As the dog days of summer come to an end, the Kelowna sports scene is getting busier, with hockey and post-secondary action underway and football in full swing.
Okanagan Sun
The Okanagan Sun are looking to remain undefeated on the season as they head down to the Lower Mainland to take on the second-place Langley Rams.
Going into the weekend, the Sun are the second-ranked team in the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL) with a 6-0 record. They take on Langley, who's second in the British Columbia Football Conference (BCFC) with a 5-1 record.
Both teams have elite defences, as they sit first and second in points allowed (Sun - 60, Rams - 69). Included in that, the Sun are coming off back-to-back shutout wins and haven't allowed a point since the week of Aug. 10.
Members of the Sun's defence lead most statistical categories as linebacker Jacob Bond is first in the BCFC with 37 tackles, defensive back Ahmed Borhot has six interceptions and member of the defensive line Santiago Ramirez has three sacks.
But Langley's offense is high-powered as quarterback Palaina Hopper is second in the BCFC in passing yards with 1,380 and nine touchdowns. His favourite target, Terrel Jones, leads the league with 585 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
Meanwhile, the Sun will rely on running back Elelyon Noa, who has dominated the league with his legs. He leads the league with 13 rushing touchdowns and averages 140.8 yards per game.
Okanagan and Langley met in the opening game of the season back on July 20, when the Sun came from behind to win 22-15.
Saturday's kick-off in Langley is at 4 p.m.
Kelowna Rockets
After a strong week of training camp, the Kelowna Rockets' four-game preseason schedule starts this weekend with a home-and-home series against the Kamloops Blazers.
The two teams square off on Friday night (Sept. 6) at the Sandman Centre in Kamloops. The following night, Rockets fans will get their first chance to the team as the teams play at Prospera Place. Friday's puck drop is at 7 p.m. while Saturday's is at 6:05 p.m.
Kelowna is without Tij Iginla as he's at the Utah Hockey Club's rookie camp.
West Kelowna Warriors
Preseason also begins for the West Kelowna Warriors this weekend as they hit the road to take on the Vernon Vipers Friday night and the Cranbrook Bucks on Saturday night.
Friday night's contest is at 7 p.m. while Saturday's is at 6 p.m.
UBCO Soccer
Both of the UBC Okanagan's soccer teams are on the pitch this weekend as the women's team continues their homestand while the men are their way to Prince George.
The women's team is 1-0 on the season after beating Thompson Rivers University 2-0 in its home opener.
This weekend, they welcome the University of Fraser Valley (UFV) Cascades on Friday and the Trinity Western University (TWU) Spartans on Saturday, both at Nonis Sports Field and both at 5:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, the mens' team is in Prince George to take on the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC). Both games are at 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
The men sit fourth in the Canada West Pacific standings with a 1-2-1 record while UNBC is 0-3-1 and has allowed a division-high 11 goals.
