Okanagan Sun running back Elelyon Noa set a new team rushing record as the team clinched first place in the BC Football Conference (BCFC) with a 24-10 win over the Westshore Rebels at the Apple Bowl on Saturday, Sept. 21.

Noa carried the ball 41 times for 253 yards and two touchdowns for a league-leading total of 19. His ground total gives him 1,405 yards for the season, surpassing the old mark of 1,367 yards set by Malcolm Miller in 2021. With one game left in the regular season, Noa is just 200 yards short of the BCFC rushing record of 1,604.

The Sun opened the scoring in the first quarter on a 38-yeard field from kicker Liam Attwood to make it 3-0. The Rebels went ahead 10-3 in the second quarter on a touchdown and a field goal. However, Sun defensive back Vincente Ferreira recovered a fumble late in the quarter which led to Noa鈥檚 first touchdown tying the game 10-10.

There was no scoring until the fourth quarter when Noa grabbed his second touchdown of the game making it 17-10. The Sun finished the Rebels with a touchdown from running back Tristen Peddle and a 24-10 final.

Sun linebacker Jacob Bond recorded seven solo tackles, giving him a league-leading total of 58. Defensive back Ahmed Borhot had an interception upping his league-leading number to eight, while defensive back Kenley Williams snagged his fourth pick of the season.

Rookie quarterback Marek Filipek played the entire game going 10 of 22 for 111 yards and two interceptions. The Sun had a net offence of 394 yards to the Rebels 188.

The Sun can finish the regular season undefeated when they take on the Chilliwack Huskers on Saturday, Sept. 28 at the Apple Bowl for the 3rd Annual Burn Fund Game in support of the 琉璃神社 and West 琉璃神社 fire departments. Game time is 4 p.m.