Regina Thunder surge past Winnipeg Rifles 25-12 for Pack the Park game

The Regina Thunder turned a defensive struggle into a statement win, defeating the Winnipeg Rifles 25-12 on Sunday at Leibel Field.

The victory came during “Pack the Park”- Regina Minor Football day, as hundreds of football players and coaches packed the stands in their jerseys.

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Thunder president Murad Al-Katib said the celebration is about more than just the score.

“This weekend is about celebrating the kids who love football,” Al-Katib said. “They’re the future of this sport, and we want them to feel the dynamic energy of Thunder football at Leibel Field.”

The Thunder entered the game tied with the Saskatoon Hilltops for top spot in the Prairie Football Conference, while the Rifles are chasing a playoff berth. Despite Winnipeg missing star running back Kaiden Banfield, the rivalry lived up to its billing.

Head coach Scott MacAulay said his team embraces the challenge of playing Winnipeg.

“This is a great rivalry and whenever a Winnipeg team comes to play football in Regina, it’s a great game,” MacAulay said. “Our guys have a lot of pride, and we can’t wait to hit the field and play our brand of Regina Thunder football.”

Turnovers define the game in the first half

Regina struck first in the opening quarter when quarterback Adam Mosher connected with Andrew Sweeney on a screen pass that went the distance. Kicker Shaun Green added the convert to make it 7-0.

The Rifles answered in the second quarter. Returner Carter Ashman lost the ball deep in his own end, and Winnipeg’s Maxwell Tufescu scooped it up for an 81-yard fumble return touchdown. The game was tied 7-7 until late in the half, when Green drilled a 47-yard field goal to put Regina ahead 10-7 at the break.

Mosher said it was about settling in after a shaky start.

“We had some adversity in the first half, and we showed as championship teams can that we’ve got to come out and be better,” Mosher said.

“We regrouped, and we showed that.”

Thunder take control in second half

The Rifles clawed back in the third quarter, forcing a safety to pull within one before Gabriel Yaipen connected on a field goal that gave Winnipeg a 12-10 lead; their only of the game.

But Regina’s offence broke through in the fourth. Mosher found Lucas Di Iorio on a curl route for a touchdown, regaining the lead 16-12.

Moments later, Enoch Oludamiro recovered a Rifles fumble deep in Winnipeg territory, setting up an Ashman rushing score that stretched the margin to 23-12.

Cooper Filazek then sealed the win with his second interception of the day, part of a defensive unit that dominated late.

“They definitely came out strong with a game plan, but we just had to execute better,” Filazek said. “Our defence played phenomenal. We got the ball back a bunch and really helped the offence when it was struggling.”

Green added a single to close out the 25-12 win.

Mosher credited his teammates for finishing the job.

“Our defence played phenomenal, and a shout out to Peter Boersch and the O-line for playing phenomenal as well,” he said.

Looking ahead

The Thunder improved to 4-1 on the season, keeping pace with Saskatoon atop the standings. Winnipeg dropped to 2-3, despite a strong showing on defence.

Regina’s next home game is set for October 12 at 1 p.m. against the Edmonton Huskies at Leibel Field.