PHOTO CREDIT: Darren Steinke
The Saskatoon Hilltops and Regina Thunder will carry 3-0 records into their first meeting of the 2023 Prairie Football Conference season.
The traditional rivals are to collide on Sept. 9 at Mosaic Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
The PFC is idle during Labour Day weekend.
The Hilltops are coming off Sunday’s 50-18 victory over the visiting Calgary Colts.
Hilltops quarterback Trey Reider threw for 321 yards and three TDs, including a 75-yarder to Xavier Sabo. Noah Flaman and Landon Thibault hauled in Reider’s other TD tosses.
Bosten Davidsen led the Hilltops’ ground attack with 15 carries for 190 yards and one TD. Corbin Ebben also rushed for a Saskatoon TD.
Saskatoon got three field goals and five converts from Teijon Able-Douglas. Ryden Gratton added a fourth field goal.
The Hilltops registered seven sacks, including three by Kai Kukurudza and 2½ by Riece Kack.
Andy Scrivens added an interception for Saskatoon, which enjoyed a 562-273 advantage in net yardage.
At Leibel Field, the Thunder defeated the visiting Winnipeg Rifles 45-21.
Regina trailed 14-0 after the first quarter before scoring the next 45 points.
Isaiah Woodley, who is on the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ practice roster, caught five passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns — one of which was an 83-yarder.
Ben Walz added seven receptions for 117 yards and two more scores.
Thunder quarterback Carter Moberg threw for 402 yards and four TDs. He has thrown nine TD passes over the last two games.
Justin Reiger added a touchdown run for the Thunder, which got three field goals and five converts from Shawn Green.
Max Parkinson, another Roughriders practice-roster player, registered the Thunder’s lone quarterback sack and added a tackle for a loss.
Thunder linebacker Stephen Smith figured in 14 tackles (five solo, nine assists).
The Thunder’s interceptions were returned 59 yards (by Devin Baumann) and 40 yards (Sean Mckerracher).
COLLEGE KICKOFF
The 2023 Canada West football season begins on Friday, when the University of Saskatchewan Huskies and University of Regina Rams will both be in action.
The Rams will welcome the UBC Thunderbirds (7 p.m., Mosaic Stadium) while the Huskies will visit the University of Manitoba Bisons (6 p.m., Saskatchewan time, IG Field).
