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