For the second time in three seasons, the Regina Thunder are Prairie Football Conference champions.
The Thunder captured the PFC title with a convincing 44-19 victory over the defending Canadian Bowl champion Saskatoon Hilltops on Sunday at Leibel Field.
Regina will now turn its attention to the national semifinals and a chance to compete for a Canadian Bowl championship.
The Hilltops got off to a strong start, building a 9-0 lead before Thunder receiver and returner Carwyn Williams provided a much-needed spark with a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown.
The Thunder carried that momentum into the second quarter when defensive back Marcus Butz intercepted a pass from Saskatoon quarterback Griffin Sander and returned it for a touchdown. Regina took control in the second half, outscoring the Hilltops 28-7 to secure the championship.
For Williams, the victory was particularly satisfying after Saskatoon defeated Regina in last year's PFC final.
“It was a little bit of an influence going into the game,” Williams said. “We wanted that game back, and beating them three times in a year was even a better feeling to top it off. Beating them in the championship was a good feeling.”
The Thunder had beaten the Hilltops twice during the regular season before completing the three-game sweep with Sunday's championship victory.
“We knew going into that game that we were the better team, and we'd shown it in the regular season,” Williams said. “We just had to trust each other, trust our programs, trust our plays, trust our coaches, and just play for each other.”
That commitment showed across all three phases of the game. Special teams sparked the game with Williams' kickoff return, the defence added Butz's interception return for a touchdown, and the offence found its rhythm after halftime.
Williams acknowledged the Thunder didn't start as quickly as they wanted, but said the team stayed confident despite falling behind early.
“We're a very heavy end-of-game team, and we can push and continue to move the ball when we need it,” he said. “I think we just kind of got into a gear there and just rolled with it.”
Williams' 100-yard return was a key turning point, especially after a disappointing opening kickoff. His response on the next opportunity was exactly what the Thunder needed.
“I just read it wrong and bounced it at the two (yard line), and then I was a little ticked off about that one,” Williams said. “The second one there, just kind of caught it and followed my wedge, and then I saw a great lane.”
Williams credited his teammates with creating the opening, saying the blocking let him find the lane, get down the sideline, and beat the kicker. The return also reflected a mentality the Thunder have emphasized throughout the season.
“It's the next-play mentality and keep going,” Williams said.
Remarkably, Williams was still relatively new to the return game.
He took on the role full-time after the Thunder's regular returner was injured around Week 3. Despite limited high school kick-return experience, Williams embraced the opportunity and delivered one of the biggest plays of the season. He added another major contribution offensively with an 86-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Jayden Zelionka.
Williams said the play developed quickly, with Zelionka putting the ball in front of him before he had fully turned his head. Williams caught the ball, and away he went.
“After I split the two people, I saw no one, so I just kept going,” he said.
The Thunder didn't need major halftime adjustments to turn the game in their favour. Williams said the offence believed it was close to breaking through, with missed blocks and incorrect reads preventing some plays from developing.
As execution improved, the offence began moving the ball consistently and built on the momentum created by the defence and special teams.
Williams' championship performance was memorable, and he is in his third season with the Thunder. He said winning the PFC final at home against the Hilltops was the highlight of his football career.
“There's no words for it,” Williams said. “It's amazing.”
The celebration will be brief, however, as Regina prepares for its next challenge. The Thunder will travel to Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., to face the Ontario Football Conference champion Sault College Cougars in the Jostens Cup national semifinal on Saturday night.
It will mark the first time the Thunder have travelled outside their conference for a national semifinal, creating a new experience for the players and coaching staff. Williams said the team has already begun studying film and preparing for the Cougars.
“We've done some scouting reports and stuff like that. We're watching a lot of film,” he said. “We all believe in the coaches, and the coaches are going to believe in us.”
The winner of Saturday's matchup will advance to the Canadian Bowl the following week to face the British Columbia Football Conference champion.
Sunday's victory secured the Thunder a conference championship. Now, they have their sights set on a national title.
