Hilltops good, not good enough in 2022 CJFL campaign

Boston Davidsen ran for 1,037 yards in the CJFL regular season.

There were no championship celebrations for the Saskatoon Hilltops in 2022, but the venerable CJFL club was far from awful.

The Hilltops were good, but they weren’t good enough. Their season came to an end Sunday, when they fell 39-21 to their provincial rivals the Regina Thunder in the PFC final.

The Thunder, who are 10-0 overall, advanced on to host the CJFL championship game – the Canadian Bowl – on Saturday, November 12 at 1 p.m. against the Kelowna, B.C., based Okanagan Sun, who are 13-0 overall.

Regina’s win in the PFC final ended a run that saw the Hilltops win seven consecutive conference crowns. Before Sunday, the last time the Hilltops didn’t win the PFC title came back in 2013, when they dropped a 21-16 decision to the Thunder in the conference championship game at Griffiths Stadium on the University of Saskatchewan grounds in Saskatoon on October 27 of that year.

Konner Johnson reacts to making an interception this season.

When the Hilltops conclude a campaign without winning a championship, it feels strange to anyone associated with the club. The Hilltops have had an unprecedented run of success in the CJFL, which has created incredibly high standards.

From 2010 to 2012, the Hilltops won three straight CJFL championships. After the Thunder captured the CJFL crown in 2013, the Hilltops proceeded to win six straight CJFL titles from 2014 to 2019.

That run of six straight titles was capped with an 11-0 perfect season in 2018 and a 12-0 perfect season in 2019. During the 2018 campaign, the Hilltops trailed on the scoreboard for a combined 81 seconds.

Charles Sawi was the PFC’s offensive rookie of the year.

As the 2022 season isn’t too far away time wise from the Hilltops winning nine CJFL championships in a 10-year span, it feels like a season where a championship wasn’t won was a disappointment.

Overall, the Hilltops posted a 6-4 record in 2022. The 6-4 overall mark was the worst record the Hilltops had posted since going 6-4 overall in 1993.

Back in 1993, the Hilltops also made the PFC final and fell 30-15 to the Regina Rams at historic Taylor Field in Regina. The Rams advanced on to win the Canadian Bowl posting a perfect 12-0 record. They would later leave the CJFL and begin playing in the U Sports ranks as the University of Regina Rams in 1999.

The Hilltops had an up and down campaign in 2022 that included experiences the club hadn’t gone through in over three decades. The biggest challenge the team faced was dealing with losing games.

HC Tom Sargeant, centre, and his team were challenged in 2022.

The 2022 season marked the first time the Hilltops lost three games in a regular season and four games overall under legendary head coach Tom Sargeant, who became the team’s top sideline boss in December of 1997.

When the Hilltops started the season 2-0, it looked like the 2022 campaign would play out as successfully as most of the team’s other seasons do. The modern version of the club began play in 1947 and has won 22 CJFL championships.

Following the 2-0 start, the Hilltops proceeded to those three straight, which was a first under Sargeant’s time as head coach. The last two of those setbacks came to the Thunder.

The skid started with a 19-16 loss to the Rifles in Winnipeg on August 28 and was followed by a 29-21 setback in overtime to the Thunder at Saskatoon Minor Football Field on September 10. The final game of the slide saw the Hilltops drop a 23-7 decision to the Thunder at Mosaic Stadium on September 17, and the Thunder outperformed the Hilltops on offence, defence and special teams in that encounter.

Damon Dutton started the Hilltops first five regular season games.

No one could recall exactly when the Hilltops last lost three consecutive games. Even with the club’s stellar veteran coaching staff, doubt surfaced about the storied team’s ability to pull out of the tailspin.

The Hilltops did rally winning their last three straight games of the regular season to finish second in the PFC standings with a 5-3 mark. That allowed the Hilltops to host a PFC semifinal against the Edmonton Huskies.

Against the Huskies, 17-year-old rookie running back Charles Sawi ran home a touchdown from 33 yards with 65 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to allow the Hilltops to pull out a 20-15 victory. At that point, one had to wonder if the Hilltops playoff mystique was rising up and could carry the team all the way.

Trey Reider became the Hilltops starting QB in their sixth game.

In the PFC final last Sunday, the Hilltops started well taking a 7-0 lead in the first quarter, when 20-year-old quarterback Trey Reider hit veteran receiver Presley Peterson with an 11-yard touchdown pass. The Thunder answered back scoring 24 straight points to go into the halftime break with a 24-7 advantage.

Saskatoon battled back in the second half. With 11:54 remaining in the fourth quarter, Reider scored on a one-yard quarterback sneak and the Thunder lead was trimmed down to 25-21.

In past years in this same situation, the Thunder might have started to fold when the Hilltops comeback attempt was on. This time the Regina side wasn’t fazed.

DE Riece Kack (#47) closes in on a sack for the Hilltops.

On their ensuing possession, the Thunder drove down to score a touchdown to reassert control of the contest. Regina added another major score before the end of the fourth quarter to round out the 39-21 final in favour of the host side.

The Thunder’s triplets in quarterback Carter Shewchuk, running back Ryland Leichert and receiver Rylan Sokul were too much for the Hilltops to handle.

In 2022, the Hilltops play from the quarterback position was inconsistent. Damon Dutton, who was the team’s 22-year-old veteran, was pulled in the September 17 loss to the Thunder in favour of Reider.

Reider remained the starter for the rest of the season, but Dutton was inserted part way through the third quarter of the team’s PFC semifinal win. Dutton helped give the Hilltops a spark to allow them to pull out victory in that contest.

The Hilltops O-line helped the team lead the PFC in rushing.

Reider started the PFC final, but after the Hilltops fell behind 24-7 at halftime, Dutton started the first series of the second half. In that instance, the Hilltops coaches allowed Reider to get a live look from the sidelines before re-entering the game.

The younger signal caller went back in for the Hilltops second series and threw a touchdown pass to go with his rushing score to allow the Hilltops to pull within 25-21. Looking back over that PFC final, Reider likely graded out very well.

