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Week 13 Preview

By Ryan Watters (@ryan2tswatters), 10/15/22, 9:30AM PDT

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An exciting weekend ahead as the playoffs open up

Photo courtesy of Wanda Harron Photography

The Prairie Conference wraps up their regular season on Sunday with three games with playoff positioning on the line.

Edmonton Huskies @ Regina Thunder – Sunday October 16, 1:00pm – Leibel Field | WATCH HERE

For the top ranked Regina Thunder this game means nothing in the standings.  They have already wrapped up first place in the Conference and homefield advantage throughout the Canadian Bowl playoffs.   They are coming off the Thanksgiving bye week so their best players will no doubt start the game, however most likely will not finish it as the coaching staff doesn’t want to take any unnecessary chances.

The Huskies meanwhile need a win to clinch a home playoff date.  They currently sit in second place and a loss would mean they would need help from the Calgary Colts to beat the Saskatoon Hilltop to clinch the home playoff game.  A loss and a Hilltops win would put the Huskies on the road for the post season.

It’s the second time this year the Thunder and Huskies have battled. On August 28th the Thunder blew out the Huskies 43-14 in Edmonton as quarterback Carter Shewchuk threw for 367 yards and five touchdowns.  The Thunder defence was great, holding the Huskies to 14 points, all in the second quarter. 

The Thunder remain undefeated while the Huskies have won four straight including an important win over the Winnipeg Rifles before Thanksgiving.

Head-to-Head

Records: Huskies 5-2 – Thunder 7-0
Points For: Huskies 212 – Thunder 244
Points Against: Huskies 169 – Thunder 116

Passing Leaders: Jordan Lane – 74 of 129 for 1273 yards and 7 touchdowns (Huskies) – Carter Shewchuk – 144 of 227 for 2160 yards and 16 touchdowns (Thunder)

Rushing Leaders: Alex Gayle – 132 carries for 793 yards and 9 touchdowns (Huskies) – Ryland Leichert – 118 carries for 710 yards and 3 touchdowns (Thunder)

Receiving Leaders: Jake Strakowicz – 21 receptions for 333 yards (Huskies) – Rylan Sokul – 39 receptions for 582 yards and 3 touchdowns (Thunder)

Leading Tacklers: Paul Loggale – 26 tackles (Huskies) – Matthew Schill – 28 tackles (Thunder)

Calgary Colts @ Saskatoon Hilltops - Sunday October 16, 1:00pm – SMF Field | WATCH HERE

If the Hilltops can get by the Colts on Sunday, they will clinch second place and a home playoff date as both teams wrap up the regular season. 

Three weeks ago, when they met in Calgary the Toppers claimed a 35-17 victory.  Running back Boston Davidsen paced his club with 144 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries.  The Hilltops did most of their damage in the first half scoring 25 of their 35 points.

Sunday afternoon they will honour head coach Tom Sargeant and his 25 years of coaching this perennial powerhouse. 

His club has won two straight and are on the verge of hosting yet another playoff game.  If they win, they will host the Edmonton Huskies in the post season, however If they lose, they will be on the road in Edmonton.

The Colts have an opportunity to play spoiler and make sure the Hilltops must travel in the playoffs, but scoring won’t be easy against the stingiest defence in the Conference.  They have lost four straight including the 18-point loss to the Hilltops three weeks ago.  This is their final game of the season.

Head-to-Head

Records: Colts 2-5 – Hilltops 4-3
Points For: Colts 198 – Hilltops 200
Points Against: Colts 214 – Hilltops 115

Passing Leaders: Nick Kennedy – 92 of 152 for 1239 yards and 11 touchdowns (Colts) – Damon Dutton – 71 of 114 for 779 yards and 3 touchdowns (Hilltops)

Rushing Leaders: Alan Xiang – 91 carries for 606 yards and 5 touchdowns (Colts) – Boston Davidsen – 133 carries for 891 yards and 5 touchdowns (Hilltops)

Receiving Leaders: Nicholas Sirleaf – 23 receptions for 357 yards and 1 touchdown (Colts) – Broden Marley – 30 receptions for 304 yards and 1 touchdown (Hilltops)

Leading Tacklers: Damien Bucknor – 31 tackles (Colts) – Matt Wist – 35 tackles (Hilltops)

Edmonton Wildcats @ Winnipeg Rifles – Sunday October 16, 3:00pm – IG Field | WATCH HERE

The Winnipeg Rifles are playoff bound and know they will face the Regina Thunder in a semi-final.  They would love nothing more than to head into the post season on a winning note.  

The Rifles have lost two straight with their last victory coming in Edmonton and a 48-20 victory over the Wildcats on September 18th.  Win or lose they face the Thunder in the playoffs, a team they have played well against.  Coming out of the Thanksgiving bye week it will be interesting to see how head coach Geordie Wilson manages his starters not wanting to take unnecessary risks with his top players. 

The Wildcats conclude the regular season after this game and are hoping to give head coach Darcy Park a win in his final game. He and the team announced he will not be returning in 2023 after coaching with the Wildcats for over 20 years.   It will no doubt be an emotional game for the entire organization. 

Head-to-Head

Records: Wildcats 0-7 – Rifles 3-4
Points For: Wildcats 105 – Rifles 161
Points Against: Wildcats 337 – Rifles 169

Passing Leaders: Caleb Taylor – 61 of 115 for 921 yards and 2 touchdowns (Wildcats) – Bryson McNeil – 154 of 252 for 2204 yards and 12 touchdowns (Rifles)

Rushing Leaders: Jayden Sak – 55 carries for 255 yards (Wildcats) – Brady Meeks – 61 carries for 236 yards and 2 touchdowns (Rifles)

Receiving Leaders: Travis Heggart – 19 receptions for 307 yards and 2 touchdowns (Wildcats) – Jake Roger – 29 receptions for 548 yards and 2 touchdowns (Rifles)

Leading Tacklers: Tanner Shaw – 34 tacklers (Wildcats) – Brandon Kamenz – 35 tackles (Rifles)

Ontario Conference PLAYOFFS

Hamilton Hurricanes @ St. Clair Saints - WATCH HERE

Ottawa Sooners @ London Beefeaters - WATCH HERE

BC Conference PLAYOFFS

Langley Rams @ Okanagan Sun - WATCH HERE

Valley Huskers @ Westshore Rebels - WATCH HERE