The Regina Thunder will travel to Winnipeg on Sunday to meet with the Winnipeg Rifles. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
The Thunder roll into Winnipeg sporting a 4-1 record, tied for first place with the Saskatoon Hilltops. The Rifles sit at 2-3 and are in a three-way tie with the Calgary Colts and the Edmonton Wildcats for the final two PFC playoff spots.
Last week at Leibel Field in Regina, the Thunder defeated Winnipeg 25 -12.
The Rifles had the lead heading into the fourth quarter, but the Thunder rallied to score 15 points in the final 15 minutes for the comeback win.
Regina quarterback Adam Mosher found Lucas Di Iorio for a 42-yard TD strike 94 seconds into the 4th quarter, then just over a minute later, Carter Ashman found paydirt with a 10-yard run into the endzone. The two touchdowns gave the Thunder the lead they would never relinquish.
Mosher finished the game with 16 completions for 218 yards, while Peter Boersch controlled the ground game with 181 yards on 24 carries.
Defensively, Regina forced seven turnovers, led by Cooper Filazek and his two interceptions.
For the second straight week, the Rifles had a lead heading into the fourth quarter but failed to lock it down, allowing the Thunder to score 15 points in the final frame to come back and win 25-12.
The Rifles predominantly used the passing game with Riley Element's arm. He collected 323 yards on 24 completions; however, he was intercepted three times. His favourite target was Jarome Penner, who gained 108 yards on seven receptions.
Their defence also played well, with Liam Southcombe recording two picks and Gage Richey having a game-high seven tackles.
Players of the Week #9
Offensive Player of the Week
RB Peter Boersch – Regina Thunder AND QB Wesley Neitz – Edmonton Huskies
For the first time since 2019, the Prairies have a TIE in the Offensive Player of the Week category.
Peter Boersch bulldozed, broke free and blazed his way to 181 yards on 24 carries on the ground, highlighting the relentless Thunder ground game. He also leaked out of the backfield for a 30-yard reception to finish with 211 total offensive yards, averaging 8.4 yards per touch.
Meanwhile, quarterback Wesley Neitz was a gunslinger on Sunday afternoon, completing 27 passes on 43 attempts for 365 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He kept the Huskies in full attack mode all game and showed his leadership.
Defensive Players of the Week #9
DB Cooper Filazek – Regina Thunder
Cooper was everywhere on Sunday afternoon, laying hits, making stops and turning the tide in a Thunder comeback win. He recorded two massive interceptions and added six solo tackles, a knockdown and three assisted tackles while locking down the opposition’s most dangerous threats.
Thunder Players to Watch This Week
Offence
#26 Peter Boersch – Running back
• Leads the PFC in rushing with 967 yards on 129 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 – 65 of 121 for 846 yards
• PFC's best nine touchdown passes
#85 Ben Walz – Receiver
• Thunder has 16 receptions for 177 yards and 1 TD
#2 Lucas DI Iorio – Receiver
• Leads Thunder with 18 receptions for 220 yards and 4 TD catches
#56 Caleb Barajas – Offensive Line
• Anchor on O-Line that has amassed league-best 2,177 net yards and 115 first downs
Defence
#51 Devin Baumann – Linebacker
• Has 57.5 defensive points – tops on the Thunder
• 15 defensive tackles, five assisted tackles, four 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, four special team tackles and 2.5 TFLs
#52 Kenten Effa – Linebacker
• 18 defensive tackles, eight assists and a pass knockdown for 50 defensive points
#3 Cooper Filazek – Defensive Back
• 16 defensive tackles, five assists, two tackles for losses, two pass knockdowns and two interceptions
• Week #9 Defensive Player of the Week
#23 Marcus Butz – Defensive Back
• 12 defensive tackles and 2.5 TFLs 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 14 field goals, 16 converts, and four singles on the season
• Leads the PFC with 62 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 104 kickoff return yards and 82 punt return yards
• Picked up 234 rushing yards and 2 TDs on 40 carries
Team Stats
· The Thunder defence has only allowed its opponents 66 first downs and 74 points in five games
· Regina leads the league with 174 points scored
· Overall, the team is +6 in turnovers
· The offence has only given up one sack this season
