For 40-plus returning members of the , the last memory of the 2016 season wasn91裸聊视频檛 a particularly pleasant one.

On Saturday night, the Sun look to begin the 2017 campaign with a much different feel when they play host to the rival and defending champion Westshore Rebels.

It was the Rebels who halted Okanagan91裸聊视频檚 Canadian Bowl hopes last October with a victory over them in the Cullen Cup final in Victoria.

While a little payback may be in the back of a few minds of Sun players, head coach Ben Macauley says that91裸聊视频檚 in the past.

91裸聊视频淭here might be some carry over from that game, we feel like they didn91裸聊视频檛 necessarily beat us as much we allowed that to happen,91裸聊视频� said Macauley. 91裸聊视频淏ut that91裸聊视频檚 in the past. It91裸聊视频檚 a big rivalry and the guys are excited to play them and get the season under way.

91裸聊视频淲e don91裸聊视频檛 want to place too much importance on this game, it91裸聊视频檚 our first and we91裸聊视频檙e not going to base our whole season on it,91裸聊视频� Macauley added. 91裸聊视频淥f course we want to come out and play well, but it91裸聊视频檚 about getting better and improving with each week.91裸聊视频�

With a full season now under his belt, plenty of experience on the coaching staff, a solid returning corps, and a strong recruiting class, Macauley says the Sun is well ahead of where it was 12 months ago, describing the difference as 91裸聊视频渘ight and day.91裸聊视频�

Fifth-year linebacker Eli Haynes is on board with his head coach.

91裸聊视频淭hings have been better this season from the get-go,91裸聊视频� said Haynes, one of the key leaders on the Sun defense this season. 91裸聊视频淭he (coaches) did a great job of recruiting, the guys they brought in are all really good guys and have all fit in well.

91裸聊视频淲e had a good training camp, we91裸聊视频檝e prepared well, so we91裸聊视频檙e excited to get at it.91裸聊视频�

As for the Rebels, the defending champs have undergone a number of changes on both sides of the ball since last season, including the loss of all-star running back, Jamal Lyles.

Regardless, Macauley expects the Rebels to bring a solid game plan into the Apple Bowl on Saturday night.

91裸聊视频淭here a lot of new faces there we don91裸聊视频檛 know a lot about, it91裸聊视频檚 hard to know what to expect, but we do expect them to be competitive,91裸聊视频� Macauley said. 91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e playing against the defending champs, so it91裸聊视频檒l be a good gauge for us to see where we stand.91裸聊视频�

Kick off at the Apple Bowl between the Sun and Westshore is 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Sun in top 50

Five members of the Sun have cracked the Canadian Junior Football League91裸聊视频檚 annual rankings of the top 50 players in the country.

The players selected and their overall ranking:

91裸聊视频� 2791裸聊视频擟onor Richard, linebacker

91裸聊视频� 3591裸聊视频擝eck Fullerton, defensive back

91裸聊视频� 3991裸聊视频擡li Haynes, linebacker

91裸聊视频� 4391裸聊视频擟ory McCoy, defensive line

91裸聊视频� 4791裸聊视频擝rendan Hansen, running back