Statistically, he completed 15-of-26 passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns, while throwing one interception. Statistics only told part of the story as Reider didn’t look overwhelmed by the big stage, and his belief seemed to grow as the game went on.

Drake Douglas secures a TD catch for the Hilltops.

The two biggest concerns the Hilltops likely had in their two post-season games was their rushing defence as they couldn’t prevent two star running backs from having big days.

In the PFC semifinal win over the Huskies, Huskies star running back Alex Gayle, who was rightfully named the PFC’s most valuable player in 2022, carried the ball 34 times for 175 yards. The Huskies had 207 yards rushing as a team, but the Hilltops found a way to come out ahead on the scoreboard.

In the PFC final loss to the Thunder, Leichert ran the ball 33 times for 190 yards and two touchdowns. The Thunder had 238 yards rushing as a team. Those post-season rushing totals show that the Hilltops defensive line got beat physically by the opposing team’s offensive line.

Daylen Hartz sets to rush the QB for the Hilltops.

The Hilltops defence is consistently proficient at creating turnovers, but was unable to force a turnover in the PFC final. The Thunder defence got an interception and three turnovers on downs.

In 2021 when the Hilltops fell 17-14 in a CJFL semifinal to the eventual CJFL champion Langley Rams in Langley, B.C., that contest could be chalked up as a weird once in a blue moon type contest. The Hilltops turned the ball over an unimaginable 12 times, while the Rams turned the ball over seven times.

In the 2022 PFC final loss to the Thunder, the Thunder were the better team. While the Hilltops for a 10-year stretch were used to being chased by clubs trying to gain ground on them, they now have to chase down and gain ground on the Thunder.

Presley Peterson, left, hauls in a TD catch for the Hilltops.

The Hilltops will have to do that after graduating 20 players who exhausted their CJFL eligibility. The biggest loss is star weak side linebacker Konner Johnson, who was named the PFC’s most outstanding defensive player in 2022.

The offensive line loses four starters to graduation in left tackle Jayson Kehler, left guard Jordan Bisson, centre Luciano Jolly and right guard Ethan Paslowski. The Hilltops offensive line was a big reason why Saskatoon had the PFC’s top rushing offence in 2022 and star power running back Boston Davidsen surpasses 1,000 yard rushing in the regular season carrying the ball 149 times for 1,037 yards and seven touchdowns.

Youngsters took turns playing right tackle for the Hilltops with time being split between Victoire Bikulo, who is in his second season, and rookie Davin Johnson. The Hilltops will be looking to both to anchor the offensive line next season.

The Hilltops meet their fans after falling in the PFC final.

Sawi was named the PFC’s offensive rookie of the year in 2022, and receiver Drake Douglas had some strong games playing as 20-year-old rookie in the CJFL.

It should be noted other teams will be dealing with key graduations too. When the Canadian Bowl concludes on November 12, the Thunder grads will include Shewchuk and Sokul along with another key star receiver in Isaac Foord.

The Hilltops will truly be relying on their youth in 2023. They will be writing their own story in their journey to return the Hilltops to title winning form to allow the club to start filling their trophy case at their clubhouse once again.

Wist, Sawi capture PFC weekly awards

Hilltops MLB Matt Wist, left, disrupts a Thunder pass attempt.

The Saskatoon Hilltops might have fallen in the PFC final, but two players were able to pick up play of the week honours.

On Tuesday, middle linebacker Matt Wist named co-winner of the PFC’s defensive player of the week award. In the Hilltops 39-21 PFC final loss on Sunday to the host Regina Thunder at Mosaic Stadium, Wist piled up nine solo defensive tackles, nine defensive tackle assists and one special teams assisted tackle. Wist’s nine assisted tackles were tied for second most in a PFC post-season contest.

The Hilltops middle linebacker shared the PFC defensive player of the week award with Thunder defensive back Adam King. King had a key interception for his side in the second quarter of his team’s PFC final victory. He also recorded two solo defensive tackles, one defensive tackle assist, one special teams tackle assist and one pass knockdown.

Sawi was named the PFC’s special teams player of the week for the third time in the 2022 campaign. In the Hilltops PFC semifinal loss, Sawi returned two missed field goals for 100 yards. Sawi’s yardage total on missed field goal returns were the second most ever recorded in a PFC post-season game.

The 17-year-old rookie running back returned one kickoff for 30 yards, one punt for seven yards and ran the ball once on offence for three yards.

Thunder star running back Ryland Leichert took home honours as the PFC’s offensive player of the week. In the Thunder’s PFC final win, Leichert carried the ball 33 times for 190 yards and two touchdowns. He also had one catch for 15 yards.

Saints’ Hayes-Williams cracks into CJFL record book

St. Clair Saints receiver Jared Hayes-Williams broke a 28-year-old CJFL record on Saturday.

In a CJFL semifinal played at Acumen Stadium in London, Ont., Hayes-Williams broke the record for most receptions in a CJFL post-season contest setting a new standard with 14 catches. Hayes-Williams had 14 catches for 198 yards and one touchdown as his OFC champion Saints fell 42-24 to the BCFC champion Okanagan Sun, who call Kelowna, B.C., home.

The old record for catches in a CJFL post-season contest of 13 was held by Stephen Canestrani of the now defunct Laval Scorpions. Canestrani made his 13 catches on October 23, 1994.

The Sun with the win on Saturday advance to the CJFL championship game – the Canadian Bowl. The Canadian Bowl will be played on Saturday, November 12 at 1 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium in Regina between the host and PFC champion Thunder and the Sun.

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Thunder triplets too much for Hilltops in PFC final

Saskatoon’s run of consecutive conference crown ends

Konner Johnson, right, gives a five to his mom, Dawn.

REGINA, Sask. - Moments after his CJFL playing career with the Saskatoon Hilltops came to an end, Konner Johnson was thinking about his coaches.

On Sunday before 1,207 spectators at Mosaic Stadium, the Hilltops 2022 campaign concluded with a 39-21 loss to the host Regina Thunder in the PFC final. With the win, the Thunder, who are 10-0 overall, advance to host the CJFL championship game – the Canadian Bowl – on November 12 at 1 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium against the Okanagan Sun. The Hilltops exit the 2022 campaign with a 6-4 overall mark.

