Good out of the gate – Derbas vaults to star status with Huskies at age 18

Ramsey Derbas has made an immediate impact with the Huskies.

    Ramsey Derbas is the first to note he wasn’t a starter right from day one for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies football team.

    The 18-year-old rookie linebacker dressed as a defensive substitute that came off the bench and a special teams player, when the Huskies fell in their U Sports regular season opener 43- 19 against the University of Manitoba Bisons in Winnipeg, Man., on Aug. 30. The graduate of Saskatoon’s powerhouse Holy Cross Crusaders football team recorded four tackles in that setback.

    Derbas started the Huskies very next game on Sept. 6, when they dumped the visiting University of British Columbia Thunderbirds 40-7 at Griffiths Stadium. He equalled fifth-year veteran Huskies outside linebacker Ben Whiting for second on the team with six total tackles in that contest.

Ramsey Derbas, right, takes down a Thunderbirds receiver.

    Derbas has remained a starter since that time, and in the Huskies eight regular season games, he topped the squad with 43 total tackles and added in a half sack and an interception.

    “It is just everything I could have asked for,” said Derbas, who stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 210 pounds. “It has been really good.

    “The players have accepted me, and the coaches have given me opportunity to play and make mistakes and learn and grow, so it has been great.”

    On Saturday, Derbas and his Huskies, who are 6-3 overall, will travel to Calgary, Alta., to face the University of Calgary Dinos, who are 7-2 overall, in the Canada West Conference championship game – the Hardy Cup. The two sides met in last year’s Hardy Cup that was also held in Calgary, which the Huskies romped to a 43-18 victory in.

Ramsey Derbas sizes up an opposing offence.

    In his first U Sports playoff game last Saturday, Derbas came through with a big play for the Huskies. He had the second of three interceptions the Huskies had on the Golden Bears first three offensive possessions to start the second half.

    The Huskies scored 10 points off those turnovers to post a 28-23 victory.

    Early in his time with the team, Derbas got a notion from the Huskies coaches that he could have a chance to gain a starting position as a rookie.

    “I knew I would have an opportunity to come in early and play,” said Derbas. “I wasn’t sure if that would be starting or how I would manage my way into playing.

    “I just knew I would be able to play and contribute.”

    He was happy the Huskies coaches had faith in how quickly he could contribute this season.

Ramsey Derbas, in back, sets to hit a U of Regina Rams receiver.

    “It is just everything I could have asked for,” said Derbas. “It has been really good.

    “The players have accepted me, and the coaches have given me opportunity to play and make mistakes and learn and grow, so it has been great.”

    Huskies head coach Scott Flory said the team’s coaching staff was still tinkering with the roster going into the team’s first game, where Derbas didn’t start. Following that first game, Flory said the coaches knew that Derbas had to be on the field playing.

    “We definitely knew he (Derbas) was a talented player that is why he was very high on our priority list to sign as a recruit,” said Flory. “I know how talented he was and how good of a young man he was.

    “When we got a glimpse there in the spring of just what he could do, we knew he could make the transition quickly, and we knew it wouldn’t be long before he was a big contributor. He has adjusted very well.”

Ramsey Derbas, left, celebrates an interception in a Canada West semi.

    Flory said Derbas has a natural feel for the game.

    “He is around the ball,” said Flory. “He has a nose for it

    “He really does. He has a knack, and football players do. He is a football player.

    “He has just got a knack to find the ball.”

    Derbas said he felt a sense of accomplishment, when the Huskies coaches told him he would be starting. He has enjoyed being in the starting linebacker group with brothers Ben and Tom Whiting, who is in his third-year with the team.

    “Obviously, Ben is a fifth-year, and he has so much knowledge,” said Derbas. “He has been great.

    “Tom is awesome. They are an awesome linebacking combo.”

    Derbas said he was able to hit the ground running with the Huskies thanks to the tutelage he received from his high school head coach in Scott Hundseth at Holy Cross. 

Ramsey Derbas led the Huskies in total tackles.

    Hundseth played for the Huskies first Vanier Cup U Sports national championship winner in 1990.

    “It (playing at Holy Cross) definitely helped a lot just with coach (Scott) Hundseth, and how he does things,” said Derbas. “He is the head coach of that program, and he was the linebacker coach.

    “He helped me out a tonne. It definitely got me prepared to take on new challenges that presented themselves here.”

    On the academic front, Derbas said he regularly maintained an 85 per cent average at Holy Cross. He is in his first year of studies as a business major at U of S and believes he has adapted well to the work required in university.

    “It is definitely an adjustment at first,” said Derbas. “(Special teams) coach (Jerry) Friesen with his study hall, he has great resources for us, so it has definitely helped the transition.”

Ramsey Derbas (#26) aims to enjoy more big plays with the Huskies.

