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乌鸦传媒攎uch to the chagrin of the Sun and its fans乌鸦传媒攖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乌鸦传媒檚 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.
乌鸦传媒淚n two phases (defense and special teams) we played well enough to win,乌鸦传媒� said Macauley, who in his third season at the helm of the BCFC team. 乌鸦传媒淥n the offensive side, just like it was last week, we didn乌鸦传媒檛 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.乌鸦传媒�
Still, despite his own club乌鸦传媒檚 inability to execute the game plan, Macauley gave full marks to the Sun乌鸦传媒檚 opposition.
乌鸦传媒淚 don乌鸦传媒檛 want to take anything away from Chilliwack, they乌鸦传媒檝e done a great job with their program,乌鸦传媒� said Macauley. 乌鸦传媒淚 think the first time teams play them, they乌鸦传媒檒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.乌鸦传媒�
The Sun乌鸦传媒檚 undoing was missed opportunities乌鸦传媒攏o fewer than 10 by Macauley乌鸦传媒檚 estimation乌鸦传媒攊ncluding a handful of dropped passes and a fumble deep in Huskers乌鸦传媒� territory that looked like a sure touchdown.
乌鸦传媒淧art of our game plan is making sure we乌鸦传媒檙e in a position to be successful and we failed to do that,乌鸦传媒� Macauley said. 乌鸦传媒�(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乌鸦传媒檛 all on the players, we as a coaching staff have to prepare them better.乌鸦传媒�
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
乌鸦传媒� Okanagan Sun (@okanagan_sun)
乌鸦传媒淲e have the bodies to do it, we乌鸦传媒檙e just making too many mistakes, one or two errors on every play,乌鸦传媒� Macauley said. 乌鸦传媒淲e have to tighten up the assignments, give guys a chance to make plays by calling the right plays. It乌鸦传媒檚 a matter of making sure we乌鸦传媒檙e all on the same page and executing.乌鸦传媒�
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乌鸦传媒檛 necessarily equate into a magic fix.
乌鸦传媒淚f he乌鸦传媒檚 not ready we won乌鸦传媒檛 rush him,乌鸦传媒� Macauley said of Loucks乌鸦传媒� status. 乌鸦传媒淕etting a win isn乌鸦传媒檛 more important than a player乌鸦传媒檚 health. And just having Jakob back isn乌鸦传媒檛 going to easily rectify the situation, it won乌鸦传媒檛 automatically hide our issues. We have to be able to put (backup) Matthew (Mahler) in a position where he can be successful.乌鸦传媒�
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.
To report a typo, email: edit@kelownacapnews.com.
<>
whenderson@kelownacapnews.com
Like us on and follow us on .
