Photo courtesy of Michael Lasko

The PFC playoff began on Saturday night with a thrilling upset win in Regina as the Calgary Colts kicked a game winning field goal with two seconds left to eliminate the defending Canadian Bowl champion Thunder, 20-17.

The Colts scored all 20 of their points in the second half and held the Thunder to just seven, collecting 359 yards of total offense.

Starter Brett Hunchak was six of 16 for 67 yards and threw four interceptions before getting the hook for Cole Meyer.  The back-up quarterback was terrific leading the Colts to their first playoff win since 2011.  Meyer finished 12 of 19 for 160 yards and threw a pair of touchdowns to Jevon Cottoy.  The true rookie caught a game high seven passes for 140 yards.

On the ground six Colts ran the rock led by Cam Fox and his 12 carries for 62 yards.

Kicker Marshal Broom connected on two field goals, including the game winner with just two seconds left. 

Defensively Colton Burr was terrific picking off a pass with five seconds left, setting up the game winning field. He also had six solo tackles and a knockdown.  Jakub Jakoubek had a game high 10 tackles and Dylan Niedermaier had seven tackles while Brock Ramias also intercepted a pass.

The Colts have won four straight, all on the road.  They will now travel to Saskatoon to face the Hilltops on Sunday in the PFC Final, a rematch of the 2011 championship game.

The Regina Thunder Canadian Bowl title defense comes to close following the loss.  They collected just 287 yards of total offense with back-up quarterback Spencer Mack, as the injury Jaeden Marwick wasn’t able to play due to injury.

Mack completed 15 of 26 passes for 185 yards, threw two touchdowns and two picks, including one with just five second to go in tied game that set up the winning field goal.

Thomas Bresciani caught Mack’s two touchdown passes including an 81 yarder. Preston Bews hauled in three passes for 22 yards.

Colton Klassen led the ground game with 15 carries for 66 yards.

The Thunder defense did intercept five passes, but it wasn’t enough. Taylor Mayer, Menedum Menegbo, Chris Tunnicliffe, Taylor Garrett and Ryan Warner each picked off a pass.  Brandon Whitehouse had a team high eight tackles while Brett Selinger collected six.

The other PFC semi-final wasn’t as close as the Saskatoon Hilltops blasted the Winnipeg Rifles 43-13 for the third time this season.

The top seeded Hilltops had a well balanced attack rushing for 250 yards and throwing for 210.

Wayndel Lewis carried a game high 14 times for 90 yards but didn’t play in the second half due to an ankle injury, Des Vessey rushed 12 times for 60 yards and offensive lineman Drayke Unger scored a touchdown.

Through the air quarterback Jared Andreychuck completed 11 of 19 for 210 and threw four touchdowns.  Evan Kopchynski made two touchdown receptions totally 101 yards. Both Logan Fischer and Tyson Sawatzky also hauled in majors.

Defensively the Hilltops were solid as Derek Sadownick intercepted two passes and Jamie Vause had a team high five solo tackles.  Tom Schnitzler chipped in with four solo tackles.

The Hilltops will play in their eight straight PFC Final as they host the Calgary Colts on Sunday afternoon.

The Winnipeg Rifles roller coaster season comes to a close losing their fifth straight game.

Quarterback Tyler Vieira finished 21 of 34 for 353 yards and threw a touchdown pass to Kurt Goodrich playing in his final game.  He made a Conference high 10 catches for 201 yards and will graduate the program following this loss.  Alexander Tachinski made four catches for 62 yards.

On the defense the Rifles didn’t force a Hilltops turnover, but Joshua Onyebuchi made a team high five tackles while Chris Brown-Fillion made four.

The PFC Final will kick-off at the Saskatoon Minor Football Field on Sunday afternoon as the Hilltops host the Colts for the third time since 2008.