Young Sun tackle Broncos

Photo: Wayne Moore - File Photo

Quarterback Jakob Loucks is questionable for Sunday's game against Kamloops.

The Okanagan Sun can move one step closer to clinching first place in the BC Football Conference with a win over the Kamloops Broncos Sunday afternoon at the Apple Bowl.

And, they may do it with a number of young players in the lineup.

The Broncos have yet to win a football game in eight tries this season, and while Sun coach Ben Macauley says there are no "gimmies" in the league, he did indicate a lot of the younger group will get a chance to show what they can do in meaningful situations.

"One of the benefits is we have a lot young guys that haven't played much, or they've played in spurts, we're looking at playing," said Macauley.

"They're eager to make their mark too, so there's been intense competition at practice because of that. We don't focus too much on Kamloops, we focus more on ourselves and correcting errors we've made in the past few weeks, and trying to become more and more consistent."

The Sun have also been preparing this week with a number of players, and coaches, away from the park.

Macauley says the flu bug has been going around the team. He himself had it at the beginning of the week.

"(This week), it's been a mixture of coaches and players who have been battling that... I expect everyone will be fine (for Sunday)."

As for two of the team's top off-season recruits, Macauley says both quarterback Jakob Loucks and defensive lineman Nicolas Dhailly remain day-to-day.

Dhailly, the league sack leader with eight, has missed three games with an ankle injury while Loucks, who returned from injury three games ago, didn't travel to Nanaimo last weekend.

Macauley said both will play if they're ready, regardless of the opponent.

"It's that time of year when they have to start getting reps again and get their game legs back," he said.

"If they're healthy, they'll play, but both of those guys are questionable to this point."

If Loucks can't go, rookie Matt Mahler can expect to start again in his place.

Mahler, who looked overmatched earlier in the season, was efficient in Saturday's win in Nanaimo.

The Sun are in control of their own destiny as they march toward the playoffs. A win Sunday and the following weekend against the Westshore Rebels will guarantee the Sun a first-place finish and home field advantage throughout the BCFC playoffs.