Sun-Thunder preview

This Sunday the Okanagan Sun (12-0) and Regina Thunder (8-2) meet, just two years removed from the 2022 Canadian Bowl, where the Sun narrowly edged out the Thunder in a thrilling 21-19 showdown at Mosaic Stadium. This time, they will duel at Leibl Field in Regina in the CJFL national semi-final with a trip to the Canadian Bowl at the home of the Ontario champs in two weeks time.

The Sun are entering this rematch with a roster that is vastly different from the one that triumphed in 2022. Of the 40 players dressed for the Canadian Bowl victory, only three are on the field Sunday: running back Tristan Peddle, offensive lineman Kaiden Kerntopf, and linebacker Jacob Bond. This significant turnover has made the Sun a younger team, with head coach Travis Miller noting that the average age of the players dressing for this game is under 20 years, while the league's age limit is 22. “The youth of this group does present some excitement but it might also create some nerves we have to manage,” Miller acknowledged. “But once the game kicks off that goes away.”

The Sun advanced to this game on the strength of a 23-17 BCFC championship Cullen Cup win over the Westshore Rebels. On the other side, theThunder are fresh off a 24-19 victory over the defending national champ and their nemesis, the Saskatoon Hilltops in the PFC championship.

While the age of the Sun player’s birth certificates might appear to put them at a disadvantage, how the club got to this game might give the club a critical leg up on the Thunder. While the Sun 10-0 regular season record speaks powerhouse, the Sun arguably isn’t that as the club actually had to pull off three late comebacks against the Langley Rams, Westshore Rebels and VI Raiders and was in another nail biting 3 point win against the Rams. As noted by GM Nat Nagy; “This group could just as easily have  finished 6-4, there was some real parity in our conference this year.”

Conversely, outside of the two club’s two losses to the Hilltops, the Thunder enjoyed a more straightforward path, boasting a 6-0 record against the rest of the PFC with an average winning margin of 35 points.

Behind centre for the Sun, quarterback Liam Kroeger is positioned to be a pivotal figure in this contest. After starting the first four games of the season, he has recently re-assumed the role after coming off the bench in the semi-final against the Valley Huskers. Kroeger’s experience as the full time starter in 2023 will be crucial in directing the offense against a tough Regina defense.

The Sun's offensive game will likely revolve around Elelyon Noa, who has had a sensational season, setting BCFC rushing records with 1,612 yards and adding substantial value as a receiver. With a total of 1,936 all-purpose yards and 25 touchdowns this season, Noa is the biggest cog in the Sun offense. In addition to Noa, receiver Jordayne Falconer, the team’s leading pass-catcher with 418 yards and four touchdowns, will be crucial in the aerial attack, attempting to stretch the Thunder's defense.

Defensively, the Sun boast the top defence in the BCFC, with the aforementioned Jacob Bond, who was recognized as the top defensive player in the BCFC leading the way. The Sun’s secondary, known for its ball-hawking ability, is spearheaded by Ahmed Borhot, who tallied 8 interceptions during the regular season and earned accolades as the conference's top defensive back. 

Meanwhile, the Thunder will lean heavily on their own set of stars in this semifinal. The duo of running backs Sadik Sadik and Ryland Leichert delivered a standout performance in their championship victory, slicing through the Hilltops’ defense for 178 and 117 yards, respectively. With both backs in form, the Thunder's ground game will be pivotal in setting the tone for their offense.

At the helm, Thunder quarterback Carter Moberg has had a solid season, leading the PFC with 1,688 passing yards and 11 touchdowns, despite facing some struggles with 10 interceptions. Moberg's ability to make crucial throws under pressure will be tested against a high-energy Sun defense keen on creating turnovers. 

The Thunder defence, solid all season, held a Hilltop offence that was averaging 40 points per game to just 19 in the conference title game. Led by two time PFC defensive player of the year, linebacker Stephen Smith and the PFC top defensive lineman Liam Sellwood, the Thunder will make Noa’s yardage as hard to attain as it has been all season. 

If this Thunder team is typical Saskatchewan vintage it will provide the Sun with the hardest punch it has faced yet.

Kick-off is 12 noon Pacific time and will be streamed on CJFLTV.com

Fun facts:

The Sun roster boasts two interesting connections, one to football and one to rock and roll.

Sun runningback Elelyon Noa attended Helix High School in San Diego, the alma mater of former NFL player and Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush. Noa broke Bush’s school career rushing record during his senior year

Quarterback Liam Kroeger’s uncle is none other than Nickelback lead singer Chad Kroeger