As injuries to key players mounted throughout the season, the challenges grew more pronounced with each week for the Okanagan Sun coaching staff.
On Sunday, with the depth of their roster and overall consistency both compromised, the Sun watched the 2017 B.C. Football Conference campaign end in a.
While the Sun hesitates to point to injuries as the sole alibi for a premature end to the season, general manager Jay Christensen said the club91裸聊视频檚 health91裸聊视频攐r general lack of it91裸聊视频攑layed a significant role.
91裸聊视频淚t was definitely a bit of a challenge this year with injuries, more so than I can remember in a long time,91裸聊视频� Christensen said.
91裸聊视频淚t made for a lot of roster shuffling, the coaches were really challenged in putting together lineups and game plans, especially late in the season. You don91裸聊视频檛 want to use it as an excuse but it certainly didn91裸聊视频檛 help.91裸聊视频�
The injury parade started early with the loss of No. 1 quarterback Keith Zyla who spent the better part of the season on the sidelines.
The receiving corps took a big hit with significant injuries to Liam Crane, Shamar Donelson and Kyler Mosley.
Linebacker Shaun Robinson suffered a season-ending torn ACL Sept. 23 in Kamloops, while other key starters like Connor Novak, Beck Fullerton, Cole Klughart, Marshall Klein and Zac Newman all spent some unwelcome time rehabbing.
Still, Christensen said there were many positives from the Sun91裸聊视频檚 2017 season, including a 6-0 start and an 8-1-1 overall record. On the injury upside, the Sun GM said many of the club91裸聊视频檚 younger players gained some invaluable experience.
91裸聊视频淭here was inconsistency at times but there were some great highlights this season, too,91裸聊视频� Christensen added. 91裸聊视频淭he good thing is, lots of young players got a significant amount of playing time, so there91裸聊视频檚 lots to build on.
91裸聊视频淚 know the coaches are already recruiting for next year, so we91裸聊视频檙e all looking ahead.91裸聊视频�
For head coach Ben Macauley, his second season at the helm was both a rewarding and, at times, frustrating experience.
In addressing the Sun following Sunday91裸聊视频檚 final whistle, Macauley credited both the players and coaching staff for battling right down to the end.
91裸聊视频淚 pointed out some of the positives, this is the final game for some of them who have been here five years,91裸聊视频� Macaualey said. 91裸聊视频淔ive years of gruelling off season training and training camps, six-seven days a week of practise and film, so it91裸聊视频檚 a tough pill to swallow, especially to lose at home. A lot of these guys have football to play in the future but a lot of them don91裸聊视频檛, probably the last time these guys wear equipment.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 a great coaching staff, everyone91裸聊视频檚 working at their own jobs and putting in a lot of time here,91裸聊视频� he added.
The Sun bids farewell to 10 graduating players: Beck Fullerton, Eli Haynes, Kent Lawrence, Liam Crane, Hayward Beasley, Rashaun Simonise, Gabriel St. Germain, Carter Comeau, Ryan Ewashko and Zac Newman.91裸聊视频�
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