    Of course, Derbas is hoping to make a big impact for the Huskies in the Hardy Cup.

    “I am just super excited,” said Derbas. “There are only eight teams in the country get to be practising right now, so I am just trying to enjoy the moment and do everything I need to do to be ready to play.”

    While he is focusing on the present, Derbas is anticipating hitting bigger heights in the future. He is looking forward to crushing his off-season workouts to hit the field as a sophomore even stronger and faster than he is now.

    “I am definitely eager already for the off-season,” said Derbas. “I think there are a lot of things I need to get better at for next year.

    “I am looking forward to just all that time to being able to get my body to where it needs to be.”

Hilltops sweep player awards in CJFL semifinal win

Connor Graham hit the CJFL record books in the Hilltops last playoff win.

    A lopsided win in a CJFL semifinal contest allowed the Saskatoon Hilltops to take all the individual player awards from that contest.

    Last Saturday, the Hilltops, who are the five-time defending CJFL champions, traveled to London, Ont., and hammered the host Beefeaters 51-1. The Hilltops claimed the player of the game awards on offence, defence and special teams, which the CJFL dubbed as player of the week awards for the game on Tuesday.

    Hilltops fifth-year receiver Connor Graham was named the top offensive player for hauling in four passes for 154 yards and three touchdowns. He averaged 38.5 yards per catch to set a new CJFL interconference playoff game record for highest yards per reception average.

    The old record of 36 yards per catch was held by Rick Price of the now defunct Vancouver Meralomas that was set on Oct. 21, 1973. Price had seven catches for 252 yards in that contest.

Rylan Kleiter (#7) hit three field goals in the CJFL semifinal.

    Graham equalled the record for most touchdown receptions in a CJFL interconference playoff game with his three touchdown catches. 
    The record had been achieved on five previous occasions.

    The last of those occasions came on Oct. 27, 1984, when Geoff Hainstock caught three touchdown passes for the now defunct St. Vital Mustangs, who were based in Winnipeg, Man.

    Hilltops defensive end Tristan Hering was named the top defensive player recording three sacks, three defensive tackles and one special teams tackle.

    Hilltops receiver/kicker Rylan Kleiter took honours as the top special teams player for the game. He made all three of his field goal attempts and all six of his converts in the win. Kleiter kicked off seven times for 322 yards for an average of 46 yards per kick.

    On top of his efforts on special teams, Kleiter caught a pass for 36 yards on offence.

    The Hilltops, who are 11-0 overall, will attempt to win a sixth straight CJFL title, when they travel to Langley, B.C., on Nov. 16 to take on the host Rams, who are 12-0 overall, for the Canadian Bowl.

“Sarge” cracks on to CBC with 209^th win

News of Tom Sargeant’s milestone 209th win is spreading.

    The praise and congratulations seems to be raining down from everywhere for Saskatoon Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant after he recorded his 209^th career win.

    Sargeant picked up the milestone last Saturday, when the Hilltops thumped the London Beefeaters 51-1 in a CJFL semifinal in London, Ont. The total of 209 wins moves Sargeant ahead of retired Regina Rams head coach Frank McCrystal for the most wins in Canada’s amateur post-secondary football ranks.

    Sargeant has a 209-30-2 career record in CJFL regular season and post-season action since becoming the Hilltops head coach before the start of the 1998 campaign.

    McCrystal was the head coach of the Rams from 1984 to 2014, and they played 15 seasons in the CJFL and 16 campaigns in U Sports over that time as the University of Regina Rams. Over those 31 seasons, McCrystal compiled a 208-104-2 record as head coach in the regular season and post-season in both the CJFL and U Sports.

    The Hilltops, who are 11-0 overall, will attempt to win a sixth straight CJFL title, when they travel to Langley, B.C., on Nov. 16 to take on the host Rams, who are 12-0 overall, for the Canadian Bowl.

CBC in Saskatoon picked up on the story of Sargeant’s accomplishment. I was interviewed by Jen Quesnel for CBC Saskatoon’s radio morning show on Tuesday.

    I was also interviewed for a CBC web story by Scott Larson, who has worked in Saskatoon’s media scene for a long time as a savvy sports scribe. As usual, Larson did a great job.

    Larson’s piece can be found 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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Hilltops’ win streak hits 30, Beefeaters fall 51-1 in CJFL semi

“Sarge” picks up milestone 209th career victory

Tyler Hermann threw for 297 yards and three TDs for the Hilltops.

    The milestones piled up almost as fast the points they put up on the scoreboard.
    Saying the venerable Saskatoon Hilltops had a banner Saturday at TD Stadium in London, Ont., might even be a minimal way to describe how the night went.

    The Hilltops, who are the five-time defending CJFL champions, hammered the host London Beefeaters 51-1 in a CJFL semifinal contest. With the win, the ’Toppers advance to the CJFL title game – the Canadian Bowl – for a sixth straight year.

