Hilltops’ Wingert keys in on his final CJFL stretch run

Carter Wingert, centre, walks on to SMF Field with his parents.

Carter Wingert keeps seeing signs popping up that he is on his last ride with the storied Saskatoon Hilltops.

Last Sunday, Wingert was one of eight graduating players who were honoured before the Hilltops regular season closing 39-1 victory over the Winnipeg Rifles at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The 22-year-old defensive back took part in the Hilltops long time tradition where the graduates make a walk to the field with their parents before the team’s last regular season home game.

Wingert made that walk with his parents in mother, Colleen, and father, Shane. The five-year veteran proceeded to have a good game recording a pair of tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery.

Personal time followed when the game concluded, and Wingert spent time talking to and having pictures taken with numerous family members and friends on the playing surface at SMF Field. The supporters made it a priority to get out to this last regular season game to see Wingert play. Those that were often busy with other pursuits inside and outside the sports world made certain to get out to SMF Field on this day.

For Wingert, it was another signal that his CJFL career is nearing an end. This coming Sunday, the Hilltops (8-0) open their post-season schedule hosting the Calgary Colts (3-5) in a PFC semifinal contest at 1 p.m. at SMF Field.

Carter Wingert has forced five turnovers this season.

Football playoffs are simple as the winning teams move on and losing clubs see their campaign come to an end. For Wingert, the focus now is always on the short term to keep winning in order to keep playing.

“I guess it just adds a little more intensity if you want to say,” said Wingert, who stands 5-foot-11 and weighs 180 pounds. “In playoff football, it is always intense.

“You’re always laying everything on the line. I won’t be thinking too much about it, but I know the Hilltop tradition is always to play for the fifth years. I hope all the guys can rally around and get it done.”

Way back in 2019, Wingert joined the Hilltops after having helped Saskatoon’s Centennial Collegiate Chargers Football Team win two city titles before falling in the provincial final each year in 2017 and 2018. He helped the Hilltops win a sixth straight CJFL title in 2019 posting a perfect 12-0 record.

Now in his final year of CJFL eligibility in 2023, Wingert is one of the Hilltops defensive captains. The Hilltops entered the campaign not knowing where they would stack up in a PFC that was undergoing a major reset due to every club going though sizable graduations following the completion of the 2022 campaign.

On top of helping the Hilltops post an 8-0 regular season record, Wingert was part of a team that allowed just 51 points against all season, which was the venerable CJFL club’s lowest total in that department since 1949.

Carter Wingert (#21) smiles after making a fumble recovery.

Wingert recorded 12 solo defensive tackles, two defensive tackle assists, one solo special teams tackle, one pass knockdown, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and three interceptions. He returned one of his fumble recoveries 50 yards for a touchdown in a 49-0 victory over the Rifles in Winnipeg on August 20.

Wingert said the fact he has played a lot does help with making plays on the field, but added the Hilltops coaches have made adjustments to help the defence play better.

“The more you play the more comfortable you get,” said Wingert. “We’ve switched our technique up a bit this year compared to last year, and I think that has helped us all out a lot as defensive backs specifically.

“It is exciting, and just hopefully, we can keep it going into the playoffs.”

Legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant has enjoyed seeing Wingert grow over the years the defensive back has been with the team. The sideline boss said Wingert has been a model member of the Hilltops during his CJFL career and might be having his best season this year.

“Carter (Wingert) has been around the ball all year,” said Sargeant. “You know what, the coaches have done such a good job.

Carter Wingert (#21) charges to the field with his teammates.

“We’ve put them in good spots. You could just see that fifth year pedigree in him. This year, boy, I think personally he has five or six turnovers himself.

“For a wide side halfback boy, that is saying a lot. As I said, this whole group has been special, and especially because of our fifth years, and Carter (Wingert) is one of our special players that as a captain is doing a great job of leading.”

Now, the last ride for Wingert begins in earnest as the club starts is 2023 post-season journey. He will be joined on that journey by fellow grads who were members of that 2019 CJFL title winning team in linebackers Matt Wist and Wade Keating, running back Boston Davidsen, defensive lineman Craig Torgerson and receiver Evan Ward.

Linebacker Jordan Levesque and offensive lineman Justice Walker are also on that journey as graduating players having joined the Hilltops following the 2019 campaign.

“It has definitely hit home,” said Wingert. “When you’re playing, you’re just focused on the game.

