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| David Collins sits second in the PFC with 480 yards rushing. |
On August 10, the Hilltops traveled to Winnipeg and dropped a surprising 31-11 decision to the host Rifles in the CJFL regular season opener for both sides. The ’Toppers earned redemption posting a 42-15 victory over the Rifles at Saskatoon Minor Football Field on August 24.
While the Hilltops are sporting a 2-1 regular season record, doubts will continue to exist due to the convincing loss they took on the chin to start the 2025 campaign.
On Saturday, the Hilltops will travel to Regina to face their provincial rivals in the Thunder (7 p.m., Mosaic Stadium). The Thunder are defending champions of the CJFL’s Prairie Football Conference and top the PFC standings with a 3-0 record.
In last year’s PFC final played on October 20 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Thunder stampeded their way to a 24-19 victory. They piled up 321 yards rushing as a team on 49 carries for an average of 6.6 yards per rush.
So far this season, the Thunder have continued to live on the run. They top the PFC with 975 yards rushing for an average of 325 yards rushing per game.
Thunder running back Peter Boersch, who is in his third season of CJFL eligibility, leads the PFC with 645 yards rushing coming off 73 carries and scoring three touchdowns. Tailback Carter Ashman is turning heads along the ground for the Thunder carrying the ball 35 times for 212 yards and one major score. His rushing yardage total ranks fifth in the PFC.
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| The Thunder enjoy their win in the 2024 PFC final. |
Running the ball has been something the Hilltops have shown they can traditionally do well. Saskatoon sits second in the PFC with 802 yards rushing as a team for an average of 267.3 yards rushing per game.
Hilltops newcomer running back David Collins, who is in his final season of CJFL eligibility, has carried the ball 54 times for 480 yards and four touchdowns. His rushing yardage total is good for second in the PFC.
Charles Sawi, who is in his fourth season making explosive plays for Saskatoon, has carried the ball 19 times for 170 yards and three touchdowns. His rushing yardage total ranks sixth in the PFC.
Ultimately, commitment to the running game will be important for both teams. When the post-season comes around, the weather in late October and November can be bad in Canada, which means teams have to rely more than ever on the run in adverse weather conditions.
When it comes to throwing the ball, no so far this season is going to mistake Hilltops or the Thunder for being the CFL’s 1981 Grey Cup champion Edmonton Eskimos led by ironic quarterback Warren Moon throwing to receivers Brian Kelly, Tom Scott and Waddell Smith. The Thunder has the second fewest passing yards in the six-team PFC at 510, and the Hilltops sit last in the PFC with 395 yards passing as a team.
Thunder starting quarterback Adam Mosher, who is 20-years-old, has completed 33-of-57 passes for 465 yards and six touchdowns, while throwing one interception.
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| Charles Sawi sits sixth in the PFC with 170 yards rushing. |
Will Saturday’s game be the time either Mosher or McMahon truly step into the spotlight to be the difference of why their team wins the game?
Will the running attacks by both sides continue to have success?
If the Hilltops win, it creates an image they are truly back, and the rest of the CJFL has to be aware of them once again.
If the Thunder win, it further cements them as the team to beat in the PFC in 2025.
Johnson to speak at End Zone Dinner
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| Evan Johnson in action for the Roughriders on July 15, 2023. |
Evan Johnson, who played seven CFL seasons from 2017 to 2024, will be the guest speaker for the annual event that raises money for the Hilltops scholarships and bursaries. The End Zone Dinner is slated for Saturday, September 27, at the main hall in the Gordie Howe Sports Centre building located on the south end zone of Saskatoon Minor Football Field on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds.
The doors open at 4:15 p.m. and the dinner follows at 5 p.m. A ticket to the End Zone Dinner includes a ticket to that night’s regular season contest against the Hilltops provincial rivals the Regina Thunder. That game is slated for 7 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.
Johnson graduated high school from Regina’s Campbell Collegiate and moved on to play football in the U Sports ranks from 2012 to 2016 with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies. He would be selected in the first round and ninth overall by the Ottawa Redblacks in the 2017 CFL Draft.
From 2017 to 2019, Johnson played 52 regular season games with the Redblacks making starts at left guard, right tackle and left tackle. He suited up for the Redblacks in their 27-16 loss to the Calgary Stampeders in the 2018 Grey Cup played at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alta.
From 2021 to 2023, Johnson played 48 regular season contests with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He moved on from the Roughriders to appear in 10 games with the Hamilton Tigers-Cats in 2024.
Johnson, who is 31-years-old, is married to former Dallis (Aiken) Johnson, who is a former defensive back with the powerhouse Saskatoon Valkyries of the WWCFL. They reside in Saskatoon where Evan Johnson works for an engineering firm.
Tickets for the Hilltops End Zone Dinner can be purchased by clicking right here.
If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.
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