Sun sweep season series with Huskers, score another lopsided win

Zyla and Simonise return, connect for 2 TDs in rout

The Okanagan Sun rode a strong first-half performance from their starters on Saturday, beating the Valley Huskers 42-3 in Chilliwack.

The Sun had a couple returning faces in the lineup, as newly re-signed receiver Rashaun Simonise suited up alongside quarterback Keith Zyla, who got his first start since being injured in Week 1 against Westshore.

Those two connected on the first offensive series of the game, with an 11-yard catch from Simonise giving the Sun a 7-0 lead.

A 35-yard field goal from Isaac Wegner made it 10-0 on the next possession.

After the Huskers went back on offence, a fumble by running back Keegan Vicklund allowed Sun defensive lineman Hayward Beasley to scoop the ball and take it 50 yards for the score, extending the lead to 17-0.

The Sun also had an especially lucky bounce go their way before the first quarter was through.

Scrimmaging from inside the 15-yard line, Zyla whipped a pass to Tyson Mastrodimos at the goal line, who had it bounce off his hands and over his head. Fortunately, Jesse Falconer was able to track the ball in the end zone and complete the circus play to give the Sun a 24-0 advantage.

In the second quarter, Simonize caught his second touchdown pass of the game off a bootleg pass from Zyla, with the 6-foot-5 receiver using all of his wingspan to twist toward the pylon at the edge of the end zone. A rare Wegner miss from 33 yards out tacked on a single point, giving Okanagan a 32-0 lead at the half.

When the teams returned to the field for the third quarter, the Sun kept some starters from both sides of the ball on the bench.

The Huskers were the first to score, on a 27-yard field goal from kicker Danny Harris. But the Sun responded with a 27-yarder of their own from Wegner, followed by a 54-yard touchdown reception from Kyler Mosley.

A scoreless fourth quarter saw the game end 42-3 in favour of the Sun.

Up next for the unbeaten Sun (6-0-1) is another road game, with Okanagan headed to Kamloops to face the Broncos (1-6-0) on Saturday.

Kickoff at Hillside Stadium is 6 p.m., but the game won’t be broadcast on AM1150 due to a scheduling conflict with the Kelowna Rockets also in Kamloops that night. The Sun game will be streamed at bcfctv.com/en/.