The Saskatoon Hilltops defeated the Regina Thunder Sunday afternoon, ending the Thunder’s season and handing them their first loss.
After an eight win season where the Thunder suffered no losses, their playoff win against the Winnipeg Rifles had the Thunder at nine wins going into the final against Saskatoon.
Two of those regular season wins were against the Hilltops, Saskatoon’s only two losses on the year.
“Well, we’re on to the next one,” said Hilltops quarterback Damon Dutton, who had two rushing touchdowns on the day. The “next one” being the Western Final in B.C. against the Langley Rams. This win secured Saskatoon’s seventh straight Prairie Conference Final.
Saskatoon’s rushing attack overpowered the Thunder, totalling 386 yards and 3 touchdowns. Boston Davidson had 143 yards and a touchdown, while his backfield mate racked up 204 yards.
“We decided we were going to pound the ball more and just play within ourselves, and we were able to execute in the second half,” said Dutton.
“Saskatoon’s a really good team,” Thunder linebacker Carter Stusek said after the game. “They run the ball really hard, their O-line is good, their running back is good, they’re really well coached. I think we just let out from doing our job a little bit.”
It was a disappointing end to an otherwise fantastic Thunder season. For many Regina players, including Stusek, this was not only their best chance at toppling the Hilltops, but their last one.
Stusek and Rylan Sokul stayed on the field after the game, watching the Hilltops celebrate. For Sokul, who might return next year, it seemed motivational. For Stusek, who won’t be eligible to return, it was heartbreaking.
“This team was really special, a special group of guys. Not just good football players, but good people. Really special people,” said Stusek. “Stu” gave it his all in his final Thunder game, leading the defence with 14 total tackles.
The Thunder’s offence never found their rhythm in this game. The brisk November air seemed to affect the passing attack. Quarterback Carter Shewchuk struggled to find his connection with Conference MVP and Offensive Player of the Year Sokul, who finished with only four catches for 31 yards.
The year was still outstanding for Schewchuk, Sokul and the Thunder. Schewchuk hopes to build on it next year. “We want to look at the big strides we made as a team and as an organization, to continue that on, and hopefully bring that forward next year and for years to come,” said Schewchuk.
“I think with the culture and group we have, a championship is bound to come very soon,” said Schewchuk. “It’s been twenty hours since that game ended, and obviously there’s a bitter taste in my mouth.”
Only six players graduate from the Junior program this year, but Schewchuk said with Junior football, some players get drawn away to other teams before they are finished their eligibility to play.
He hopes that next year the main core can remain intact and not only challenge the Hilltops, but defeat them.
“We’re sick and tired of losing to them all the time. We want to be that team that is known for winning every single year,” said Schewchuk, “that’s what our goal is going into next year.”
