The Okanagan Sun are currently the alpha dog of the B.C. Football Conference.
The Sun has risen to top spot in the BCFC with a 5-1 record, after downing the visiting Langley Rams 31-10 Saturday at the Apple Bowl in Kelowna.
With the loss, the junior Rams fell to 4-2 and are tied with the Kamloops Broncos (also 4-2) for second place in the six-team league.
Special teams and defence were the difference for the Sun. Okanagan’s special teams unit was led by Robbie Yochim, who put the Sun on the board with a 50 yard punt return for a touchdown in the first quarter.
Brennan Van Nistelrooy followed that up with a 40 yard scamper to the end zone on a fake punt.
Defensively, the Sun created seven Rams turnovers, including five interceptions while twice forcing a turnover on downs.
Dexter Janke had two of the Sun picks, both times returning the ball inside the Rams’ 20 yard line.
Yochim also had an interception, as did Van Nistelrooy and JT Fernandez. No fewer than five Okanagan players had three solo tackles and Jonas Gering recorded the lone sack.
On a bright note, the Rams defence played quite well, limiting Sun quarterback Cam Bedore to just seven completions for 65 yards, and a seven yard touchdown toss to Lerone Robinson.
Okanagan’s Kasey Russell scored his fifth major of the season on a two-yard dive.
Langley’s offence was held to 179 yards net offence, including a paltry eight passing yards in the opening half.
The Rams utilized three quarterbacks during the game.
Starting quarterback Dylan Tucker left the game after just a few series.
In limited action, Tucker competed one of his five pass attempts for eight yards. He is currently listed as day to day with wrist and ankle ailments.
Jordan McCarty saw the bulk of the action, completing 12 of 23 passes for 144 yards, and one interception.
Meanwhile, three of Cecil Belanger’s six attempted passes were intercepted.
Daniel English was the Rams’ most productive receiver, making six catches for 92 yards.
Langley kicker Steve Thomas was good on one of his two field goal tries.
The Rams’ lone major came on defence, when Ethan Schulz grabbed a loose ball and took it back 24 yards to paydirt.
“I felt they [the Sun] were the better team, but it was about us as a team not doing the things that were necessary to win, and taking things for granted in terms of our ability, and just taking care of the details,†Rams head coach Jeff Alamolhoda said.
The Rams have a golden opportunity to get back into the win column this Saturday, Sept. 13, at McLeod Stadium, where they host the 0-6 Valley Huskers at 7 p.m.
– With files from BCFC reporter Ryan Watters