‘Target on our backs': Regina Thunder ready for PFC title defense in 2025
The Regina Thunder are ready to defend their 2024 Prairie Football Conference (PFC) championship.
'We're super excited,' Thunder Head Coach Scott Macaulay told CTV News Wednesday. 'The offseason tends to be a very long time during to actually be preparing for live bullets and play against a true opponent this week is exciting for everyone.'
Last season the Thunder defeated the rival Saskatoon Hilltops in the 2024 PFC title game but lost to the Okanagan Sun in the CJFL semi-finals.
The PFC championship was their third all-time, previously winning in 2013 and 2022.
Regina finished last season with one of the top offences in the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL), finishing second in the PFC in points scored (276), touchdowns for (30) and passing yards (1940) while leading the conference in rushing yards per carry (6.65) and a 6-2 record.
Macaulay says the goal is to return to their first Canadian Bowl championship since 2022 and lift the national title for the first time in more than a decade.
'We have individual and team goals we're also working towards,' he said. 'It's a bit of a process, though. You can't get to the national championship without taking that first step.'
Over the offseason, the Thunder lost many top players – including their leading rusher – to graduation.
The team also changed offensive coordinators and taking over the reigns of the offense is quarterback Adam Mosher, who had just 22 passing attempts in 2024.
The returning Thunder pivot says the sting of losing in the national semi-finals has carried over.
'We're playing with a vengeance,' Mosher said. 'We're coming [this year].'
Despite having aspirations to return to the national championship, Regina realizes a strong PFC stands in their way.
'We've never [repeated as PFC champions],' Macaulay was quick to point out. 'When I look across the league, there's a lot of parity. You never know really who's going to be the top guys.'
'It's definitely not going to be easy,' Mosher said about defending their title. 'We have a target on our backs. Everyone wants to take out the champ to be the champs. We'll just keep pushing.'
Macaulay says Regina will be reliant on their experience to help them reach their end of season goals.
'The good thing about having a veteran group of guys who played last year is they're going to know how to handle themselves in the big-time games,' he said. 'We're not afraid to talk about [a national championship]. But if you want to get there, you've got to take each week by itself.'
'If you're not getting better each week, you might fall behind,' the coach added.
Regina begins their 2025 season on the road in Edmonton for Week 1 against the Huskies.
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