Huskies outlast Thunder in PFC semi
The Regina Thunder’s 2019 season ended in disappointment at a packed Leibel Field on Sunday.
The Edmonton Huskies defeated Regina 20-17 in a down-to-the-wire Prairie Football Conference semifinal.
Both clubs had finished the regular season with 6-2 records.
The Huskies advanced to next weekend’s PFC final against the unbeaten Saskatoon Hilltops, who downed the visiting Edmonton Wildcats 31-7 on Sunday.
At Leibel Field, the Huskies jumped ahead 15-1 on first-quarter touchdown passes from Declan O’flaherty to Sam Clayton and Ronnie Oling.
The Thunder scored its first TD on a one-yard, third-quarter run by Maxwell Foerster.
Edmonton led 19-10 before Thunder quarterback Blake Scherle ran 18 yards for a major. Eric Maximuik added the convert at 4:51 of the fourth quarter. A key play during that possession was a 53-yard reception by Ethan Douglas, who had 12 catches for 192 yards.
The Huskies settled for a single (which concluded the scoring) with 2:30 left when a 13-yard field-goal attempt was wide.
On the next play, however, Scherle was intercepted by Justin Hodinsky. O’flaherty then threw back-to-back incompletions.
Regina got the ball back at its 25-yard line with 2:01 left and marched to the Huskies’ 40-yard line before stalling.
The Thunder announced its 20th-anniversary alltime team Sunday.
Quarterbacks: Asher Hastings (played for Thunder from 2010 to 2013), Reid Quest (2007-10).
Running backs: Stu Foord (2003-07), Victor St. Pierre-laviolette (2015-17).
Receivers: Ryan Anderson (2000-03), Chris Getzlaf (2001-04), Will Heward (2009-13), Kolten Solomon (2009-11), Jay Smith (200710).
Offensive linemen: Dan Clark (2006-10), Logan Ferland (2015-present), Matt Halbgewachs (2012-15), Max Ivanov (2002), Jeff Yorga (2003).
Defensive linemen: Ivan Brown (2004-05), Zack Evans (2009-11), Jason Skolney (2000-04), Ryan Warner (2014-16).
Linebackers: Scott Magee (2005-06), Brett Selinger (2010-14), Steve Wilson (2000-03).
Defensive backs: Dustin Erbach (2011-15), Mark Ingram (2008-12), Jon Krahenbil (2002-06), Jimmy Stewart (2000-03), Paul Woldu (2001-04).
Special teams: Anderson, Jeff Bolen (2006-09).