Prairie Pride will be front and center this Saturday night as the Regina Thunder head north to Saskatoon for a clash with the Hilltops.
This showdown, featuring one of the biggest junior football rivalries, is scheduled for 7 pm Saturday at SMF Field.
The Thunder and Hilltops come into the game with identical 5-1 records, making this matchup a straight-up battle for first place in the PFC and the all-important homefield advantage throughout the CJFL playoffs.
Last week, the Regina Thunder defeated the Winnipeg Rifles 41- 40, while the Saskatoon Hilltops trounced the Edmonton Wildcats 52-26.
“This is a key game of our season, as this historic matchup is always filled with passion and intensity,” said head coach Scott MacAulay. “Many fans consider this the most dynamic rivalry in junior football, and with first place on the line, our team will be ready.”
The Hilltops have scored 50 points in each of their last two games. Last week in Edmonton, their offence combined for 525 yards, primarily using their running attack.
David Collins was outstanding with 147 yards on 13 carries and a pair of touchdowns. Corbin Ebben accounted for 118 yards and a score, and Charles Sawi and quarterback Brexton Elias also got into the endzone via the ground.
On the defensive side of the ball, Isaac Michayluk turned in a great game with two interceptions and 3.5 tackles.
Thunder Players to Watch This Week
Offence
#26 Peter Boersch – Running Back
• Leads the PFC in rushing with 988 yards on 132 carries. He also has 3 TDs
• 26 carries for 310 yards and a touchdown in week 1
• Week 1 and Week 9 PFC Offensive Player of the Week
#8 Adam Mosher – Quarterback
• PFC 2nd best QB with 90.0 efficiency rating
• 74 of 137 for 991 yards
• PFC bestnine9 touchdown passes
#81 Andrew Sweeney – Receiver
• Has 14 receptions for 238 yards and 1 TD
#2 Lucas DI Iorio – Receiver
• Leads Thunder with 20 receptions for 240 yards and 4 TD catches
#56 Caleb Barajas – Offensive Lineman
• Anchor on O-Line that has amassed league-best 2,532 net yards and 133 first downs
Defence
#51 Devin Baumann – Linebacker
• Has 78.5 defensive points – tops on the Thunder
• 20 defensive tackles, five assisted tackles, six special team tackles, and 3.5 tackles for a loss, a blocked kick, two pass knockdowns and a fumble return for a touchdown
#25 Owen Effa – Linebacker
• 12 defensive tackles, six assists, seven special team tackles and 2.5 TFLs
#52 Kenten Effa – Linebacker
• 23 defensive tackles, nine assists and a pass knockdown for 65.5 defensive points
#3 Cooper Filazek – Defensive Back
• 21 defensive tackles, five assists, two tackles for losses, two pass knockdowns and three interceptions
• Week #9 Defensive Player of the Week
#23 Marcus Butz – Defensive Back
• 14 defensive tackles, 2.5 TFLs and three interceptions this season
#39 Zach Cloutier – Linebacker
• Leads the PFC with three fumble recoveries
• 11 defensive tackles and four special team tackles
Special Teams
#7 Shawn Green – Kicker
• Has 16 field goals, 21 converts, andfour4 singles on the season
• Leads the PFC with 73 points
• Week 2 PFC Special Team Player of the Week
#34 Jakeb Cortus
• Leads team with 10 punt returns for 99 yards
#1 Carter Ashman
• Has 131 kickoff return yards and 82 punt return yards
• Picked up 425 rushing yards and 5 TDs on 59 carries
#20 Jackson Ashman
• Leads Thunder with six kickoff returns for 285 yards, including a 102-yard TD vs Winnipeg
Team Stats
· The Thunder defence has only allowed its opponents 93 first downs and 114 points in six games
· Regina is second in the league with 215 points scored
· Overall, the team is +6 in turnovers
· The offence has only given up three sacks this season
