RECAP: Suns win fourth straight, Thunder crashes Hilltops party

OFC:

Windsor AKO Fratmen 27 – London Beefeaters 14

Burlington Braves 24 – Predators Football 21

Ottawa Sooners 9 – Hamilton Hurricanes 8

PFC WEEK 4:

The PFC Rivalry Week (#cjflrivalry) saw three exciting games as the Regina Thunder, Calgary Colts and Winnipeg Rifles all claimed victories.

The Game of the Week was in Saskatoon as the Hilltops unveiled the new “Saskatoon Minor Football Field” as they hosted the Regina Thunder.

Down 25-6 with just over two minutes to play, the defending champion Thunder scored three touchdowns to spoil the party and beat the Hilltops 26-25.  The Thunder sweep the regular season series behind 448 total offensive yards.

Needing a change, the Thunder turned to backup quarterback Spencer Mack who completed 13 of 21 for 188 yards and threw a pair of touchdowns.  Starter Jaeden Marwick finished 20 of 35, also for 188 yards.  Preston Bews was lethal catching a game high eight passes for 120 yards and caught both of Mack’s touchdown passes in the fourth quarter.   Eight different receivers caught passes. Kristiane Desautels hauled in six balls for 75 yards.

On the ground the Thunder only managed 81 yards.  Justin Banin punched one of his four carries into the end zone.

The Thunder defense buckled down in the fourth quarter.  Michael Desjarlais led the club with four solo tackles.  Mason Dick collected the lone sack and Bews and Jaren Wirth recovered fumbles.

The defending national champion Thunder (2-1) will stay on the road this weekend and face the Edmonton Wildcats (2-1) in a battle for first place on Sunday at 1:00pm.

For the second time this season the Saskatoon Hilltops lose a heartbreaker to the Thunder.  In Week 1 they fell in overtime, now in Week 4 the see a 19 point lead evaporate late in the fourth quarter.

Quarterback Jared Andreychuck finished 12 of 27 for 203 yards and threw two touchdown passes.  His favourite target was Evan Turkington who caught five balls for 58 yards and a touchdown, while Evan Kopchynski hauled in two passes including a 71 yard touchdown.

On the ground Wayndel Lewis carried a game high 16 times for 116 yards scored a major.

Defensively the Hilltops created seven turnovers.  Austin Thorarinson, Derek Sadownick, James Vause and Justin Filteau each intercepted a pass, Dillon Buckle recovered a fumble and the ball was turned over on downs twice.  Filteau was simply fantastic on the new field turf, which he helped install.  The linebacker had a Conference high 12 solo tackles, assisted on five and had the pick.  Thorarinson recorded six tackles plus his interception and Matt Kozun had the lone sack.

The Hilltops (1-2) will travel to Edmonton to face the Huskies (1-2) on Saturday night at 7:00pm.

 

The last standing CJFL undefeated team also fell on the weekend as the Edmonton Wildcats dropped their home opener to the Winnipeg Rifles 27-20 who now move into first place in the PFC.

The visiting Rifles win their third straight as quarterback Tyler Vieira was terrific finishing 19 of 28 for 274 yards and threw three touchdowns.  A pair of TD strikes, including the game winner were caught by Kurt Goodrich who hauled in 10 passes for 158 yards.  Colton Smith hauled in a 34 yard major and rushed 22 times for 115 yards.

On the defensive side the Rifles were led by Brooks Falloon who collected seven solo tackles and intercepted a pass.  The “D” also recorded four sacks, Spencer Richie had two and Brady Carter and Donovan Gregoire each had one.  Carter also had five solo tackles while Logan Thacker recovered a fumble.

The Rifles (3-1) will have a bye this weekend then prepare to host the Regina Thunder (2-1) on Sunday September 21.

The Edmonton Wildcats suffer defeat for the first time this season.

Quarterback Jordan Olson finished 19 of 37 for 268 yards and two touchdowns.  Three different receivers caught five passes, including Ryan Smith who also gained 112 yards and a major.   Landyn Vick made the other touchdown reception.

The Cats ground game was held to 82 yards, led by Anthony Myroon’s nine carries for 53 yards.

Veteran kicker Ideen Samadi was a perfect 2-2 in field goals including hitting from 41 yards.