    Saskatoon will travel to Langley, B.C., for the CJFL championship tilt on Nov. 16 against the host Rams.

    The Rams, who are 12-0 overall, downed the Westshore Rebels 35-12 in the British Columbia Football Conference championship game on Saturday in Langley to advance to host the Canadian Bowl. The Rebels, who are based in Langford, B.C., closed the 2019 campaign with a 9-3 overall record.

    In last year’s CJFL title tilt held in Saskatoon, the Hilltops hammered the visiting Rams 58-21.

Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant picked up his 209th career win.

    The Hilltops, who are 11-0 overall this season, are the only team in the history of the CJFL to win five straight league titles, and they have claimed eight of the last nine CJFL championships. Saskatoon will be shooting to win six in a row and claim nine of the last 10 CJFL championships in the upcoming Canadian Bowl.

    On top of moving into position to possibly hit new benchmarks in CJFL championship wins, the Hilltops rolled off their 30^th overall win in a row with their victory over the Beefeaters on Saturday including action in the CJFL’s regular season and playoffs.

    The Hilltops last loss came back in a regular season contest on Sept. 9, 2017, when they fell 29-26 to the Regina Thunder at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

    Along with hitting 30 straight victories in their overall winning streak, the Hilltops have won their last 28 straight games on the road including action in the CJFL regular season and post-season. Due to their current run of consecutive championships, the Hilltops extended their CJFL record for consecutive post-season wins to 19.

Ben Abrook had 110 yards rushing for the Hilltops.

    On a personal front, Saturday’s victory was the 209^th win in the career of legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant. The total moves Sargeant ahead of retired Regina Rams head coach Frank McCrystal for the most wins in Canada’s amateur post-secondary football ranks.

    Sargeant has a 209-30-2 career record in CJFL regular season and post-season action since becoming the Hilltops head coach before the start of the 1998 campaign.

    McCrystal was the head coach of the Rams from 1984 to 2014, and they played 15 seasons in the CJFL and 16 campaigns in U Sports over that time as the University of Regina Rams. Over those 31 seasons, McCrystal compiled a 208-104-2 record as head coach in the regular season and post-season in both the CJFL and U Sports.

    As for Saturday’s CJFL semifinal game itself, the contest was a big display of Hilltops might. Hilltops rookie defensive back Bailey Taylor intercepted Beefeaters quarterback Jake Pow on London’s first offensive series.

    Saskatoon turned that turnover into a 22-yard field goal from receiver/kicker Rylan Kleiter and a 3-0 lead.
    The Hilltops edge increased to 10-0 on their next offensive series thanks to a four-yard touchdown run by star power back Ben Abrook.

Doug Fleming threw a TD pass on Saturday.

    The Beefeaters proceeded to tally their lone score on a 29-yard missed field goal single by kicker Leo Centeno from 29-yards out to cut the Hilltops edge to 10-1.

    Before the first quarter came to a close, Hilltops fifth-year quarterback Tyler Hermann hit fifth-year receiver Connor Graham with a 75-yard pass-and-run touchdown to increase Saskatoon’s advantage to 17-1.

    In the second quarter, Hermann hit Graham for a 52-yard touchdown pass and then connected with third-year receiver Keegan Dicks for 20-yard touchdown strike to give the Hilltops a 31-1 lead.

Kleiter proceeded to boot a 22-yard field goal to give the Hilltops a 34-1 lead at halftime.

    Early in the third quarter, Kleiter hit a 20-yard field goal and backup quarterback Doug Fleming hit Graham for a touchdown strike to push the Hilltops lead out to 44-1.

    Second-year running back Jordan Tabin rounded out the game’s scoring in the fourth quarter with a nine-yard touchdown run for the Hilltops.
    Hermann completed 11-of-18 passes for 297 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Graham hauled in four passes for 154 yards to go with his three majors.

    Abrook carried the ball 16 times for 110 yards to go with his major score.

    Pow connected on 14-of-28 passes for 155 yards and was intercepted twice guiding the Beefeaters offence.

Connor Graham had four catches for 154 yards and three TDs.

    London was held to 58 yards rushing as a team in the contest.

    Defensive end Tristan Hering had three tackles and three sacks for the Hilltop. Caleb Haight had two sacks for Saskatoon, while Jesse McNabb and Brady Fossen each had a single sack.

    Hering, Haight and McNabb are all playing out their final campaigns of CJFL eligibility.

    Defensive back Jared Giddings had an interception for Saskatoon.

    Defensive back Codey McRoberts led the Beefeaters with seven defensive tackles.

    The Beefeaters, who finished with an 8-3 overall record, turned the ball over eight times including twice on interceptions, once on a fumble and five times on downs.

    Saskatoon didn’t have any giveaways in the contest.

