Sun, Rams debate underdog status for Cullen Cup
Okanagan hosts Langley in BCFC title game on Sunday afternoon
Duncan Little (Rams) were the quarterbacks of record.
This weekend, it appears Matt Mahler (Sun) and rookie Tristan Wanciw (Rams) will start behind centre.
When Langley knocked off the Vancouver Island Raiders 37-26 in their semifinal last weekend, Little got banged-up early. Wanciw came When the Langley Rams (8-3) arrive in and went ballistic, completing at the Apple Bowl this weekend to 12 passes for 415 yards and four battle the Okanagan Sun (8-2-1), the touchdowns. B.C. Football Conference championship “Yeah, we’ll roll with the hot hand,” game will feature a pair of teams said Zaron. “Duncan will also be riding lengthy winning streaks. there and can get in there for sure.
Since the Sun dropped a 20-18 As of right now, Tristan will be our decision to the Rams on Sept. 8 in guy. It’s definitely nice to have a Kelowna, they have rattled off six No. 1 and 1A.” consecutive wins. On the receiving end against the
Following the Rams’ 23-15 loss to Raiders, Jevon Cottoy grabbed the Sun on Aug. 25 in Langley, they seven passes for 246 yards and have won seven straight. accounted for each of the Rams’
The Sun will have to hold serve at four majors. Joseph Carter ran the home to capture the Cullen Cup. The ball 16 times for 110 yards. winner advances to entertain the While the Sun and Rams generated Ontario Conference champion on some eye-popping offensive numbers Nov. 3 along the Canadian Bowl last weekend, the championship playoff trail. game will feature the two stingiest
To defeat the Rams, the Sun will defences in the BCFC. have to protect the football Through 11 games, the more efficiently than they Sun have given up 185 did in their 47-21 semifinal points. The Rams have victory over the Valley surrendered a league-low Huskers. The Sun gave up of 180 points. two interceptions and two “I know our defence is fumbles. going to take the ball away,”
“It was a bit uncharacteristic said Macauley. “We know for us to mishandle the we’re going to force some football as much as we did,” turnovers and force them said Okanagan head coach Macauley to make some mistakes.” Ben Macauley. “I think on the year The Sun led the BCFC defending we’re at about plus-30 on the the rush, holding opponents to an turnover ratio, which is great. It’s average of 68 yards per game. The going to be crucial for us to take care Rams allowed only 84 yards per of the football.” contest.
Macauley confirmed his charges Langley led the conference defending are pretty healthy heading into the the pass, giving up an average of conference final. 215 yards per outing. The Sun gave
“I think we’re for the most part up 227 yards per game. healthy,” he said. “Guys are a little Since 1990, the Sun and Rams have beat up this time of year, but I think met for the Cullen Cup eight times. everyone is kind of in that boat. It’s The Rams have won six of those and a question of is it something you can are 3-1 in title games played in play through or is it more serious.” Kelowna.
The Sun ran the football with proficiency The head coaches provided an in the semifinal, amassing entertaining exchange with Dom 361 yards along the ground. Kelton Abassi on the BCFC website (bcfootballconference.com) Kouri galloped for 201 yards on earlier this week, 11 carries, while Malcom Miller when asked who they thought would chipped in with 117 yards on 12 tries. be favoured heading into the game.
The weather forecast calls for a “We’ve consistently had to come in temperature of 11 degrees and rain every week as the underdog,” said on Sunday, a combination that could Macauley. “They got the better of us make for a soft and slow natural last time we saw them and have been grass surface at the Apple Bowl. on a roll since then.”
“We want to try (to run),” said Zaron, who sees it as a matchup Macauley. “If they game plan to take between the two best defences in the it away from us, which I expect them country, reiterated his stance from to do, then we need to be able to adapt earlier in the week when queried by and take what’s there. The Okanagan Weekend and crafted
“If they give us something downfield this bit of gamesmanship. or underneath in the passing game, “The best team in the conference is we’re going to have to take advantage the Sun, they finished in first place,” of that as well,” he added. said Zaron. “They have the
Rams head coach Howie high payroll, the celebrities Zaron acknowledged that on defence. As far as field conditions could play we’re concerned, we’re a role in the outcome. the underdog. Their coach
“I think the natural surface said we were lucky to be will be a little slower on the field with them and than what we’re used to,” we’re not a playoff team. said Zaron, whose Rams “Well, here we are — play on artificial turf at we’re in the final. I guess Macleod Athletic Park. we’re just a bunch of lucky
“But the Sun deserve home-field dudes here.” advantage, they’re in first place. If Macauley didn’t take the bait. we were that concerned about it, we “Let’s say this,” Macauley replied should have worked a little harder to Abassi, “the Okanagan Sun are to get home-field advantage.” my favourite.”
During the two regular-season Sunday’s kickoff at the Apple Bowl meetings, Keith Zyla (Sun) and in Kelowna is set for 1 p.m. Special to The Okanagan Weekend