Sun lay lickin on banged up Broncos


According to head coach Pete McCall, his Okanagan Sun still have a lot of work to do, especially on the offensive side of the ball.

The Sun did enough Saturday night in overpowering the undermanned Kamloops Broncos 53-7.

The Sun jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead when Robbie Yokum took the opening kickoff at his 15 yard line, broke a couple of tackles, cut cross field and raced down the right sideline 95 yards to paydirt.

It was the longest kick return for a touchdown by a member of the Sun this season.

The Sun for all intents put the game away late in the opening quarter. Already up 10-0 and the ball at the Broncos 35, quarterback Bobby Davis hit Dan Turek with one of the most spectacular touchdowns in the 30 year history of the franchise.

Davis took the snap and rolled to his left. A pair of Kamloops defenders appeared to have him in their grasp back at about the 45. He somehow managed to shake them off, stay on his feet and continue to scramble.

He circled back on his own side of midfield alluding would be tacklers before scrambling upfield. He hit Turek near the sidelines who shook off a tackler before making his way into the end zone.

Davis finished the night just 9 of 23 for 160 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He also ran the ball seven times for 67 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Despite his Houdini-like escapes, McCall says at times, Davis tries to do too much.

“You’re seeing the athletic ability of Bobby but as I’ve said before, we criticize him a little about maybe taking things a little too much into his own hands and forcing it at times,” says McCall.

“But, when you have a quarterback who can tuck it at any time he has to and put up the numbers he did running the ball then it’s a great thing for an offence and a hard thing to defend for a defence.”

Back-up running back Armand Bokitch had another strong game gaining 76 yards on just eight carries including a six yard touchdown in the third quarter.

The 18-year-old rookie added 69 yards on nine carries the week before in Chilliwack and continues to push starter Tore Tarcon for playing time.

“He’s another kid you have to get in there and give him some touches. Tonight we wanted to get him the ball and he did a great job when he had it,” added McCall.

He had great vision when he was out there. It’s a nice mix, we have Tore who is a great speed back and Armand who can deke and find the holes.”

As for whether he has done enough to earn a start, McCall was non-committal.

“You’ll have to talk to our offensive coordinator and running backs coach about that but he’s definitely knocking on the door and he’s definitely proving himself capable.”

Steve Shott added five field goals and a single to go with five extra points with the other points coming after the Broncos conceded a safety rather than punt from their own end zone.

Kamloops’ lone major came early in the second quarter when defensive back Kyle Armstrong intercepted an ill-advised throw from Davis and rumbled 15 yards into the end zone.

The Sun led 17-0, 30-7 and 47-7 by quarters. They amassed 193 yards through the air and on the ground while holding the Broncos to just 236 total yards, 87 on the ground and 149 through the air.

Nearly half of the Broncos yardage total came over the final 15 minutes.

The Sun also forced six turnovers while registering 10 sacks. Defensive end Steven Doege had three of those sacks and batted a ball down while defensive back Hayden Bell picked off a pair of passes.

Linebacker Aaron Goddard had a fumble recovery, sack and interception, all in the third quarter as the defence continues to be the stingiest in the BCFC, allowing just 62 points all season long.

The Sun, 5-1 on the season, get a week off before preparing to meet the winless Chilliwack Huskers on September 12 at the Apple Bowl.

The 0-6 Huskers were upended 70-13 Saturday night by the Victoria Rebels.

The Sun enter the bye week in a first place tie with the two time defending national champion Vancouver Island Raiders. The Sun do hold the tie breaker if the teams should finish the regular season tied.

The South Surrey Rams and Victoria are next with identical 3-3 records.

by Wayne Moore – Castanet.ca

Photo: Steven Doege (50) and Aaron Goddard (40) were both outstanding defensively as the Okanagan Sun out muscled the visiting Kamloops Broncos 53-7 Saturday. (File Photo: Wayne Moore – Castanet)

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