Hilltops capture Canadian Bowl on guts and hard work

A CJFL title win by Saskatoon not a sure thing in 2025

The Hilltops fifth-year players are pictured with the Canadian Bowl.

At times throughout the 2025 season, it seemed like a CJFL championship win wouldn’t be in the cards for the Saskatoon Hilltops.

Throughout the campaign, injuries and adversity seemed to be just around the corner waiting to derail the storied and historic CJFL club. No matter how seemingly bad things got, the Hilltops players and the team’s coaches led by legendary head coach Tom Sargeant believed.

In true Hilltops fashion, the team found a way. A pair of legacy defining victories including a 30-27 overtime win in the Prairie Football Conference final over the host Regina Thunder and a 21-18 triumph over the visiting Okanagan Sun in the CJFL championship game – the Canadian Bowl – saw the Hilltops become CJFL champions for a 24^th time.

The Hilltops D-line groups get a photo with the Canadian Bowl.

Out of all the Hilltops CJFL title winners, the 2025 squad even with a 9-2 overall record could be viewed as the most unlikely of those championship squads. They are definitely the most unlikely of all the club’s CJFL title winners dating back to at least the 1985 squad. In 1985, the Hilltops under then head coach Kevin Scott faced a large number of injuries causing early struggles that saw the team post a 5-3 regular season mark.

The Hilltops got healthy going into the playoffs that year and would move on to win four straight post-season games to claim the CJFL title with a 9-3 overall mark. Sargeant was a receiver on that 1985 squad and that marked the first time he was on CJFL championship team with the Hilltops. He has since won two more CJFL titles as an assistant coach and 15 CJFL championships as a head coach.

The Hilltops raise the Canadian Bowl as CJFL champions.

This past season in 2025, the Hilltops did have some outstanding talent. At the running back position, they had David Collins, Charles Sawi and Corbin Ebben who could all make plays at any time in the game. 

On defence, the stars were defensive tackles Johnathon Stevens and Nahom Menghestab and middle linebacker Isaac Michayluk.

With that noted, the Hilltops in 2025 will be best remembered for their grit. They grinded through the injuries that seemed to constantly pile up for the team.

David Collins had a stellar season for the Hilltops.

Injuries started before training camp began. Star fifth-year safety Dalton Urban went to the training camp of the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders along with Stevens. In a 27-20 pre-season loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Mosaic Stadium in Regina on May 30, Urban was injured playing on the kickoff coverage team tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

While unable to play for the Hilltops, Urban was placed on the club’s injured/inactive list. He still remained with the team all season helping the defensive backs with adjustments. Be it the practice field or game day, Urban was there with a tablet offering advice to the men in the Hilltops secondary.

The Hilltops struggled early to stay healthy at the quarterback position. During the eight game regular season, six different pivots threw passes for the ’Toppers.

Nahom Menghestab, left, and Johnathon Stevens anchor the inside.

Saskatoon had to overcome various injuries in the club’s receivers group. As a result of the combination of quarterback and receiver injuries, the Hilltops passing game was not as crisp and consistent as it traditionally has been in the past, but when key plays needed to be made in the passing game, the Hilltops made them.

The regular season started on August 10 with the Hilltops traveling to Winnipeg and being on the wrong end of a 31-11 drubbing against the host Rifles at Maple Grove Rugby Park. That result caught the attention of everyone around the CJFL.

Brexton Elias returned from injury to start at QB for the Hilltops.

After rebounding with two convincing wins at home, the Hilltops got to hit the field with fifth-year Brexton Elias, who was tabbed as the team’s starting quarterback going into the campaign. Due to injury, he didn’t play or start until the team’s fourth regular season game on Sept. 6, when the Hilltops downed the host Thunder 18-15 at Mosaic Stadium.

The Hilltops would run their winning streak to five games before dropping a 24-21 heartbreaker on their home turf of Saskatoon Minor Football Field on September 27. Sargeant said his players came out with a great effort in that contest and shouldered the blame for that setback.

The players believed they could make the 2025 campaign a special one and went back to work. They were aware they needed to keep grinding and building, so there was no looking too far ahead.

Isaiah Vallderruten jets upfield after making a catch.

The Hilltops concluded the regular season playing in adverse rainy and windy conditions on October 12 at SMF Field downing the visiting Calgary Colts 31-6. That allowed Saskatoon to post a 6-2 record during the regular season and ensure a second place finish in the PFC.

With Ebben experiencing injuries early in the regular season, Collins emerged as the star starting running back. He would record the 11^th individual season where a Hilltops running back broke 1,000-yards rushing for the regular season. Collins finished the regular season with 126 carries for 1,028 yards and 13 touchdowns.

The product of St. Michael, Minn., was one of the first three players the Hilltops ever had on their roster from the United States and all were in their final campaigns of eligibility for the CJFL. CJFL clubs are allowed to have three players born in the U.S. on their rosters.

David Boyd Jr., right, shows off his sure hands for the Hilltops.

