1 week Ago By Bowen Assman
For the second time in three seasons, the Cullen Cup is coming to Kelowna. The Okanagan Sun of the BC Football Conference (BCFC) dispatched the Westshore Rebels, 23-17 at the Apple Bowl to avenge last season and win the championship. The matchup on Saturday, Oct.
19 was the third straight season the Rebels and Sun faced off in the final, with the Sun winning in 2022, and the Rebels claiming victory in 2023. Okanagan was coming into the game sporting a perfect 10-0 record. In front of a raucous home crowd, the Sun set the pace early, with a long drive punctuated by a one yard scamper from RB Elelyon Noa into the end zone for the early 7-0 lead.
Okanagan would add to their lead before the half, with another touchdown, as QB Liam Kroeger connected with WR Jordayne Falconer on a 26-yard connection. Kicker Liam Attwood added a field goal as the Sun led, 17-3 heading into halftime. The Rebels began a comeback attempt in the second half, led by QB Ethan Pickard.
On the first drive, he found WR Zion Brown for a touchdown, before, in their next offensive set, RB Carter Williams found pay-dirt to knot things up at 17. In the fourth quarter, both defence's stepped up to deny any big yardage plays. Attwood's leg was needed twice in the quarter, as he would connect on two field goals to give the Sun a 23-17 lead, which would end up the final.
Kroeger finished the night 16-24 for 237 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Defensively, defensive back David Lews was a stud, nabbing three picks. With the win, the Sun will now travel to Saskatchewan to face the Prairie Football Conference winner, Regina Thunder.
In 2022, the Sun defeated the Saskatoon Hilltops for their third Canadian Bowl championship in history..
