Okanagan Sun stay unbeaten with yet another 2nd half comeback

OK Sun, comeback kids

Photo: Marissa Baecker - Shoot The Breeze

You can call the Okanagan Sun the 2024 version of the “Comeback Kids.”

For the third time this season, the Sun needed a second half comeback to put away their opponent.

Saturday at Starlight Stadium in the Victoria suburb of Langford, the Sun looked all but done when they conceded a safety to fall behind 30-16 to the reigning BCFC champion Westshore Rebels.

Prior to that, the offence was unable to move the football, going two-and-out on four of their six second half possessions while managing just a pair of first downs and a Liam Attwood single on a wide 27-yard field goal.

Liam Kroeger struggled, completing just nine of 20 attempts while league rushing lead Elelyon Noa was held to just 40 yards on the ground by a stout Rebels front seven during the second and third quarters.

But, a bad snap on a third down punt deep in Rebels territory and a pick six led to touchdowns on back-to-back plays to tie it before Attwood connected from 23 yards out for the game-winning field goal and a 33-30 victory.

It was the Sun’s fourth win of the season while handing the Rebels (2-1) their first loss of the season and snapped their 13-game winning streak dating back more than a year.

Trailing by two scores, and punting from their own 20, the snap went over punter Charlie Wiersma’s head. He fell on the ball at the 15 giving the offence its starting field position of the night.

Marek Filipek, who took over for Kroeger on the previous series wasted no time converting the turnover.

He handed to Noa who sped around the right end for his second major of the night.

The Rebels were backed up to their own 11 on the ensuing kickoff and, on the first play, Easton Fenske outdueled a receiver and took Ethan Pickard’s pass back 19 yards for the game tying touchdown.

On their next possession, Filipek drove the Sun 44 yards on seven plays, leading to Attwood’s game-winning field goal.

Noa and running mate Tristen Peddle helped run out the clock while the defence shut the Rebels down the rest of the way.

Ahmed Borhot sealed it with his third interception of the second half pon the final play of the game.

The Sun jumped out to an early 8-0 lead on a point single and a one-yard run from Noa after a third and one gamble paid off.

But, back-to-back big plays gave the Rebels momentum.

Pickard hit Kwame Franklin on a 59-yard touchdown, then Carter Williams burst through the middle then bounced to the outside for a 63 yard scamper to put the Rebels up 14-8 after the opening quarter.

Kroeger hit Sam Melanson from seven yards out on a drive extended by a roughing the kicker penalty.

The lead was short-lived as the Rebels ended the half with 10 unanswered points to take a 24-15 lead into the half.

Unofficially, the Rebels outgained the Sun 436 yards to 306.

Noa did finish the night with 133 yards on 26 carries, most of the damage coming in the first and fourth quarters when the Sun were able to move the ball.

After three straight on the road the Sun finally return home next Saturday when they entertain the Prince George Kodiaks.