The Hilltops’ U.S. contingent included receiver Isaiah Vallderruten from Elizabeth, New Jersey. With Urban out with injury, Vallderruten played both ways for the Hilltops taking on the safety position on defence.

Saskatoon also added receiver David Boyd Jr., who is from St. Cloud, Minn. Boyd Jr. spent the 2024 campaign with the Thunder before electing to move to Saskatoon. He would make some clutch catches as the campaign went on.

The trio of Collins, Vallderruten and Boyd Jr. fit in seamlessly with the Hilltops roster. You would have thought the U.S. born players grew up playing football with the other players on the Saskatoon side.

Charles Sawi made tonnes of exciting plays for the Hilltops.

The post-season began on October 19 at SMF Field with the Hilltops romping over the Rifles 60-26.

An epic comeback followed at Mosaic Stadium in the PFC final against the Thunder. Regina led 24-9 with 10:51 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Saskatoon rallied to even the score 24-24 to force overtime. After the Thunder got a field goal on their overtime possession to go ahead 27-24, Hilltops backup quarterback Griffin Sander hit Vallderruten with a 24-yard winning, walk-off touchdown pass to pull out a legacy-defining 30-27 victory.

In that triumph, the Hilltops coaches elected to pull Elias for Sander, who is a former University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team reserve quarterback, to spark the offence. Elias proceeded to help out as much as he could from the sidelines, and the fact he was a good teammate created an intangible that contributed to the rally.

HC Tom Sargeant keeps providing stellar guidance for the Hilltops. 

Elias got the start in the Canadian Bowl this past Sunday at SMF Field. He again showed his team-first mindset, when the Hilltops elected to pull him for Sander late in the first quarter when Saskatoon was locked in a 2-2 tie with the British Columbia Football Conference champion Sun from Kelowna.

The Hilltops proceeded to go ahead 16-2 in the second quarter and held a 16-4 lead at halftime. The Sun got a first drive touchdown to start the third quarter, but they later conceded a safety in the frame to make the Hilltops lead sit at 18-11.

With 1:33 remaining in the fourth quarter, Sun quarterback Liam Kroeger ran home an 18-yard touchdown to complete a 108-yard scoring drive to force an 18-18 tie.

MLB Isaac Michayluk had an outstanding season on defence.

The Hilltops weren’t done and put together a gritty ensuing drive with big runs on the ground to get into field goal range. Hilltops fourth-year kicker Ryden Gratton nailed a 37-yard field goal with 28.6 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to give the hosts a 21-18 lead.

On the Sun ensuing series, Hilltops third-year strong side linebacker Zaden Taylor came up with a game sealing interception on Kroeger. Saskatoon killed the rest of the clock with kneel downs to cement a 21-18 victory. The celebration was on for the “blue and gold” at SMF Field.

All of a sudden, the Hilltops had completed arguably their most memorable season in the modern history of the club dating back to 1947. When the team was presented the Canadian Bowl as CJFL champions, it felt like the Hilltops 2025 campaign lived to the game’s most famous quote given the man who has the NFL’s Super Bowl trophy named after him in the iconic Vince Lombardi.

Lombardi’s famous quote goes, “I firmly believe that any man’s finest hour – his greatest fulfillment to all he holds dear – is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle – victorious.”

ackson Dean, centre, enjoys the Canadian Bowl with family and friends.

That quote fittingly describes the 2025 Hilltops after their CJFL title game win. They worked their hearts out and earned everything that came their way.

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Instant classic – Hilltops edge Sun 21-18, take Canadian Bowl

Saskatoon wins 24^th CJFL championship in team history

The Hilltops raise the Canadian Bowl as champions of the CJFL.

It was an instant classic that showcased the grit of the 2025 edition of the Saskatoon Hilltops.

On Sunday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Hilltop battled an extremely tough Okanagan Sun squad from Kelowna, B.C., in the CJFL Championship Game – the Canadian Bowl. With the Hilltops holding an 18-11 lead, Sun star quarterback Liam Kroeger ran home a touchdown from 18 yards out to even the score at 18-18 with 1:33 remaining in the fourth quarter. Kroeger’s touchdown jaunt capped an impressive 108-yard scoring drive by the Okanagan side.

The Hilltops didn’t back down. They got a solid return on the ensuing kickoff from fourth-year star running back Charles Sawi. Fifth-year star running back David Collins picked up some hard yards running up the middle.

The Hilltops graduating players are pictured with the Canadian Bowl.

After a quick mid-length drive, the Hilltops found themselves in range for a 37 yard field goal. Fourth-year kicker Ryden Gratton nailed the boot with 28.6 seconds remaining on the clock.

On the ensuing Sun drive, third-year strong side linebacker Zaden Taylor intercepted Kroeger to seal the 21-18 victory for Saskatoon before 1,903 spectators. The win gives the Hilltops their 24^th CJFL title in team history.

“It feels outstanding,” said legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant, whose team finished with a 9-2 overall record. “You know what?

Charles Sawi, left, and Johnathon Stevens enjoy Sunday’s win.

“This has been us all year. Nothing was easy, and look how battle tested we were at the end. Everyone stayed together, played together (and there was) a lot of trust.