    Now, the Hilltops will try to win their 21^st CJFL title in team history. While the Langley Rams will be playing at home in the Canadian Bowl, they will be hard pressed to stop the momentum this Saskatoon train has built.

WE’RE GOING TO THE ‘SHIP!

The Saskatoon Hilltops are heading back to the Canadian Bowl after a 51-1 win over the London Beefeaters.

Thank you to all the fans who joined us in London and everyone who watched back home. 💙💛#playoffszn pic.twitter.com/yvGG2PBQ5d

— Saskatoon Hilltops (@SaskHilltops) November 3, 2019

    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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Hilltops get 10 PFC all-star nods

Ben Abrook was named a PFC all-star for the first time.

    Some of the Saskatoon Hilltops biggest stars highlighted the all-star nods handed out by the CJFL’s Prairie Football Conference on Tuesday.

    The Hilltops, who finished the regular season with an 8-0 record for the second straight year, received 10 all-star selections ahead of hosting the PFC final this coming Sunday at 1 p.m. against the Edmonton Huskies at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

    Tuesday’s PFC all-star selections included power running back Ben Abrook, left tackle Mason Ochs, defensive back Colton Holmes and veteran defensive tackle Jesse McNabb.

    On offence, Abrook, who is in his third year with the Hilltops and first year as the club’s full-time starter at running back, had a sensational campaign leading the PFC in rushing with 1,215 yards coming off 199 carries and scoring eight touchdowns.

    Two of the men who opened huge holes for Abrook on the Hilltops offensive line also found their way on to the all-star squad. Ochs, who attended the training camp of the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders, was a unanimous selection and was named an all-star for the third consecutive year.

Mason Ochs (#73) was a PFC all-star for the third straight year.

    Fifth-year left guard Ryder Klisowsky earned his first PFC all-star nod.

    Pass catchers Connor Graham and Keegan Dicks made the all-star team for the first time. Graham, who is in his fifth season, hauled in 28 receptions for 599 yards and scored six touchdowns. Dicks, who is in his third season, caught 31 passes for 494 yards and scored four touchdowns.

    McNabb, who is in his final campaign of CJFL eligibility, was named an all-star on the defensive side of the ball for a second consecutive season recording 26.5 total tackles and three sacks.

    Holmes, who also attended Roughriders training camp and was on the CFL club’s practice roster, was a unanimous selection at defensive back and took all-star honours for a second straight year. 

Jesse McNabb was a PFC all-star for the second straight year.

    He posted 17.5 total tackles, two pass knockdowns, one fumble recovery and one interception.

    Fifth-year linebacker Jadyn Pingue was named an all-star for the first time. He collected 33.5 total tackles, one pass knockdown, one fumble recovery and one interception.

    Third-year safety Brant Morrow made the all-star team as well. Morrow posted 18.5 total tackles, three interceptions, two pass knockdowns, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He returned one of his interceptions 113 yards for a touchdown in a 34-16 victory over the Thunder in Regina on Aug. 25.

Rylan Kleiter (#7) was named a PFC all-star as a place kicker.

    Rylan Kleiter made the all-star team at place kicker. 
    He connected on 18-of-22 field goal attempts for an 81.8 per cent success rate with a long of 42 yards.

    Kleiter kicked 33 conversion attempts, recorded one rouge and hauled in two touchdown receptions as a receiver to lead the PFC in scoring with 100 points.

    The Hilltops, who are currently 9-0 overall, advanced to the PFC final downing the Edmonton Wildcats 31-7 in a PFC semifinal contest last Sunday at SMF Field. The Huskies, who are 7-2 overall, took the other PFC semifinal last Sunday in Regina downing the host Thunder 20-17.

    That clash likely could be the game of the year in the CJFL.

Bear’s rise to the Oilers uplifting, other notes

Ethan Bear raised the Ed Chynoweth Cup in 2017.

    One of the best stories at the start of the NHL season has to be the fact Ethan Bear is a full-time member of the Edmonton Oilers.

    The skilled defenceman has a huge backing from the Saskatchewan’s Ochapowace First Nation, where he is from. During his time in the WHL from 2013 to 2017, Bear starred with the Seattle Thunderbirds appearing in 264 regular season games piling up 66 goals and 126 assists for 192 points and a plus-50 rating.

    When the Thunderbirds would play road games in the Eastern Conference, a huge contingent of Bear’s family and friends followed the team over the course of the trip.

    When Seattle won the best-of-seven WHL Championship series 4-2 against the Regina Pats in 2017, it was estimated Bear had 500 supporters at each of the three games held in the Saskatchewan capital.

    The Thunderbirds clinched the series with a 4-3 overtime victory in Game 6 at the Brandt Centre in Regina, and Bear got to take a skate with the Ed Chynoweth Cup in front of his supporters.

