The Regina Thunder and Saskatoon Hilltops remain atop the Prairie Football Conference standings with 4-1 records after five weeks of the regular season.
On Sunday, the Saskatoon Hilltops scored a 51-3 win over the Calgary Colts.
Meanwhile, the Regina Thunder topped Winnipeg 25-12 at Leibel Field.
The Thunder were led offensively by running back Peter Boersch, who carried the ball 24 times for 181 yards.
Defensively, Cooper Filazek was in on 15 tackles and made two interceptions.
On special teams, Carter Ashman set the tone with five punt returns for 105 yards, including a 62-yarder.
Ashman, who is taking Kinesiology at the University of Regina, says that the importance of special teams may not always be visible.
“Yeah, as a fan looking into the special teams, obviously, it's hard to see what was good and bad. If you get yards, it's good; if not, everyone assumes it was bad. So it's tough to tell.”
What was visible was Ashman’s 62-yard return.
“Yeah, I mean, it was amazing blocking from everyone on the team. Everyone's great. I got to where I needed to be and went for a big gain.”
Earlier this year, Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach Corey Mace was asked about what makes a good returner. He jokingly said, ‘They have to have a screw loose.’ So, Carter Ashman is that true?
“Yeah, I mean, you're the only person back there. The ball gets kicked to you. You have to catch it, and then you have 12 other people coming in trying to hit you. So it's, I mean, it's a pretty violent thing.”
Ashman, who graduated from Miller High School in Regina, had the opportunity to experience national competition as a member of the U-18 Sask team.
It's really weird because it's so professional, especially for being young. It's a very good experience for anyone to do because it really helps you get into the professional mindset early. I learned that sometimes you can doubt yourself, but you can always prove that you are worth being on the team just by trying as hard as you can.
In week six, the Thunder will head to Winnipeg on Sunday to take on the Rifles (2-3) in the back half of their home-and-home series. Ashman is looking forward to building on last week’s win.
“They're a great team, and we had a great plan going into the game. And the coaches really helped with that. They're just a great team.”
In other Sunday action this week. The Saskatoon Hilltops (4-1) are at the Edmonton Wildcats (2-3). Meanwhile, the Calgary Colts (2-3) host the Edmonton Huskies (1-4).
And that’s the Junior Football Report, I’m Dave Thomas.
