Photos courtesy of Wanda Harron Photography

The Regina Thunder extended its regular-season winning streak to 18 games by defeating the host Winnipeg Rifles 29-23 on Sunday.

Regina trailed 15-0 after the first quarter, only to rally and improve its record to 6-0. Winnipeg dropped to 3-3.

The Thunder is gunning for its second consecutive undefeated regular season. The Regina squad went 8-0 last year and won its first playoff game before losing 29-9 to the visiting Saskatoon Hilltops in the 2021 Prairie Football Conference final.

Regina has not lost a regular-season game since Sept. 7, 2019, when the Hilltops won 28-21 at home. The Thunder won its final four regular-season games of 2019. The 2020 season was cancelled due to COVID-19.

In Winnipeg, the Thunder’s Carter Shewchuk threw touchdown passes to Isaiah Woodley and Isaac Foord. Ryland Leichert rushed for Regina’s other major. Eric Maximuik added two field goals.

Next up for the Thunder is Sunday’s road game against the Calgary Colts. A victory will clinch first place for Regina, which is to conclude its regular season Oct. 16 against the Edmonton Huskies (1 p.m., Leibel Field).