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Playoffs: Huskies v. Thunder

By Ryan Watters (@ryan2tswatters), 10/20/19, 5:00AM PDT

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It's a Prairie Conference semi-final

Photo courtesy of Wanda Harron Photography

Edmonton Huskies @ Regina Thunder – Sunday October 20, 1:00pm – Leibel Field | WATCH HERE

A pair of 6-2 teams will battle on Sunday afternoon for the right to play for the Prairie Conference title when the Thunder battle the Huskies for the third consecutive season in the semis.

Since 2000 and the birth of the Regina Thunder, these two teams have met four times in the playoffs with each team winning twice.  All four games have been determined by nine points or less.  The last two seasons the final score has been just a three point differential.   This season has every indication it will be another tight contest.

These two teams are very evenly matched.  Thunder quarterback Blake Scherle completes 58% of this passes while Huskies pivot Declan O’Flaherty has completed 59% of his passes.  They have combined to throw 29 touchdowns.

Looking at the run game the Huskies have the advantage with Brandt Burzuk in the backfield.  He’s rushed 129 times this year for 824 yards and six touchdowns.  Through the air however the Thunder arguably has a slight advantage with Scherle at the helm completing 144 passes, second most in the Conference this season.  He also has two key receivers to throw to in Ethan Douglas and Isaac Foord who have combined for 66 receptions, 1236 yards and nine touchdowns.

This game could be won on the defensive side and creating mistakes.  The Thunder have 36 takeaways and the Huskies with 35.  The special teams will no doubt be a major factor as well.

In their lone meeting this season the Thunder clung to a 24-21 victory.  The Thunder needed to score 15 points in the fourth quarter to come back and win.

According to The Weather Network Sunday in Regina will be glorious with sunshine and a high of 10.

Head to Head

Records – Huskies 6-2 – Thunder 6-2
Points For – Huskies 270 – Thunder 251
Points Allowed – Huskies 121 – Thunder 164

Passing Leaders – Declan O’Flaherty – 111 of 186 (59%), 1453 yards, 12 touchdowns (Huskies) – Blake Scherle – 144 of 247 (58%), 2196 yards, 17 touchdowns (Thunder)

Rushing Leaders – Brandt Burzuk – 129 carries for 824 yards, 6 touchdowns (Huskies) – Brayden Long – 82 carries for 456 yards, 2 touchdowns (Thunder)

Receiving Leaders – Ronnie Oling – 30 receptions for 480 yards, 5 touchdowns (Huskies) – Ethan Douglas – 34 receptions for 631 yards, 7 touchdowns (Thunder)

Leading Tacklers – Tadi Siwira – 33 tackles (Huskies) – Davin Williamson – 26 tackles (Thunder)

Turnovers – Huskies +13 – Thunder +5