It didn乌鸦传媒檛 take long for offensive coach Mike Wolthuizen to realize the had landed a special talent in Nate Anderson.

As a rookie receiver last season, Anderson乌鸦传媒檚 first ever reception in the was a precursor of things to come.

乌鸦传媒淣ate didn乌鸦传媒檛 even get credit for it in the stats, but his first catch went for 70 yards, it was a real eye opener right away,乌鸦传媒� said Wolthuizen. 乌鸦传媒淐oming from the U.S., his fundamentals were so good, a lot better than most kids who come out of Canadian schools.

乌鸦传媒淗e乌鸦传媒檚 really skilled in all aspects of the game, his football savvy is very high and he has the ability to be dominant in every game he plays. We乌鸦传媒檙e fortunate to have him.乌鸦传媒�

A dual U.S.-Canadian citizen, Anderson was born in Swift Current, Sask., then moved with his family to Utah when he was just five.

In the Salt Lake City area, he played the high school game at the highest level (5A) then, after graduation, looked north for the next phase in his football career.

After attending the University of Manitoba Bisons spring camp in 2016, Anderson received a call from Okanagan Sun recruiting coordinator Nathan Mollard.

乌鸦传媒淚 felt like I was good enough to be on the (Bisons) but I really didn乌鸦传媒檛 have the Canadian experience yet,乌鸦传媒� he said. 乌鸦传媒淚 didn乌鸦传媒檛 want to take any time off from football so when the Sun called, I went for it and grabbed the opportunity. It was an easy decision for me and has turned out to be a really good move. The guys accepted me right from the start last year and it乌鸦传媒檚 been a great experience so far.乌鸦传媒�

After a feeling out process and some decent production乌鸦传媒�15 catches for 162 yards乌鸦传媒攊n his first season of junior football, Anderson has raised his game to another level in 2017.

The 6-foot-1, 170-pound Anderson leads the Sun in receiving with 35 receptions for 573 yards and five touchdowns.

His six-catch, two-touchdown performance last Saturday against the Kamloops Broncos earned Anderson BCFC offensive player of the week honours.

As much as the Sun could use Anderson乌鸦传媒檚 talents for another year or two to come, both expect him to be university-ready by next season. Whether it乌鸦传媒檚 in Canada or south of the border, one thing is certain乌鸦传媒擜nderson wants to play football as long as possible.

乌鸦传媒淣ext I want to go to university, get started on my degree and just ride football as long I can,乌鸦传媒� he said. 乌鸦传媒淚乌鸦传媒檇 like to go to the U.S. but I think Canada is more realistic. But that乌鸦传媒檚 good, I love living in Canada and in Kelowna. It乌鸦传媒檚 been a dream of mine to come back to Canada, so it乌鸦传媒檚 all working out.乌鸦传媒�

In the more immediate future, Anderson is simply focused on the Sun乌鸦传媒檚 remaining games and his club乌鸦传媒檚 quest for a first-place finish in the BCFC.

On Sunday, with a playoff-like atmosphere expected to prevail, the first-place Sun (7-0-1) is (4-4-0).

乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 really exciting, it乌鸦传媒檚 almost like playoffs are starting this week against Langley,乌鸦传媒� Anderson said. 乌鸦传媒淔irst place is a big deal, it乌鸦传媒檚 a big advantage and something to play for. Langley is a tough team. It乌鸦传媒檚 going to be a battle.乌鸦传媒�

Kick off between the Sun and Rams Sunday at the Apple Bowl is 1 p.m.

whenderson@kelownacapnews.com
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