Carter Wingert (#21) is pictured with the Hilltops grads and their parents,

“I’m not really thinking about it too much. I’m just trying to do my job and help my team out in whatever way I can.”

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“Sack Master” Kack anchors Hilltops defence

Riece Kack (#47) celebrates making a sack for the Hilltops.

Riece Kack’s best buds brought him to the Saskatoon Hilltops, and the storied CJFL team has reaped the rewards ever since.

Early in his Grade 12 year playing high school football with Saskatoon’s Centennial Collegiate Chargers in September of 2019, Kack committed to joining the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football team in the U Sports ranks. The COVID-19 pandemic proceeded to grip the world in March of 2020, which ultimately changed the paths for a lot of athletes.

The defensive end lived through modified high school graduation festivities in June of 2020 and didn’t have a football season to look forward to in the fall of 2020. All football action for the Canada West Conference that the Huskies play out of was cancelled for 2020-21 and U Sports nixed its national championship football game – the Vanier Cup.

Due to pandemic restrictions, all football action was cancelled for the CJFL too.

While Kack was playing out his Grade 12 season in the fall of 2019 before the world was flipped upside down, his best friends in linebacker Wade Keating and defensive back Carter Wingert were playing through their rookie campaigns with the Hilltops, who went 12-0 and won a sixth straight CJFL title.

With everything having come to a stop, Keating and Wingert made sales pitches to Kack to come join the Hilltops.

“My two best buddies in Carter Wingert and Wade Keating they had played on Centennial with me, and they were a year older than me,” said Kack. “They were already here.

“They kind of told me they said, ‘Yeah, we have some open spots.’ I decided I wanted to come play some Hilltop football. It has been just a great blessing since.

Riece Kack (#47) takes down a quarterback for the Hilltops.

“It has been the three best years of my life.”

After recording a pair of sacks in eight regular season games with the Hilltops in 2021, Kack had a breakout year in his second campaign with the team in 2022. He topped the PFC with 7.5 sacks during the regular season to go along with 25.5 total tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery. Kack was named a first team PFC all-star and a first team CJFL all-Canadian all-star.

With one regular season game to play in the 2023 campaign, Kack again finds himself leading the PFC in sacks having matched his total from the previous year with 7.5 sacks. He holds a sizable lead over Regina Thunder linebacker Kenten Effa and Edmonton Huskies defensive lineman Kaiden Edey, who sit tied for second in the PFC with four sacks.

The Hilltops (7-0) close their regular season on Sunday hosting the Winnipeg Rifles (2-5) at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. To go along with his 7.5 sacks, Kack has 18.5 total tackles, two fumble recoveries and one pass knockdown.

“It has been a lot of fun the last two years for sure,” said Kack, who stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 230 pounds. “I know in my first year I was off to a slow start and didn’t get my first sacks until the last game of the year in Winnipeg.

“I ended up getting two that game. It has kind of just been motivation for me since then just to keep coming out and getting them. It is lots of fun when I get to the quarterback.

“This year for sure there have been a lot of coverage sacks. The DBs have been helping me out. That is a credit to our great DBs and coaching as well.”

Legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant said Kack has been a big time player for the club for a length stretch now.

Riece Kack is leading the PFC with 7.5 quarterback sacks.

“Riece is a great leader,” said Sargeant. “He is a great player.

“He is a natural playmaker. He knows how to get to the ball. He knows where the ball is.

“He’s got that uncanny ability that you don’t coach. He’s been a real pleasure to coach this year. It has been fun to see him perform at such a high level and be a big part of this defensive success.”

Sargeant said Kack does so many things well as a defensive end, and you could see the now 21-year-old pass rusher could potentially be special watching him during his days in high school.

“He was high end player in high school,” said Sargeant. “I’ve always thought he was an even front player – a four man front, so he goes against the (offensive) tackle.

“He has a good repertoire of moves. He’s got a burst. He’s got power, and he’s got a motor that doesn’t quit.

“That is the biggest part about Riece is he plays every play as hard as he can. When it is all said and done, you always see him around the football.”

The sideline boss adds Kack is one of the main guys who gets the Hilltops jacked up for game day.

“He’s the energy guy,” said Sargeant. “He’s the guy going around talking with people and connecting with people, bring the juice and bringing the energy.

“In the Thursday night practice, he is always the most vocal and getting every juiced up and charged up. That is a real natural ability of his is to just be a great team guy. The players love him, and they rally around him.

