Sun beat Rams 22-15

 The battle of the heavyweights in the BC Football Conference came as advertised - and then some.

It just took the Okanagan Sun a little longer than they would have liked to join the fray.

When they did, the Sun rode the coattails of star running back Elelyon Noa to a thrilling come-from-behind 22-15 win over the Langley Rams in the BCFC opener Saturday at the Apple Bowl.

It’s been a while since local fans have seen a nailbiter like this one that wasn’t decided until Noa broke free for a 12 yard gain and a first down with a little more than a minute left.

Running mate Tristen Peddle ran for another first down to seal it.

Early on, it looked as if the Rams defence were too much for the Sun and rookie quarterback Marek Filipek. Over their first eight possessions stretching into the third quarter, the Sun punted four times, missed a field goal, saw a drive end with a Noa fumble, another with an interception and the eight with a blocked punt.

That led to first year quarterback Jovyn Sangha hitting Isaiah Edwards from nine-yards out for what looked like an insurmountable 13-0 lead. The Sun blocked the extra point.

But a 49 yard kickoff return from Jordayne Falconer gave the offence the ball at the Rams 46.

Six plays later, keyed by a 22-yard toss from Filipek to Jaxon Linn, Noa ran in from one yard out for the first of his three touchdowns to give the Sun some life.

On their next possession, the Sun marched 62 yards in seven plays aided by a 15-yard horsecollar penalty. On third and goal from the three, Noa barrelled in to tie it on the final play of the third quarter.

“It was just a run up the middle. I wasn’t going to get denied on the touchdown…the team needed it. You gotta get what you can,” said Noa.

Using a short field again after the Rams were forced to punt from their own end zone, Filipek moved the Sun 37 yards capped off by Noa’s two-yard touchdown run.

The second year back combined for 191 yards, including 134 on the ground on 19 carries, punctuated by a highlight reel 30 yard run when he blew through, not around, at least half a dozen would be tacklers, setting up Liam Attwood’s 18-yard field goal that put the Sun ahead by a converted touchdown.

“I don’t even know what to say. That team flipped the switch in the second half,” said head coach Travis Miller.

“I have never been so proud of a team. It’s great to see the guys react. They faced adversity early. You can’t ask for a game like this, it was amazing.

“That’s a phenomenal team. That was probably the best Langley Rams team we have seen since 2021.”

While Sun were having trouble moving the ball, the Rams weren’t doing much better as the teams combined for six possessions and six punts during a scoreless, defensive first quarter.

The Rams finally got on the board near the end of the half when Sangha hit Terrell Jones on a simple fly pattern down the right sidelines for a 47-yard touchdown.

They could have added to the lead at the end of the half after Filipek was intercepted at his own 31, but a holding penalty pushed the Rams outside field goal position as the half ran out.

Noa says the bench didn;t get down when the Sun found themselves down two scores.

“Just keeping a steady mindset. The game is going to go up and down, it’s how you respond. There are going to be mistakes, so it’s how you respond.”

Filipek, in his first junior start out of high school went the distance, completing 20 of 28 for 193 yards and a touchdown.

He wasn’t asked to do too much and did just enough to secure the victory.

“Much respect to that kid man,” said Noa.

“Good debut, kept a steady mind. It’s not easy especially being 17 and playing against 18 year olds and up so props to him.”

The Sun put up 363 yards of total offence compared with 350 for the Rams.

The Sun now hit the road for three in a row against the VI Raiders, Valley Huskers and Westshore Rebels before returning to the Apple Bowl to host Prince George Saturday, Aug. 17.