without previous competitive football experience.
“Carter brings size and major potential,” Macauley said.
Saskatoon linebacker Matthew Panattoni is another recruit that the Sun were excited to land, a 6-foot-2, 220-pound graduate of Aden Bowman Collegiate high school.
“Matt is a fast, athletic, and an elite player out of a great program,” Macauley said.
Panattoni is one of five recruits from Saskatchewan, while Comeau is among four Manitobans.
The Sun also signed six prospects from Alberta — three from Calgary, two from Edmonton and one from Lethbridge.
Aside from the local trio, Okanagan only added one other B.C. product in Chilliwack linebacker Miguel Wood, though more signings will become official in the coming days and leading up to the team’s training camp, starting July 14.
Originally from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Wood is listed at six-feet tall and 196 pounds, a graduate of the G.W. Graham high school in Chilliwack.
“Impressive work ethic and excellent character makes him a great fit for the Sun,” Macauley said of Wood.
The Alberta contingent is highlighted by Lethbridge running back Tanner Sudo, who is also on Football Canada’s roster for the under-19 national team.
“Tanner brings a hefty resume, including representing the province of Alberta and Canada,” Macauley said.
Calgary’s Javen Kaechele is capable of playing quarterback or receiver and the Sun coaching staff has yet to decide how to deploy the 18-year-old standout.
“Javen is a highly versatile athlete that will add talent in a number of areas,” Macauley said.
Aiden Hennessy, a fullback, and Tim Curren, a defensive lineman, were teammates at Centennial high school in Calgary, while Edmonton is providing the Sun with two more offensive linemen in Miguel LaForge (6-5, 309) and Marco Beasley (6-7, 270).
LaForge brings some CJFL experience to the Sun, having spent last season with the Edmonton Wildcats of the Prairie Football Conference.
The offensive line was an area of concern this off-season — with All-Canadian local product Michele Vecchio graduating and Quinn Horton, from Winnipeg, now on the B.C. Lions roster.
Macauley and recruiting director Nathan Mollard, who also serves as defensive coordinator during the season, were successful in luring several of their targets to the Okanagan.
Among the most coveted was Kyle Zale, a 6-foot-2, 280-pound offensive lineman who was part of the Saskatoon Hilltops team that beat the Sun in the 2015 national championship game.
“The former Hilltop brings maturity and toughness to the line,” Macauley said.
Saskatoon is also home for defensive lineman Mitch Lyons, who previously suited up for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, and receiver Cole Paradzik, who Macauley called a “skilled athlete and great route runner.”
Rounding out the Saskatchewan recruits is linebacker Teagen Anderson of Moose Jaw.
Last but not least, hailing from Manitoba are defensive backs Nico Muskego, of Ste. Rose Du Lac, and Ryan Ewashko, of Kelvin, plus linebacker/defensive lineman Mitch Prawdzik, of Dauphin.
Muskego has experience playing in the CJFL, as he was part of the Winnipeg Rifles team in 2015.
Prawdzik is a former member of the Rural Manitoba Football League, where he won a championship with the Dauphin Clippers.
The Sun kick off the 2017 BCFC campaign with their home opener on Saturday, July 29, hosting the defending champion Westshore Rebels of Victoria at the Apple Bowl in Kelowna.
Okanagan then visits Kamloops on Aug. 5 before hosting Langley on Aug. 12.