HILLTOPS 30 THUNDER 26

Wanda Harron Photography

REGINA — The Saskatoon Hilltops won a classic Shrine Bowl at Mosaic Stadium on Saturday night, 30-26 over the Regina Thunder. With the win the Hilltops improved to 6-1 while the Thunder fell to 3-4.

Regina got on the board first thanks to a James Reid field goal but then gave up a safety and a single and it was 3-3 after 1.

In the second the Hilltops took the lead on a touchdown from Logan Fischer to make it 10-3. Reid then made his second and third field goals of the game, and the Thunder trailed 10-9 going into the break.

It stayed that way until with 3:25 left in the 3rd, when the Hilltops scored on a touchdown catch by Sam Mike to make it 16-9. Kris Calcutt responded for the Thunder on offense with a beautiful grab for a touchdown at 13:42 and the game was tied 16-16 going into the fourth quarter.

In the final period the Thunder took the lead on James Reid’s fourth field goal in as many attempts and it was 19-16. Brock Sich then scored on a one yard touchdown run to put Regina ahead 27-16.

The Hilltops stormed back in the final two minutes with a touchdown with 1:37 left from Sam Mike, his second of the night, and then with 48 seconds to play Joshua Ewanchuk ran one in to give Saskatoon the 30-26 lead and the victory.

QB Sawyer Buettner threw for 319 yards and a touchdown in the loss. Kris Calcutt led the team with 80 yards receiving and Ethan Hautz recorded 100 yards along the ground. Defensively the Thunder forced two turnovers on downs and LB Paul Toth led the club with 4 tackles and 3 assisted take downs.

For the Hilltops, QB Jared Andreychuk tossed for 352 yards and 3 touchdowns. Jason Price went off for 159 yards receiving and Logan Fischer amassed 53 rushing yards. The Hilltops defence picked up two interceptions and one fumble recovery.

The Thunder (3-4) are back at it on Sunday October 9th when they host the Calgary Colts at Mosaic Stadium at 1 p.m.