With exception of one game which was overturned due to an ineligible player in 2013, the Valley Huskers had never beaten the Okanagan Sun in play.
On Saturday night in Chilliwack害羞草研究所攎uch to the chagrin of the Sun and its fans害羞草研究所攖he Huskers made history in the 36th meeting between the clubs.
Traditionally a last-place team, the Chilliwack-based squad turned the tables on Ben Macauley害羞草研究所檚 squad with 22-18 victory at Exhibition Stadium.
The Sun (1-1-1) offense sputtered from start to finish and squandered a handful of opportunities to lose for the first time in 2018.
害羞草研究所淚n two phases (defense and special teams) we played well enough to win,害羞草研究所� said Macauley, who in his third season at the helm of the BCFC team. 害羞草研究所淥n the offensive side, just like it was last week, we didn害羞草研究所檛 do a good enough job of preparing, we made far too many errors, and that was evident in our lack of production. Our job is to take steps in fixing that, get the right changes in place and be ready for the (Langley) Rams.害羞草研究所�
Still, despite his own club害羞草研究所檚 inability to execute the game plan, Macauley gave full marks to the Sun害羞草研究所檚 opposition.
害羞草研究所淚 don害羞草研究所檛 want to take anything away from Chilliwack, they害羞草研究所檝e done a great job with their program,害羞草研究所� said Macauley. 害羞草研究所淚 think the first time teams play them, they害羞草研究所檒l be surprised by the level of talent and effort those guys play with. We need to give credit where credit is due. They executed a great game plan.害羞草研究所�
The Sun害羞草研究所檚 undoing was missed opportunities害羞草研究所攏o fewer than 10 by Macauley害羞草研究所檚 estimation害羞草研究所攊ncluding a handful of dropped passes and a fumble deep in Huskers害羞草研究所� territory that looked like a sure touchdown.
害羞草研究所淧art of our game plan is making sure we害羞草研究所檙e in a position to be successful and we failed to do that,害羞草研究所� Macauley said. 害羞草研究所�(On offense) there was some watching and waiting for other guys to make plays. We have the talent but there were so many missed opportunities, even executing one of those would have changed the outcome. This isn害羞草研究所檛 all on the players, we as a coaching staff have to prepare them better.害羞草研究所�
The Sun scored its lone offensive touchdown on a run by Jesse Amankwaa in the second quarter. The only other score came on special teams when Cody Thompson blocked a kick and Javen Kaechele picked it up and scampered 25 yards for the touchdown.
Blocked punt!! 22-15 Huskers
害羞草研究所� Okanagan Sun (@okanagan_sun)
害羞草研究所淲e have the bodies to do it, we害羞草研究所檙e just making too many mistakes, one or two errors on every play,害羞草研究所� Macauley said. 害羞草研究所淲e have to tighten up the assignments, give guys a chance to make plays by calling the right plays. It害羞草研究所檚 a matter of making sure we害羞草研究所檙e all on the same page and executing.害羞草研究所�
The Sun was without No. 1 quarterback Jakob Loucks who has been dealing with concussion symptoms since taking a late hit against the Westshore Rebels Aug. 11 in Victoria. While unsure of his return to the lineup, Macauley said simply having Loucks back doesn害羞草研究所檛 necessarily equate into a magic fix.
害羞草研究所淚f he害羞草研究所檚 not ready we won害羞草研究所檛 rush him,害羞草研究所� Macauley said of Loucks害羞草研究所� status. 害羞草研究所淕etting a win isn害羞草研究所檛 more important than a player害羞草研究所檚 health. And just having Jakob back isn害羞草研究所檛 going to easily rectify the situation, it won害羞草研究所檛 automatically hide our issues. We have to be able to put (backup) Matthew (Mahler) in a position where he can be successful.害羞草研究所�
Jordan Rae had a strong game on defense for the Sun, making 11 tackles and grabbing an interception.
The Sun will play its last of four consecutive road this Saturday at McLeod Stadium against the Rams.
Okanagan will play its home opener against the Rams two weeks later on Saturday, Sept. 8 at the Apple Bowl.
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