    Now as a third-year in the professional ranks, Bear has cracked the Oilers main roster. In the Oilers first 10 games, Bear has two goals, an assist and a minus-one rating helping the Edmonton club post a 7-2-1 record.

    His supporters from Ochapowace can be noticed at Rogers Place. If Bear elevates to star status, you can expect his Oilers jersey will become one of the biggest sellers in the league.

• The University of Saskatchewan Huskies men’s hockey teams that won three straight Canada West Conference titles from 1981 to 1983 and the U Sports title in 1983 were announced as inductees to the Canada West Hall of Fame. Those Huskies squads were guided by legendary head coach Dave King and featured high-scoring star forward Willie Desjardins, who was the captain of the U Sports national title winner.
• In the U Sports Top 10 rankings that were released on Tuesday, the U of S Huskies men’s hockey team were rated eighth with a 2-3-1 regular season record. The Huskies have battled injuries on defence, which has hampered the squad’s performance on the ice. The ranking shows the respect the Huskies program has nationally.
• The U of S Huskies football team was rated seventh in the U Sports Top 10 rankings that were released on Tuesday. The Huskies (4-3) will face the U of Alberta Golden Bears (4-3) on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Griffiths Stadium. The winner will be guaranteed at least a second place finish in Canada West and host a conference semifinal playoff game.
• U of S Huskies women’s hockey team star netminder Jessica Vance is two wins away from becoming the third player in program history to record 30 career wins in regular season play. Vance has appeared in 44 career games with the Huskies posting a 28-11-4 record, a 1.09 goals against average, a .953 save percentage and 16 shutouts.
• In eight overall games with the defending NCAA champion U of Wisconsin Badgers women’s hockey team so far this season, star forward and Saskatoon product Sophie Shirley has eight goals and 11 assists for 19 points. Shirley is an alumna of the Saskatoon Stars female midget AAA team.
• The new Joker movie was really good. It is a definite movie that should be seen in theatres. I have to warn you in my opinion it was messed up too in a disturbing way. You have to expect a dark script for a movie involving The Joker as a character. This one was dark but still done in an artistic way. It is the type of movie you will likely only watch once. My cousin, Justin Chomitzky, did a great review of the movie that can be found right here.
• It was super sad to hear Aly Jenkins, who was the lead on Sherry Anderson’s curling team, died during childbirth on Sunday. A GoFundMe page has been started to help Jenkins husband, Scott, and the couple’s three children Brady, Avery and Sydney. The GoFundMe page can be found 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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Hilltops rock ’n’ roll to 8-0 regular season mark once again

Hilltops DT Jesse McNabb, left, brings down a Wildcats ball carrier.

    It was one of those things where you have to be part of the Saskatoon Hilltops to understand it.

    During a team breakfast before the Hilltops closed their regular season schedule against the Edmonton Wildcats at Saskatoon Minor Football Field on Sunday, Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant decided he needed to make veteran star defensive tackle Jesse McNabb hit another gear with a call out.

    It worked.

    McNabb, who is playing out his final season of CJFL eligibility, went out and had 6.5 total tackles and three sacks as the Hilltops hammered the Wildcats 48-8 before 811 spectators. 

Jesse McNabb, centre, enters the field with parents Deb and Aaron.

    The win allowed the Hilltops, who had first place in the Prairie Football Conference locked up, to close the regular season with an 8-0 record for the second straight year.

    “I called him (McNabb) out today in front of all the team and the parents at the morning breakfast, and he shoved it right in my mouth so good for him,” said Sargeant, whose team has won the last five straight CJFL titles. “He got it done today, and it was fun to watch.

    “He is a nice player to watch, and I had the lens on him. He got a hat trick today. He did a pretty good job of shutting me up today.”

    Truth be told, McNabb doesn’t really need any extra motivation to get going. The North Battleford, Sask., product has a unique relationship with his legendary head coach where they usually have some good-natured banter going back-and-forth.

Jesse McNabb, centre, celebrates one of his three quarterback sacks.

    Often, that results in Sargeant dropping down a challenge, which looks serious but is done in a good-natured way. McNabb goes out and executes the challenge with precision and calm and usually drops a sly smile to his sideline boss, when the challenge is complete.

    “Sarge” responds with a smile of his own and with a “Sargeism” that makes everyone laugh.

    When asked about Sargeant’s call out after the game, McNabb had a matter of fact response.

    “He (Sargeant) called me out at breakfast in front of everyone, so I thought I better respond today,” said McNabb said with a grin.

    McNabb said he had lots of motivation to play well on Sunday. He was one of the team’s 15 graduating players that were introduced individually and made the walk to the SMF Field turf with their parents.

Jesse McNabb, left, and Jaxon Funk get set on the defensive line.

    The graduates walk to the field with their parents has been a Hilltops tradition for some time, and for McNabb, it was hitting him that the time had come where he was one of the grads. It was also Thanksgiving Day weekend, so McNabb wanted to do something good that everyone could talk about.