On Saturday at Acumen Stadium in London, Ont., the BCFC champion Sun downed the host and OFC champion St. Clair Saints 42-24 in a CJFL semifinal contest to advance to the Canadian Bowl. The Sun are 13-0 overall, while the Saints conclude the 2022 campaign with a 10-1 overall mark.

The Thunder celebrate with the PFC championship trophy.

Johnson joined the Hilltops in 2018 and was a member of their 11-0 CJFL championship team in 2018 and 12-0 CJFL tile winner in 2019. After the 2020 CJFL campaign was cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has gripped the world, Johnson rose to star status as a weak side linebacker with the Hilltops in 2021 helping them win a seventh straight PFC title taking the conference championship game 29-9 at Mosaic Stadium.

The Hilltops followed that victory by falling in the CJFL semifinal 17-14 to that year’s BCFC champion Langley Rams at McLeod Stadium in Langley, B.C. The Rams advanced on to win the Canadian Bowl to become CJFL champions.

Carter Shewchuk threw for 312 yards for the Thunder.

Johnson had his heart set on helping the Hilltops return to the Canadian Bowl to once again become CJFL champions along with the club’s 19 other graduating players. The Melfort, Sask., product said there were a lot of things he would take away and remember from his time with the Hilltops.

One of the biggest will be the impact the coaching staff led by legendary head coach Tom Sargeant and his right hand man in defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Jeff Yausie had on the team.

“They turn boys into men these coaches,” said Johnson, who had 10.5 total tackles in his final CJFL contest. “They’re amazing coaches and good role models in life.

Ryland Leichert carried the ball 33 times for 190 yards and two TDs.

“I’m definitely going to miss it. I am pretty sad.”

In Sunday’s PFC final, the Hilltops had all sorts of problems with the Thunder’s triplets in quarterback Carter Shewchuk, running back Ryland Leichert and receiver Rylan Sokul. All three Regina stars had big days.

Shewchuk completed 25-of-31 passes for 312 yards, one touchdown and didn’t throw any interceptions. To compliment his passing, Shewchuk ran the ball six times for 40 yards and scored two touchdowns.

Leichert carried the ball 33 times for 190 yards and two touchdowns. He also hauled in one pass for 15 yards. Sokul hauled in seven passes for 101 yards.

Rylan Sokul had seven catches for 101 yards for the Thunder.

On top of the big games Shewchuk, Leichert and Sokul had, Johnson was disappointed with how things went in the turnover department for his team. The Hilltops defensive unit that is usually so proficient in forcing turnovers wasn’t able to force a single turnover out of the Thunder offence.

The Thunder defence forced four turnovers from the Hilltops offence including an interception and three turnovers on downs.

“We always want to get five turnovers in a game,” said Johnson, who is a graduate of the Melfort and Unit Comprehensive Collegiate Comets nine-man football team. “That really helps the offence.

“Today, I don’t know if we got any, so that really affected the game a lot.”

Konner Johnson had 10 total tackles for the Hilltops.

For a time in the first quarter, it appeared the Hilltops were destined to win an eighth straight PFC crown. The Thunder set up to try a 37-yard field goal on the game’s first possession, but kicker Eric Maximuik’s boot sailed wide.

Hilltops 17-year-old rookie running back Charles Sawi returned the missed kick to the Saskatoon 53 yard line. The visitors proceeded to engineer a touchdown drive from that point that concluded with starting quarterback Trey Reider hitting veteran receiver Presley Peterson with an 11-yard touchdown toss to put the Hilltops up 7-0.

The Thunder answered back on their ensuing offensive series that concluded with Shewchuk connecting with depth receiver Garion Miller for a two-yard touchdown toss that evened the score at 7-7 with 36 seconds remaining in the second quarter.

Presley Peterson, left, hauls in an 11-yards TD catch for the Hilltops.

At the 8:33 mark of the second quarter, Maxmuik connected on a 29-yard field goal with the wind to put the Thunder in front 10-7. After that kick, a key turning point occurred.

On Hilltops first play on their ensuing offensive possession, Reider was intercepted by Thunder second-year defensive back Adam King giving the host side’s offensive a short field. The Thunder offense quickly drove the short field with the series ending in a one-yard touchdown run on a quarterback sneak by Shewchuk to increase Regina’s lead to 17-7.

That score gave the Thunder command of the game, and Johnson said his defensive unit needed to come up with a turnover after King’s interception halt Regina’s scoring run.

Garion Miller secures a TD catch for the Thunder.

“The defence just had to go out there and make a play back and get the ball back for our offence,” said Johnson. “We didn’t do that at that time, so then momentum kind of swung a bit.

“It just kind of affected the game there.”

With 1:59 remaining in the second quarter, Leichert ran in a major from 20 yards out for his first score of the contest to give the Thunder a 24-7 edge going into halftime. Regina’s 17-point lead really limited the Hilltops ability to use star power running back Boston Davidsen in attempting to overcome the three-score deficit.

The Hilltops inserted 22-year-old veteran quarterback Damon Dutton into the game for the first offensive series of the third quarter. Dutton completed 2-of-4 passes for 33 yards before the drive stalled.

Boston Davidsen ran the ball 13 times for 80 yards for the Hilltops.

The visitors reinserted Reider for their second series of the third quarter, and the 20-year-old engineered a scoring drive that concluded with him hitting Peterson with a 25-yard touchdown pass that cut the Thunder lead to 24-14.

Just 25 seconds into the fourth quarter, Maximuik came out to attempt a 26-yard field goal with the wind, but a gust of wind blew the kick attempt wide of the uprights and through the back of the end zone into the stands for a single point that gave the Thunder a 25-14 edge.

The Hilltops quickly drove downfield on their ensuing offensive series, and Reider scored on a quarterback sneak to trim the Thunder advantage to 25-21 with 11:54 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Ryland Leichert, left, gets help from his teammates on a run.

The Thunder didn’t lose their cool and responded on their ensuing offensive possession. The hosts engineered a scoring drive that concluded with Shewchuk scoring a major on a one-yard bootleg run to increase the Thunder lead to 32-21.

