Four weeks into the 2017 campaign, the Okanagan Sun couldn91裸聊视频檛 be any better positioned in the B.C. Football Conference.
The Vancouver Island Raiders would like nothing more than to shelve the Sun91裸聊视频檚 prospects of an unbeaten season.
With the Sun (4-0) one game up on the Raiders (3-1) atop the BCFC, the longtime rivals will meet for the first time this season on Saturday afternoon at Nanaimo91裸聊视频檚 Caledonia Park.
As much as remaining undefeated at the midway mark of the season makes for an attractive story line, Sun head coach Ben Macauley said winning this weekend isn91裸聊视频檛 the be-all, end-all for his football club.
91裸聊视频淥bviously we91裸聊视频檙e going to play this game to win, but we don91裸聊视频檛 want to make it too important,91裸聊视频 said Macauley. 91裸聊视频淲e started 6-0 last year, then lost three in a row after that, so we know what can happen.
91裸聊视频淲e just have to focus on the importance of doing our jobs,91裸聊视频 added Macauley. 91裸聊视频淚f we go in and do things the right way, we91裸聊视频檒l win the game. It91裸聊视频檚 cliche, but every week we want to go 1-0. If we think about maybe running the table, we91裸聊视频檙e not focusing on the right things.91裸聊视频
Both teams head into Saturday91裸聊视频檚 matchup on a high after blowout wins last weekend on home turf. The Sun drubbed the Valley Huskers 71-7 at the Apple Bowl, while VI eviscerated the Kamloops Broncos 51-10 Saturday in Nanaimo.
Despite not having met this season, the Sun coaching staff has a good handle on the type of opponent they91裸聊视频檒l be seeing on Saturday.
91裸聊视频淭hey91裸聊视频檙e a well-coached team, not unlike Raiders91裸聊视频 teams of the past,91裸聊视频 said Macauley. 91裸聊视频淭hey play an aggressive style of football, and they can ride the edge of aggression and cockiness. They have a tough, blue-collar mentality. They look like a solid football team.91裸聊视频
The Raiders are led offensively by returning quarterback Jake Laberge and receiver/returner Brycen Mayoh, who returned a punt and a missed field goal for touchdowns last week.
D-lineman Quintin Bowles, who recorded five sacks Saturday against Kamloops, is back this season from the University of Manitoba and has been dominant on the Raiders91裸聊视频 defense.
As for the Sun91裸聊视频檚 quarterbacking situation, Keith Zyla is expected back on the field this weekend after missing three games with a lower body injury. In Zyla91裸聊视频檚 absence, third-year pivot Nick Wenman went a perfect 3-0, while passing for 729 yards and eight touchdowns.
The Sun and the rest of the BCFC will have a bye for the Labour Day weekend. Okanagan91裸聊视频檚 next home action is Sunday, Sept. 10 against the Raiders.
Berrios honoured91裸聊视频
Sun defensive back Aldrich Berrios has been named the BCFC91裸聊视频檚 defensive player of the week.
The 21-year-old BCFC rookie tied a club record with four interceptions Saturday night at the Apple Bowl in 71-7 victory over the Valley Huskers.
Berrios, a product of Notre Dame high school in Vancouver, also recovered a fumble.
Berrios also plays with the UBC Okanagan Heat men91裸聊视频檚 basketball team.