Could this be the season that the Regina Thunder finally makes some noise?
Despite an inglorious playoff record -- 0-5 since joining the Prairie Football Conference in 2000 -- the Thunder appears poised to make a run this season.
"They're loaded," says Calgary Colts head coach Keith Kendal, the architect of national championship teams in 1989 and '90. "They've got (Reid) Quest, who is a great quarterback, and a great group of receivers. If you believe what you read, they should be the team."
Quest returns from a knee injury that ended his season Sept. 27. Despite missing the Thunder's final two games -- including a playoff loss to Saskatoon -- Quest was named the PFC's outstanding offensive player. He passed for more than 2,000 yards and completed 62 per cent of his passes.
Quest's return makes the Thunder an instant contender in the six-team PFC, but he's hardly a one-man show. All-Canadian receiver Kolten Solomon leads a veteran receiving corps.
"We've always had very good athletes but we've always been playing with a lot of young guys," says Thunder head coach Erwin Klempner, who enters his fifth season at the helm. "This group of guys is committed to the program and we have that big maturity factor."
While pleased with his roster, Klempner doesn't expect anything to come easily in a conference traditionally ruled by the Saskatoon Hilltops and Edmonton's two teams, the Wildcats and Huskies.
"Like I always tell the kids, talk is cheap," says Klempner. "We have to show everyone. Nobody wins games with potential."
Here's how the teams shape up:
REGINA THUNDER
Last year: 5-3-0 (fourth in PFC); lost PFC semi to Hilltops.
Head coach: Erwin Klempner (fifth season).
Turnovers: All-star DL Steve Arens joined the University of Regina, but former Rams redshirt Zack Evans helps bookend the defensive line with Max Amyotte. ... LB Philmon Bairu fills the starting strong-side linebacker spot after losing the job to Landon Perra last year. Perra emerged as the PFC's outstanding linebacker in '09, his final junior season ... On offence, all-star SB Jeff Bolen graduated. RB Mark Coons takes over from Brennan Kasbrick, who opted not to return.
Star power: QB Reid Quest passed for 2,018 yards in seven games before a knee injury ended his season. He's a good bet to repeat as the PFC's outstanding offensive player because he has plenty of aerial options, including All-Canadian WR Kolten Solomon. ... All-Canadian DB Cody Johnstone anchors a veteran secondary.
SASKATOON HILLTOPS
Last year: 7-1-0 (first in PFC); lost PFC final to Wildcats.
Head coach: Tom Sargeant (13th season).
Turnovers: The Hilltops bid adieu to three All-Canadians -- DL Craig Albert, OL Chad Kinequon and P-PK Chris Bodnar -- as well as PFC all-star DB Jamie Scissons. Fellow graduated DL Jon De Witt joined the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, as did the team's leading receiver, Mitch Stevens. The Hilltops expect DL Brett Pisio, the team's top rookie, to help bolster a depleted D-line.
Star power: Fourth-year QB Chase Bradshaw is the undisputed starter after taking over from Jordan Penner (now graduated) late last season. The Hilltops should have one of the most-balanced offences thanks to Bradshaw's arm and the return of PFC rushing leader Regan Schuler ... Defensively, LB Corbin Eskelson should be a force, while safety Graig Newman anchors the secondary.
EDMONTON WILDCATS
Last year: 6-2-0 (second in PFC); beat Hilltops in PFC final but lost Canadian Bowl to Vancouver Island Raiders.
Head coach: Gary Durchik (ninth season).
Turnovers: The 'Cats lost two all-stars to the CFL's Edmonton Eskimos: Kevin Wuthrich, the PFC's outstanding receiver, and DB Corbin Sharun. The addition of Victoria Rebels WR Ray Hurrel helps soften the loss of Wuthrich, while hog recruits Scott Ledieu (University of Alberta) and Bobby Fry (Edmonton high school) strengthen the line. QB Andy Pilon graduated, leaving the starter's job to sophomore Adam Senuik. ... LB Neil King joined the Saint Mary's Huskies, but LB Kevin Hansson moves over from the Edmonton Huskies.
Star power: All-star RB Justin McEvoy and SB Jerit Lambert (PFC's top rookie) give the 'Cats some offensive options ... Defensively, three all-stars return: DL Steven Giang, LB Mike Podloski and DB David Berg.
CALGARY COLTS
Last year: 5-3-0 (third in PFC); lost PFC semifinal to Wildcats.
Head coach: Keith Kendal (fifth season, previously coached Colts to national championships in 1989 and '90).
Turnovers: The University of Saskatchewan recruited DL Ben Rush, the PFC sacks leader, while Concordia wooed OL Matt Kuhnen ... QB Clayton Masikewich made the PFC's all-rookie team last year but faces challenges from '09 backup Jeremy Long and Cochrane product Brett Serhyenko, who spent last season with the Victoria Rebels.
Star power: RB Cuong Thai Lieu should challenge for the PFC rushing title after finishing second as a rookie. His hoggies include two-time all-star Spencer Wilson ... LB Zach McNeill, one of four fifth-year players on the Colts' roster, provides veteran savvy on defence, while CB Alex Saretsky ranks among the PFC's best cover men.
WINNIPEG RIFLES
Last year: 1-7-0 (fifth in PFC); missed playoffs.
Head coach: Greg Graceffo (first season).
Turnovers: Winnipeg's only 2009 all-star, OL Scott Parker, opted not to return but the Rifles recruited 6-foot-6, 305-pound tackle Nevin Gamblin from Brandon, and guard Ray Thornson, who starred with the BCFC's South Surrey Rams last year ... QB Tyler Johnston is out, leaving Ryan Marsch and Tyler Nickel to compete for reps ... All-rookie LB Mike Hauptforn helps fill the cleats of the team's top grad, LB Chris Laubenstein.
Star power: RB Kienan LaFrance finished fourth in PFC rushing as a rookie. The Rifles also have some strong aerial options: Matt Lariviere, whose six TDs ranked third in the PFC last season; and Yembeh Moiba, who went to training camp with the CFL's Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
EDMONTON HUSKIES
Last year: 0-8-0 (sixth in PFC); missed playoffs.
Head coach: Bill MacDermott (first season).
Turnovers: MacDermott is the key addition. The well-travelled American has 50-plus years of coaching experience -- including CFL and NFL postings. He inherits about 20 veterans from the team that went winless last season. One returnee, QB Kevin Allen, is battling University of Alberta transfer Ben Gorniak and Androssan high school recruit Trevor Erdmann for the starter's job. They'll count on OL vets Mitch McKiel and Trevor Kuraitis for protection.
Star power: Despite playing for a terrible team, LB Korey Johnson was the PFC's outstanding defensive player in '09. His 52 solo tackles led the conference. "He's our premier player and he's one of the premier players in the league," says McDermott. "And he's a very strong emotional leader for this team."
