Hilltops greats Filteau and Kozun perfect fit for CJFL all-decade team on defence

Justin Filteau in action with the Hilltops in 2014. 

    The Saskatoon Hilltops only needed two selections to overfill the quality of the CJFL’s all-decade team on defence.

    The CJFL has been determining its all-decade team via a fan vote over the last four weeks for the period of years from 2010 to 2019. The Hilltops won three straight CJFL title capturing the Canadian Bowl from 2010 to 2012 and the last six straight championships starting in 2014.

    On Saturday, the offensive members of the all-decade team were announced via the CJFL’s Instagram account, and five Hilltops were selected including quarterback Jared Andreychuk, running backs Logan Fischer and Andre Lalonde and offensive linemen Kirk Simonsen and Mason Ochs.

    On Sunday, the defensive members of the all-decade team were announced via the CJFL’s Instagram account. They included two of the best that ever donned Hilltops jerseys in the late Justin Filteau at linebacker and defensive tackle Matt Kozun.

    Filteau played for the Hilltops from 2010 to 2014 and was a member of three straight CJFL championship wins from 2010 to 2012 and in his final season in 2014. He picked up 43 per cent of the fan votes, which was tops among all linebackers.

    Following his time with the Hilltops, Filteau played for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies football team in the U Sports ranks from 2015 to 2017.

Justin Filteau (#45) enjoys the Hilltops PFC title win in 2014.

    In 2017, he joined the coaching staff of the Saskatoon Valkyries, who are a powerhouse squad in the Western Women’s Canadian Football League, as a linebackers coach. He was coaching the team’s defensive line last season before tragically passing away in a plane crash at age 26 before the Valkyries final regular season game.

    The Valkyries went on to win the WWCFL title dedicating the rest of their season to him finishing their 2019 campaign with a perfect 9-0 record.

    Filteau coached minor football at different levels and with the Bishop James Mahoney High School Saints.

    He was born and raised in Moose Jaw and became a high school football star at A.E. Peacock Collegiate. Filteau joined the Hilltops after graduating from high school.

    Standing at 5-foot-9 and weighing 214 pounds, Filteau didn’t look like a linebacker. When he hit the field, you realized quickly looks were deceiving. He was the underdog who made it.

    During his five seasons with the Hilltops, Filteau’s best campaign might have been during his final season in 2014. After the Hilltops got out to an uncharacteristic 1-2 start losing twice to their provincial rivals in the Regina Thunder, Filteau played a big role in rallying the team off the field to help his teammates get into a better head space mentally.

Justin Filteau, left, works as a Valkyries assistant coach in 2019.

    The Hilltops proceeded to win their final eight games of that campaign between the regular season and playoffs to capture the Canadian Bowl as CJFL champions.

    Filteau was honoured as a CJFL all-Canadian all-star on defence registering 37 solo tackles, 20 assisted tackles, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and one pass knockdown in the Hilltops eight regular season games.

    Last season, the Hilltops coaches did a great job of teaching their current generation of players how much Filteau meant to the provincial football scene. The Hilltops posted a 12-0 overall record in the 2019 campaign winning a sixth straight Canadian Bowl and posting a second straight perfect season.

    One person that was fully aware of Filteau’s impact on the provincial football scene before the 2019 CJFL season started was Hilltops fifth-year middle linebacker Jadyn Pingue. As a rookie in 2015, Pingue began wearing the old #45 jersey Filteau wore and at the moment is the only Hilltops player to wear #45 after Filteau.

    Pingue brought up the suggestion that maybe #45 should be retired by the team. The coaches asked Pingue to continue wearing #45 as one way to keep Filteau’s memory alive.

    In a fitting tribute to Filteau, Pingue went on to have an individual season that saw him win the award as the CJFL’s most outstanding defensive player in 2019.

Matt Kozun (#53) enters Saskatoon Minor Football Field in 2015.

    While Filteau turned heads at linebacker, Kozun was a force on the defensive line for five seasons with the Hilltops from 2011 to 2015 coming straight to the club from Bishop James Mahoney High School. Kozun picked up 46 per cent of the fan votes, which led all defensive players.

