For the second straight year the Thunder host the Colts
Itās dĆ©jĆ vu all over again on Sunday when the Regina Thunder (2) host the Calgary Colts (3) in the PFC semi-final game at 1:00pm.
Itās the second straight year these two match-up in the semi-final and fifth time in history they meet in the post season, each team beating the other twice.
Last year the Colts pulled off a 20-17 upset in Regina, kicking a field goal to win it with just two seconds left in the fourth quarter.
The Colts have outscored the Thunder 102-64 in the four post season games, thanks in large part to a 55-6 victory in 2011.
This season the Colts and Thunder met just once as the Thunder got a small measure of revenge with a 30-20 victory just a week and a half ago.Ā The Thunder collected 253 yards and the ground and 139 on the ground.Ā The Colts predominately used the passing game, to the tune of 330 yards.
Defensively the two teams are very similar having allowed 164 points this season.Ā The Thunder led the PFC with 31 takeaways, 12 of them interceptions, while the Colts tallied 26 takeaways, 11 of them picks.
While the Thunderās defence is by committee, the Colts rely on the reigning CJFL Defensive Player of the Year.Ā The leading Thunder tackler is Marcus Hall who has collected 20.Ā Linebacker Jakub Jakoubek leads the Colts with 31 and 94 defensive points.Ā Ā The Colts also have two of the PFCās best ball hawks in Owen Redlick and Connor Robinson who have combined for eight interceptions.
Offensively these two teams like to throw the ball.Ā Jaeden Marwick of the Thunder completed a Conference high 67% of his passes and 19 touchdown passes.Ā John Kiesman of the Colts completed a Conference high 122 passes and 1,801 yards.Ā Ā Where Kiesmanās main target is Kyle Brick with 30 receptions and 489 yards, Marwick has spread the ball around.Ā Ā Kasim Ocaya has 25 receptions for 443 yards, Thomas Bresciani caught 22 balls for 379 yards and Preston Bews hauled in 26 passes for 376 yards.Ā In all these three receivers caught 13 of Marwickās 19 TD passes.
The team that can establish the ground game and wear out their opponents defence should put themselves in the driver seat.Ā The Thunder has had a dynamite 1-2 punch on the ground with Colton Klassen who had 117 carries for 911 yards, both Conference highs.Ā His teammate Victor St. Pierre-Laviolette scored a Conference high 11 touchdowns on 88 carries.Ā The Colts are led by Dylan Minshullās 84 carries and 528 yards.
Regardless this should be a great game in Regina on Sunday with the winner punching their ticket to the PFC final.Ā The Colts played in the title game last year, while the Thunder played and won the championship in 2013.
Kick-off in Regina is set for 1:00pm.
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