Shewchuk said his offensive unit was confident they would get a score to reassert control of the contest after the Hilltops cut the host’s lead to four points.

“Obviously, it was huge, and we knew we could score at will really,” said Shewchuk, who is playing out his final campaign of CJFL eligibility. “We just made a couple of mental errors that kind of slowed us down at the beginning of that second half there.

The Thunder celebrate Ryland Leichert’s first TD on Sunday.

“Obviously, just knowing and going back to what we were doing in the first half and knowing that we were the better team and just imposing the will on the line of scrimmage really helps.”

The Thunder proceeded to tack on a two-yard touchdown run from Leichert with 1:49 remaining in the fourth quarter to round out the 39-21 final score in favour of the host side.

Sargeant said the Hilltops were trying to focus on shutting down Leichert and the Thunder running attack as a main point of emphasis, but Leichert and the Thunder offensive line including left tackle Riley Schick, left guard Noah Steinly, centre Max Mcfadden, right guard Nicholas Makowsky and right tackle Conner Klassen didn’t allow it.

Charles Sawi returns a kickoff for the Hilltops.

“We tried everything, but at the end of the day, their O-line were getting on us and pushing us,” said Sargeant. “They just wanted it more.

“I didn’t think it was more simple than that, so it was disappointing. We have to live with our performance, and we have to grow and learn and get better. We have to get in the weight room and get bigger and stronger - bottom line.”

Sargeant gave Thunder head coach Scott MacAulay, his coaching staff and his team full credit for the victory on Sunday and wished them well as they embark towards the CJFL title game.

“It wasn’t much of a game today,” said Sargeant. “That Regina Thunder is a good football team.

The Mosaic Stadium faithful cheer on the Thunder.

“They came out, they were on point, and they certainly were the more physical team. I thought we had to do a better job on the line of scrimmage. We just couldn’t get any energy there.”

Shewchuk was elated that his side came out with the victory on Sunday. The 23-year-old signal caller has been with the Thunder since 2017, and he was pumped his squad is finally going back to the CJFL title game for the first time since 2013, when the Thunder downed the Vancouver Island Raiders 55-26 at historic Taylor Field.

“You work so hard and put so much time and effort in,” said Shewchuk. “You sacrifice so many different things in order to reach one goal.

Carter Shewchuk ran the ball for 40 yards and two TDs

“I’ve been doing that for six years. I think 11 or 12 of us have been doing it for six years throughout a pandemic, throughout a loss in the championship game and everything like that. It is really indescribable what it means to me, because it is just nice to know all that time and effort paid off.”

Reider finished the contest completing 16-of-25 passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns, while throwing one interception. Rookie Drake Douglas led the Hilltops in receiving with six catches for 76 yards.

Davidsen topped the Hilltops with 80 yards rushing on 13 carries.

On defence, middle linebacker Matt Wist led the Hilltops with 14 total tackles.

Linebacker Stephen Smith led all Thunder players with seven total tackles.

The Hilltops players meet their fans after Sunday’s PFC final loss.

While Johnson was disappointed his playing career with the Hilltops has come to an end, he said the Thunder earned full marks in picking up the victory on Sunday to advance to the Canadian Bowl.

“It is a tough loss, and we didn’t play our best today,” said Johnson. “Credit to the Regina Thunder, they had a good game today.”

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Dutton, Sawi keep Hilltops season alive

Saskatoon advances to PFC final with 20-15 win

Charles Sawi, right, speeds to the end zone on his winning TD run.

The X-factors kept the Saskatoon Hilltops season alive.

With the Hilltops offence seemingly stuck in quicksand in the second half of a PFC semifinal with the Edmonton Huskies on Sunday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the host side turned to a couple of players who had been watching the proceedings from the bench for a lot of the day. Midway through the third quarter, the Hilltops inserted 22-year-old veteran quarterback Damon Dutton into the game in place of 20-year-old starter Trey Reider.

In the fourth quarter, the Hilltops starting substituting dynamic 17-year-old rookie running back Charles Sawi at tailback to change up the pace with 21-year-old star power running back Boston Davidsen.

Charles Sawi, middle, had 63 yards rushing on four carries.

With 2:37 remaining in the fourth quarter, Huskies kicker Ethan Hartman booted a 31-yard field goal to give the visitors a 15-13 lead.

With Dutton at the controls, the Hilltops started on a two-minute drill drive from their own 35 yard line. On the second last play of the march, Dutton hit veteran receiver Presley Peterson with a pass over the middle in traffic for a 19-yard gain. Dutton and Peterson were both teammates with the North Battleford Comprehensive Viking Football Team before joining the Hilltops.

On his big 19-yard catch against Edmonton, Peterson held on to the ball after getting decked by a couple Huskies defenders setting the Hilltops up on the Edmonton 33 yard line.

Damon Dutton engineered a winning two-minute drill drive.

On the very next play, Dutton gave the ball to Sawi, who creased the Huskies with an electrifying 33-yard touchdown run to put the Hilltops up 20-15 with 65 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

The Huskies ended up with two more possessions before the game ended but Hilltops star weak side linebacker Konner Johnson and standout defensive back Steve Gilewicz came up with drive killing interceptions. Those efforts preserved the 20-15 score as a final outcome in the CJFL post-season match in favour of the Hilltops.

“The heart of a lion stepped up today,” said legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant, whose team has won four straight games. “Our fifth year players were outstanding.

“We just hung and we stuck together, and we played hard. Full credit to the Edmonton Huskies, holy cow, were they on point. We knew what they were going to do, and we couldn’t stop them.

Boston Davidsen scores the Hilltops first TD on a one-yard run.

“You know what, we willed ourselves to a win, and it was great to see Damon Dutton step up – the North Battleford connection him to (Presley) Pederson. Then Charles (Sawi) made that big splash play, and then the defence dug deep and found a way to finish the game off for us.”

Sawi finished the contest with 63 yards rushing on just four carries, which included his 33-yard touchdown run. The graduate of Saskatoon’s Holy Cross High School Crusaders Football Team was pumped to come through with the winning score.

