They won, and now they will walk together forever.
Estevan's Michael Bittman and the Regina Thunder captured the first national title in franchise history on Saturday, defeating the Vancouver Island Raiders 55-26 in the Canadian Junior Football League championship game in Regina.
Bittman is a starting defensive lineman for the Thunder, who were playing in the national championship for the first time in their 14 years of existence.
"It's huge for the Thunder. Ever since I've been part of the Thunder, our goals have been to beat the (Saskatoon) Hilltops and play in a national championship," said the third-year lineman.
The first goal was achieved last month when the Thunder defeated the rival Hilltops to win the Prairie Football Crown and advance to the national championship.
Bittman said it was special to see former Thunder teammates and former head coach Erwin Klempner on hand to witness the victory.
"It's really great to see guys who were so involved and part of the team come out and celebrate."
Bittman's football career began in Estevan with the high school Elecs, and although he was a standout for them, he said it never even occurred to him that he could be where he is now.
"Honestly, when you start out, you're at a time where you have your long-term goals, which is always to play at the next level. It just wasn't something I ever looked at when I was in high school. I didn't even know what a national championship was when I was playing with the Elecs, or that I'd have a chance to do it three years after graduating."
A dominant first half was the key for Regina, as they took a commanding 28-6 lead at the half. Quarterback Asher Hastings tied the Canadian Bowl record with five touchdowns in the game.
Bittman said it was no surprise that the Thunder's offence was rolling on all cylinders, as they looked strong in practice the previous two weeks.
"From the defensive perspective, when you don't have to win or lose the game and your offence can keep moving the ball and scoring, it's a nice break for the D."
He added that the Thunder focused on shutting down the run game.
"We didn't underestimate them at all. We thought it'd be a close game. We knew they were a young, fast team, very similar to us.
"They're more of a fast run team. We're known as one of the better secondary defensive groups in the league. Not a whole lot of teams have a lot of success passing against our defence, which brings them down to the run, and we knew all week if we could stop them on the run, we'd be successful."
Bittman said the national championship is the kind of memory that will stick with him the rest of his life.
"How cool is that going to be when we have kids down the road and the Regina Thunder are on TV, and you can look at them and say I was on the first team that ever did that?"
