Just another game.
Really? Can it be when so much… when everything is on the line.
That’s the way the Okanagan Sun are viewing Saturday’s Canadian Bowl matchup with the Ontario Football Conference champion St. Clair College Saints.
“Honestly, it’s just like any other game, we’re just ready to go,” said quarterback Liam Kroeger, who will be at the helm of the offence Saturday.
Just make sure you prepare the right way, he says, and you’re ready when you hit the field.
Just trying to stay on an even keel. It’s just another game…we’re treating this like a normal week, added head coach Travis Miller.
“You have to. We’ve had 13 teams come up and we’ve beat 13 teams. We’re treating this like number 14, no difference in terms of pressure or game play,” said Miller following the team’s final practice before boarding a plane for Windsor.
“We customize every one of our game plans for our opponent. Obviously the goal is to win every game and that’s what we’ve done.
“Fortunately, we’ve had the opportunity to play some really great teams in the BCFC and a phenomenal team in Regina, now we’re about to play the Number 1 team in the country.
“It just so happens to be in the Canadian Bowl.”
It does indeed!
Both teams come into the Canadian Bowl looking to cap off a perfect season. The Sun are 13-0, the Saints 10-0 after cruising through the OFC.
After outscoring the opposition 492 to 34 over eight regular season games and 109-45 in two playoff games, Miller says the Saints deserve to be the top ranked team heading in.
“They are a phenomenal team…they are the Number 1 team in the country for a reason.
“They have a super-athletic defensive line, a great linebacker and DB corp and the offensive line is massive, averaging I think fix-foot-five and 300 pounds.
“Their receivers are all six foot plus and athletic and their quarterback is impressive.”
Miller says they are described as a once-in-a-lifetime team out of Ontario.
“I fully agree with that. It will be a big test for us.
“We are just hoping to keep pace with them and put on a good showing for our fans this weekend.”
The Canadian Bowl kicks off at 4 p.m. Pacific Time Saturday from Acumen Stadium in Windsor.