    “It was good to unleash and just have a fun time,” said McNabb, who stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 245 pounds. “It was a good time with all the guys.

    “Our guys played great, so I can’t complain. Playing with your parents watching and Thanksgiving Day weekend, you want to put on a good show. I think we did that for the fans today.”

Tyler Hermann threw four TD passes for the Hilltops.

    McNabb made the walk to the field with his parents Aaron and Deb McNabb, and it crossed his mind that he wished he could come back and play another full season.

    “It is a little different it being your last trip out here in the regular season,” said McNabb. “You’d give anything to be out here for another year and another year after that.

    “Everything has to come to an end at some time I guess.”

    The venerable Hilltops did their best to try and bring a quick end to the competitive phase of Sunday’s game. The host side jumped out to a 14-0 lead by the end of the first quarter and held a 35-0 edge at halftime cruising to victory from there.

    Star power running back Ben Abrook ran in a touchdown from four yards out, and fifth-year receiver Tanner Rhode hauled in a 24-yard touchdown pass from starting quarterback Tyler Hermann for the Hilltops in the first quarter.

Connor Graham hauls in a 58-yard TD catch for the Hilltops.

    Hermann threw three more touchdown passes in the second quarter. He hit fifth-year receiver Connor Graham with a 54 yard touchdown bomb, third-year receiver Keegan Dicks with a 27-yard scoring strike and second-year receiver Dillan Heintz for a 58-yard deep throw for a major.

    Hermann finished the game completing 20-of-26 passes for a career high 364 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions.

    Graham topped all pass catchers with 114 receiving yards coming off four catches including his one score. He was pleased he could help his team finished 8-0 in the regular season for a second straight year.

    “If we can come out and win every game in the regular season, we feel good about that,” said Graham. “We felt like we had a good statement game to get ready for next week, so we’re just happy where we are right now.”

Tanner Rhode (#11) hauls in a 24-yard TD catch for the Hilltops.

    Receiver/kicker Rylan Kleiter pushed the Hilltops advantage out to 38-0 with a 20-yard field goal.

    The Wildcats made a slight push back scoring eight straight points to cut the Hilltops lead to 38-8. The Edmonton surge came via a 37 yard missed field goal single from kicker Sebastian Firtsen and a 43-yard interception return touchdown from defensive back Zach Putters.

    With 3.8 seconds remaining in the third quarter, backup running back Carter McLean ran a touchdown in from a yard out for the Hilltops to push their lead out to 45-8.

    Kleiter closed the scoring in the contest with a 26 yard field goal in the fourth quarter.

    “We want to make sure that we are playing our best as we head into playoffs,” said Sargeant. “It was a basic game plan, but son of a gun, the coaches did a great job of improving the areas we needed to improve.

Logan Kelsey-Stern returns an interception for the Hilltops.

    “In that first 30 minutes, we got to see a lot of things I hadn’t seen this year, so we are getting this team right at the right time. Now, we just have to keep building it, keep working the confidence, keep working on scheme and do a better job of preparing. Those two interceptions that Hermann threw in the second half they just sort of outsmarted us.

    “We have to get back to the lab and coaching that thing a little bit better. We’ll work to improve that for sure.”

    Abrook topped the Hilltops in rushing carrying the ball 19 times for 101 yards to go with his touchdown. On the season, Abrook touted the ball 199 times for 1,215 yards and eight touchdowns.

    Wildcats starting quarterback Dante Tabacu completed 4-of-8 passes for 51 yards and two interceptions. Devin Desormeau had considerable playing time at quarterback for Edmonton too completing 11-of-13 passes for 103 yards.

    The Hilltops defence limited the Wildcats to 82 yards rushing and 154 yards passing as a team.

Jared Giddings, centre, makes an interception for the Hilltops.

    Caleb Haight, Tristan Hering and rookie Craig Torgerson all had single sacks for the Hilltops. 
    Fifth-year defensive back Logan Kelsey-Stern and fourth defensive back Jared Giddings each had one interception for Saskatoon.

    Star linebacker Chopper Hippe had eight total tackles for the Wildcats. 
    Evan Eide had one sack and Rony Bakehe and Brett Phillips split a sack for the Edmonton side.

    Ty Smith had an interception for the Wildcats, who closed the regular season with a 2-6 record to finish fourth in the PFC.

    The Hilltops and Wildcats will go at it again this coming Sunday in a PFC semifinal playoff contest set for 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

    The other PFC semifinal, the Regina Thunder (6-2) will host the Edmonton Huskies (6-2) this coming Sunday at 1 p.m. at Leibel Field in the Saskatchewan capital.

Ben Abrook, left, ran for 1,215 yards on the season for the Hilltops.