Riece Kack (#47) is a cornerstone player on the Hilltops defence.

“He is a big time leader for us. When you see us huddle up before the game, it is Riece (Kack) in the middle talking to the football team. He’s been a real pulse and a real pleasure to be around and to coach.”

Kack’s motivation to play well for the Hilltops is also increased due to the fact he considers the biggest influences in helping him along in the game all have connections to the team. They include Sargeant, defensive line coach Dave Fisher and Hilltops defensive end alum, U of S Huskies alum, step brother and long snapper of the CFL’s British Columbia Lions Riley Pickett.

“‘Sarge’ has been a great coach for me, and Fish (Dave Fisher) every day just brings a good spark to the D-line,” said Kack. “Obviously, I look up to my brother Riley Pickett to what he was able to do here.

“There are lots of people I take inspiration from.”

The standout defensive end said the work of the rest of the Hilltops defensive line has allowed him to pile up the sacks he has. The Hilltops have cycled through a number of players on their D-line who have all made plays including Craig Torgerson, Ben Marce, Kai Kukurudza, Johnathon Stevens and Nahom Menghestab.

“They (the opponents) don’t know who to block on any given down to be honest,” said Kack. “They can’t commit to over blocking any of us.

“It has been a big contributing factor for sure. Sometimes if you’re getting lots of pressure, they’ll put two or three guys on you and open up someone else just for a single team. They can’t do that this year, because we’re just having tremendous pressure from everyone.

“It has been awesome.”

Riece Kack (#47) enjoys the havoc the Hilltops D-line creates.

Kack believes the Hilltops have done a good job with staying focused on the present this season. With that noted, he said it feels like this upcoming final regular season game against the Rifles came fast and following that contest will be playoffs. He is looking forward to getting to the post-season chase.

“It is crazy how quick it flies by to be honest,” said Kack. “It feels like it was Week 1 yesterday.

“The season moves quick, and I guess we have the back stretch here. If we make it all the way, it is four or five more games. Definitely, our best football is yet to come.

“It is crazy that it is already playoff time. I’m excited for sure.”

Hilltops’ Gedir tabbed as player of the week

Noah Gedir (#36) was the PFC’s defensive player of the week.

Noah Gedir piled up the tackles in the rain resulting in an individual award coming his way.

On Wednesday, the Saskatoon Hilltops weak side linebacker was named the Prairie Football Conference’s defensive player of the week. Gedir picked up that honour for his performance this past Saturday making seven defensive solo tackles, five defensive tackle assists and one special teams tackle playing in a steady rain helping the Hilltops down their provincial rivals the Regina Thunder 19-10.

The 21-year-old Gedir leads the Hilltops with 73 defensive points coming on 17 solo defensive tackles, 10 defensive tackle assists, nine special teams solo tackles, one quarterback sack, two pass knockdowns, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Edmonton Wildcats receiver Travis Heggart was named the PFC’s offensive player of the week on Wednesday for his performance in helping his team outgun the visiting Calgary Colts 43-36 at Emerald Hills Regional Park in Sherwood Park, Alta. In helping the Wildcats get their first win of the season, Heggart caught six passes for 149 yards and four touchdowns.

Wildcats kick returner Breyan Elias took honours as the PFC’s special teams player of the week for his huge performance in that Wildcats win over the Colts. He returned three kickoffs for 217 yards. Elias returned the opening kickoff of the third quarter 92 yards for a touchdown and ran back another kickoff later in the frame 100 yards for a touchdown.

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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Depth of youthful Hilltops overpowers Colts

Saskatoon heads into bye week with 3-0 mark

Xavier Sabo jets to the end zone on a 75-yard touchdown reception.

The depth of talent for the youthful Saskatoon Hilltops appears to be rising to the top.

On Sunday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, it seemed like everyone was making plays for the Hilltops as they improved to 3-0 routing the visiting Calgary Colts 50-18 in a CJFL regular season clash played in front of 1,036 spectators. Saskatoon veterans like quarterback Trey Reider, star power running back Boston Davidsen and defensive end Riece Kack all had big statistical days.

The Hilltops also benefitted from big performances from their youngsters. Rookie running back Xavier Sabo hauled in four passes for a game high 139 yards and one touchdown. Second year defensive end Kai Kukurudza had three quarterback sacks and three total tackles.