    He was a member of four CJFL championship teams with the Hilltops in 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015.

    Kozun, who stood 6-foot-6 and weighed 280 pounds, was a gifted athlete and played on the team’s short-yardage package on offence as a tight end. He had a touchdown reception in the 2015 PFC final that the Hilltops claimed with a 38-16 victory over the Calgary Colts.

    Kozun’s best two seasons with the Hilltops were his final two campaigns with the team. In the Hilltops 2014 CJFL championship season, Kozun was named an all-Canadian all-star after piling up 15 sacks, seven tackles, five tackle assists, two pass knockdowns and one fumble recovery in eight regular season games.

    He was named an all-Canadian all-star again in the Hilltops 2015 CJFL championship campaign. In eight regular season games, Kozun recorded nine tackles, five tackle assists, 2.5 sacks, two pass knockdowns and one forced fumble.

Hilltops DT Matt Kozun (#53) chases down a Winnipeg Rifles QB in 2015.

    Kozun was a member of a freakishly good starting defensive line in 2015 that included fifth-year defensive tackle Blake Adams, third-year rush end Tom Schnitzler and third-year boundary end Blake Hermann.

    That foursome on the Hilltops defensive line could crush opposing team’s offensive units all by themselves.

    Following his time with the Hilltops, Kozun joined the Huskies for two seasons before his playing days came to an end.

    During their time with the Hilltops, Filteau and Kozun left their marks as two of the team’s all-time greats, and their legacies with the squad continue to live on long after they last played for the venerable and storied club.

    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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Bitz thankful for Hilltops blitz surprise

Rookie DB gets first sack in 43-9 romp of Wildcats

Hilltops DB Logan Bitz sacks Wildcats QB Austin Ericson.

    Logan Bitz almost couldn’t believe the Thanksgiving Day weekend surprise the Saskatoon Hilltops coaching staff had in store for him.

    Shortly before halftime of the Hilltops clash with the Edmonton Wildcats on Sunday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the rookie defensive back received a play call from the Saskatoon coaching staff for him to blitz the quarterback from the halfback position. As Hilltops defensive coordinator Jeff Yausie very rarely calls a blitz play, Bitz looked towards the bench to see if the call was for real.

    Looking at Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant, Bitz knew the call was indeed a genuine one.

    “Sarge looked at me, and he gave me that look that if I don’t do good it is never going to be called again,” said Bitz. “I just made the most of my opportunity and had a good time with it.”

    The Saskatoon St. Joseph High School graduate came clean off the edge and blindsided Wildcats backup quarterback Austin Ericson. Bitz could feel a surge of excitement as he neared the Edmonton signal caller.

Logan Bitz has turned heads as a rookie.

    “It is pretty good as a DB to get your first sack of your career,” said Bitz, who stands 5-foot-11 and weighs 170 pounds. “It felt good.

    “Normally I am in pass coverage, so it feels nice to get an open shot on some guy and then just celebrate with my teammates.”

    The Hilltops made a whole host of big plays in a 43-9 romp over the Wildcats in the Canadian Junior Football League regular season clash. Saskatoon piled up 625 yards of net offence, while holding Edmonton to 126 offensive yards. During the onslaught, the Wildcats lost started quarterback Colton Hippe to a broken leg in the second quarter on what seemed like a routine tackle.

    For Bitz, the win and his sack continued what has been a memorable rookie campaign. He was named a co-winner of the Prairie Football Conference’s special teams player of the week award after the Hilltops thumped the Okanagan Sun 58-2 on Sept. 17 in Kelowna, B.C.

    Bitz has earned a spot on the 40-man travel roster for three of the Hilltops four road games so far this season. Overall, he loves the atmosphere with the team.

    “It is amazing,” said Bitz. “It is a real family oriented thing. Everyone is friends with everybody.

    “It is really good. They do lots of family activities. Families are just really involved.”

    Against the Wildcats on Sunday, the Hilltops jumped out to a 10-0 lead after the first quarter and increased their advantage to 40-7 by halftime.

