The Interlake Thunder Varsity football team is returning to the Rural Manitoba Football League Championship.
On Sunday afternoon, the Thunder laid a 50-30 beating on the Winnipeg Falcons in the RMFL semi-finals to advance to the championship game for the second straight year.
The Thunder is set for a highly anticipated rematch next weekend with the St. Vital Mustangs, who bested the Thunder in last year’s final.
The two clubs have met twice since then, with the Mustangs taking both games 57-26 in week three and 54-36 in week six.
Though the Thunder enter the game as the underdog, head coach Christof Hasselfield believes his team is playing their best football of the season heading into the game.
“First and foremost, it means our team has worked hard all season to earn this shot,” said Hasselfield. “Obviously they’ve gotten the better of us twice this year, but I thought there was a lot of promising growth in our second game.”
The Thunder will need to play a near-perfect game if they want to keep pace with the Mustangs.
Not only are the Mustangs 4-0 this season but they have also recorded 44 or more points in each game so defence will likely dictate a majority of the Thunder’s success as they attempt to limit the Mustangs’ redzone opportunities.
On offence, the Thunder have recently shown that they have the weapons to score at a similar rate.
Jessie Batenchuk, quarterback, had one of his best performances of the season in the semi-finals, connecting with Luke Robinson three times for touchdowns.
Hasselfield spoke Sunday on Robinson’s performance in his senior season. As he enters the championship game, he has a chance to win a ring to cap off his Thunder career.
He will play a major role in the Thunder’s success in the championship as he plays both receiver on offence and kick return on special teams.
The date and time for the championship have yet to be determined but the game will take place at St. Vital Mustangs Field in Winnipeg.
For more information on the Thunder you can visit: www.interlakethunder.org
Express Photos by Lana Meier
