Photo courtesy of the Winnipeg Rifles

Winnipeg Rifles 19
Saskatoon Hilltops 16

It was the game of the week as the Rifles get their first victory over the Hilltops since 2006 behind the strength of good defence and four field goals.

Kicker Donovan Downing booted all four-field goal attempts he had including a 10-yard punch with just over five minutes to play in the fourth quarter.  As a matter of fact, he connected on two field goals in the final frame to help guide the Rifles to the win.

Their lone touchdown was a six-yard run by Adam Fast in the second quarter with two minutes to go before halftime. 

Defensively the Rifles held the Hilltops to six points in the second half and forced four turnovers.   Josh Yanchishyn had a solid game with six tackles and Brandon Kamenz had an interception.

The Hilltops were able to move the ball on the ground but had difficulties through the air.  Boston Davidsen carried 27 times for 168 yards behind that solid offensive line and had the visitor’s lone touchdown.   Kicker Connor Green knocked through three of five field goals for the other scoring. 

Linebacker Konnor Johnson was outstanding on defence with a game high eight tackles and had an interception while Riece Kack had two sacks.

The Rifles (1-2) will host the Calgary Colts (2-1) on September 11th following the bye week and the Hilltops (2-1) head back home to welcome the Regina Thunder (3-0) on September 10th. 

Regina Thunder 43
Edmonton Huskies 14

The Thunder continue to roll and took their offensive juggernaut into Edmonton to face the Huskies on Sunday and left after gaining 563 yards of total offence. 

Quarterback Carter Shewchuk spread the ball around to 11 different receivers and completed 26 passes for an impressive 376 yards and five touchdowns.  Isaiah Woodley had a great game with a game high seven receptions for 110 yards and two majors.  Rylan Sokul, Ife Adebgun and Isaac Foord also hauled in touchdowns. 

On the defensive side Mitch Tanchak and Devin Baumann each blocked a kick and Justin McKerracher had the lone interception.

Both touchdowns the Huskies scored were on the ground.  Alex Gayle and quarterback Jordan Lane got into the end zone as Gayle was held under a 100-yards for the first time this season gaining 94. 

The Thunder (3-0) will enjoy the Labour Day bye then visit the Saskatoon Hilltops (2-1) in a massive game on September 10th while the Huskies (1-2) look to turn things around against their crosstown rivals the Wildcats (0-3) on Sunday September 11th. 

Calgary Colts 57
Edmonton Wildcats 17

The Colts picked up their second straight win after another impressive offensive output and scored 29 points in the final quarter.   They collected 515 total offensive yards led by quarterback Nick Kennedy who completed 15 passes for 306 yards and three more touchdowns.  Nicholas Sirleaf, Adley Mayala and Ty Metcalfe each caught touchdown passes while Mayala, Alan Xiang and Justin Verloop scored majors on the ground. 

Defensively they forced seven turnovers with again Mayala in the middle of the action.  He picked up a fumble and returned it 30 yards for a major and intercepted a pass and returned it 43 yards.  Damien Bucknor and Jordan Maucieri each had six tackles. 

The Wildcats kept the game close until the final quarter.  Pivot Caleb Taylor completed 12 passes for 252 yards and threw a touchdown pass to Max Taylor.   The only other major was scored by Devin Desormeau on a one-yard plunge. 

This coming Labour Day weekend the Colts (2-1) have a bye before they visit the Winnipeg Rifles (1-2) on September 11th and the Wildcats (0-3) face their crosstown rivals the Huskies (1-2) on the same day.