Photo courtesy of JodyBailey.ca

The PFC opened the 2016 season this past weekend with the Colts, Hilltops and Thunder reach recording a victory.

Calgary Colts 23
Edmonton Wildcats 3

The PFC season kicked off on Saturday night in a Battle of Alberta as the Colts took out the Wildcats with a solid defensive performance.  The Colts “D” allowed 192 yards of total offence and forced five turnovers on route to the victory.  

As good as the defence was, the Colts special teams opened the scoring when Colton Burr blocked a punt, recovered it and ran 30 yards for a touchdown.

The Colts offence was led by the ground game and Dylan Minshull who carried 15 times for 133 yards and a score.  In all, the Colts used four different ball carriers who tallied 247 yards and scored two touchdowns.    Quarterback Bailey Wasdal completed 18 passes for 199 yards.

The Wildcats quarterback Colton Hippe finished 14 of 26 for 135 yards and threw two interceptions.

This Sunday the Colts (1-0) will host the Regina Thunder (1-0) in a rematch of last season’s Canadian Bowl quarterfinal.  Meanwhile the Wildcats (0-1) travel to Winnipeg to face the Rifles (0-1) on Saturday night.

Saskatoon Hilltops 40
Winnipeg Rifles 13

The defending champs open their season with a dominating performance at home.  The offence was a near perfect balance with 225 yards on the ground and 212 through the air.  Quarterback Jared Andreychuk completed eight passes, three of them for touchdowns and 193 yards including a 67 yard bomb to Ryan Turple.  The ground game was led by Logan Fischer who rushed 20 times for 133 yards.

Defensively the Hilltops got on the board as well when Adam Benkic picked up a fumble and rushed 22 yards the other way for a major.  In all the Hilltops forced five turnovers, both Ben Solie and Spencer Anderson each intercepted a pass.

The Rifles offence did gather 380 yards of total offence, 262 of it through the air. Quarterback Jamie Ybarra Jr. finished 22 of 35 and threw a touchdown pass to All-Canadian receiver Ian Lee.  On the ground Michael Ritchott collected 104 yards and scored a touchdown.

The Hilltops (1-0) will hit the road and face the Edmonton Huskies (0-1) next Sunday at 1:00pm while the Rifles (0-1) host their home opener when they welcome in the Edmonton Wildcats (0-1) on Saturday night.

Regina Thunder 15
Edmonton Huskies 6

The closest game of the week was a defensive struggle between the Thunder and Huskies.  These clubs combined for just five points in the first half.  

Thunder quarterback Sawyer Buettner finished 16 of 31 for 170 yards finding six different receivers.    Running back Victor St. Pierre-Laviolette carried 20 times for 94 yards and scored two touchdowns.

Both Matthew Williams and Polis Koko were stars on defence.  Williams recorded an incredible 3.5 sacks and Koko picked off two passes.

The Huskies had one bad quarter, but certainly looked much improved from last season’s one win.   Quarterback Brad Launhart finished 17 of 35 for 171 yards and kicker Cole Sabourin nailed a pair of field goals.

The Thunder (1-0) head to Calgary and will battle the Colts (1-0) on Sunday at 1:00pm, while the Huskies (0-1) welcome the Saskatoon Hilltops (1-0).