    Starting quarterback Jared Andreychuk completed 11-of-16 passes for 279 yards, four touchdown passes and no interceptions. He connected with Sam Mike on two aerial TDs from 65 and nine yards out. Andreychuk also hit Jay Price with a 48-yard touchdown strike and Ryan Turple with a 25-yard major through the air.

Hilltops DB Logan Bitz celebrates his quarterback sack.

    Late in the second quarter, the Hilltops coaches pulled Andreychuk to allow backups Jordan Walls and Tyler Hermann to finish out things in relief.

    Price had three catches for 118 yards, while Mike caught five passes for 106 yards. Rooking running back Joshua Ewanchyna piled up 106 yards rushing on seven carries and scored one touchdown along the ground.

    Defensive end Blake Hermann had a sack and blocked a punt. The Hilltops also received another punt block from defensive lineman Riley Pickett.

    James Vause kicked two 25-yard field goals for the hosts.

    Receiver Isaac Fagnan accounted for the Wildcats lone major score on a 95-yard kickoff return. Both teams conceded one safety touch.

    Bitz wants to help the Hilltops win a third straight Canadian Bowl, and he believes in the team’s mantra of helping send the fifth year players out on a big high. On a personal level, he said a national championship win would set a big standard for the rest of his own career.

Receiver Ryan Turple jukes a Wildcats DB on a 25-yard TD reception.

    With that in mind, Bitz knows it is a big challenge for a rookie to keep making the Hilltops 40-man travel roster and later the playoff roster. He aims to keep playing well enough to stay on the field.

    “I am just excited to keep going and hopefully keep playing,” said Bitz. “This game was a game that it was helping decide that top 40 going into playoffs and obviously next week going to Winnipeg. I am just excited to see if I do go or not.”

    With the win, the Hilltops improve to 7-1 to stick second in the PFC. They are trying to chase down the Calgary Colts, who fell to 7-1 on Sunday after dropping a 30-23 decision to the Thunder in Regina. The Thunder sit fourth in the PFC with a 4-4 mark.

    The Colts hold the tiebreaker in the standings over the Hilltops taking the only head-to-head meeting between the two squads 36-21 back on Aug. 28 in Saskatoon.

Hilltops guard Drayke Unger rumbles downfield on a rare carry.

    Saskatoon can still finish first in the PFC depending on a couple of results in the final weekend of play for the regular season. The Hilltops need to down the Rifles (2-6) this coming Sunday in Winnipeg and hope the Colts fall to the Edmonton Huskies (5-3) this coming Saturday in Edmonton. The Huskies, who are third in the PFC, and Thunder have locked up the conference’s final two playoff berths.

    The Wildcats fell to 0-8, and they close their schedule this coming Sunday in Edmonton against the Thunder.

    If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.

Hilltops defence delivers in crunch time

Hilltops LB Bobby Ehman grabs Thunder RB Victor St. Pierre-Laviolette.

    The Saskatoon Hilltops defence always seems to deliver in the clutch.

    On Saturday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Hilltops defence delivered two key stops inside of the final two minutes to preserve a 20-18 victory over their provincial rivals the Regina Thunder. The stops came right after Thunder quarterback Sawyer Buettner hit fifth-year receiver Kasim Ocaya on a 14-yard touchdown strike to cut Saskatoon’s edge to two points with 2:03 to play.

    Following that major score, the Thunder got two more possessions to try and move into range for a winning field goal. 

    On the first of those final two possessions, defensive end Blake Hermann came through with a key pass knock down, and the Hilltops forced a fumble a short time later that was recovered by rookie defensive back Leif Larson. Larson had two fumble recoveries on the night for Saskatoon.

Cameron Schnitzler, right, topped the Hilltops with 12 tackles.

    The Hilltops weren’t able to move the ball, which allowed the Thunder to have one last possession with under 40 seconds to play.

    Second-year defensive tackle Tristan Hering proceeded to step up and deliver a blow that pretty much sealed the final outcome for the Hilltops. On a middle rush, Hering managed to knock the ball out of Buettner’s grasp. 

