As injuries to key players mounted throughout the season, the challenges grew more pronounced with each week for the Okanagan Sun coaching staff.
On Sunday, with the depth of their roster and overall consistency both compromised, the Sun watched the 2017 B.C. Football Conference campaign end in a.
While the Sun hesitates to point to injuries as the sole alibi for a premature end to the season, general manager Jay Christensen said the club害羞草研究所檚 health害羞草研究所攐r general lack of it害羞草研究所攑layed a significant role.
害羞草研究所淚t was definitely a bit of a challenge this year with injuries, more so than I can remember in a long time,害羞草研究所� Christensen said.
害羞草研究所淚t made for a lot of roster shuffling, the coaches were really challenged in putting together lineups and game plans, especially late in the season. You don害羞草研究所檛 want to use it as an excuse but it certainly didn害羞草研究所檛 help.害羞草研究所�
The injury parade started early with the loss of No. 1 quarterback Keith Zyla who spent the better part of the season on the sidelines.
The receiving corps took a big hit with significant injuries to Liam Crane, Shamar Donelson and Kyler Mosley.
Linebacker Shaun Robinson suffered a season-ending torn ACL Sept. 23 in Kamloops, while other key starters like Connor Novak, Beck Fullerton, Cole Klughart, Marshall Klein and Zac Newman all spent some unwelcome time rehabbing.
Still, Christensen said there were many positives from the Sun害羞草研究所檚 2017 season, including a 6-0 start and an 8-1-1 overall record. On the injury upside, the Sun GM said many of the club害羞草研究所檚 younger players gained some invaluable experience.
害羞草研究所淭here was inconsistency at times but there were some great highlights this season, too,害羞草研究所� Christensen added. 害羞草研究所淭he good thing is, lots of young players got a significant amount of playing time, so there害羞草研究所檚 lots to build on.
害羞草研究所淚 know the coaches are already recruiting for next year, so we害羞草研究所檙e all looking ahead.害羞草研究所�
For head coach Ben Macauley, his second season at the helm was both a rewarding and, at times, frustrating experience.
In addressing the Sun following Sunday害羞草研究所檚 final whistle, Macauley credited both the players and coaching staff for battling right down to the end.
害羞草研究所淚 pointed out some of the positives, this is the final game for some of them who have been here five years,害羞草研究所� Macaualey said. 害羞草研究所淔ive years of gruelling off season training and training camps, six-seven days a week of practise and film, so it害羞草研究所檚 a tough pill to swallow, especially to lose at home. A lot of these guys have football to play in the future but a lot of them don害羞草研究所檛, probably the last time these guys wear equipment.
害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 a great coaching staff, everyone害羞草研究所檚 working at their own jobs and putting in a lot of time here,害羞草研究所� he added.
The Sun bids farewell to 10 graduating players: Beck Fullerton, Eli Haynes, Kent Lawrence, Liam Crane, Hayward Beasley, Rashaun Simonise, Gabriel St. Germain, Carter Comeau, Ryan Ewashko and Zac Newman.害羞草研究所�
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