The Regina Thunder are one win away from a second national championship as players prepare for their biggest game of the season this weekend.
“It’s very exciting, the chance to make history with this group is an opportunity I am really looking forward to,” said Thunder wide receiver Tanner Donovel.
The Thunder punched their ticket to the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL) Canadian Bowl after travelling to Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., and defeating the Sault College Cougars 44-15 in the national semi-championship. According to CJFL statistics, in the matchup Donovel recorded five receptions for 111 yards and one touchdown.
This adds to an already strong year by Donovel, who finished the regular season with 628 receiving yards, 44 receptions and a conference-high six receiving touchdowns. This earned Donovel his first Prairie Football Conference (PFC) all-star honours.
“I do what I can, I try my best to do my job, and I know the rest will fall into place. Even when we’re up, I give it all I have because in a game like football, momentum can swing at any time,” said Donovel.
The Thunder will take on the British Columbia Football Conference (BCFC) champion Westshore Rebels, who defeated the Langley Rams 35-28 in the Cullen Cup Championship to earn the right to host the Canadian Bowl. One of the Thunder’s biggest challenges will be containing the CJFL’s all time leader in receiving yards Zion Brown.
This season, Brown recorded 47 receptions for 908 yards and four touchdowns, which helped him earn his second consecutive BCFC Outstanding Receiver of the Year award. Brown has now amassed 3,376 receiving yards through his CJFL career, according to the Westshore Rebels website.
“Zion looks like a great player, and he is a big playmaker. We just want to play confident all game and stay disciplined in coverage to prevent explosive plays,” said Thunder defensive back Gabe Wilson.
The Thunder defence has been formidable this year, leading the PFC in several major statistical categories. According to CJFL statistics, the unit has held opposing offences to an uninspiring 15.5 points per game while intercepting the ball 16 times and forcing a total of 30 turnovers.
“We put a big emphasis on swarming to the ball and trusting each other to do our own jobs within the system. It also helps when you have a darn good defensive line that wins the battle up front a lot of the time,” said Wilson.
Regina will look to carry their defensive success into the Canadian Bowl, where limiting the connection between Brown and Westshore quarterback Anthony Cancellare could play a significant role in the outcome.
The Thunder will fly to British Columbia on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s Canadian Bowl at Starlight Stadium in Langford, B.C. Kickoff is scheduled for Nov. 8 at 3. p.m. Regina time, with the game available to stream on BCFC TV via pay-per-view.
A victory on Sunday would give the Thunder their second national championship in franchise history, 13 years after defeating the Vancouver Island Raiders 55-26 to claim their first title in 2013.
“Winning the national championship would mean the world to me. Guys on our team have been working toward this for years, and it’d be a once-in-a-lifetime experience to win it with the guys and send off our fifth-year players with a ring,” said Wilson.
Featured Image: Regina Thunder wide receiver Tanner Donovel. (Photo by Ammar Mahmutovic)
