In a reverse of the clubB次元官网网址檚 typical 2016 game script, the Westshore Rebels jumped all over the Okanagan Sun early but faded in the gameB次元官网网址檚 latter stages in a low-scoring 19-15 loss in Kelowna.
The defending Cullen Cup champions B次元官网网址� who made a habit of dominating the second half of games in 2016 B次元官网网址� were powered by a pair of long passing plays from quarterback Scott Borden in the early going, eventually taking a 14-0 lead over the Sun by the time the second quarter was a minute old.
Okanagan fought back with a pair of touchdowns of their own by the half, both coming on the ground.
Both offences stagnated in the final 30 minutes, with the winning points coming on a Sun safety in the third quarter. They added an insurance field goal in the fourth.
The Rebels turned the ball over seven times in the loss, four times on downs.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 some things that need to be dealt with and cleaned up,B次元官网网址� said head coach Charley Cardilicchia.
The rookie head coach, who also serves as the teamB次元官网网址檚 offensive co-ordinator, admitted that thereB次元官网网址檚 a learning curve to his new role. He lamented the fact that he didnB次元官网网址檛 continue with the teamB次元官网网址檚 high-tempo, aggressive attack throughout the game.
Borden completed 21 passes on 41 attempts for 281 yards, adding two passing touchdowns. He was intercepted once.
The second-year Rebel also carried the ball four times for 23 yards to lead the Rebels on the ground as the club struggled to get its rushing attack going. Trey Campbell managed just eight yards on five carries before exiting with a dislocated finger. Cardilicchia called him week-to-week but said thereB次元官网网址檚 a chance heB次元官网网址檒l be ready for Week 2.
DB次元官网网址橲aun Greenaway impressed in his Rebels debut with seven grabs for a team-high 114 yards and a score. B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 what you call a freak,B次元官网网址� Cardilicchia said of the 6B次元官网网址�5B次元官网网址� wideout. B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 going to be a big piece of our puzzle.B次元官网网址�
Austin Lindo-Brow had the RebelsB次元官网网址� other major, finishing with two catches for 64 yards.
Defensively, the Rebels limited the Sun to just 11 first downs and 234 net yards while forcing three turnovers. B次元官网网址淭hey did exactly what they had to do,B次元官网网址� Cardilicchia noted.
As was often the case in 2016, the Rebels were heavily penalized, committing 16 infractions totalling 133 yards compared to the SunB次元官网网址檚 nine for 70.
Westshore has two more road contests before their home opener on Aug. 19 at Westhills Stadium.
TheyB次元官网网址檒l travel over the Malahat to visit the Vancouver Island Raiders (1-0) on Aug. 5 before another trip to the B.C. Interior on Aug. 12 for a date with the Kamloops Broncos (1-0).
Cardilicchia is expecting a physical game in Nanaimo.
B次元官网网址淲hen itB次元官网网址檚 Victoria and Nanaimo thereB次元官网网址檚 always a bit of an edge,B次元官网网址� he said.