Xavier Sabo had 139 yards receiving on Sunday.

Back in the Hilltops 50-2 season opening victory over the Edmonton Wildcats on August 13 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, Sabo scored his first touchdown of his CJFL career on a 33 yard run. Against the Colt on Sunday with the Hilltops holding a 33-0 lead in the second quarter, Sabo caught a short pass and zipped up the left sideline for a 75 yard receiving touchdown to give the host side a 40-0 advantage.

Sabo, who is a graduate of Saskatoon’s Centennial Chargers Football team, said his confidence has skyrocketed since he first started playing with the Hilltops. He said the team’s returning players have been important in helping him out.

The Hilltops celebrate Xavier Sabo’s 75-yard TD reception.

Sabo said one of his biggest influences has been Hilltops second year star running back Charles Sawi when it comes to supplying tips on what to expect. Sawi is currently out of the Hilltops lineup on a week-to-week basis due to injury, but he was still on the sidelines talking to Sabo and giving him feedback. Sabo said those little chats occur frequently at practice.

“Charles (Sawi) has been a big help,” said Sabo, who returned two punts for 14 yards on Sunday. “He is always hyping me up.

“He is a really good teammate. All the guys are good. We’re just a really good team were going to keep coming.”

With the Hilltops getting contributions from numerous players on their roster, it was a sight that brought a smile on the face of the team’s legendary head coach in Tom Sargeant.

The Hilltops sacked Colts QB Liam Oczkowski (#9) seven times.

“Once again, our first quarter was exceptional,” said Sargeant. “The coaches did a great job of preparing and getting these guys ready.

“Boy, did they execute the plan. We basically did everything we thought we should and could do. The second quarter was OK.

“We lost a little bit of energy or momentum, but it was good to unload the bench again. The kids came out and played well. We’re moving this thing in the right direction.”

Sargeant believes the Hilltops made a good find when they were able to recruit Sabo. Over the past two years, the Saskatoon high school football scene has been dominated by the always powerful Holy Cross High School Crusaders and the St. Joseph High School Guardians.

Kai Kukurudza (#73) had three sacks for the Hilltops.

While Centennial Collegiate has a good program, there is a chance that players on the Chargers team could be overlooked. Sargeant said he saw a lot of things he liked about Sabo when he watched him play for the Chargers.

“He has a glide and a smoothness,” said Sargeant. “It is tough to predict his speed.

“When he gets going as you saw down that sideline, can he accelerate and finish the run. He has been a kid that is gaining confidence and just getting better acclimatized to our offensive scheme. It was fun to watch him play and perform.

“We’re going to keep figuring out ways to put him on the field and have him do more.”

Sargeant said the team’s coaching staff thought Sabo had the potential to make big plays right out of the gate, if the young running back could get some early belief.

Trey Reider had 321 yards passing for the Hilltops.

“We’ve had high expectations,” said Sargeant. “He just needed to get the confidence within himself.

“Once he found that confidence, as I said, the ball found him and he took advantage of it.”

While Sabo’s self-confidence has grown, he has a really good feeling about the vibe on his Hilltops team.

“We’re getting better every week,” said Sabo. “Every practice we are getting better, so yeah, we’re coming for sure.”

The Hilltops opened Sunday’s clash scoring touchdowns on each of their first three offensive series to hold a 21-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. Davidsen ran in Saskatoon’s first score on a six-yard run.

Part of the 1,036 spectators that came to the Hilltops game on Sunday.

Reider hit Flaman, who made an acrobatic catch, for a five-yard touchdown reception to push the Hilltops edge out to 14-0. Before the first quarter ended, second-year running back Corbin Ebben plunged in from a yard out to increase the Hilltops lead to 21-0.

Early in the second quarter Teijon Abel-Douglas hit a 12-yard field goal to push the Hilltops advantage out to 24-0. At the 5:04 mark of the second quarter, Reider connected with second-year receiver Landon Thibault on a deep corner pattern for a 31-yard touchdown toss to push the Hilltops lead out to 31-0.

Boston Davidsen carried the ball 15 times for 190 yards on Sunday.

Just 44 seconds later, the Colts were forced to concede a safety due to bad field position to put the Hilltops up 33-0. Sabo’s long touchdown reception that put the Hilltops ahead 40-0 came on the ensuing series after the Colts conceded a safety.

Sabo admitted he was pretty pumped to be able to score on his long touchdown catch.

