Photo courtesy of Wanda Harron Photography

Saskatoon Hilltops @ Regina Thunder – Sunday October 26, 1:00pm – Mosaic Stadium | WATCH HERE

The top two teams in the Prairie Conference will battle in the championship game on Sunday when the Thunder host the Hilltops for the right to host the 2025 Canadian Bowl.

To say these two teams are even in their head-to-head matchups would be a gross understatement.  Both process weapons on both sides of the ball, have outstanding special teams, are led by a veteran coaching staff, and split their two regular season meetings, with the visiting team winning both times by three points.

The Thunder won the right to host this game finishing with a 7-1 regular season record; their only loss was an 18-15 setback at home against the Hilltops.    They breezed past the visiting Edmonton Huskies last weekend in a semi-final win. 

Meanwhile the Hilltops crushed the Winnipeg Rifles in their playoff game, scoring 60 points, atoning for a Week 1 loss in Winnipeg, which ultimately forced them into the second seed and on the road for this championship game.

Sunday will be all about the run game and which defence can limit the other.  Both teams feature an All-Star running back and a strong, talented offensive line that can make room to eat up yards.  David Collins of the Hilltops was named the Conference’s Offensive Player of the Year after rushing for 1028 yards and a Conference high 13 touchdowns.   He is a dynamic rusher with incredible breakaway speed who enjoyed two solid games against the Thunder this season rushing for 188 yards and four touchdowns.  The Thunder on the other hand will feature Peter Boersch, named the Conference’s Most Valuable Player after chewing up a CJFL’s best 1327 yards and added four touchdowns.   He outrushed Collins in their head-to-head matchups this season gaining 270 yards against the Hilltops.  Between the two of them Boersch and Collins combined to gain 458 yards on the ground in the seasonal series.

Clearly the defences will have their hands full.  All-Star linebackers Kenten Effa (Thunder) and Isaac Michayluk (Hilltops) will need to make an impact in the run game.  If they can somehow find a way to crowd the line and shadow the running back, their team will enjoy the fruits of their labour.  Michayuk made 12 tackles against the Thunder this year while Effa countered with 11 in the series.

As in previous years, the defences for these two teams don’t give up much.  Statistically the Hilltops had the slightly better defence during the regular season allowing an average of 15.7 points a game, while the Thunder allowed 17.2.   Both teams are loaded with All-Stars with the likes of Jonathan Kampen, Cooper Filzaek, Jake Mayo, Johnathon Stevens, and Jace Mowles.

Each team processes an “x-factor” who have been bright stars for their respective teams this season, showing up big in the semi-finals last weekend.  For the Thunder the addition of Jackson Harnett has been a game changer.  The former Huskie can play all over the field and showed off his running skills last weekend in the semi-finals carrying the rock seven times for an eye-popping 204 yards and two touchdowns.  When needed he can also drop back and throw the ball, to give his club another option.   With Harnett and Boersch in the backfield the defence won’t be allowed to cheat and focus in on one player.

Speaking of the backfield, Charles Sawi on the Hilltops side has been outstanding all year running the ball alongside Collins.  Sawi has outstanding field vision and can blast through the smallest of holes to chew up yards.  Once in the open field, good luck chasing him down with his lightning-fast speed.   He rushed three times last weekend in the semi for 104 yards and two touchdowns.  He is also used on kick returns and was named the Conference’s Special Teams Player of the Year.  Each time he touches the ball on a return he has the ability to take it to the house or set up his offensive teammates with great field position.  Don’t be surprised if the Thunder try and kick it away from Sawi on Sunday afternoon.

Despite all the numbers, the side-by-side comparisons, and the over analysing of these two teams, this will be a tremendous game featuring two incredible programs.  These coaching staffs have been in this game a lot and know not to panic and what adjustments need to be made at the half to have success.  No-one will be surprised if this game comes right don’t to the final play with zeros on the clock. 

In recent interviews, the head coaches had this to say:

“This is the game our players have worked all year for,” said Thunder head coach Scott MacAulay. “We’ve built a strong, determined group that believes in one another. The focus and drive in our locker room is incredible and our guys are ready to leave it all on the field and earn another trip to the Canadian Bowl.”  Regina Thunder website

“We’re playing in the PFC final,” said Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant to The Star Phoenix. “We’ll jump on that bus and bring the best 46 players that are hungry and ready to go.  Coaches have been working hard, putting together great game plans and at the end of the day, it’s two highly motivated, hungry football teams that know, at the end of this, you’d be hosting a national championship.  There’s some reality to that but, the good thing for us, we’re just focused on getting better today and looking forward to Sunday.”

The winner will host the 2025 Canadian Bowl on Sunday November 9th.

Head-to-Head in the 2025 seasonal series

Records: Hilltops 1-1 – Thunder 1-1
Avg Points For: Hilltops 19.5 – Thunder 19.5
Avg Points Allowed: Hilltops 19.5 – Thunder 19.5

Passing Leaders: Brexton Elias – 30 of 54 for 428 yards and 1 touchdown (Hilltops) – Adam Mosher – 25 of 52 for 280 yards and 2 touchdowns (Thunder)

Rushing Leaders: David Collins – 38 carries for 188 yards and 4 touchdowns (Hilltops) – Peter Boersch – 51 carries for 261 yards (Thunder)

Receiving Leaders: Isiah Vallderruten – 7 receptions for 153 yards and 1 touchdown (Hilltops) – Ben Walz - 11 receptions for 119 yards (Thunder)

Leading Tacklers: Isaac Michayluk – 12 tackles (Hilltops) – Kenten Effa – 11tackles (Thunder)