Defensively the Wildcats saw both Isaiah Hoeppner and Luc Catellier each had six solo tackles.  Ryan Doram and Levi Sim intercepted passes and Marcus Goods collected the only sack.

The Wildcats (2-1) will host the Regina Thunder (2-1) on Sunday afternoon at 1:00pm in the PFC Game of the Week.

 

The Calgary Colts snapped a long losing streak on Saturday night defeating the Edmonton Huskies 42-26, winning their first game since the 2012 regular season.

The Colts defense accounted for three touchdowns on turnovers.  Vince Greco returned an interception 78 yards for a score, while Dylan Niedermaier returned a pick 40 yards for a touchdown.  Linebacker Jakub Jakoubek jumped on a fumble and rumbled 67 yards for a major.  He also had an interception, as did Colten Burr.  Both Burr and Niedermaier made eight solo tackles.  The “D” forced three turnovers on downs.

Offensively two quarterbacks only completed six passes, but two for touchdowns.  Cole Meyer connected with Jags Bahia for a 102 yard touchdown and with Cam Fox for a 54 yard major.

Fox also rushed 26 times for 120 yards to lead the ground assault.

The Colts (1-3) will have a bye this weekend and will prepare to host the Saskatoon Hilltops (1-2) on Sunday September 21.

The Edmonton Huskies actually outgained the Colts 362-328, but couldn’t solve their defense.

Quarterback Trevor Erdmann found nine different receivers finishing 23 of 47 for 240 yards and a pair of touchdowns, but threw five interceptions.    Both Jimmie Airey and Brennan McNeil caught touchdown passes and Quin Forster made a game high six receptions for 45 yards.

On the ground Curtis Craddock rushed 14 times for 62 yards and a score.  Airey carried 11 times for 35 yards.

The Huskies defense was led by Branden Modin and his seven solo tackles.  Neil Bishop collected an interception and Stephan Paleniuk recorded the lone sack.

Saturday night the Huskies (1-2) will host the Saskatoon Hilltops (1-2) at 7:00pm.

BCFC WEEK 7:

In Week 7 of the BCFC season the Okanagan Sun, Vancouver Island Raiders and Kamloops Broncos each collected a victory by double digit margins.

The Game of the Week was a first place showdown in Kelowna as the Sun host the Langley Rams, with the winner taking sole possession of first place.

Both offenses didn’t look good thanks to stifling defenses as the Sun won their fourth straight, 31-10.

The Sun Special Teams was fantastic on Saturday night accounting for two touchdowns and giving the offense a short field to work with. The unit was led by Robbie Yochim who put the Sun on the board with a 50 yard punt return for a touchdown in the first quarter.  Brennan Van Nistelrooy followed that up with a 40 yard scamper to the end zone on a fake punt.

Defensively the Sun created seven Rams turnovers, making five interceptions and forcing a turnover on downs twice.  Dexter Janke had two of the picks, both times returning the ball inside the Rams 20 yard line.  Yochim had an interception as did Van Nistelrooy and JT Fernandez.  No less than five players had three solo tackles and Jonas Gering recorded the lone sack.

For the second straight game against the Rams, the Sun offense struggled.  Quarterback Cam Bedore was seven of 19 for 65 yards and seven yard touchdown pass to Lerone Robinson.  The second year receiver had a team high three catches for 28 yards.  Bedore led the Sun ground attack with six rushes for 58 yards.  Kasey Russell scored his fifth major of the season on a two yard dive.

The Sun (5-1) take over first place and will travel to the Island to face the Vancouver Island Raiders (3-3) on Saturday afternoon part of BCFC Rivalry Week.  The Sun has won both match-ups this season with the defending champs.

The Langley Rams fall for the second time in three weeks and the loss could be even more costly as quarterback Dylan Tucker left the game in the first half after completing just one of five for eight yards.

After back up Cecil Belanger threw three interceptions, third stringer Jordan McCarty looked good finishing 12 of 23 for 144 yards.

Receiver Dan English caught a game high six balls for 92 yards.

The Rams run game collected just 43 yards on the ground, Jordan Traversy leading the charge with 11 carries for 45 yards.  Last week’s Offensive Player of the Week finished with -6 yards.