“I don’t think I’ve ever done that before in my life,” said Sawi. “That is probably one of the happiest moments I’ve ever had in my life in football.”

Alex Gayle ran for 175 yards for the Huskies.

The youngster was happy his Hilltops survived to play another week.

“I honestly thought we were going to lose this game,” said Sawi. “I was very worried.

“As soon I got in there, I gave it my all and just played like it was my last.”

Dutton was also elated the Hilltops survived. He is one of 20 Hilltops players who will graduate from the storied CJFL club once the team’s 2022 post-season run comes to an end.

The veteran signal caller said the graduating players did not want Sunday’s PFC semifinal to be their last game. Last year, Dutton engineered a two-minute drill drive to beat the Huskies 33-31 in a PFC semifinal played at SMF Field.

Jemanie Watkis had a 32-yard TD catch for the Huskies.

He thought he and his team were locked in on Sunday, especially when it came to making that game-winning two minute drill drive that ended in Sawi’s winning run.

“We just have to stay cool,” said Dutton. “We run the two-minute drill in practice every night.

“We’ve been here before. We just have to stay within ourselves and do our thing. You can’t get too excited.

“You can’t get too down. You just have to stay level headed and try to make some plays.”

The Hilltops got out to a fast start in Sunday’s contest going ahead 10-0 by the 9:16 mark of the opening quarter thanks to a 23-yard field goal from kicker Connor Green and a one-yard touchdown run by Davidsen.

Huskies QB Jordan Lane, left, throws a pass under pressure.

The game’s complexion proceeded to turn as the Huskies put together a scoring drive that covered about 105 yards in length. The march ended on the final play of the first quarter, when Huskies starting quarterback Jordan Lane hit receiver Jemanie Watkis with a 32-yard touchdown pass on a go route down the right sideline to cut the Hilltops lead to 10-7.

In the second quarter, the Hilltops had to concede a safety due to bad field position to allow the Huskies to close to within 10-9. On the final play of the second quarter, Hartman hit a field goal from 16 yards out to give the Huskies a 12-10 lead at halftime.

Early in the third quarter, Green had a chance to put the Hilltops back in front, but he hit the upright on a 27 yard field goal attempt. A short time later, the Huskies had a 15-yard touchdown run by Epharh Oyama nullified due to an illegal participation penalty.

Hilltops receiver Drake Douglas, left, breaks past a defender.

After that scoring play was nixed due to a penalty, Hartman had a chance to extend the Huskies advantage, but his 21-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Hilltops defensive back Evan Mantyka.

At that point in the game, the Hilltops inserted Dutton in at quarterback for Reider. Reider completed just 4-of-12 passes for 26 yards, while throwing two interceptions. Dutton gave the Hilltops offence a little more poise as he completed 4-of-6 passes for 46 yards, and his completions came at critical times.

“That is the heart of a fifth-year player,” said Sargeant. “He stepped up, and he made a couple of big plays and got us going.

“Damon Dutton doesn’t go in there we don’t win this football game. It is about as simple as that. As I said, he is a proven commodity.

Riece Kack (#47) celebrates a fumble recovery.

“We know what to expect. It is great to see him rise up and answer to the challenge.”

On the final play of the third quarter, Hilltops defensive end Riece Kack recovered a Huskies fumble about 40 yards away from the Edmonton end zone.

The Hilltops ensuing offensive series to start the fourth quarter ended with Green hitting a 26-yard field goal to give the host side a 13-12 advantage. That set the stage for the dramatics in the game’s final three minutes.

“I was just happy to be able to help this team win,” said Dutton. “The defence played amazing.

“The offence was rolling. We just needed one last kick, and I was happy to be part of it.”

Hilltops DB Evan Mantyka (#15) makes a big hit in the secondary.

Davidsen led the Hilltops with 114 yards rushing coming on 28 carries including his major score run. Rookie receiver Drake Douglas was the Hilltops top pass catcher making four catches for 36 yards.

Jordan completed 15-of-27 passes for the Huskies for 150 yards and one touchdown, while throwing three interceptions.

Huskies star running back Alex Gayle led all ground gainers carrying the ball 34 times for 175 yards. Edmonton posted 207 yards rushing as a team.

Johnson had three solo defensive tackles, five defensive tackle assists, three solo special teams tackles and one pass knockdown to go with his one interception. Veteran defensive tackle Jaxon Funk had six solo defensive tackles and six defensive tackle assists.

Hilltops DB Joe Yausie makes a diving tackle from behind.

Hilltops cornerback Joe Yausie came up with a fourth quarter interception.

Linebacker Teryll Sherman had a big day for the Huskies making five solo defensive tackles, three defensive tackle assists, one solo special teams tackle and one interception. Defensive back Paul Loggale also had an interception for the Huskies, who finished the 2022 campaign with a 5-4 overall record.

The Hilltops, who are 6-3 overall, advance to the PFC final to face their provincial rivals the Regina Thunder. The Thunder downed the Winnipeg Rifles 23-14 in Sunday’s other PFC semifinal held at Leibel Field in Regina.

Damon Dutton fires a pass downfield for the Hilltops.

Due to challenging winter storm conditions in Saskatchewan, the contest between the Thunder and Rifles originally slated to start at 1 p.m. local time didn’t begin until 2:45 p.m. local time as parents, players, fans and volunteers cleared a large snowfall to allow the game to be played.

The Rifles finished with a 4-5 overall record, while the Thunder improved to 9-0 overall.

The PFC final between the Thunder and Hilltops is slated to be held this coming Sunday at 1 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium in Regina. The Hilltops won last year’s PFC final played between the two sides 29-9 at Mosaic Stadium.

“We’ll get in the lab and start getting ready for that,” said Sargeant. “We live another week and that is all I care about.”

NOTES – On Saturday at the Apple Bowl in Kelowna, B.C., the host Okanagan Sun blanked the Westshore Rebels 38-0 to win the BCFC title. The Sun improved their overall record to 12-0, while the Rebels complete the 2022 campaign with an 8-4 overall mark.

The Huskies and Hilltops shake hands after Sunday’s game.

