Tye Kitzman had the kind of 2017 campaign that turned the heads of his junior football peers91裸聊视频攐pponents and teammates alike.
The 21-year-old Vernon product was an ominous and constant presence in the defensive secondary, delivering punishing hits, while making a league-leading six interceptions.
The end result for Kitzman was a unanimous nod as a B.C. Football Conference all-star, followed by all-Canadian recognition.
Still, following a loss to the Westshore Rebels last October, Kitzman91裸聊视频檚 resume was missing the most important entry of all91裸聊视频攁 Canadian championship.
A new chapter begins
91裸聊视频� Okanagan Sun (@okanagan_sun)
With the talent and depth the Sun coaching staff assembled during an aggressive off-season of recruiting, the 6-foot-2, 195-pound Kitzman likes the club91裸聊视频檚 prospects of challenging for a national title in 2018.
91裸聊视频淚 think this is one of the best, if not the best team we91裸聊视频檝e had since I91裸聊视频檝e been here,91裸聊视频� said Kitzman, the fourth-year defensive back who made 37 tackles last season, second best on the Sun. 91裸聊视频淲e have a lot of good young guys, some new guys with experience coming in, and really good group of veterans. Everybody91裸聊视频檚 excited to get going and start our run at a Canadian championship.91裸聊视频�
Kitzman and the Sun will kick off their quest for a national crown this Sunday in Kamloops against the Broncos.
It91裸聊视频檚 the first of four straight road games to open the BCFC regular season, due to renovations to the track at the Apple Bowl.
The Sun won91裸聊视频檛 play its first home game until Sept. 8 and while it91裸聊视频檚 a long wait for the team91裸聊视频檚 players and fans, Kitzman thinks it just might work in the club91裸聊视频檚 favour.
91裸聊视频淭here91裸聊视频檚 nothing we can do about the schedule, so we need to deal with it the best we can,91裸聊视频� said Kitzman. 91裸聊视频淭here are pros and cons, we won91裸聊视频檛 have the home crowd for a while91裸聊视频ut if we can build up some wins early, we91裸聊视频檒l have five of our last six games at home, heading into the playoffs. That could be an advantage for us.91裸聊视频�
As for the composition of this year91裸聊视频檚 club, head coach Ben Macauley said the Sun possesses depth all across the board, particularly in the trenches where both the offensive and defensive lines are loaded with grit and skill.
Still, as good as the Sun looks on paper and in practise, Macauley said the real test begins Sunday in Kamloops and in the subsequent weeks to follow.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 been a long offseason, we91裸聊视频檝e made a lot of key personnel decisions, and put together a team we really like, so now it91裸聊视频檚 time to test ourselves,91裸聊视频� said Macauley. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 not a finished piece of work. There91裸聊视频檚 pressure for guys to step up now and do as expected, but we also expect to see some surprises, players who have been waiting for their turn to play big roles to step up.91裸聊视频�
The Sun and Broncos will kick off the BCFC regular season Sunday at 4 p.m. at Hillside Stadium in Kamloops.
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