Photo courtesy of angdenekaphotos.athletics

Saskatoon Hilltops 38
Edmonton Huskies 13

The defending Canadian Bowl champion Hilltops opened their title defence on Sunday using a massive 21-point third quarter to beat the visiting Huskies by 25-points.

Through the air quarterback Trey Reider was outstanding completing 14 passes for 168 yards and had a touchdown pass.  He also rushed for two majors in the ballgame.  Back-up pivot Brexton Elias completed one pass, a seven-yard touchdown strike.  Both touchdowns went to Drake Douglas in the second half who had a massive game making seven receptions for an impressive 122 yards.

Uncharacteristically on the ground the Hilltops rushed for 116 yards, most chewed up by Corbin Ebben’s 60 yards on 13 carries. 
Johnathon Stevens led the defensive side with four tackles and had two sacks and Isaac Michalyuk made five tackles, had half a sack and made an interception.

The lone Huskies touchdown came from their defence when Tanner Berezowski picked up a fumble and returned it 23 yards for a major. 

Offensively they were held to 66 yards through the air and 138 yards on the ground.

Next weekend the Hilltops (1-0) will visit the Winnipeg Rifles (0-1) and the Huskies (0-1) host the Calgary Colts (1-0).

Regina Thunder 61
Winnipeg Rifles 14

The Thunder scored 23 points in the second quarter and cruised to a lopsided victory. 

Offensively the Thunder did a lot of things right and were led by Sadik Sadik.  He caught four passes for 121 yards and two touchdowns, then ran for another.  Speaking of running, Ryland Leichert rushed for a pair of touchdowns on 16 carries and Peter Boersch added another.

Quarterback Carter Moberg completed only eight passes, but three of them were for touchdowns while gaining 167 yards.  Along with Sadik’s touchdown receptions, Ben Walz caught one as well. 

On the defensive side the Thunder forced an eye-popping 10 turnovers, five of which were interceptions with one being returned 41-yards for a pick-six by Noah Zimroz. 

Both Rifles touchdowns came in the second half.   Running back Kaiden Banfield had both scores and rushed for 113 yards.

Next weekend the Thunder (1-0) stay on the road and visit the Edmonton Wildcats (0-1) and the Rifles (0-1) welcome the Saskatoon Hilltops (1-0).

Calgary Colts 36
Edmonton Wildcats 10

The Colts used the aerial attack gaining 394 yards led by Caine Harrison who threw for 287 of those yards and had a touchdown in the Colts victory.  Back-Up Isaiah Klein completed four passes and added another 107 yards and a major. 

Seven different receivers caught passes with both Antoine Barrett and Casey Albert getting into the endzone.  On the ground Klein and Zion Dodge-Brown each rushed for a touchdown.

On specials Yve Saintus was terrific recording two blocked kicks, busting through the line. 

The lone Wildcats touchdown didn’t come until the fourth quarter when quarterback Marcos Soltero hit Max Taylor for an 11-yard score.  On the ground Darien Currie ran for 147 yards on 23 carries, the best individual running performance in the Prairie Conference this past weekend. 

Next week the Colts (1-0) head to Edmonton again but this time visit the Huskies (0-1) and the Wildcats (0-1) welcome the Regina Thunder (1-0).