    The ball was recovered by Thunder offensive lineman Brayden Moroz, who chugged downfield before being brought down by a pair of Hilltops in middle linebacker Cameron Schnitzler and defensive lineman Tom Schnitzler.

    The play ate up most of the time the Thunder had to use on the clock forcing them to one last desperate play. On the last play of the game, the visitors attempted a quick kick from running back Quinten Ruckaber, but it wasn’t able to create a winning score.

Tom Schnitzler (#56) deflects a Sawyer Buettner (#14) pass.

    Under defensive coordinator Jeff Yausie, the Hilltops defence usually follows a “bend but don’t break” approach. Saskatoon’s defence will give up yards, but always seems to come out with a decided edge in the turnover department.

    Regina out gained Saskatoon in net offensive yards 522 to 418, but the Hilltops defence came up with four takeaways, while the Thunder defence had one takeaway.

    Buettner had a spectacular outing for the visitors connecting on 43-of-52 passes for 422 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. The second-year signal caller wasn’t able to hit any real big plays as his longest completion was 23 yards.

    The Hilltops held the Thunder to 78 yards rushing as a team, which included holding standout running back Victor St. Pierre-Laviolette to 59 yards on 14 carries.

    The Schnitzlers both had huge days for the Hilltops. Cameron topped the team with 12 tackles, while Tom had 10 tackles.

    Regina took an 8-0 lead in the first quarter of Saturday’s battle. Buettner hit receiver Kristiane Desautels for a 20-yard touchdown pass, and kicker James Reid recorded a single on a 27-yard missed field goal.

Logan Fischer piled up 134 yards rushing on 18 carries for the Hilltops.

    In the second quarter, Hilltops offensive lineman Drayke Unger punched in a one-yard touchdown run taking a carry as a fullback to cut the Thunder lead to 8-7. Hilltops safety James Vause booted a 30-yard field goal with 2.2 seconds to play in the first half to give Saskatoon a 10-8 lead.

    The Thunder jumped ahead 11-10 in the third quarter, when Reid nailed a 34-yard field goal. Before the frame ended, the Hilltops jumped back out in front 17-11 on a one-yard touchdown plunge by running back Logan Fischer.

    Fischer piled up 134 yards rushing on 18 carries and caught two passes for 26 yards.

    Early in the fourth quarter, the Thunder gambled on a third and goal from the Saskatoon five yard line in an attempt to retake the lead. Buettner tried to hit Ocaya, but the pass fell incomplete due to tight coverage by Hilltops defensive back Luke Melnyk.

    Vause hit a 34-yard field goal to increase Saskatoon’s lead to 20-11 before the Thunder made their last push inside of the final three minutes.

Thunder QB Sawyer Buettner is pressured by Hilltops DE Blake Hermann

    Hilltops quarterback Jared Andreychuk completed 13-of-20 passes for 174 yards, no touchdowns and one interception.

    With the win, the Hilltops improved to 4-1 to sit second in the Prairie Football Conference, while the Thunder fell to 3-2.  The Hilltops return to action this coming Saturday, when they travel to Kelowna, B.C., to take on the Okanagan Sun in rematch of last year’s Canadian Bowl. Saskatoon took that encounter 38-24.

    The Sun fell to 6-1 dropping a 29-23 decision to the Westshore Rebels on Saturday in Langford, B.C.

    The Thunder take on the PFC leading Calgary Colts (4-0) this coming Saturday in a neutral site game in Medicine Hat, Alta.

    If you have any comments you would like to pass on about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.

Hilltops feast on Rifles giveaways

Saskatoon advances to host Colts in PFC final

Hilltops safety James Vause hits Rifles receiver Marty Riddick.

    James Vause provided the spark the venerable Saskatoon Hilltops were looking for.

    Entering the second half of Sunday’s Prairie Football Conference semifinal match with the visiting Winnipeg Rifles at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Hilltops held a 21-14 edge in what had turned out to be a tough battle in the first half. The Rifles had the first possession of the second half and were looking to drive downfield for the score that would tie things up, but Vause, a second-year safety, stepped up making an interception near midfield – his second pick of the contest - to turn the game around.

