Okanagan Sun seek fourth national title Saturday

Sun look to avenge the past

Photo: Eric Stansfield

Sun go through their final workout in Windsor Friday.

The Okanagan Sun look to rewrite history when they face the St. Clair College Saints Saturday in the Canadian Bowl.

The Sun are looking to cap off another undefeated season with their second CJFL title in three years while the Saints are trying to win the first national title by an Ontario Football Conference champion in 25 years.

Ironically, it was the Windsor AKO Fratmen (now the Saints) who won that Canadian Bowl title in 1999 against the Okanagan Sun.

In one of the best finals in recent memory, the Fratmen edged the Sun 32-29 in a seesaw battle from start to finish.

That game was also played in Windsor.

“We have coaches that played in the 1999 Canadian Bowl. It’s been 25 years since that game and they still regret that loss,” said Sun coach Travis Miller earlier this week.

“One of the things we talked about is you can have 25 years of regret or you can have one day to win and have the best day of your life.”

The Sun come into the game relatively healthy and, according to Miller, the most prepared they can be.

"Two weeks gives us a lot of time to watch film, break down the opponent we are playing.

"We got guys off their feet for a couple of days which we don't normally get to do during the course of the season."

The Sun will face a Saints team Miller says has been building to this for the past three years.

The Saints dominated OFC competition, scoring 492 points while allowing just 34 in eight regular season games.

"They are an incredible team with a top notch offence and defence," says Miller

They are led by OFC offensive player of the year Maurice Sodja. The starting quarterback threw for over 1,500 yards and 22 touchdowns while running for 672 yards and eight scores.

He is expected to play after missing the OFC final due to injury.

His favourite target is all-Canadian Cameron St. Kitts who led the OFC with 29 catches for 468 yards and eight touchdowns. He added 213 yards and a pair of touchdowns in two playoff wins.

The Sun are playing in their 10th national championship game, looking to join the 1988, 2000 and 2022 championship teams.

The Saints franchise are playing in the title game for a ninth time. Under the Fratmen, they won three championships including two in the mid 50’s when they went to four straight championship games.

The Sun and Saints met just two years ago in the national semi-final game, a 42-24 Sun victory also in Windsor.

Kickoff is 4 p.m. Pacific Time. Temperatures are expected to hover around 10C with very little wind at kickoff.

In Kelowna, locals can listen to game coverage on AM 1150, or join others to watch the game at Dakoda's Sports Bar & Grill.