First loss for OK Sun

Photo: Wayne Moore

File photo of Okanagan Sun in action.

After putting up 19 points against the Westshore Rebels in week one, the Okanagan Sun displayed the same offensive output on Saturday night in Langford.

Unfortunately, the Rebels dialed up 30 points of their own to hand the Sun their first loss of the season, and snatch first place out from under them in the process.

But the Rebels would tie the game shortly afterwards, with a Kyle Clarke 12-yard chip shot making it 3-3 before the end of the first quarter.

In the second, the Rebels got their first touchdown of the night, when another deep drive allowed Trey Campbell to run the ball in from 10 yards out, for a 10-3 score.

But the Sun would almost immediately respond, after starting their drive from inside Rebel territory, thanks to a lengthy kickoff return from Conor Richard, who also drew a flag for a facemask on the run.

Starter Nick Wenman would connect with Abdinasir Abdi on a 20-yard pass, tying the game 10-10, less than four minutes into the quarter.

But the Rebels would swing the momentum on a blocked punt, which eventually lead to a 47-yard field goal from Clarke with just less than five minutes left in the half.

That lead would become 20-10, with Campbell’s second touchdown of the game coming from five yards out, 64 seconds before the half.

In the second half, the Rebels continued to stifle the Sun, and earned the only points of the third quarter off a 20-yard field goal from Clarke.

Then on the first play of the fourth quarter, Rebels QB Scott Borden connected with Austin Lindo-Brow on a 33-yard pass, making it a 30-10 lead.

After Keith Zyla took over as quarterback for the Sun, he found Nate Anderson in motion on a pitch to the outside, to cut the lead to 30-17.

The touchdown came on a third and goal from just inside the five, with just over nine minutes left in the game.

But with late possessions ending in a turnover on downs and a goal-line fumble, the Sun forced the Rebels deep into their own end.

On a third down punt, the Rebels conceded a safety, and held onto the 30-19 lead for good.

Up next for the Sun, a semi-final matchup with the Vancouver Island Raiders at the Apple Bowl next Sunday.

It’ll be their first meeting since the Raiders tied the Sun 31-31 in Kelowna on September 10.

Kickoff on Sunday is set for 1 p.m.