Sun script all too familiar

Photo: Contributed

Turnovers, untimely penalties and missed opportunities continue to plague the Okanagan Sun.

The VI Raiders scored 20 unanswered points over the final seven minutes Saturday is a 37-13 victory over the Sun.

The Sun, who clawed their way to within four on the strength of Isaac Wegner's leg, snuffed out a Raiders drive with an interception deep in their own end.

But, back-to-back pick-sixes from Alex Douglas and third-string quarterback Dominic Britton put an end to any thought of a comeback.

The Sun were effective moving the ball on the ground through the first three quarters, but again, the passing game struggled, especially trying to go deep down field. Douglas was just six of 20 through the opening half.

On their first drive, the Sun marched to the Raiders 19 in just two plays but had to settle for a 26-year Wegner field goal. Two other promising drives were stopped by interceptions inside the Raiders end of the field.

The Raiders relied on big plays to find the end zone. Cole McGarvey connected with North Rainey on two big plays, culminating with the opening major of the game.

Late in the quarter, after the Sun had conceded a safety, McGarvey capped a short three-play drive with a 38-yard strike to Alex Bonnetplume, putting VI up 17-5 at the half.

The Sun chipped away at the lead, getting a conceded safety and a 25-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 17-10. Then field goal was set up after Wegner faked a punt on third down, and rambled to the Raiders 20.

Another drive early in the fourth stalled inside the 10, forcing the Sun to again settle for just three.

Pick sixes by Ethan Moran and Jeremy Chung, and a touchdown run in the dying seconds sealed the victory.

The Sun head into the Labour Day weekend break on a two-game losing streak.

They'll return from the break Sept. 8 to host the Langley Rams.