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鈥攎uch to the chagrin of the Sun and its fans鈥攖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鈥檚 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.
鈥淚n two phases (defense and special teams) we played well enough to win,鈥� said Macauley, who in his third season at the helm of the BCFC team. 鈥淥n the offensive side, just like it was last week, we didn鈥檛 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.鈥�
Still, despite his own club鈥檚 inability to execute the game plan, Macauley gave full marks to the Sun鈥檚 opposition.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 want to take anything away from Chilliwack, they鈥檝e done a great job with their program,鈥� said Macauley. 鈥淚 think the first time teams play them, they鈥檒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.鈥�
The Sun鈥檚 undoing was missed opportunities鈥攏o fewer than 10 by Macauley鈥檚 estimation鈥攊ncluding a handful of dropped passes and a fumble deep in Huskers鈥� territory that looked like a sure touchdown.
鈥淧art of our game plan is making sure we鈥檙e in a position to be successful and we failed to do that,鈥� Macauley said. 鈥�(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鈥檛 all on the players, we as a coaching staff have to prepare them better.鈥�
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
鈥� Okanagan Sun (@okanagan_sun)
鈥淲e have the bodies to do it, we鈥檙e just making too many mistakes, one or two errors on every play,鈥� Macauley said. 鈥淲e have to tighten up the assignments, give guys a chance to make plays by calling the right plays. It鈥檚 a matter of making sure we鈥檙e all on the same page and executing.鈥�
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鈥檛 necessarily equate into a magic fix.
鈥淚f he鈥檚 not ready we won鈥檛 rush him,鈥� Macauley said of Loucks鈥� status. 鈥淕etting a win isn鈥檛 more important than a player鈥檚 health. And just having Jakob back isn鈥檛 going to easily rectify the situation, it won鈥檛 automatically hide our issues. We have to be able to put (backup) Matthew (Mahler) in a position where he can be successful.鈥�
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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