Brown helps Thunder take a major step

Lee Brown’s game-winning touchdown against the Saskatoon Hilltops tops his personal highlight reel.

The 20-year-old Regina Thunder receiver made the biggest play of his football career Saturday when he caught an eight-yard scoring pass from Sawyer Buettner with one minute remaining in the fourth quarter against the host Hilltops.

Brown’s touchdown gave the Thunder a 27-26 lead over their PFC archrivals.

Buettner then found Levi Paul for a two-point conversion that concluded the scoring as Regina won 29-26.

“It was a pretty phenomenal feeling to get the winning touchdown,” Brown said.

“I hadn’t felt anything like that in a while.”

Brown reached the end zone on a crossing route 1:47 after Saskatoon had scored the go-ahead touchdown.

After Brown’s major, quarterback Jordan Walls moved the Hilltops into Thunder territory before Tyrel Latoski extinguished the drive by making an interception in the waning seconds.

“Tyrel made an unreal read,” Brown said. “He jumped a fade route and made the pick. That was unreal.

“It was insane. Everyone jumped on him on the sideline and everyone was going wild.”

The dramatic victory allowed the Thunder to avenge its 37-20, season-opening loss to the visiting Hilltops.

“(Saturday’s win) was a huge stepping stone, obviously, because our No. 1 goal is to beat the Hilltops,” Brown said.

“Beating them was huge. We needed that for sure.”

Regina and Saskatoon emerged from the game with 3-1 records.

The Edmonton Huskies lead the PFC at 4-0.

The Thunder is to return to action Saturday against the 3-1 Winnipeg Rifles (7 p.m., Mosaic Stadium).