The PFC would kickoff the 2013 this past weekend as the Huskies, Hilltops and Thunder all recorded their first wins of the year.
The season would officially get underway in Edmonton as the Huskies and Wildcats would battle at Clarke Park. The Huskies would record the 23-17 victory despite their offense begin outgained 444-339.
Quarterback Trevor Erdmann would finish 19 of 34 for 235 yards and throw two touchdowns. He would spread the ball around to six different receivers. Both Sam Schwab and Dylan Stanton would haul in touchdown passes, while James Aldred would catch four balls for a team high 56 yards.
The Huskies ground attack was led by Stas Bessmertniy who would carry the rock 12 times for 62 yards.
Kicker Jonathan Heidebrecht would collect two field goals to add to the Huskies scoring, including hitting from 45 yards out.
The Huskies “D” would tally two turnovers including Rees Paterson recording his first pick of the year, while Stephan Paleniuk jumped on a fumble. Both Paterson and Adam Kuntz would lead the club with seven tackles each.
The Huskies (1-0) will visit the Winnipeg Rifles (0-1) on Sunday in Week 2.
The Edmonton Wildcats would gain 444 yards of total offense but would fall short on the scoreboard. Running back Levon Hawreliak would carry a game high 22 times for 187 yards and would score a major.
The Cats would use a two quarterback system as Jordan Olson finished 10 of 23 for 168 yard and threw a pick. Taylor Yaremchuck would complete five passes for 43 yards.
Eight different receivers would make catches led by Brad Quartel who hauled in a game high seven balls for 126 yards.
Kicker Ideen Samadi would account for the other Wildcat scoring hitting three field goals.
The Wildcat defense would force three Huskie turnovers as Ryan Migadel intercepted a pass while Ryan Doram and Bradley Hoddinott picked up fumbles. Luc Catellier led the club with five tackles, an assist and a knockdown.
The Wildcats (0-1) will stay at home in Week 2 and host the Calgary Colts (0-1) on Sunday at 2:00pm.
Photo courtesy of Gord Mellor
The defending champion Saskatoon Hilltops picked up right where they left off in 2012 with a 32-20 home win over the Winnipeg Rifles.
The offense was led by quarterback Matt Karpinka who finished nine of 21 for 158 yards. Back up Jared Andreychuck completed one pass for a touchdown to John Trumpy.
The 2012 Canadian Bowl Offensive Player of the Game, receiver Graham Unruh would catch five balls for 83 yards.
On the ground the Hilltops were led by veteran Andre Lalonde, who rumbled 18 times for 150 yards and a touchdown. Nolan Graham rushed four times for 27 yards.
Kicker Brett Thorarinsson was a perfect 4-4 in field goal attempts.
Defensively the Hilltops would force four Rifle turnovers. Chris Friesen, Austin Thorarinson and Derek Sadownick recorded interceptions while Derek Sorenson jumped on a fumble. Quinn Pierce had a game high seven tackles, while Brett Pisio and Sadownick each had five stops. Sorenson also had the lone sack.
The Hilltops (1-0) will play in Regina (1-0) on Saturday night.
The Winnipeg Rifles would actually outgain the Hilltops with 435 yards of total offense led by quarterback Ryan Marsch in his return to the PFC. He would complete 21 of 35 for 219 yards and throw a touchdown. Marsch would also run seven times for 34 yards and scored a major. His favourite target through the air was Julian Banares who caught seven balls for 51 yards, while Jason Kelly hauled in three passes for 44 yards and tallied the lone touchdown.
Devin Cox would lead the Rifles on the ground with 28 carries for 166 yards. Thomas Coates chipped in with seven carries for 19 yards.
Kicker Brad Mikoluff was good on two of three field goals to add to the Rifles scoring.
Defensively the Rifles would create one turnover as Cameron Watkins picked off a pass. The “D” was led by David Rhodes and Brett Schulz who each had five tackles, while four other players had a multi tackle game.
The Rifles (0-1) will host the Edmonton Huskies (1-0) in their home opener at Investors Field on Sunday afternoon.
The Regina Thunder kickoff their season on Sunday and gave their home fans a lot to cheer about with a 42-23 victory over the visiting Calgary Colts.
Thunder QB Asher Hastings had a monster game finishing 14 of 17 for 261 yards and threw four touchdowns. Daniel Jacob Carr’s two catches both resulted in touchdowns and he gained a team high 88 yards. Brady Keller and Will Heward also hauled in majors.
On the ground the Thunder were led by Nick Brown’s 15 carries for 70 yards and a score. Matt Frass rumbled nine times for 25 yards.
The Thunder’s defense was sharp as Graydon Benner led the way with five tackles. Ben Simaluk and Michael Bittman each had a sack, while Landon Walter recorded an interception and 40 yard pick six. Chris Tunnicliffe also picked off a pass.
The Thunder (1-0) will host the Saskatoon Hilltops (1-0) on Saturday night at Mosaic Stadium at 7:00pm.
The Calgary Colts suffered their first regular season loss since 2011. The Colts would use two quarterbacks as Jeremy Long finished six of eight for 125 yards and Keifer Olson was two of eight for 36 yards.
Receiver Richard Sawatzky had a terrific game catching four passes for a game high 110 yards. Ben Hnatiuk made two caches for 25 yards.
On the ground Cameron Fox would scamper 15 times for 88 yards, while QB Olson and Jason Loo scored touchdowns on the ground.
The Colts defense was tested by the Thunder as Vince Greco would lead the club with five tackles, while Spencer Cole tallied four. Jonathan Grossberndt and Curtis Gravelle each had a sack while Eric Chamberland picked up a fumble.
The Colts (0-1) will stay on the road a travel to Edmonton to face the Wildcats (0-1) on Sunday.
Advocating for football prospects one story at a time.
