CJFL: PFC Week 5 Preview

PFC WEEK 5 PREVIEW

REGINA THUNDER AT SASKATOON HILLTOPS SEPT.8 7 PM

The season series between the two Saskatchewan clubs gets underway in earnest on Saturday night as the provincial rivals square off in the annual Shrine Bowl series. The teams split the regular season set in 2011 with the Thunder pulling off a 15-10 home upset in the season opener. The Hilltops scored a 24-10 win at Gordie Howe Bowl on September 10.

The contest sees the winner get temporary possession of second place in the conference as heading into the week’s action, the Thunder, Hilltops and Edmonton Wildcats each stake a claim to second.

Hilltops starting quarterback Matt Karpinka is very likely to return to the Toppers lineup on Saturday after suffering a slight shoulder separation in the victory at Winnipeg 3 weeks ago, having sat out the home win over the Huskies 2 weeks previous. However, as of this writing, it appears Matt Harder will start for the Hilltops.

Colin Keys picked up Defensive Player of the Week honors as he picked off a pair of Trevor Erdmann passes in a 39-10 win over the Edmonton Huskies.

The Thunder rolled literally 2 weeks ago at Mosaic Stadium as the home side rallied from a 1-point halftime deficit to down the Winnipeg Rifles 39-16, putting up 24 unanswered points. Landon Bessel makes his 3rd start of the season at quarterback; having thrown for 518 yards and 5 touchdowns in his first two starts. Bessel earned Offensive Player of the Week on the strength of his 310-yard, 3 touchdown effort in the win over Winnipeg.

Receiver Mitch Thompson had a pair of major scores in the opening period of the Winnipeg win, including a 69-yard punt return touchdown. The punt return score earned him Special Teams Player of the Week honors.

WINNIPEG RIFLES AT EDMONTON WILDCATS SEPT. 9 1PM

The Rifles head into Sunday’s game at 0-3 and it’s approaching must-win time for Winnipeg as they sit 4 points back of the second place bunching that includes Saskatoon, the Edmonton Wildcats & Regina Thunder.

Rookie pivot John Kiesman will again be at the controls for the Rifles & he has the PFC’s 2nd leading receiver in Brett Carter to pitch to as he has amassed 19 grabs for 281 yards. Tailback Martin Hovi sits 2nd in rushing yards with 387, while his Wildcat counterpart Jordan Samoil has run amuck so far with 687 yards & 7, count ‘em, 7 touchdowns in only 3 games.

The Rifles struggles on defense continue as they allowed 39 points to Regina 2 weeks ago. They’ve surrendered 108 points, second most in the conference. The Wildcats saw their 2-game win streak snapped at home against the Colts & look to return to form on Sunday. Veteran pivot Jordan Olson has been steady, passing for 489 yards with his favorite target being Brad Quartel, who’s snagged 17 catches for 177 yards.

This will be the second & final regular season contest between the two clubs with the Wildcats winning 34-20 at Canad Inns Stadium in the season opener.

EDMONTON HUSKIES AT CALGARY COLTS- SUNDAY AUGUST 26 2PM

The Huskies have a very tough assignment on Sunday with the task being attempting to knock off the CJFL’s top-rated team in their own corral.

The Huskies offense has struggled as pivot Trevor Erdmann is still looking for his first touchdown toss of 2012, having thrown 7 interceptions to this point, however he’s 2nd in passing yards with 621. Receiver Anthony Barrett has a team best 147 receiving yards with 11 catches, while Sam Schwab has been held to 9 grabs in 3 games.

On the defensive side of the ledger, the Huskies do have the top 2 in defensive points in the conference in linebacker Chance Hanson who leads the PFC with 54, while defensive back Kevin Francis has racked up 43.

Meanwhile, with the Colts offense, it’s all systems go as quarterback Derek Cooper leads the conference in passing yards with 771 and sits 2nd in touchdown passes with 4.

Receiver Jimmy Ralph who sat out the win in Edmonton, will likely return to the lineup this weekend, is currently 4th in the PFC with 207 receiving yards on 12 grabs. Rookie receiver Nik Petros & 2nd-year man Rodreke Joseph have hit double digits in receptions with 10 & 11 respectively.

Veteran linebacker Stephen Dereniwski leads the Calgary defense & is 5th in defensive points on the strength of a 64-yard interception return for a six-pointer in Edmonton two weeks ago.

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