Okanagan Sun put perfect record on the line in league championship game Saturday

Photo: Marissa Baecker-Shoot the Breeze

All the pressure will be on the Okanagan Sun Saturday when they take to the Apple Bowl field against the Westshore Rebels Saturday with all the marbles on the line.

And head coach Travis Miller knows it.

The Sun come into the Cullen Cup championship game with a perfect 11-0 record after dispatching of the Langley Rams 44-20 in last weekend's semi-final.

Miller knows that record, and the way in which they swatted away all comers with a quick-strike offence and stingy defence, means nothing if they don't walk away with a league championship.

"We are 1-0 each week and that's really all that matters," said Miller.

"I think we've done something that a lot of other Okanagan Sun teams have done and that's to go undefeated and have the opportunity to play in the championship game.

"We want to do something that a lot of teams haven't done and that's progress past the game and make sure we are putting our best foot forward toward the national championship."

In that regard, Miller says the team has had a good week of practice, are focused, energetic and ready to go.

They'll have to contain a Westshore team which should have some confidence after hanging with the Sun for three quarters on their home turf a little more than a month ago.

Westshore led the Sun 21-6 at one point in the first half and held a 24-20 lead going into the final quarter before the Sun came back for a three point win.

It was a different story in the Apple Bowl early in the season when the Sun scored early and often in building up a 51-8 lead at the half.

Miller says he's hoping for that kind of start Saturday although rain and two high school games on the field Friday could make the conditions at the Apple Bowl less than ideal.

The Sun will be virtually at full strength for Saturday's championship game with only receiver Blaise Beauchemin out of the lineup.

Beauchemin suffered a broken finger in the season finale in Prince George and is lost for the season.

Regardless of the outcome, Saturday's game will be the last time fans get to see the sun at the Apple Bowl this season.

The winner will travel east to face the winner of the Ontario Conference final between the London Beefeaters and St. Clair Saints next weekend.

This year's Canadian Bowl will be played at the home of the Prairie Football Conference champion.