Okanagan Sun defence look to continue perfect streak Saturday against Prince George

Sun up for challenge

Photo: Greystoke Photogrtaphy

Sun defensive co-ordinator Shane Beatty

Just two games into the BC Football Conference season it’s clear.

The Okanagan Sun will go as far as this defence will take it.

Early indications suggest that could be very far indeed.

Defensive co-ordinator Shane Beatty, a masterful defensive tactician, has put together a starting 12 that almost defies description.

“Fast, physical and a high football acumen,” said Beatty this week.

You can throw in mean and relentless too.

“You can find athletes that run down the field at a hundred miles an hour, but if they don’t have the football acumen, you can’t really design a complicated defence.

“They guys have it. These guys are killing it.”

Killing it indeed.

Over the first two games, the defence has surrendered zero points, while giving up a combined 242 net yards. That includes only 64 yards on the ground and just 14 in last Saturday’s win over the VI Raiders.

“It all starts with (head coach Travis Miller). He’s doing a hell of a job.

“I love his temperament. He’s fiery, but he’s smart.

“And, he’s given me a lot of leeway.”

And a lot of talent to work with.

“To have Jarveon (Williams) and JaQuintis (Summers) playing bookend D-ends from the States. They have a lot of experience so you can let them go a bit, let them loose which I haven’t done too much in the past.

“Having those two, then you have (Ahmed) Borhot and Tariq (Brown) at the back end with linebackers Grayson (Statham) and Phil (Palmarin).

“Remember, Phil was the 2023 MVP of the team and he missed all of last year.”

Palmarin and Brown share the league lead in interceptions with two apiece, Palmarin also shares the league lead with 11 tackles while Summers leads the league with three quarterback sacks.

“Honestly, you could have 10 all-stars on this team on defence.”

Beatty says his biggest concern coming off back-to-back shutouts is complacency, but says the squad came out flying again Monday and Tuesday in practice.

With the leaders he has, Beatty says he doesn’t see complacency setting in at all.

He also says the defence still has some things to work on to get even better.

“Containing the quarterback. Playing (the bootleg), we’re weak against that, but we fixed that this week,” said Beatty.

The defence looks to keep it rolling Saturday night when they host former head coach Jamie Boreham and the Prince George Kodiaks.

The Kodiaks are 1-1 coming into the game. Beating the Kamloops Broncos 33-13 last weekend.

Kickoff at the Apple Bowl is 7 p.m.