Also on Saturday at Acumen Stadium in Windsor, Ont., the host St. Clair Saints dumped the London Beefeaters 38-7 to win the OFC championship. The Saints improve to 10-0 overall, while the Beefeaters conclude the 2022 campaign with a 7-3 overall mark.

The Saints will host the Sun this coming Saturday in a CJFL semifinal at Acumen Stadium.

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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Reider making good on first starts at QB for Hilltops

Trey Reider, left, fires a pass downfield for the Hilltops.

Trey Reider is now the starter at quarterback for the Saskatoon Hilltops, but he is still acting like there is an open competition for that spot.

When the Hilltops saw their record fall to 2-3 after three straight losses, the club’s coaching staff elected to pull 22-year-old Damon Dutton from the starting quarterback spot in favour of the 20-year-old Reider before the team’s road game on Sept. 25 in Calgary against the Colts. In that contest at Shouldice Athletic Park, Reider completed 16-of-24 passes for 191 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in a 35-17 victory in his first career CJFL start.

Reider followed up that performance on Oct. 2 completing 16-of-20 passes for 207 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in 64-7 romp over the Edmonton Wildcats at Emerald Hills Regional Park in Sherwood Park, Alta.

Heading into the Sept. 25 contest against the Colts, Reider said the coaches informed him that he would be in a competition in practice that week for the starting quarterback role with Dutton.

“We were just competing all week me and Damon (Dutton),” said Reider. “It was just a friendly competition just to see who could play.

“Then I got my shot against Calgary, and we did quite well. We’re still competing every day in practice just testing each other and making each other better.”

Reider will get his third start on Sunday, when the Hilltops (4-3) host the Colts (2-5) at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The clash will close the CJFL regular season schedules for both sides and the 2022 campaign for the Colts, who have been eliminated from post-season contention.

Trey Reider (#3) calls signals in a short-yardage situation.

The Hilltops are locked in to play the Edmonton Huskies (5-2) in a PFC semifinal match, but where that contest will be played is still up in the air. The Huskies close their regular season schedule on Sunday when they travel to Regina to face the Thunder (7-0) at Leibel Field.

The’ Toppers hold the standings tiebreaker with the Huskies due to winning the lone head-to-head encounter between the two clubs 38-10 on August 21 at SMF Field. If the Hilltops win their final regular season game and the Huskies fall in their final regular season outing, the Hilltops would vault to second place in the PFC and host a PFC semifinal against the Huskies.

The Huskies would lock up second place in the PFC if they win their final regular season game or the Hilltops fall in their last regular season clash.

Reider admits he is pumped to make his first start at home.

“It is a bit exciting,” said Reider. “I haven’t played at home yet.

“At the same time, I just have to take care of business this weekend.”

During his first two starts, Reider said his offensive line did a great job pass blocking giving him lots of time to complete passes. He also gave a nod to his receivers for their great work noting that veterans Dillan Heintz and Noah Flaman came down with some clutch catches.

The Hilltops need Damon Dutton to remain sharp as a backup.

Reider added that the biggest thing that allowed the passing game to work the past two games was the fact the Hilltops ground game has been outstanding anchored by star power running back Boston Davidsen, who needs 109 yard rushing on Sunday to hit the 1,000-yard plateau for the season.

In the Sept. 25 win over the Colts, the Hilltops piled up 269 yards rushing as a team. Saskatoon rolled off 303 yards rushing as a squad in the Oct. 2 victory over the Wildcats.

“It helps out so much when your run game is just as good as it is right now,” said Reider. “It just opens up the pass game for us, because they have to put so many more guys on the line to stop Boston (Davidsen).

“Just a shout out to our O-line and Boston (Davidsen) for getting those yards every game. It makes me look better.”

Legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant said Reider has played well in his first two starts.

“We’re very pleased with Trey’s performance,” said Sargeant. “At the end of the day, he has shown a lot of growth within the offence we are running.

“He is starting to grasp it. Each rep, each play, each day he practises, you see him getting better and more confident. We have a lot of faith in him.

“We’re going to continue to expand the playbook and put him in good situations. He has been doing the right thing by making a lot of plays, so as I said, it has been good. It has helped to make us better, and we’re looking forward to the stretch run now.”

Sargeant said it wasn’t easy to make the change at the starting quarterback spot, because you get invested in the players.

Boston Davidsen and Hilltops have piled up the rushing yards.

“At the end of the day, I blame myself for not making this be what it needs to be,” said Sargeant. “At the end of the day, Damon (Dutton) is a champion, he is a leader and he is out here doing the right things.”

The sideline boss said the Hilltops need all their quarterbacks to be ready with the post-season just around the corner, and someone like Dutton could find himself pressed into action.

“The great thing about the quarterback position is you are one play away from having to be ready,” said Sargeant. “We know Damon (Dutton) is ready and waiting for his opportunity.

“He (Dutton) is practising hard and asking good questions and still doing the right things. We feel we are in a good situation. We feel we have two outstanding quarterbacks that if need be either one we can count on to go out there and do the job and make the plays.”

Hilltops to salute “Sarge” for 25^th year as HC, other notes

Tom Sargeant has been the Hilltops head coach since Dec. 1997.

The Saskatoon Hilltops will be saluting the best who has ever guided the venerable CJFL club as head coach and is Canada’s all-time wins leader in post-secondary football.

When the Hilltops close their regular season schedule on Sunday at 1 p.m. hosting the Calgary Colts at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Hilltops will honour Tom Sargeant for the 25 years he has served with the team as head coach. Sargeant officially became the Hilltops head coach in early December of 1997.

Before becoming a head coach, Sargeant served as a Hilltops assistant coach from 1991 through to becoming head coach in December of 1997. He played slotback for the team from 1983 to 1985.

As Hilltops head coach, Sargeant has posted a career record of 222-36-2 including a 165-26-2 mark in regular season action and a 57-10 mark in post-season play. Sargeant has guided the Hilltops to 13 CJFL championships as head coach coming in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

He also celebrated CJFL championship wins as an assistant coach in 1991 and 1996 and his first CJFL title victory came as a player in 1985.

