For Regina Thunder receiver Ben Walz, the 2026 football season has been anything but ordinary. The Major, Saskatchewan product is living a football schedule few players ever experience, practicing with the Saskatchewan Roughriders while also practicing and playing for the Regina Thunder. And somehow, Walz and the Thunder have managed to remain perfect.
Regina improved to 4-0 in Prairie Football Conference play Sunday with a dominant 44-4 victory over the Edmonton Huskies at Leibel Field. Walz caught a six-yard touchdown pass in the win, helping the Thunder head into their mid-season bye week with a perfect record.
“It’s been very busy, chaotic, but it’s been kind of a once-in-a-lifetime season,” Walz told the SportsCage. “Not many people can say they’ve played on two teams at once, so it’s been pretty cool.”
The workload has been significant. Walz and fellow Thunder player Peter Boersch have essentially been living a two-a-day football schedule, balancing their responsibilities with the Roughriders and Thunder while finding time to recover physically and mentally.
“Our full-time job is just to take care of our bodies and take care of our minds, too,” Walz said.
That means knowing the Roughriders' playbook, contributing at the professional level and serving as a leader with the Thunder.
“It’s a lot on our plate, but we’re just so proud to be able to have that to work with,” he said.
Walz remembers how surreal it felt back in May when he and Borsch sat in the stands at Griffiths Stadium with their families before beginning their journey with the Roughriders. The nerves have settled somewhat. But even after spending months around the team, Walz still has moments when he takes a step back and appreciates just how quickly his football career has progressed.
“There are still days I walk into the locker room, and I kind of look around and go, wow, geez, I can’t believe this is my job,” Walz said.
He has also learned that once the initial nerves disappear, professional football is still football.
“Everyone’s just a bunch of football players having fun,” he said.
And the lessons he's learned from the Roughriders are now making their way back to the Thunder. Walz has paid particular attention to the preparation required at the professional level, watching how Roughriders receivers such as KeeSean Johnson, Samuel Emilus and Kian Schaffer-Baker prepare for games.
“The way they prepare for games, the film they watch, the hours they put in- seeing that, that’s the level that it takes to be a pro. I’ve been trying to incorporate that over into the Thunder.”
So far, it appears to be working. Regina's undefeated start has included strong play from quarterback Jayden Zelionka, who has emerged as an important part of the Thunder's attack. Walz has been impressed with what he's seen from the young quarterback.
“He’s a young guy in his first couple of starts. He’s done really, really well,” Walz said.
Zelionka’s athleticism has been particularly noticeable.
“He can make plays with his feet and also throw the ball on the run,” Walz said. “He’ll be a great player for the Thunder for a couple of years.”
The Thunder will now get a chance to recharge during their bye before beginning the second half of the season with one of the biggest games on the PFC calendar. Regina will host the Saskatoon Hilltops on Saturday, September 12 at 7 p.m. at Leibel Field.
The Hilltops enter the second half of the season in second place after improving to 3-1 with a 17-13 victory over the Edmonton Wildcats in Week 4.
For Walz, the rivalry game is already circled on the calendar.
“I’m already diving into the film and stuff because that is the biggest, it’s the biggest game we’ve played so far, and I just can’t wait to go show who’s the leader in Saskatchewan in the CJFL.”
Before that game arrives, however, Walz will experience another Saskatchewan football tradition from a very different perspective. Growing up in the province, the Labour Day Classic has always been one of the biggest sporting events on his calendar. Now, he's experiencing it from the Roughriders' sideline.
“It’s a special weekend,” Walz said. “I grew up in Saskatchewan, so it’s my whole life. It’s always been the biggest game played right here in Mosaic. To be a part of that, to be on the sideline, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
And given where Walz grew up, a significant contingent of supporters could make the trip to Regina.
“(The) whole town’s probably on their way right now,” Walz joked of Major.
For now, Walz is enjoying a season that has put him in two locker rooms, two levels of football and two very different Saskatchewan football worlds.
And with the Thunder sitting at 4-0, there’s still plenty more football to come.