    The Hilltops quickly cashed in on that pick on their ensuing offensive possession, which was capped by a 15-yard touchdown run by Logan Fischer. That started a surge of 28 points for the Hilltops, who cruised to a 49-21 victory. They advance in the Canadian Junior Football League playoffs to host the Calgary Colts in the PFC final this coming Sunday at 1 p.m. at SMF Field. The Colts claimed the other PFC semifinal match traveling to Regina this past Sunday to down the host Thunder 17-3.

    In the Hilltops win over the Rifles, turnovers proved to the deciding factor. The Hilltops forced the Rifles to give up the ball seven times, which included three times on downs, twice on interceptions and twice on fumbles. They turned those takeaways into 28 points, while the Rifles only forced one turnover intercepting Hilltops quarterback Jared Andreychuk near the end of the first half.

Logan Fischer runs in a Hilltops score from 12 yards out.

    Turnovers proved key in allowing the Hilltops exit the first half with a lead, as the Rifles rolled up 366 yards of offence. Saskatoon had 262 yards of total offence through the first 30 minutes.

    The first key Rifles giveaway came on downs, when they were stuffed on a third and one gamble from the Saskatoon 28 just past the midway point of the first quarter. Saskatoon quickly drove 82 yards the other way on a series that ended with Andreychuk hitting slotback Evan Turkington on a 21-yard scoring strike for a 7-0 lead.

    Shortly before the first quarter ended, Rifles running back Ogidan Odun fumbled the ball away around the Saskatoon 40, and Hilltops defensive end Blake Hermann made the recovery for the hosts. The Hilltops drove downfield on the ensuing possession, which ended with a 21-yard scoring run by Andreychuk just 11 seconds into the second quarter to give the hosts a 14-0 lead.

    The Rifles didn’t go away. They put together a long drive of their own, which ended when quarterback Jamie Ybarra hit Brendan Naujoks on a five-yard scoring toss to cut the Hilltops edge to 14-7.

    Saskatoon extended its lead to 21-7, when Andreychuk found slotback Evan Kopchynski on a 13-yard touchdown pass. Winnipeg responded with a long drive that saw Ybarra hit Xander Tachinski on a four-yard scoring toss with 69 seconds to play before halftime.

    The Rifles proceeded to get their one turnover, when defensive back Stefan Conway intercepted Andreychuk with 52.9 seconds to play. Winnipeg drove into field goal range, but Brad Mikoluff’s attempt was blocked by Hilltops defensive lineman Matt Kozun.

    With the Rifles, who entered the match on a three-game winning streak, looking to make a major upset, Vause stepped up with his big pick. After Fischer scored to put the Hilltops up 14, he ran in another major from 12 yards out to give the Toppers a 35-14 edge. He finished the contest running for 130 yards on 19 carries.

Jared Andreychuk fires a pass downfield for the  Hilltops.

    Andreychuk found Kopchynski on a 30-yard streak passing play to extend the Hilltops edge to 42-14. After forcing the Rifles to give up the ball on downs, the Hilltops scored their final major of the game on the ensuing possession, which ended with a four-yard scoring run by Des Vessey.

    Winnipeg added the game’s final score with 15.9 seconds to play in the fourth quarter, when Ybarra hit Julian Banares on a 24-yard scoring toss.

    Andreychuk completed 15-of-21 passes for 276 yards, three touchdown passes, while throwing one interception for the Hilltops. With the Hilltops up big, he was pulled at the start of the fourth quarter for backup Jordan Walls. Ybarra connected on 24-of-41 passes for 350 yards, three touchdown passes, while throwing two interceptions for the Rifles.

    Winnipeg running back Michael Ritchott carried the ball 18 times for 119 yards, while Tachinski caught seven passes for 107 yards for the Rifles, who finished at 4-5 overall.

