The Saskatoon Hilltops clinched the top spot in the Prairie Football Conference with a 36-11 win over the Regina Thunder Saturday night at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.
The Hilltops started fast, jumping out to an early 10-0 lead in the first quarter and never looked back on their way to the victory.
With the win, the defending Canadian Bowl champions improved their record to 7-0, which puts them in first place in the conference with one week remaining in the regular season. That means that the Hilltops are guaranteed home-field advantage through the playoffs until the CJFL championship game, which the champion of the Ontario Football Conference will host.
The Regina Thunder’s record dropped to 5-2 following Saturday's setback, marking the fifth straight time that they’ve lost to their provincial rival, the Hilltops.
Individually, Hilltop quarterback Trey Reider completed 14-of-25 passes for 272 yards and two touchdowns. While Regina pivot, Carter Moberg completed 17-of-31 passes for 156 yards and a touchdown but threw two interceptions.
Saskatoon fifth-year receiver Drake Douglas made five receptions for 132 yards and teammate Datiel Fountaine caught six passes for 106 yards and two touchdowns.
For Regina, veteran running back Ryland Leichert gained 88 yards on 15 carries and receiver Benjamin Walz had 55 yards receiving on six catches to go with his touchdown catch.
Defensively, Thunder middle linebacker Stephen Smith led the game with 9.5 total tackles.
The Regina Thunder will return home to close out their regular season schedule on Sunday, October 6, when they host the Calgary Colts at 1 p.m. at Leibel Field.
Meantime, the Saskatoon Hilltops wrap up the regular season on the road as they travel to Edmonton to face the Huskies.
