Accomplishments: Canadian Junior Football Champions, 1986.
On November 6, 1986, the Regina Rams Football Club issued a press release stating that the Rams had won the Canadian Junior Football Championship (CJFC) in 1966 and 1976, and asking “will 1986 end the same way?” Fortunately for the Rams, history granted them the win, adding 1986 to the list of Rams’ Canadian Championships.
The Rams finished the regular season in first place in the Prairie Junior Football Conference (PJFC). The team led the league in points-scored with 344, 75 points ahead of their nearest rival, and allowed only 133 points to be scored against them.
In the 1986 Prairie Junior Football Conference semifinal, the Rams decimated the Edmonton Huskies 75-0 and faced their arch-rivals, the Saskatoon Hilltops, in the PJFC final. The Rams defeated the Hilltops, the defending Canadian junior champions, 29-14 and advanced to the Western Canadian final. In the final, versus the Richmond Raiders, the Rams came from behind in the second half to win the game 45-28. At the Canadian final the Rams easily defeated the Ottawa Sooners 53-12, claiming the Armadale Cup, the symbol of Canadian Junior football supremacy.
The Rams dominated the 1986 individual PJFC awards. Quarterback Dean Picton was the outstanding offensive player and MVP, Kevin Ostapowich the Offensive Lineman of the Year, Tim Hammond the Receiver of the Year, and Ron Senger the defensive lineman of the year. The CJFL named Dean Picton the outstanding offensive player of the year. Head Coach Frank McCrystal was also named as coach of the year for his first National championship.
Installed in the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame and Museum on June 20, 1998.
1986 Regina Rams – National Champions Roster
Back Row: Bob Pelton (Dir.), Andy McDougall (Dir.), Rich Sutcliffe, Shane Goodwin, Bill Dinu, Rob Bresciani, Dean Picton, Mike Lazecki, Jon Rae, Bill Keith, Greg Karpa, Norbert Thurmeier (Dir.), Dave Stouse (Dir.).
Sixth Row: Dave Howie (Dir.), Larry Kratt (Dir.), Troy Grado, Wendell Toth, Phil Hulet, Ryan Hall, Ken Schofield, Dan Johnston, Doug Dorsch, Sean Wouters, Gary Cash, Bob Rieger (Dir.), Ken Black (Dir.).
Fifth Row: Don McDougall (Dir.), Len Antonini (Dir.), Kevin Chekay, Lance Lascue, Blaine Pearce, Mark Becker, Darcy Koch, Dave McEachern, Ricky Lavoy, Cliff Rusconi, Gord Lupanko, Brad Arsenault, Jim Warnecke, Randy Morrish (Dir.), Gary Uhren (Dir.).
Fourth Row: Bob Mitchell (Dir.), Jack Kennedy (Dir.), John Ferguson, Jeff Kallichuck, Dwayne Lamontagne, Darcy Smycniuk, Maurice Exner, Kollin Erichsen, Sam Khuber, Greg Cherkas, Scott Harris, Dave McMahon (Dir.).
Third Row: Jon Hammond (Dir.), Steve Tunison, Mark Sombach, Ken Neiszner, Rob Sillinger, Tim Hammond, Ron Senger, Kevin Reimer, Glen Sawa, Laird McLeod, Dave Rezansoff, Gary Mather (Dir.).
Second Row: Cheryl Beitel (Office Sec.), Gerry Hardy (Eq. Assistant), Dave Gebert, Kelly Handy, Lawrence Gargol, Kelvin Ostapowich, Tim Relke, Brian Eltom, Emil Delnea, Al Hendren, Tim Burnie, Jamie Anderson, Larry Mueller (Dir.).
Front Row: Patty Cherepuschak (Tr.), Terry Cherepuschak (Tr.), Jerry Orban (Coach), Ray Pitre (Coach), Bernie Schmidt (Coach), Frank McCrystal (Head Coach), Doug Zimmerman (Coach), Campbell Hackney (Coach), Rick Seaman (Coach), Brad Herschmiller (Eq. Mgr.), Kevin Baier (Eq. Assistant), Ed Bankowski (Mgr.), Paul Barnby (Pres.).
Ball Boys: Robbie Cherepuschak, Jason Sroka
Missing Players: Rod Brown, Rod Chabot, John Cunningham, Ron Froh, Trevor Grabowski, Scott Hazen, Dean Kuz, Ken Meredith, Dean Mihalicz, Kent Paterson, Brad Pawliw, Kevin Pilkey, John Simic, Paul Yanko.
Missing: Cory Culling (Ball Boy), Corey Piche (Assistant Equip. Mgr.), Dr. Jack Alexander, Dr. Brian Barootes, Dr. Bill Elliot, Bob Millar (Vice Pres.), Bill Nelson (Past Pres.), Doug McKillop (Treasurer), George Crawford (Dir.), Mel Fiissel (Dir.), Bob Forrest (Dir.), Lawrence Gerritsen (Dir.), Paul Richardson (Dir.).