Kicker Steve Thomas recorded the only points of the second half, a 31 yard field goal.

The lone Rams touchdown was scored by their defense.  Ethan Schulz ripped a ball out of the hands of Dillon Fortune on the first play from scrimmage and returned it 24 yards for a major.  He also had two sacks and two solo tackles.   Brock Gowanlock had a game high four solo tackles and Ben Sharpe picked off a pass.  As a unit the Rams only allowed 65 yards through the air.

The Rams (4-2) will now host the Valley Huskers (0-6) on Saturday night at McLeod Stadium.

Saturday afternoon the Kamloops Broncos got back to their winning ways, beating the Westshore Rebels on the road 42-14 and compiling 553 yards of total offense.  It’s the Broncos first ever win on the Island.

Nine different receivers caught Connor Whiltelaw passes as he finished 16 of 30 for 337 yards and four touchdowns.  Jordan Angove, Colin Mather, Derek Yachison and Brady Bernier each caught majors.  Yachison had game high 97 yards, including a 73 yarder for his score, while Devin Csincsa hauled in a game high five passes.

The ground game compiled 232 yards, led by Jacob Palmarin’s 11 carries for 66 yards.   Aaron Morran had five carries for 43 yards and a touchdown.

Kicker Aaron Smit hit a pair of 37 yard field goals to add to the offensive output.

Defensively the Broncos forced one interception, made by Connor Thornewell.   Jake Bainas and Adam Stangowitz each had a sack.  Derek Trager led the team with three solo tackles.

The Broncos (4-2) will face the Rebels (2-4) again on Saturday afternoon in Westshore part of BCFC Rivalry Week.  It’s the third meeting of the season between the clubs; the Broncos have won the first two.

With the loss the Westshore Rebels fall to 2-4 collecting just 70 yards on the ground and 218 in total.
Quarterback Hunter Lake finished 13 of 35 for 157 yards and threw a touchdown pass to Jordan Rodinskey.  He also rushed for a major.  Both Rodinskey and Bryce Mosley each caught three passes.

The Rebels “D” was led by Chris Pastro who collected a game high six tackles and half a sack.  Tanner Rodinsky collected a sack and a half, while Tyler Leader had a sack and three solo tackles.

Saturday afternoon the Rebels will host the Broncos (4-2) again looking for some payback.  Kick-off is set for 3:00pm.

Also on the Island on Saturday afternoon the Vancouver Island Raiders dismantled the Valley Huskers 81-6 behind 636 yards of total offense.

11 different receivers caught passes lead by Marshall Cook who caught four balls for 95 yards and two touchdowns.  Alex Kutra, Arhur Fabbro, Taylor Flavel, Ryan Chickite and Michael Ritchott also caught touchdown passes.

The Raiders used two quarterbacks; Liam O’Brien was 11 of 16 for 264 yards and threw four touchdowns, while back-up Kurt Parsons was 9 of 9 for 152 yards and three TDs.  O’Brien also rushed for a major.

On the ground Ritchott collected 156 yards on 10 carries and scored twice.

The Raiders “D” forced four turnovers.  Dexter Shea picked up a fumble and rumbled 30 yards for a major, while Hayden Mebs also recovered a fumble.  Fabian Ross and Dylan Chapdelaine intercepted passes.  Chapdelaine, Mason Kelley and Ash Gayat each had a sack.

The Raiders (3-3) have won two straight and will host the Okanagan Sun (5-1) on Saturday afternoon at 2:00pm part of the BCFC’s Rivalry Week.

The Valley Huskers are still looking for their first win of the season collecting just 189 yards of total offense on Saturday.

Dylan LaPrairie finished 10 of 19 for 130 yards and threw a touchdown pass, while RJ Begg was 6 of 10 for 67 yards.  Tyron Ledingham compiled a game high seven passes for 62 yards and had the team’s lone touchdown.

The Huskers ground game was held to 43 yards.  Benedicte Muhima carried seven times for 28 yards.

Defensively the Huskers were led by Connor Smith and his five solo tackles. Cody Parray and Dylan Boykowich both had three tackles.

The Huskers (0-6) will travel just down the road to Langley to face the Rams (4-2) on Saturday night.

Photo credit:  Greystoke Photography