Hilltops soundly defeat Thunder in PFC regular-season opener
A balanced Saskatoon Hilltops offence contributed to an imbalance on the scoreboard Saturday night at Mosaic Stadium.
Saskatoon was effective on the ground and through the air en route to defeating the Regina Thunder 41-7 on the opening night of Prairie Football Conference regular-season play.
The Hilltops, four-time-defending PFC and CJFL champions, piled up 229 rushing yards — including 171 by Ben Abrook — and passed for another 355.
Three of Abrook’s 27 carries produced touchdowns. Saskatoon also scored on a TD run by Kelton Mclean and a six-yard pass from Jordan Walls to Matt Turple.
Walls completed 20 of 29 passes for 316 yards before being relieved by Tyler Hermann, who was 3-for3 for 39 yards.
Brock Sich, starting at quarterback for the Thunder, was 13for-24 for 205 yards, including a scoring connection with Tanner Zaharia.
After Eric Maximuik converted Zaharia’s TD at 9:18 of the first quarter to create a 7-7 tie, Saskatoon scored 34 unanswered points.
David Solie had five converts and two field goals for Saskatoon, in addition to catching five passes for 61 yards.
Regina’s top receivers were Lee Brown (eight catches for 113 yards) and Zaharia (four for 81).
Saskatoon had 30 first downs, compared to 14 by Regina, and outgained the Thunder 584 yards to 285.
The Thunder is to return to action Saturday, 3 p.m., at Mosaic Stadium against the Winnipeg Rifles.
Next up for the Hilltops is Saturday’s home opener against the Calgary Colts (7 p.m., SMF Field).
The Regina Pats’ training camp is to begin Tuesday at the Brandt Centre.
Rookie camp is to run from Tuesday to Friday, with the veterans to begin on-ice sessions Saturday.
The Blue and White intra-squad game is set for Aug. 27 at 7 p.m.
During rookie camp, players will be divided into teams that are named after Pats alumni Chandler Stephenson and Jordan Weal.
For main camp, teams will be named after Garth Murray and Boyd Kane.
On Tuesday, practices are set for 6 p.m. (Team Weal) and 7:15 p.m. (Team Stephenson).
Those teams will scrimmage on Wednesday (7 p.m.), Thursday (7 p.m.) and Friday (11 a.m.).
For main camp, Team Murray and Team Kane will scrimmage on Saturday and Sunday, at 7 p.m., both nights, leading up to the Blue and White game.
The rookie-camp roster consists of 42 players, with another 34 to attend main camp.
Regina Rugby Union sides had
their last full slate of interlocking matches with Saskatoon-based teams Saturday in the Bridge City.
In senior women’s play, the Regina Rage defeated the Saskatoon Wild Oats 34-5 and the Saskatoon Kirin defeated the Regina Condors 74-27.
In senior men’s action, it was: Regina Rogues 71, Saskatoon Gophers 17; Saskatoon Krems 49, Campion Grads 15; Saskatoon Badgers 35, Regina Highlanders 5; and, Saskatoon Wild Oats 92, Regina Condors 0.
The Murray Golf Course defeated
Deer Valley 108.5-81.5 in Regina and Area Match Play League action Thursday.