Thunder remains unbeaten, Hilltops get back on track

After one quarter Sunday, the Regina Thunder’s unbeaten record appeared to be in jeopardy.

Regina trailed the host Winnipeg Rifles 15-0 after the opening 15 minutes of a PFC game. But a 10-point third quarter put the Thunder ahead 19-16 and another 10 points in the fourth sealed Regina’s 29-23 victory — its sixth straight win to open the 2022 season.

The Thunder swept the season series against the Rifles, but won the two games by a total of just eight points. The Thunder prevailed 24-22 when the teams met in Regina on Aug. 21.

Also Sunday, the Saskatoon Hilltops improved to 3-3-0 with a 35-17 victory over the host Calgary Colts. Saskatoon is tied with Winnipeg for third place, two points back of the Edmonton Huskies (4-2-0) and four back of Regina.

In Winnipeg, Regina quarterback Carter Shewchuk completed 19 of 34 pass attempts for 287 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

Isaiah Woodley (52-yard reception), Isaac Foord (four-yard catch) and Ryland Leichert (two-yard run) scored touchdowns for the Thunder, which got two field goals, two converts and a single from Eric Maximuik and a two-point convert from Sadik Sadik.

Regina outgained the Rifles 493-392, but surrendered 329 yards passing and three scoring tosses to Winnipeg pivot Bryson McNeil.

The Thunder is to visit the Colts on Sunday.

In Calgary, Boston Davidsen rushed 19 times for 144 yards and a touchdown and the Hilltops rolled up 460 yards of net offence to beat the Colts (2-4-0).

Trey Reider threw three touchdown passes — 20- and 11-yarders to Noah Flaman and a 12-yarder to Dillan Heintz — for the Hilltops, who snapped a three-game losing streak.

Connor Green hoofed a field goal, a single and three converts for Saskatoon and Drake Douglas had a two-point convert. The Colts also conceded a safety.

Saskatoon travels to Edmonton to face the Wildcats (0-6-0) on Sunday.