“It felt really amazing,” said Sabo, who stands 5-foot-10 and weighs 170 pounds. “We just went out and did our job.

“(There was) good blocking. It felt really good.”

While the Colts fell to 0-3, they have shown the ability to move the ball offensively with second year quarterback Liam Oczkowski, who is 19-years-old, calling plays. 

The Hilltop Cheerleaders perform at halftime on Sunday.

After the Hilltops went up 40-0, the Colts put together a long touchdown drive that was capped with Oczkowski hitting receiver Jonathan Dikome with a seven-yard touchdown toss to trim Saskatoon’s lead to 40-7.

Colts kicker James Keane hit a 17-yard field goal with 56 seconds remaining in the second quarter to further trim the Hilltops edge to 40-10.

With 15.7 seconds remaining in the second quarter, Abel-Douglas nailed a 35-yard field goal to give the Hilltops a 43-10 advantage at halftime.

Kack said it was important for his squad to face a foe that favours the passing game offensively. The Hilltops first two opponents in the Wildcats and Winnipeg Rifles were both clubs that prioritized the run.

Riece Kack (#47) had two-and-a-half sacks on Sunday.

“It was honestly a good test for us,” said Kack, who had two-and-a-half sacks and two-and-a-half total tackles on Sunday. “The first two games we’re more they’re trying to get the run on us.

“When that didn’t work, the pass wasn’t really the best against the boys. To go against a quarterback with that kind of talent was definitely a good stepping stone for the next process for us.”

In the third quarter, the Hilltops scored the only points in that frame with a 36-yard field goal and a rouge from a 45-yard missed field goal from Abel-Douglas to go up 47-10.

Ryden Gratton, who is the Hilltops second-year reserve kicker, hit a 19-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter to give further push the Hilltops edge to 50-10.

The trio of Hilltops defenders combine on a QB sack.

The Colts rounded out the game’s scoring from that point with a 67 yard punt single from Robert Lasebnik and a one-yard touchdown run from Oczkowski.

The Hilltops defensive line had a big night. Along with the three sacks put up by Kukurudza and the two-and-a-half sacks recorded by Kack, Johnathon Stevens had a sack and Ben Marce had a half sack.

“That D-line is just full of a bunch of dawgs to be honest,” said Kack. “They are just a bunch of ballers out there.

Hilltops mascot Topper hugs a young fan.

“I love playing with the boys. They know how to get the job done for sure. Pretty much all week, we said they’re going to be a pass heavy team.

“The second half comes around we’re going to start getting after them. Even before that, they were just trying to roll out, and we were on it. It was a heck of a day for the boys.”

Reider completed 17-of-26 passes for 321 yards, three touchdowns and didn’t throw any interceptions. Davidsen had a monster afternoon carrying the ball 15 times for 190 yards to go with his major score.

Oczkowski completed 18-of-30 passes for 233 yards and one touchdown, while throwing one interception. He carried the ball five times for 10 yards to go with his major score. Alan Xiang led the Colts with 79 yards rushing coming off 13 carries.

Hilltops safety Dalton Urban makes a big hit on a Colts receiver.

Middle linebacker Matt Wist led the Hilltops with five-and-a-half total tackles. Linebacker Andy Scrivens had an interception for Saskatoon.

Defensive back Cody Anglo led the Colts with five-and-a-half total tackles.

The Hilltops are now off until Saturday, September 9, when they travel to Regina to face the 3-0 Thunder at 7 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium. That starts a stretch that sees the Hilltops play three straight road games.

Their next home game isn’t until Saturday, September 30, when they host the Thunder at 7 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

The Hilltops mingle with family and friends after Sunday’s game.

Kack said his Hilltops are pumped to be 3-0 at this point in the campaign but focus will quickly turn towards the next step in the journey of their campaign.

“Work is not done,” said Kack. “We’re going to go into the bye and take some practice this week, and we’re on to Regina.”

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Huskies play coy over Hec Crighton talk for Machart

Pickett only football national player of the year for U of S

Adam Machart is having a stellar season for the Huskies.

    The Hec Crighton whispers are starting to come Adam Machart’s way.
    Machart is having a dream season at running back with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies football team. In helping the Huskies amass a 4-2 U Sports regular season record, Machart has already posted the third best rushing regular season in the history of the program.

