PFC:
Here we go again, the Thunder host the Hilltops
The PFC Game of the Week, is the only match-up of the week as the Regina Thunder (3-1) host the Saskatoon Hilltops (4-0).Ā This tilt is the back half of a home and home after the Hilltops beat the Thunder 35-17 last weekend in Saskatoon.
Last week the Hilltops used their running attack to perfection gaining 350 yards, led by the Offensive Player of the Week, Logan Fischer.Ā He rushed a CJFL high 32 times for 293 yards and a touchdown.Ā Five different players scored for the Hilltops.
Defensively last week, the Hilltops allowed just three points in the second half as veteran linebacker Cole Benkic collected four tackles, a knockdown and fumble recovery of 45 yards.
The Hilltops have won the eight of the last nine games in Regina.Ā The lone victory by the Thunder was a year ago, 20-16. Since 2003 the Hilltops have traveled to Regina 11 times and left with 10 wins.Ā The largest margin of a Hilltops victory was 49 points in 2008, while the closet margin of victory was in 2009 in Hilltops four point win.
This game features the top two highest scoring offences led by the Thunder scoring 205 points, or 51 points per game.Ā The Hilltops have scored 181 points or 45 points per win.Ā Not only that, but these clubs own the PFCās top two stingy defences.Ā The Toppers have allowed 44 points in the first four games, while the Thunder have allowed 90.Ā The Hilltops lead the Conference with a +10 in takeaway/giveaway while the Thunder are close behind with a +9.
Clearly so far this season these two teams have been the class of the Conference, leading in most offensive and defensive categories.Ā Ā Ā These clubs have the top two rated quarterbacks in Jared Andreychuck (Hilltops) and Jaeden Marwick (Thunder). Just one percentage point separates their passer efficiency rating and they have combined for 20 touchdown passes.
Andreychuck ā 58 of 76 for 749 yards, 8 touchdowns, a 76.3% completion percentage and a 125.4 passer efficiency rating.
Marwick ā 52 of 79 for 727 yards, 12 touchdowns, a 65.8% completion percentage and a 124.8 passer efficiency rating.
This should be another dandy match-up.Ā After rain last weekend in Saskatoon, Mother Nature is calling for nothing but sunshine on Saturday in Regina, allowing these two offences to show what they can do.
After the Hilltops 18 point win last weekend, the Thunder would need to win by more than 18 to take back the tie breaker, which could come into play down the stretch.
Kick-off between these two PFC power houses is set for Saturday night in Regina at 7:00pm at Mosaic Stadium.
BCFC:
The Kamloops Broncos visit the Langley Rams
Photo courtesy of Kirby Sports Photography
The BCFC Game of the Week has potential playoff implications as the Langley Rams host the Kamloops Broncos at McLeod Stadium on Saturday night.
Both clubs are coming off the Labour Day bye week and should be healthy, rested and ready to go.Ā Ā Back in Week 2, the Rams came from behind, scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter to beat the Broncos in Kamloops 25-17.
Offensively the Broncos have scored 95 more points than the Rams and are having their most productive season yet.Ā Quarterback Steve Schuweiler is having a terrific season leading the Conference with 1,752 yards, a 65.1% completion percentage and 16 touchdowns.Ā He has the luxury of throwing to the two top receivers in the BCFC; Darek Yachison with 42 receptions* and 11 touchdowns* and Devin Csincsa with 37 receptions and 675 yards.*
The Broncos ground attack as picked up steam as Jacob Palmarin has been nearly unstoppable with 81 carries for a Conference leading 821 yards and 11 touchdowns.Ā He is on pace to become the first 1000 yard rusher since 2012.Ā In his last two games before the bye heās carried 37 times for 389 yards and scored four touchdowns.
With all the offensive firepower the Broncos have, will they be able to find holes in a very talent and quick Rams defence?Ā Arguably this is the best defence the Broncos have seen to date.Ā The Rams have allowed 139 points this season and have 22 takeaways.
Back in Week 2 the Rams held the Broncos offence to 300 total yards and force four turnovers.Ā However Palmarin did manage 101 yards on 15 carries.Ā Schuweiler completed 19 of 33 for 227 yards and threw TD to Yachison.
The CJFLās sack master Brock Gowanlock was 10 sacks, two of which he got in Week 2 in Kamloops.Ā Alex Agnoletto has stepped his game up and lead the defence with 55 defensive points including 20 tackles.Ā The Broncos offensive line will have their hands full with both players.
The Rams offence will need to find their footing early.Ā In Week 6 prior to the bye, they managed just 146 yards of total offence at home.Ā Back in Week 2 the did have success running the ball as Nathan Lund averaged 14 yards a carry, gaining 144 yards and a major.
Both teams are fast and highly skilled with above average defences.Ā This has all the makings of a very tight contest, much like the last time the Broncos were in Langley.
Last year in the BCFC semi-final the Rams narrowly held onto a 48-46 victory, propelling them into the BCFC title game.Ā The Broncos offence tallied 653 yards of total offence that night as Schuweiler passed for 543 yards and four touchdowns.Ā Lund carried 15 times for 185 yards to lead the Broncos.
Saturday night the Broncos and Rams are the featured game as all eyes across the CJFL will be tuned in.
If the Rams win, they will sweep the seasonal series.Ā If the Broncos win they will need to beat the Rams by more than eight points to take the ātie-breakerā card away from the Rams.
This should be one heck of a game.Ā Kick-off from McLeod Stadium is 7:00pm on Saturday night.
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