If Regina Thunder kicker Harry Case keeps performing the way he did in the Prairie Football Conference season opener last weekend, he just might end up getting a call from another denizen of Mosaic Stadium.
Case put up more than enough points on his own to defeat the Edmonton Wildcats, going six-for-six on field goals and five-for-five on converts in addition to a punt single. All told, he’d rack up 24 points in Regina’s 56-1 victory in Edmonton.
Not bad for a player who wasn’t even in Canada a few weeks ago.
Case joined Barney Shynkaruk on the SportsCage on Friday afternoon to talk about his journey to Regina and how things have gone so far.
“A lot of luck and it definitely wasn’t expected,” Case said, adding that the opportunity came through Brad Charalambous and his United Kicking program back in the U.K. “He says, ‘would you like to come play in Canada?’ and I was like ‘who wouldn’t?’. I found out on the 8th of July and I was flying out on the 29th. It was a crazy turnaround and certainly unexpected. Just truly, truly, truly blessed to be here.”
Case hails from Preston, England and got his start four years ago with the Lancashire Buccaneers youth program in the British American Football Association. His work with United Kicking turned him into a dangerous weapon, and it wasn’t long before queries about playing in Canada began to come his way.
He decided to make the journey across the Atlantic, choosing Regina as his place to play, and the rest is history.
“Everyone on the team and all the coaching staff and everyone at the club have been so welcoming of us,” Case said. “I think it's hard for us, given that we're coming from the other side of the world, but everyone's just made us feel at home.”
That all led to last Sunday, where Case made his spectacular debut. His longest field goal was from 44 yards that day, and he’s hit from as far out as 55 in practice.
While the initial adjustment to playing in Canada has been a smooth one, there are going to be interesting times ahead — especially once the fall weather hits and the ensuing cold arrives. Case hasn’t kicked in the Saskatchewan wind during a game in late October and admits the experience is going to be an interesting one.
“We don't get the best weather in England, it's pretty fair to say that, but no, I'm not ready at all,” Case said. “It will be like nothing I've ever experienced before.”
Interestingly enough, Case isn’t the only international player in Regina’s line-up. He’s joined by fellow U.K native Isak Cloete, who hails from Winchester, England, and Brazilian offensive lineman Arthur Santos-Lobao. All three are roommates and have become good friends.
“We just clicked, like we've been friends for a while. It's been fantastic,” Case said.
Case and crew are back in action on Sunday when they travel to Calgary to face the Colts. Game time is 1 p.m.
The Saskatoon Hilltops are also in action on Sunday as they host Edmonton at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Game time is also 1 p.m.
