The last time the Okanagan Sun football club played a game in Saskatchewan, they emerged as national champions.
Head coach Travis Miller and his players are heading to the Western final of the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL) in Regina on Sunday, with the winner of that contest taking on the Ontario champion in the national championship game on Nov. 9.
The Sun completed a perfect season in the British Columbia Football Conference (BCFC) this past Saturday night at the Apple Bowl in Kelowna by edging the Westshore Rebels 23-17 to claim the Cullen Cup as provincial champions.
They will be facing the Regina Thunder, who upset the previously undefeated Saskatoon Hilltops, in the Saskatchewan junior football league championship game this past weekend.
In 2022, the Sun claimed the national championship for the first time in 20 years in Saskatchewan. That game was played at Mosaic Stadium, home of the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders. Sunday’s contest will be played at Liebel Field in Regina, with game time set for noon Sunday (Pacific).
Miller said he and his players are still pumped after winning the league title in such a thrilling manner over the Rebels and hope to continue the momentum they’ve played with all season into the national semi-final contest.
“It was a hell of a game and a good, resilient effort, that’s for sure,” he said.
“From my standpoint, we’ve been resilient and tough all season. We’ve had a few games where we came from behind and a couple of others at the beginning of the season where we could have folded up, but never did.
“It shows how mentally tough and resilient this group is, which is obviously what you want to see.”
As league champs, the CJFL pays for a charter flight to the western semi-final each year, said Miller.
The team will be boarding a flight to Regina early Saturday morning and returning late Sunday evening following the championship game.
There will room for 30 fans to attend the championship game in Regina and he expects those seats to go fast, said Miller.
“Fans can buy tickets for $750 and that includes a flight there and back and tickets to the game,” he said. “There are 30 tickets available and we’re hoping some of our most loyal fans will want to be there.”
In 2022 when they won the national championship, that Sun team had to travel to Ontario and defeated the Ontario champion, before heading to Regina and Mosaic Stadium for the national championship game, he said.
“For us, it’s our first time back on the national stage and it will be the first time for our players back on the national stage, so that’s obviously exciting,” he said.
The national semi-finals and finals rotate between the BCFC, Saskatchewan champion and Ontario champion, said Miller.
It would have been nice to host the western semi-finals or national title game, but that wasn’t meant to be and he and his players knew what they were facing before the season began, he said.
“The BCFC hosted the national championship game last season with Westshore Rebels as the host, so we knew we’d be on the road this year if we won the league and we’re fine with that,” he said.
The Sun’s identity all season has been focused around a strong running game and tough and talented defensive corps and that’s not going to change heading to Regina, said Miller.
“For us, we decided we’re not going to change our identity and our identity is running the ball and play tough defence,” he said. “From everything we know about Regina, they’re a run-first team as well, so it will be a very cool experience to see two high-level teams competing with outstanding run games.”
Saskatchewan is a football-loving province at all levels, not jus the CFL, and Miller is expecting the championship contest to draw a really nice crowd of several thousand people Sunday.
“Our guys are definitely excited,” he said. “There’s a feeling of unfinished business, which is very nice to see from our guys. They know winning the league was the first step in achieving our goals. The second step takes place Sunday and the hope is to win that game and head to the national championship game in Ontario.”
The game will be broadcast live from Dakoda’s Pub on Harvey Avenue and will also be on AM1150 Radio.