    The Hilltops, who are 8-1 overall, finished off their PFC semifinal win kicking back into high gear, which will be key with the steadily improving Colts, who are 6-3 overall, coming to town. The Hilltops and Colts will meet in the PFC final for the second straight year. Saskatoon claimed last year’s encounter 27-7 before moving on to win the Canadian Bowl to cap their 17^th CJFL title win.

Hilltops DL Connor Guillet takes down Rifles QB Jamie Ybarra.

    The two split their two regular season meetings. The Hilltops took the first contest 31-10 in Calgary on Aug. 16 to open the regular season for both teams, and the Colts claimed the second encounter 34-4 in Saskatoon to close the regular season for both teams. Saskatoon rested a lot of its regulars for most of the second game.

    The winner of the match between the Hilltops and Colts will host this year’s Canadian Bowl on Nov. 7, so the upcoming rubber match between the two sides will likely be an epic one.

    NOTE – The Hilltops were without star fifth-year defensive lineman Blake Adams in the PFC semifinal due to a left knee injury suffered in the team’s final regular season game.

    If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this blog post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com. Check out more game photos on Twitter @StanksSports.

Surging Hilltops eye up first

            Remember when the Saskatoon Hilltops were surrounded by doom and gloom?
            Time sure helped cure that problem.

Way back on Sept. 6, the Hilltops watched a 25-3 lead over the defending Canadian Junior Football League champion Regina Thunder disappear to a 26-25 setback at the newly christened Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The loss proved to be even more painful with the Thunder scoring three touchdowns in the final two minutes of the contest.

            Saskatoon was sitting at 1-2 with both losses coming to Regina. It was still very realistic the traditionally powerful Hilltops could finish the regular season with five straight wins. There was also a good chance that wouldn’t be enough for the Hilltops to finish first.

            Since that time, the Hilltops have pulled out four straight wins in blowout fashion to improve to 5-2. The Thunder have slipped in the past couple of weeks. They dropped a 20-13 decision at home to the Calgary Colts on Sept. 28, and they played the Huskies to a 27-27 draw in Edmonton on Oct. 5.

            As a result, Regina sits second in the Prairie Football Conference with a 4-2-1 record behind Saskatoon. The Hilltops will lock up first place and home field advantage through the conference portion of the playoffs, if they down the visiting Edmonton Wildcats (3-4) on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Wildcats need to win to keep their playoff hopes alive.

            If the Hilltops lose, the Thunder could vault back into first place with a victory over the Winnipeg Rifles on Sunday at Mosaic Stadium in Regina.

The Hilltops have just focused on what they could control and are now sitting in a good spot.

            After the second loss to the Thunder, there wasn’t panic on the Saskatoon side, but there was a heightened sense of urgency. The urgency from an outside onlooker’s perspective almost didn’t need to be there, because of the success the Hilltops have traditionally had.

            With that in mind, the veteran coaching staff led by head coach Tom Sargeant had legitimate concerns about what could happen if the team fell to 1-3. The urgency was needed to give the squad a spark, and it worked.

            Running back Wayndel Lewis has all but locked up a conference rushing title. He is hoping to pass the 1000-yard mark in rushing in the Toppers final game. On the season, Lewis has 923 yards rushing on 107 carries, which includes eight touchdown runs.

            Receiver Evan Kopchinski is emerging as a big play threat averaging close to 30 yards a catch. On the season, he has 15 catches for 437 yards and five touchdowns.

            Quarterback Jared Andreychuk’s completion percentage maybe under 50 per cent, but he looks to be improving as the campaign has gone on. He has completed 83 of 171 passes for 1,367 yards, eight touchdown strikes and three interceptions.

            On defence, it seems like everyone is pitching in at one time or other. Linebacker Justin Filteau tops the team with 35 tackles, while defensive lineman Blake Hermann has a club high five sacks.

            It is possible the Hilltops haven’t even hit their peak yet. For now, they just need to keep taking care of business.

            For the moment, they need to knock off the Wildcats, and it is home sweet home for the playoffs.

If you have any feedback on this blog, feel free to email comments to stankssports@gmail.com.