    The Thunder finished ahead of the Huskies for second in the PFC standings winning the lone head-to-head contest 24-21 between the two sides on Sept. 22 in Regina.

    Regina won its final regular season game by default at home on Sunday due to the fact the Winnipeg Rifles (1-7) were unable to travel to “The Queen City.” 
    The Trans-Canada Highway was closed at different parts in Manitoba due to snowstorm conditions.

    The Huskies closed the regular season by traveling to Calgary and posting a 49-21 victory over the Colts (1-7).

    Graham said the Hilltops, who have won their last 27 straight games overall in the regular season and playoffs, can’t wait to get going in the post-season as the intensity gets cranked up another notch.

The Hilltops celebrate their win over the Wildcats on Sunday.

    “This is where we want to really make sure we make our plays and everyone is crisp out there,” said Graham. “This is when it matters.”

    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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Abrook’s day – Hilltops’ power back blows past 1,000 yards rushing in 49-22 victory

Ben Abrook piled up 206 yards rushing for the Hilltops on Sunday.

    Ben Abrook didn’t question his head coach when it came to hitting the 1,000-yard mark for rushing in a season.

    Before the current season started, legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant challenged Abrook with the goal of rushing for 1,000 yards this season. Abrook was entering his third year with the team, but was in his first year holding the starting role at running back.

    Last season with one start and relief duty, he had a strong campaign appearing in all eight of the Hilltops regular season games running the ball 83 times for 503 yards and scoring six touchdowns.

    On Sunday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, Abrook roared past the 1,000-yard plateau for the season. 
    In a 49-22 romp over the Winnipeg Rifles in a CJFL regular season clash played before 902 spectators, Abrook ran the ball 18 times for 206 yards and scored two touchdowns.

Ben Abrook (#32) follows his blocking downfield.

    In helping the five-time defending CJFL champion Hilltops post a 7-0 record, Abrook has run the ball 180 times for 1,114 yards and scored seven touchdowns on the campaign.

    Upon obtaining the impressive milestone, Abrook reflected back to the goal he talked about with Sargeant in the pre-season.

    “I thought if he (Sargeant) believes it I can maybe get it then,” said Abrook. “That is awesome.

“It helps me. It helps my confidence, so I’m glad I was able to get her done.”

    While Abrook entered Sunday’s contest needing to rush for 92 yards to hit the 1,000-yard mark, the Hilltops remained committed to being balanced on offence.

Ben Abrook (#32) breaks downfield on a 52-yard touchdown run.

    The Rifles had the first possession to start the game, and that quickly turned into a second possession, when the Hilltops fumbled a punt return away. The ball was recovered by Rifles defensive back Bryce Marino.

    Winnipeg was forced to attempt a 38-yard field goal, but kicker Alex Minor hit the left upright on his try resulting in no points and the Hilltops taking the ball on their own 20 yard line.

    On their first play on offence, Hilltops quarterback Tyler Hermann hit receiver Dillan Heintz with a deep pass, and Heintz took the play 90 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead for the host side.

    That play seemed to back off the Winnipeg defence, and Abrook went to work. Abrook exploded out of the gates in the first half carrying the ball 16 times for 192 yards and scoring both his touchdowns helping the Hilltops build a 35-8 lead by halftime.

Keegan Dicks (#3) helps celebrate at TD run by Ben Abrook (#32).

    He had the Hilltops second major score on a 16-yard run to give the Hilltops a 14-0 lead at the 4:37 mark of the first quarter.

    Late in the second quarter, he broke off a 52-yard run for his second major that put the Hilltops up 28-8.

    “The O-line was just blocking so hard,” said Abrook. “The receivers were blocking well.

    “We were able to spring some big runs. It was awesome. It looked great out there.”

    Kicker/receiver Rylan Kleiter hit field goals from 12 and 27 yards out and recorded a point from a missed 40-yard field goal attempt for the Hilltops in the first half.

    Hermann hit fifth-year receiver Tanner Rhode on a deep slant pass for a 65-yard touchdown toss to round out Saskatoon’s first half scoring.

Ben Abrook, left, has 1,114 yards rushing on the season.

    Winnipeg punter Dallas Opiola scored a point on a 63-yard punt single, while running back Brandon Urciuoli ran in a touchdown from three-yards out to account for the scoring for the visitors in the first half.

    Abrook ran the ball twice more on the Hilltops first offensive series of the second half to get over 200-yards rushing for the game before being rested for the rest of the contest. Saskatoon completed that series with fifth-year receiver Connor Graham making an acrobatic 26-yard touchdown catch on a pass from Hermann to put the Hilltops up 42-8.

The Hilltops O-line allowed Ben Abrook to surpass 1,000 yards rushing.

    Sargeant was pumped to see Abrook surpass the 1,000-yard mark in rushing.

    “That is just awesome,” said Sargeant. “You know any time you have a 1,000-yard rusher that speaks volumes to your program, to the players within the program and to the mindset of the program.