    He has carried the ball 109 times for 931 yards and scored seven touchdowns. With the Huskies having two games left on their regular season schedule, there is an outside chance Machart could break the Huskies record for most rushing yards in one regular season set by Doug Rozon in 1999, when Rozon carried the ball 151 times for 1,267 yards and five touchdowns.

    When the Huskies thumped the University of Manitoba Bisons 49-21 on Oct. 4, Machart had the third best rushing game in the history of the Huskies program carrying the ball 23 times for 219 yards and two touchdowns.

    Through the air this season, Machart has caught 16 passes for 153 yards and hit the end zone twice.

Adam Machart has rushed for seven touchdowns this season.

    Thanks to those efforts, supporters of the Huskies football program have started to float talk and discuss the chances that Machart could win the Hec Crighton Trophy as the U Sports football player of the year.

    For his part, the 22-year-old isn’t concerning himself where he could be in the race as far as individual awards go.

    “I try not to think about it,” said Machart, who stands 5-foot-8 and weighs 185 pounds. “We have a couple of games here left, so we can’t start looking too far ahead.

    “We just have to keep winning games as an offence and as a team, so we’re just going to keep doing that.”

    Machart is in his second season with the Huskies after spending three campaigns from 2015 to 2017 with the venerable Saskatoon Hilltops.

Adam Machart (#20) has rushed for 931 yards in six games.

    He helped the Hilltops win CJFL national titles in each of those seasons.

    Before joining the Hilltops, Machart played high school football with Saskatoon’s Centennial Collegiate Chargers.

     While the Huskies have had many great seasons including winning the Hardy Cup as Canada West champions 19 times and the Vanier Cup as U Sports national champions three times, only one member of the football squad has ever won the Hec Crighton Trophy since it was first awarded in 1967.

    That one Hec Crighton award win came way back in 1973, when quarterback David Pickett was the U Sports national player of the year for football leading the Huskies to a 6-2 regular season record.

Adam Machart, right, has the Huskies third best rushing season.

    In 1973, Pickett completed 162-of-268 passes for 2,251 yards, 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

    At the time, Pickett’s completions, passing yards and touchdown passes were all Huskies records for one regular season and were numbers that were way beyond what anyone else put up in the Canada West Conference in that campaign.

    It took 15 years before Pickett’s regular season team records for passing yards and touchdown passes were surpassed. His mark for completions in one season stood until 2010.

    Huskies fell in a one-game playoff for the Canada West title 21-8 to the Bisons in 1973.

    Knowing how long the odds can be when it comes to winning the Hec Crighton Trophy, Huskies head coach Scott Flory said the team’s focus is on finishing the regular season strong before heading into playoffs.

    “We don’t worry about any of that stuff,” said Flory, whose Huskies are the defending Canada West champions. “We wanted to make sure we get back here and get these two games.

Adam Machart has caught 16 passes for 153 yards and two TDs this season.

    “We’ll take the back half of this season when it comes.”

    The Huskies will be guaranteed a second place finish in Canada West and will host a home playoff game, if they win their last two regular season outings.

    The Dogs return to action on Saturday, Oct. 19, when they travel to Vancouver, B.C., to face the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds (1-5).

    U of S closes the regular season on Saturday, Oct. 26 by hosting the University of Alberta Golden Bears (4-2) at 2 p.m. at Griffiths Stadium.

    Huskies star left guard Mattland Riley said it would be nice if Machart could win the Hec Crighton Trophy, but added individual awards are far from the first concern of the squad.

    “That would be great, but to be honest, we’re focused right now on UBC,” said Riley. “All the awards and stuff like that, that will come when our team succeeds, but it is the team.

Adam Machart (#20) hopes to enjoy my team success with the Huskies.

    “It is all about the team. It is always about the team.”

    For now, Machart wants to help the Huskies win their last two games and become the third player in team history to reach the 1,000-yard mark in rushing.
    He believes that would be a good way to pay tribute to the offensive line that blocks for him including starters in left tackle Noah Zerr, Riley, centre Connor Berglof, right guard Tanner Secord and right tackle Nick Summach.

    “It would be a huge honour,” said Machart about the possibility of getting to 1,000 yards rushing. “Obviously, I’m just going to take it one game at a time.

    “If I were to reach that milestone, it would be a huge honour.”

    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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    If you like what you see here, you might want to donate to the cause to keep independent media like this blog going. Should you choose to help out, feel free to click on the DONATE button in the upper right corner. Thank you for stopping in.