There’s nothing like family in times of need. Times like when a 200-pound running back is building up a head of steam toward the secondary. That’s when Regina Thunder linebackers Travis Junior, Tyler Hogan and Philmon Bairu are glad to have one another around.
“It’s one big family,” said Junior, who is in his fourth season with the PFC team. “We’ve all been playing together for three or four years now. We all grew up together, we’re all hanging out together. We can rely on each other. We know the other guy is going to do his job when it comes to it. We trust in each other.”
So far that familiarity has helped the Thunder defence hold opponents to just 248 yards of total offence per game. Regina (2-0) will attempt to keep the trend alive on Sunday when it visits the Calgary Colts (1-1).
“They’ve been here a minimum three years for all of them and it has made a huge difference,” said defensive co-ordinator Shawn McCall. “They’re more aggressive and they’re going 150 miles an hour rather than having to think and slowing them down. Adding Landon Perra in that group, their motors are going and it has made a huge difference for our whole defence. It’s putting pressure everywhere and it creates situations where other teams are worried about them and that gives other guys the opportunity to step up and make plays.”
The addition of Perra may be the key to the whole operation. The former University of Saskatchewan Huskies player spells off all three starters, leaving each the four on the field for three out of every four plays.
So far, Perra is leading the group with nine tackles (including eight in Sunday’s 26-23 victory over the Saskatoon Hilltops). He is followed closely by Junior (eight tackles), Bairu (seven) and Hogan (six). Junior and Hogan have also recorded quarterback sacks.
The rotation has plenty of benefits beyond getting players a breather and keeping them fresh.
“All it does is keep you motivated because if you mess up, you can be subbed off pretty quick and Perra will be right in,” said Bairu.
Even when the group of four linebackers does mess up, McCall noted, the mistakes aren’t entirely obvious.
“They’re going 150 miles an hour and it makes up for their mistakes — that comes because they’re confident,” said McCall. “They’re confident in each other, they’re trusting each other. Even if a guy makes a mistake, it’s being made up because of the speed at which they’re going. We don’t get many big plays on us because of that fact.”
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