Photo: Saskatoon Hilltops
The Saskatoon Hilltops have issued an apology after the team failed to have the Prairie Football Conference (PFC) championship trophy on-hand when they lost to the Regina Thunder on Sunday.
“The Saskatoon Hilltops Football Club would like to extend our heartfelt apologies to the Regina Thunder organization, their players, coaches, and fans for failing to bring the PFC Championship Trophy to Sunday’s championship game in Regina,” the team wrote in a statement.
“As the defending champions, it was our responsibility to ensure the trophy was there to be presented to this year’s winner. We made an incredible oversight, and we are truly sorry. We know firsthand how much hard work, dedication, and sacrifice goes into winning a championship.
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1900 Rose St, Regina SK S4P 0A9.
“The Regina Thunder earned the right to celebrate that special moment with the trophy in their hands, and we sincerely regret that our oversight took away from their celebration. Our two organizations share a tremendous respect for one another, and while we are fierce competitors on the field, we are united by our love of junior football and the traditions that make it special.
“To the Regina Thunder, congratulations on a well-earned championship. You deserved your moment, and we are sorry we fell short in helping make it everything it should have been.”
The Thunder broke the game open late in the third quarter to win 44-19 at Leibel Field.
Peter Boersch had a dominant performance along the ground, rushing 19 times for 154 yards and one touchdown. Jayden Zelionka completed 15-of-26 pass attempts for 260 yards and touchdown passes to Carwyn Williams and Lucas Di Iorio.
Regina defenders Dylan Paskiw and Marcus Butz both intercepted Hilltops quarterback Griffin Sander, the latter of whom returned his interception for a touchdown.
The Hilltops are not only the reigning PFC champions, but also the reigning Canadian Bowl champions. The provincial rivals have now met in six consecutive PFC Conference finals, having each won three of the matchups.
With the win, Regina has advanced to the CJFL national semifinal, and will visit the Ontario Football Conference (OFC) champion Sault College Cougars for the Jostens Cup on Saturday. The Cougars are undefeated on the year and beat the London Beefeaters by a score of 26-21 on Saturday night to win the Teddy Morris Memorial Trophy.
The Thunder have previously won one Canadian Bowl, defeating the Vancouver Island Raiders in 2013 by a score of 55-26. The team most recently appeared in the Canadian Bowl in 2022 in a 21-19 loss to the Okanagan Sun.
For a full recap of the Regina’s win over Saskatoon, click here.
