For 40-plus returning members of the , the last memory of the 2016 season wasn香蕉视频直播檛 a particularly pleasant one.

On Saturday night, the Sun look to begin the 2017 campaign with a much different feel when they play host to the rival and defending champion Westshore Rebels.

It was the Rebels who halted Okanagan香蕉视频直播檚 Canadian Bowl hopes last October with a victory over them in the Cullen Cup final in Victoria.

While a little payback may be in the back of a few minds of Sun players, head coach Ben Macauley says that香蕉视频直播檚 in the past.

香蕉视频直播淭here might be some carry over from that game, we feel like they didn香蕉视频直播檛 necessarily beat us as much we allowed that to happen,香蕉视频直播� said Macauley. 香蕉视频直播淏ut that香蕉视频直播檚 in the past. It香蕉视频直播檚 a big rivalry and the guys are excited to play them and get the season under way.

香蕉视频直播淲e don香蕉视频直播檛 want to place too much importance on this game, it香蕉视频直播檚 our first and we香蕉视频直播檙e not going to base our whole season on it,香蕉视频直播� Macauley added. 香蕉视频直播淥f course we want to come out and play well, but it香蕉视频直播檚 about getting better and improving with each week.香蕉视频直播�

With a full season now under his belt, plenty of experience on the coaching staff, a solid returning corps, and a strong recruiting class, Macauley says the Sun is well ahead of where it was 12 months ago, describing the difference as 香蕉视频直播渘ight and day.香蕉视频直播�

Fifth-year linebacker Eli Haynes is on board with his head coach.

香蕉视频直播淭hings have been better this season from the get-go,香蕉视频直播� said Haynes, one of the key leaders on the Sun defense this season. 香蕉视频直播淭he (coaches) did a great job of recruiting, the guys they brought in are all really good guys and have all fit in well.

香蕉视频直播淲e had a good training camp, we香蕉视频直播檝e prepared well, so we香蕉视频直播檙e excited to get at it.香蕉视频直播�

As for the Rebels, the defending champs have undergone a number of changes on both sides of the ball since last season, including the loss of all-star running back, Jamal Lyles.

Regardless, Macauley expects the Rebels to bring a solid game plan into the Apple Bowl on Saturday night.

香蕉视频直播淭here a lot of new faces there we don香蕉视频直播檛 know a lot about, it香蕉视频直播檚 hard to know what to expect, but we do expect them to be competitive,香蕉视频直播� Macauley said. 香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e playing against the defending champs, so it香蕉视频直播檒l be a good gauge for us to see where we stand.香蕉视频直播�

Kick off at the Apple Bowl between the Sun and Westshore is 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Sun in top 50

Five members of the Sun have cracked the Canadian Junior Football League香蕉视频直播檚 annual rankings of the top 50 players in the country.

The players selected and their overall ranking:

香蕉视频直播� 27香蕉视频直播擟onor Richard, linebacker

香蕉视频直播� 35香蕉视频直播擝eck Fullerton, defensive back

香蕉视频直播� 39香蕉视频直播擡li Haynes, linebacker

香蕉视频直播� 43香蕉视频直播擟ory McCoy, defensive line

香蕉视频直播� 47香蕉视频直播擝rendan Hansen, running back