Paul Toth experienced what it feels like to be a champion for the first time in his life on Sunday, Oct. 27 as the Regina Thunder beat the Saskatoon Hilltops 21-16 in the Prairie Football Conference Championship game.
"It was an unreal feeling," said Toth, who played his minor football with the Yorkton Regional High School Raider Gridders. "I've never won anything like this, so it was a first for me."
Toth, however, has played in big games before. He was in the Thunder's lineup last year when they fell to the Hilltops in the championship game.
"It was very disappointing to lose that game," he said. "To get that far and not make it, it's tough to get over that."
The thought of losing to the Hilltops in back-to-back years gave the Saltcoasts native some butterflies before the big game.
"I had a hard time sleeping," said Toth, who plays special teams for the Thunder. "I was pretty nervous and couldn't stop thinking about the game. I even had a stomachache before the game. The nerves were pretty high."
It goes without saying that life is good for Toth now, but it hasn't always been smooth sailing this year for the 19-year-old. His girlfriend went through a battle with thyroid cancer that entailed surgery. And his mother is currently going through tests because of a heart problem that she's been dealing with.
"There have been some tough times," he said. "They are some tough women and they have been battling through it. I've tried to help them along the way by supporting them."
Being able to share his experience with his mother and girlfriend is Toth's favourite part of winning a junior football championship.
"It was great for them to get to experience it with me," he said. "They have supported me all along and it means a lot. My parents haven't missed a home Thunder game and my girlfriend has been to quite a few, too."
As the PFC champions, the Thunder host the Canadian Football Junior League championship on Saturday, Nov. 9 at Mosaic Stadium.
"I know we can win it," said Toth. "We just have to work hard, play our game, and play a full 60 minutes. If we do that, I know we'll come out on top."
