2013 Canadian Bowl Preview: Will Raiders finally overcome PFC conference?

The Regina Thunder are making their first appearance in the Canadian Bowl since 1998 when they hosted and won the National Championship as the Regina Rams.
During the regular season the Thunder finished 5-2-1 securing second place in the PFC and were 3-1 at home.  The post season has challenged the Thunder downing the Edmonton Huskies with a tight 26-17 victory, then a hard fought road win in Saskatoon 21-16.

Despite 247 difficult yards on the ground in the two playoff games by running back Nick Brown, this is a pass first offense.    Quarterback Asher Hastings had the highest passer efficiency rating during the regular season at 103.2%.  He connected on 118 passes for 1,765 yards and 17 touchdowns, but perhaps the most impressive stat is his Conference leading 62.4% completion percentage.

Hastings has a number of quality receivers at his disposal, Will Heward who had 39 catches, 447 yards and seven touchdowns, Mitchell Thompson a former Raider made 35 receptions, 526 yards and three majors while Brady Keller hauled in 26 catches, 439 yards and three scores.

On the ground in the regular season, the Thunder didn’t enjoy the success they wanted to as Brown carried 66 times for 341 yards.  In the playoffs however Brown and the run game has flourished, as he’s carried 47 times for 249 yards and scored three touchdowns.  Matt Frass will also play an important role on Saturday afternoon, picking up the Raiders blitz to give Hastings more time to look downfield.

Though the Thunder offense tallied the fourth most points in 220, their defense was solid allowing just 183 points, third least in the PFC.  Linebacker Brett Selinger compiled a team high 34 solo tackles, and 81 defensive points.  He made a team leading four tackles in the PFC final against the Hilltops.  Meanwhile in the secondary, defensive back Chris Tunnicliffe had a Conference high five interceptions, along with 28 tackles and a knockdown.

The wildcard for the Thunder could be their kicking game.  Rookie William McGee connected on 12 of his 16 field goal attempts, including a 42 yarder.  As a punter McGee was among the leaders with 57 kicks, and a net average of 31.32 yards.

From a superstition stand point, the Thunder may have the advantage.  The last time the Thunder hosted the Canadian Bowl was in 1998 when they beat another BCFC team, the Okanagan Sun 36-13.  One of the best players of the field that day was receiver/returner Jason Clermont.  At this year’s Canadian Bowl, Clermont will once again be on the Regina sideline, but as a co-Ambassador.

The Thunder are looking to copy what their Provincial counterparts did in the last Canadian Bowl that was held in Saskatchewan…host and beat the Vancouver Island Raiders in the National Championship.

The Vancouver Island Raiders are making their fifth appearance in the Canadian Bowl since their birth in 2005.  They are 3-1 in the National Championship game, winning in 2006, 2008 and 2009.

This season the Raiders feel this has been a complete team effort.  In previous years they have been fortunate to lean on offensive weapons like Andrew Harris and Jordan Yantz, however this season there has not been just one superstar.
Their defense has been solid allowing 163 points led by linebacker Dylan Chapdelaine, who compiled 42 solo tackles to lead the club.  In the Jostens Cup National Semi-Final he had an important 46 yard pick six that was a key factor in the game.

Defensive lineman Ash Gayat was also a key contributor leading the club with 8.5 sacks, 18 tackles and two fumble recoveries.  Gayat is a home born Nanaimo product who has made a big impact this season.

Offensively the Raiders have not had problems scoring points, tallying 392 during the regular season and averaging an incredible 54 points a game in the playoffs.

They have used three quarterbacks as Winnipeg native Jamie Ybarra took the starting role away from Mississauga QB Jahmari Bennett who was injured early in the season.  Ybarra himself however has been sidelined with an injury since Week 10, but put up impressive numbers, finishing his rookie season 68 of 116 for 1,382 yards and 13 touchdowns.

The current starter is Jaeden Marwick, who finished 42 of 74 with seven touchdown passes, although the Regina Thunder will likely see Bennett also take a number of snaps during the Canadian Bowl.

Receiver Whitman Tomusiak who is practicing with the BC Lions during the week and playing with the Raiders on the weekend hauled in 38 receptions for a team high 660 yards and seven touchdowns. Tomusiak will also be used on kick returns and has had tremendous success giving the Raiders terrific position.  Dylan Schrot has also been a weapon with 24 catches and 659 yards with five touchdowns.

On the ground the Raiders have a three headed monster.  Andrew Deleon is the speedster with 58 carries for 557 yards during the regular season.  Michael Ritchott who was named the Jostens Cup Offensive Player of the Game is the shifty back that is difficult to bring down with his 52 carries and 406 yards, while Ashton Galloway is pure power, rumbling 31 times for 238 yards and three scores during the regular season campaign.

The wildcard for the Raiders is receiver/returner Dustin Rodriguez.  He has had two punt returns for touchdowns during the post season alone and has averaged 19.7 yards on a kick return.  Rodriguez may not get the glory but his kick returns have given the Raiders favourable field position all season long.

The BCFC champions will also have coaching experience on their side as all of the staff has been to at least one Canadian Bowl.  Head Coach Matt Blokker has been at the helm for each of their fourth previous appearances along with offensive coordinator Daryl Rogers and defensive coordinator Doug Hocking.  When it comes to second half adjustments, the Raiders have been the best in the business.

With all their success since 2005, the only Conference the Raiders have never won in is the PFC.  They will get another chance on Saturday at Mosaic Stadium.