    “We love to run the ball. This is as good as I’ve seen Benny (Abrook) look. He looked fast today.

    “We’re going to build on that. I’m excited for next week as the games get a little more important now.”

The Hilltops’ defence stops the Rifles on a third-and-one gamble.

    The Hilltops scoring for the rest of the way was rounded out field goals from 40 and 15 yards out by Kleiter and a 52-yard punt single from fifth-year defensive back Kirk Morrow. Morrow tried out the punting duties for the Hilltops in the second half.

    The Rifles scoring was rounded out by starting quarterback Riley Naujoks hitting receiver Eric Klein with a 20-yard touchdown toss, a one-yard touchdown run from Urciuoli and conceded safety by the Hilltops.

    The Rifles tried to make two-point converts after both of their second half touchdowns, but they came up empty on both tries.

    Winnipeg fell to 1-6 with the loss and was eliminated from playoff contention.

Hilltops right guard Taylon Elderkin runs the ball for 13 yards.

    “This was a big game for the Rifles, so we knew we had to match their intensity,” said Sargeant. “I am more than confident that we did.

    “We had a little bit of a lull in the third quarter, when we put our second and third stringers in. At the end the day, I am happy. There are a lot of plays out there.

    “There is a lot of fun and a lot of good energy. Once again, we got to unload the bench, and it makes us all feel good as coaches, players and families.”

    Hermann completed 10-of-19 passes for the Hilltops for 254 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.

    Naujoks connected on 20-of-38 passes for the Rifles for 270 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Winnipeg backup quarterback Kyle Logan entered the contest for a relief appearance competing 7-of-13 passes for 121 yards.

QB Tyler Hermann (#12) threw three TD passes for the Hilltops.

    Winnipeg receiver Jake Roger caught seven passes for 137 yards.

    Defensively, fifth-year defensive end Tristan Hering had a sack for the Hilltops, and fifth-year defensive back Logan Kelsey-Stern had an interception. Linebacker Riley Keating topped Saskatoon with 6.5 total tackles.

    Linebacker Barrett Mueller had a big day for the Rifles making 10 total tackles and recovering a fumble.

    The Hilltops have won their last 26 games in a row including action in the regular season and playoffs.

    With Abrook surpassing 1,000-yards rushing for the season, it marked the second straight year the Hilltops had a runner break the 1,000-yard mark in rushing.

    Last season, Josh Ewanchyna, who now plays for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies football team in U Sports, surpassed 1,000 yards rushing for the Hilltops. In 2018, Ewanchyna appeared in seven regular season games for the Hilltops carrying the ball 134 times for 1,007 yards and 14 touchdowns.

The Hilltops Cheerleading Team performs at halftime.

    Abrook was happy to break the 1,000-yard mark as tribute to the team’s offensive line. The Hilltops starting five on the offensive line in left tackle Mason Ochs, left guard Ryder Klisowsky, centre Patrick Arno, right guard Taylon Elderkin and right tackle Jonathan Chisholm blocked for the bulk of Abrook’s yardage.

    Ochs, Klisowsky, Arno and Elderkin were on the Hilltops starting offensive line last season that helped produce Ewanchyna’s 1,007-yard rushing season.

Tristan Hering had a sack for the Hilltops.

    “I’m super excited for those guys (on the offensive line),” said Abrook. “They’re unreal.

    “They are an athletic O-line, and they play hard every game, so I was happy I was able to get that for us and as a team.”

    The Hilltops will now close their regular season schedule this coming Sunday, when they host the Edmonton Wildcats (2-5) at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

    It isn’t likely Abrook will be able to surpass the Hilltops record for most rushing yards in one regular season in that contest.

    That mark is held by current Hilltops running backs coach Andre Lalonde. In his final campaign as a Hilltops running back in 2013, Lalonde ran the ball 182 times for 1,367 yards and seven touchdowns in eight regular season games.

    Lalonde was the CJFL’s offensive player of the year and an all-Canadian all-star that season.

    Going forward, Abrook said the focus will be on improving as a team week in and week out.

    “It is just forget about what we’ve done,” said Abrook. “Whoever we play next, we need to play them hard.

The Hilltops hope to enjoy more big games from Ben Abrook (#32).

    “We just try and play our best game of the season and keep going.”

    With one week to play in the regular season schedule of the Prairie Football Conference, the PFC semifinal playoff matches, which are expected to be held on Sunday, Oct. 20, have been cemented.

    The Hilltops will host the Wildcats in one semifinal, while the Regina Thunder (5-2) and the Edmonton Huskies (5-2) will go at it in the other semifinal. The host site for the playoff clash between the Thunder and Huskies depends on the results of the final week of regular season play.

    The Calgary Colts (1-6) will miss the post-season for a third straight year.

    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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