Tye Kitzman had the kind of 2017 campaign that turned the heads of his junior football peers香蕉视频直播攐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, Kitzman香蕉视频直播檚 resume was missing the most important entry of all香蕉视频直播攁 Canadian championship.
A new chapter begins
香蕉视频直播� 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 club香蕉视频直播檚 prospects of challenging for a national title in 2018.
香蕉视频直播淚 think this is one of the best, if not the best team we香蕉视频直播檝e had since I香蕉视频直播檝e been here,香蕉视频直播� said Kitzman, the fourth-year defensive back who made 37 tackles last season, second best on the Sun. 香蕉视频直播淲e have a lot of good young guys, some new guys with experience coming in, and really good group of veterans. Everybody香蕉视频直播檚 excited to get going and start our run at a Canadian championship.香蕉视频直播�
Kitzman and the Sun will kick off their quest for a national crown this Sunday in Kamloops against the Broncos.
It香蕉视频直播檚 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 won香蕉视频直播檛 play its first home game until Sept. 8 and while it香蕉视频直播檚 a long wait for the team香蕉视频直播檚 players and fans, Kitzman thinks it just might work in the club香蕉视频直播檚 favour.
香蕉视频直播淭here香蕉视频直播檚 nothing we can do about the schedule, so we need to deal with it the best we can,香蕉视频直播� said Kitzman. 香蕉视频直播淭here are pros and cons, we won香蕉视频直播檛 have the home crowd for a while香蕉视频直播ut if we can build up some wins early, we香蕉视频直播檒l have five of our last six games at home, heading into the playoffs. That could be an advantage for us.香蕉视频直播�
As for the composition of this year香蕉视频直播檚 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.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 been a long offseason, we香蕉视频直播檝e made a lot of key personnel decisions, and put together a team we really like, so now it香蕉视频直播檚 time to test ourselves,香蕉视频直播� said Macauley. 香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 not a finished piece of work. There香蕉视频直播檚 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.香蕉视频直播�
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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