The last of the three Interlake Thunder football clubs closed their regular season on Thanksgiving Sunday.
The Varsity Thunder took on the 3-0 St. Vital Mustangs and came close to victory against the league’s top club, giving them their biggest scare in this Rural Manitoba Football League season.
Jessie Batenchuk connected on play action to Miles Coutu for the game’s opening touchdown to put the Thunder ahead early.
He threw for multiple touchdowns on the game while receiving help from his offensive line.
One of those touchdown passes found the arms of Luke Robinson, who had a breakout performance for the Thunder and reached the endzone again later in the game on a kick return.
Ultimately the Mustangs offence proved to be a bit stronger, winning the game 54-36, but after being blown out by the Mustangs only three weeks ago, head coach Christof Hasselfield said he likes the direction of his club heading into the playoffs.
Express Photos by Lana Meier
“I saw a lot of improvement on both sides of the ball,” said Hasselfield. “Defensively we made it harder on them this time even though the score doesn’t show it. Quinton Favel was a big contributor again and I was impressed by grade nine Fyn Moore making his first start at safety. He brought a physicality to the position that will serve us well as we start the playoffs next week.”
Next week’s RMFL playoff matchup will go against the Falcons Football Club after the Mustangs finish 4-0 to get first and a bye in round one, while the Thunder and Falcons finish second and third.
The Thunder will, however, get to host the playoff game after finishing ahead of the Falcons and beating them on both occasions this season.
The winner of the game moves on to play the Mustangs in the RMFL Urban Division Championship.
A Thunder win would set up a rematch of last year’s RMFL Championship when the Thunder and Mustangs met.
The Thunder (2-2) and Falcons (0-4) will kick off at noon on Sunday, Oct. 20, at Stonewall Collegiate Field.
