Four weeks into the 2017 campaign, the Okanagan Sun couldn害羞草研究所檛 be any better positioned in the B.C. Football Conference.
The Vancouver Island Raiders would like nothing more than to shelve the Sun害羞草研究所檚 prospects of an unbeaten season.
With the Sun (4-0) one game up on the Raiders (3-1) atop the BCFC, the longtime rivals will meet for the first time this season on Saturday afternoon at Nanaimo害羞草研究所檚 Caledonia Park.
As much as remaining undefeated at the midway mark of the season makes for an attractive story line, Sun head coach Ben Macauley said winning this weekend isn害羞草研究所檛 the be-all, end-all for his football club.
害羞草研究所淥bviously we害羞草研究所檙e going to play this game to win, but we don害羞草研究所檛 want to make it too important,害羞草研究所� said Macauley. 害羞草研究所淲e started 6-0 last year, then lost three in a row after that, so we know what can happen.
害羞草研究所淲e just have to focus on the importance of doing our jobs,害羞草研究所� added Macauley. 害羞草研究所淚f we go in and do things the right way, we害羞草研究所檒l win the game. It害羞草研究所檚 cliche, but every week we want to go 1-0. If we think about maybe running the table, we害羞草研究所檙e not focusing on the right things.害羞草研究所�
Both teams head into Saturday害羞草研究所檚 matchup on a high after blowout wins last weekend on home turf. The Sun drubbed the Valley Huskers 71-7 at the Apple Bowl, while VI eviscerated the Kamloops Broncos 51-10 Saturday in Nanaimo.
Despite not having met this season, the Sun coaching staff has a good handle on the type of opponent they害羞草研究所檒l be seeing on Saturday.
害羞草研究所淭hey害羞草研究所檙e a well-coached team, not unlike Raiders害羞草研究所� teams of the past,害羞草研究所� said Macauley. 害羞草研究所淭hey play an aggressive style of football, and they can ride the edge of aggression and cockiness. They have a tough, blue-collar mentality. They look like a solid football team.害羞草研究所�
The Raiders are led offensively by returning quarterback Jake Laberge and receiver/returner Brycen Mayoh, who returned a punt and a missed field goal for touchdowns last week.
D-lineman Quintin Bowles, who recorded five sacks Saturday against Kamloops, is back this season from the University of Manitoba and has been dominant on the Raiders害羞草研究所� defense.
As for the Sun害羞草研究所檚 quarterbacking situation, Keith Zyla is expected back on the field this weekend after missing three games with a lower body injury. In Zyla害羞草研究所檚 absence, third-year pivot Nick Wenman went a perfect 3-0, while passing for 729 yards and eight touchdowns.
The Sun and the rest of the BCFC will have a bye for the Labour Day weekend. Okanagan害羞草研究所檚 next home action is Sunday, Sept. 10 against the Raiders.
Berrios honoured害羞草研究所�
Sun defensive back Aldrich Berrios has been named the BCFC害羞草研究所檚 defensive player of the week.
The 21-year-old BCFC rookie tied a club record with four interceptions Saturday night at the Apple Bowl in 71-7 victory over the Valley Huskers.
Berrios, a product of Notre Dame high school in Vancouver, also recovered a fumble.
Berrios also plays with the UBC Okanagan Heat men害羞草研究所檚 basketball team.