The 57-year-old was named CJFL coach of the year twice coming in 2000 and 2003.

Matt Turple is one of 15 players who will graduate from the Hilltops.

As Sunday’s contest is the Hilltops last regular season home game for the 2022 campaign, the team will salute the 20 players who will graduate from the club following the completion of the squad’s post-season run. The graduating players will make a traditional walk out of the tunnel with their parents.

The Hilltops will also be offering free admission to the contest to all first responders and salute them during Sunday’s game. The YXE First Responders Fitness Festival is slated to be held at the Indoor Training Centre on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds.

• Heading into the last weekend of regular season games for the PFC, Hilltops outside linebacker Konner Johnson leads the conference in defensive points with 108 points coming on 28 solo defensive tackles, 12 defensive tackle assists, three solo special teams tackles, two special teams tackle assists, two quarterback sacks, five pass deflections and four interceptions. Johnson is trying to top the PFC in defensive points for two consecutive seasons.
• On Sunday, the Winnipeg Rifles (3-4) host the Edmonton Wildcats (0-7) at IG Field in the Manitoba capital to close the respective regular season schedules for both of those clubs. The Wildcats have been eliminated from CJFL playoff contention, while the Rifles know they will travel to Regina to face the Thunder in a PFC semifinal with the date and location of that contest still to be announced.
• The University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team will host the University of Regina Rams in a huge U Sports regular season game on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Griffiths Stadium. The Huskies sit in first place in the Canada West Conference at 5-0, while the Rams sit second at 4-1. The two side met on Sept. 17 at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, where the Huskies pulled out an 11-10 victory with kicker/punter David Solie hitting a winning 32-yard field goal with two seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
• On Monday, Saskatoon Blades 19-year-old left-winger Conner Roulette was named the WHL player of the week for the week ending on October 9. Roulette collected five goals and three assists in four contests from October 3-9 as the Blades posted a 2-2 record. The Blades are 5-2 in the early going of the WHL regular season. Moose Jaw Warriors overage netminder Connor Ungar was the WHL goaltender of the week for the week ending on October 9. In three appearances from October 3 to 9, Ungar posted a 2-0 record, a 0.80 goals against average and a .979 save percentage.
• Last Sunday, I had new content appear on the Howe Happenings blog that supports the Gordie Howe Sports Complex. I put together a feature on track and field star Kendra Farmer embarking her final season with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Women’s Team. Farmer is a regular at the Track and Field Track on the Complex grounds training as an elite athlete while helping coach with Running Wild Athletics Club. The piece on Farmer can found by clicking right here. I also created a photo round up that shows the fall season in full sprint, and that 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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Adversity might make Hilltops better for rest of 2022 season

The Hilltops get set to make a short yardage play.

The skid is the rear view mirror, but it has not been forgotten by the Saskatoon Hilltops.

Actually, it is a constant reminder for the current members of the team to put in the work and focus on getting better. As far as the 2022 CJFL season is concerned, the Hilltops aren’t going to be able to show up on game day and overwhelm an opponent with their storied history that has seen them win 22 CJFL championships since the modern version of the team was formed in 1947.

CJFL foes take the field in 2022 with the belief that they can beat the Hilltops. They have visions of being able to get past the Hilltops and go all the way.

With all that in mind, it is still possible the Hilltops could ultimately exit the 2022 season with a 23^rd CJFL title. While the veer of invincibility isn’t there to seemingly give the Hilltops an advantage on the scoreboard before even taking the field, they still have the players to get it done when the dust settles.

When the Hilltops started the 2022 season winning their first two games, there was a feeling the campaign could be like the remarkable dominant campaigns like the venerable CJFL squad has had in the past.

That came crashing down after the Hilltops lost three straight to fall to 2-3. Up until that time, the Hilltops hadn’t lost three games in the regular season since the 1993 campaign, when they posted a 5-3 mark and fell in the PFC final to the Regina Rams, who moved to the U Sports ranks as the University of Regina Rams in 1999.

This was the first time the Hilltops had lost three games in a regular season along with three in a row under legendary head coach Tom Sargeant, who is the all-time wins leader for post-secondary amateur football in Canada. Sargeant became Hilltops head coach before the start of the 1998 campaign.

Carter McLean runs downfield for the Hilltops.

The first two losses in the streak were heartbreakers. The Hilltops fell 19-16 to the Rifles in Winnipeg on August 28 after the Rifles kicked the winning field goal with 36 seconds remaining to play in the fourth quarter.

Following that contest, the Hilltops proceeded to drop a 29-21 overtime decision to the Regina Thunder at Saskatoon Minor Football Field on September 10. The Hilltops were leading that game 21-14, and the Rifles scored the tying touchdown with 16.8 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to force overtime on a third-and-eight play from the Saskatoon 31 yard line.

While those two contests could have easily gone the Hilltops way with the change of one or two plays, there were no “what ifs” on September 17, when they dropped a 23-7 decision to the Thunder at Mosaic Stadium in Regina. The Thunder outperformed the Hilltops on offence, defence and special teams in that encounter.

After three straight losses with the third setback being a bad one, legitimate doubt started to creep in with how the 2022 season could ultimately play out for the Hilltops. They looked like their 2-3 record at that point in time.

Now, the Hilltops have bounced back from that skid with two straight wins. On September 25, they dumped the Colts in Calgary 35-17 and this past Sunday they bombed the Edmonton Wildcats 64-7 at Emerald Hills Regional Park in Sherwood Park, Alta.

The Hilltops have a CJFL playoff berth clinched with a 4-3 mark. They could potentially host a PFC semifinal contest with the combination of two results.

The Hilltops need to win their final regular season game on Sunday, October 16, when they host the Colts (2-5) at 1 p.m. at SMF Field. Also on that day, the Hilltops need the Edmonton Huskies (5-2) to fall to the Thunder (7-0) in Regina to be able to move to second in the PFC standings to host a PFC semifinal.

Riece Kack leads the PFC with 6.5 sacks.

The lone head-to-head encounter between the Hilltops and Huskies was taken by the Saskatoon side 38-10 on August 21 at SMF Field, which gives the standing tiebreaker to the ’Toppers.

