The Regina Thunder just keep rolling along in the Prairie Football Conference, and the Saskatoon Hilltops are right behind them giving chase.
The Thunder remained undefeated on the campaign with a comfortable 44-4 win over the Edmonton Huskies on Sunday in Regina, while the Hilltops survived a low-scoring battle to take a 17-13 win over the Wildcats in Edmonton.
As a result, Regina improves to 4-0 on the season and continue to hold down first place in the PFC, while Saskatoon improves to 3-1 and are in second place.
Regina 44, Huskies 4
The Thunder led from start to finish and found themselves rolling on both sides of the ball, as they held Edmonton scoreless through three quarters and only allowed points on a pair of fourth-quarter safeties.
Tanner Donovel and Peter Boersch got things going with a 68-yard touchdown reception and 14-yard rushing major in the first quarter to give Regina a 14-0 lead.
A one-yard run by quarterback Jayden Zelionka and six-yard pass to Ben Walz combined with a safety of their own extended the Thunder edge to 30-0 at halftime.
Regina tacked on another 14 points in the third quarter, thanks to a one-yard plunge by Matthew Morris and 16-yard touchdown catch by Carwyn Williams, and that would give them their 44-0 edge heading into the final frame.
Zelionka finished the game 8-for-13 passing for 175 yards, three touchdowns and an interception while throwing passes to 11 different receivers. Donovel was his top target with four catches for 104 yards. Peter Boersch had another good game on the ground with 17 carries for 153 yards.
Gabe Wilson, Marcus Butz and Haydin Beuhler all had interceptions for Regina.
Joseph Murphy completed eight of 20 passes for 142 yards and two interceptions for Edmonton, Ty Sims 6-of-11 passes for 81 yards and an interception.
Dusty Campbell led Edmonton’s offence with five catches for 107 yards.
Regina had 441 yards of total offence, Edmonton had 267.
Saskatoon 17, Wildcats 13
The two teams found themselves in a defensive battle right from the start, and thanks to kicker Ryden Gratton, the Hilltops would come away with the victory.
Gratton hit field goals from 33 and 23 yards in the second quarter to keep Saskatoon close on the scoreboard as Edmonton took a 10-8 lead into halftime.
The Wildcats would concede a safety to tie the game 10-10 early in the third quarter, but an Edmonton field goal three minutes later would give them a 13-10 lead heading into the final 15 minutes.
There, Gratton hit a 25-yard field goal to tie the game 2:08 into the final frame, after which a punt single would give the Hilltops their first lead with 4:26 remaining.
Gratton capped a four-for-four field goal night with 49 seconds remaining to wap up scoring and give Saskatoon the 17-13 win.
Other details were unavailable as of press time.
Both teams have a bye week for Labour Day weekend, with their next action a first-place showdown between the Hilltops and Thunder on Saturday, Sept. 12. Game time is 7 p.m. at Leibel Field.