Saskatoon has won two straight due to getting more consistent play at quarterback and piling up big yards on the ground. The Hilltops coaches elected to start 20-year-old Trey Reider for the past two games over 22-year-old veteran Damon Dutton.

In the September 25 win over the Colts, Reider completed 16-of-24 passes for 191 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Saskatoon also piled up 269 yards rushing as a team in that contest.

During the victory this past Sunday over the Wildcats, Reider completed 16-of-20 passes for 207 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. The Hilltops piled up 303 yards rushing along the ground as a team.

While Reider is the starter at the moment, the Hilltops may still need Dutton to come up with solid performances like he has in the past before the losing skid, if Reider gets injured or he struggles. During eight regular season games in 2021, Dutton put up solid numbers completing 127-of-183 passes for 1,528 yards and 12 touchdowns, while throwing six interceptions.

Dutton came up clutch in the Hilltops 33-31 PFC semifinal win over the Huskies completing 21-of-39 passes for 285 yards and one touchdown, while throwing one interception. He hit veteran receiver Dillon Heintz with a five-yard touchdown toss with 21.3 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to win that contest, which goes down as a CJFL classic.

The Hilltops lead the PFC in rushing with 1,463 yards. Star power running back Boston Davidsen is the PFC’s top ground gainer carrying the ball 133 times for 891 yards and five touchdowns.

On defence, the Hilltops have given up the fewest points in the PFC at 115 and the second fewest yards in the conference at 2,594.

Hilltops outside linebacker Konner Johnson leads the PFC in defensive points with 108 points coming on 28 solo defensive tackles, 12 defensive tackle assists, three solo special teams tackles, two special teams tackle assists, two quarterback sacks, five pass deflections and four interceptions.

The Hilltops aim to build on their run of two straight wins.

’Toppers middle linebacker Matt Wist sits fourth in the PFC in defensive points with 93.5 points coming on 35 solo defensive tackles, 18 defensive tackle assists, a half quarterback sack and an interception.

Saskatoon defensive end Riece Kack leads the PFC with 6.5 quarterback sacks.

On special teams, Hilltops 17-year-old rookie running back and kick return Charles Sawi has become a threat that could run the ball back on any play.

The Hilltops have playmakers all over the place. The idea that the CJFL championship trophy - Canadian Bowl - could return to reside in the team’s clubhouse on Kilburn Avenue in November is not out the realm of possibilities.

Davidsen gets PFC offensive player of the week nod

Boston Davidsen took home a player of the week award.

Boston Davidsen ripped off some big runs which resulted in his first conference player of the week nod for the 2022 campaign.

On Wednesday, the Hilltops 21-year-old star power running back was named the PFC’s offensive player of the week for his work in his team’s 64-7 victory over the Edmonton Wildcats at Emerald Hills Regional Park in Sherwood Park, Alta., this past Sunday. In that contest, Davidsen carried the ball 12 times for 157 yards and two touchdowns. 

He had a season-long 74 yard run in that contest and ran in one of his major scores from 32 yards out.

Davidsen leads the PFC in rushing carrying the ball 133 times for 891 yards and five touchdowns.

Last season, Davidsen finished second in the PFC in rushing carrying the ball 98 times for 634 yards and six touchdowns.

On Wednesday night, Davidsen won the fan vote as the Fan’s Choice for CJFL player of the week.

Sawi nabs second special teams player of the week award

Charle Sawi picked up his second player of the week honour this season.

Charles Sawi seemingly makes big plays every time he touches the football, and it has resulted in second PFC player of the week award for the 2022 campaign.

On Wednesday, the Hilltops 17-year-old rookie running back was named the PFC’s special teams player of the week for his role in his club’s 64-7 victory over the Edmonton Wildcats at Emerald Hills Regional Park in Sherwood Park, Alta., this past Sunday.

Sawi returned the opening kickoff of the second half 96 yards for a touchdown. He also returned a missed field goal 32 yards.

On offence, Sawi carried the ball five times for 60 yards, which included a 34-yard run. Against the Wildcats, Sawi piled up 188 all-purpose yards.

This marked the second time this season that Sawi was named the PFC’s special teams player of the week.

Edmonton Huskies defensive back Paul Loggale was named the PFC’s defensive player of the week. He had two interceptions, two pass knockdowns and blocked a kick in his team’s 33-8 home victory over the Winnipeg Rifles this past Sunday.

PFC semifinal matchups have been determined

The Thunder are the top playoff seed in the PFC.

The matchups for the PFC semifinals have been determined for the 2022 CJFL post-season, and only the location for one of those contests needs to be determined.

With all PFC teams still having one regular season game left to play, the conference semifinals will see the Regina Thunder take on the Winnipeg Rifles and the Edmonton Huskies face the Saskatoon Hilltops. Those games are slated to be held on Sunday, October 23 with the times still to be determined.

The Thunder have locked up first place in the PFC with a 7-0 record, and they will host the Rifles. The Rifles, who are 3-4, are locked into fourth place in the PFC thanks to winning their lone head-to-head encounter 31-28 with the 2-5 Calgary Colts.

The Huskies, who are 5-2, will face the Hilltops, who are 4-3, but it is still up in the air if that contest will be in Edmonton or Saskatoon.  The Hilltops hold the standings tiebreaker between the two sides due to winning the lone head-to-head encounter between the two clubs 38-10 on August 21 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

In order to have a chance to host the PFC semifinal, the Hilltops need to win their final regular season game on Sunday, October 16, when they host the Colts (2-5) at 1 p.m. at SMF Field. Also on that day if they have beaten the Colts, the Hilltops need the Edmonton Huskies (5-2) to fall to the Thunder (7-0) in Regina to be able to move to second in the PFC standings to host a PFC semifinal.

The Rifles can’t catch the Hilltops for third place due to Saskatoon holding the head-to-head standings tiebreaker between the two squads. The two sides split their two regular season encounters, but the Hilltops took the season series outscoring the Rifles 35-29 in those head-to-head meetings.

The Colts and the Edmonton Wildcats (0-7) have been eliminated from post-season contention.

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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