“The coaches coached it hard. There were two great teams on the field today, great representation for the CJFL, but at the end of the day, the Hilltop tradition shines through again today.”

The Hilltops and Sun have met a total of four times in the CJFL final with the Hilltops claiming victory in three of those encounters

Sunday’s setback was the only loss for a strong BCFC champion Sun squad that finished with a 13-1 overall mark. Okanagan was rated second in the final CJFL Top 10 Power Rankings released on October 10. The Hilltops were rated fourth in those same rankings.

Liam Kroeger runs in an equalizing TD for the Sun.

The PFC champion Hilltops received big performances from three of their best players allowing the Saskatoon side to sweep all three player of the game awards. Graduating star running back David Collins was the offensive player of the game running the ball 26 times for 143 yards and two touchdowns. He also had one catch for six yards.

Fourth-year star running back Charles Sawi took special teams player of the game honours. He returned six punts for 47 yards, one kickoff for 19 yards and one missed field goal for 20 yards.

Hilltops graduating star middle linebacker Isaac Michayluk was given the nod as the defensive player of the game recording nine solo defensive tackles and two defensive tackle assists.

David Collins picks up big yards to set up the Hilltops winning field goal.

For Collins who came up from St. Michael, Minn., to join the Hilltops, his one and only season with the storied and historic club will be something he takes with him for the rest of his life. He was elated to cap the campaign off with a CJFL title win.

“It feels amazing,” said Collins. “I’ve never been on this side of things.

“For me to actually be on the winning side of things, it feels like an honour to be a Hilltop. This will probably be something I tell my great grandkids about when I grow up. Coming to Canada for a year with little to no expectations and leaving with a national championship, it just feels amazing.”

Ryden Gratton boots a 37-yard winning field goal for the Hilltops.

The Sun had some big gamers too. Kroeger completed 26-of-44 passes for 296 yards, and he ran the ball six times for 54 yards and his major score. He did have two interceptions, and both those picks came in the fourth quarter due to big plays by the Hilltops.

Early in the fourth quarter, Kroeger was intercepted by Hilltops defensive end Huntur Johnson on the Saskatoon 10 yard line. Johnson jumped up at the line of scrimmage and batted the ball into his own hands, and he made a 20-yard return after that defensive snag. That interception preserved the Hilltops 18-11 advantage at that time.

The Hilltops faithful cheer on their team at SMF Field.

Of course, Taylor had the second interception sealing the win for the host side in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter.

Skilled Sun receiver Vincent Chuoi had five catches for a game high 86 yards. Star Sun running back Gerren Hardisty carried the ball 17 times for 71 yards.

Sun linebacker Phil Palmarin and defensive back Tariq Brown each had a team high six total tackles. Okanagan defensive back Riley Easton came down with one interception.

Vincent Chuoi (#7) caught five passes for 86 yards for the Sun.

Michayluk said the Sun gave his Hilltops side a lot to handle.

“They won the B.C. league for a good reason,” said Michayluk. “They are a really good team.

“They are physical. They have lots of athletes. They have a very balanced attack.

“Their defence is stellar. (We have) a lot of respect for Okanagan there. They put up a big challenge.”

Early in the first quarter, the Sun had the first chance to go ahead on the scoreboard, but star kicker Liam Atwood missed on a 40-yard field goal attempt that was run out of the end zone by Sawi. Late in the first quarter, the Sun conceded a safety and the Hilltops a short time later also conceded a safety causing the two squads to exit the opening 15 minutes locked in a 2-2 tie. The safeties were given up due to bad field position.

The Hilltop Cheer Team hits their finishing pose at halftime.

The Hilltops started the contest with fifth-year signal caller Brexton Elias at quarterback, and he completed 2-of-3 passes for 25 yards. 

Late in the first quarter, the Hilltops elected to go with fourth-year quarterback and former University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team reserve quarterback Griffin Sander for most of the rest of the contest. 

Sander completed 11-of-18 passes for 104 yards, while throwing one interception.

Isaac Michayluk had nine solo defensive tackles for the Hilltops.

In the second quarter, the Hilltops surged ahead 16-2 with Collins running in major scores from seven and 23 yards out respectively. He credited the Hilltops always formidable offensive line for allowing him to get the big scoring runs in the second quarter.

“The O-line was doing great,” said Collins. “I was able to pick my holes and just finish through from there.

“I kept the ball secured high and tight and just did the rest with my feet.”

Before the second quarter ended, the Hilltops would concede another safety due to bad field position trimming their advantage to 16-4 heading into halftime.

Gerren Hardisty ran the ball 17 times for 71 yards for the Sun.

The Sun offence caught fire after getting the ball for the opening drive of the third quarter. The visitors drove down to the Hilltops one yard line. 

At that point, Okanagan short-yardage quarterback Marcus Christos dove in for a one-yard major score to cut Saskatoon’s lead to 16-11.

With 3:58 remaining in the third quarter, the Sun had to concede their second safety of the contest due to bad field position to push the Hilltops lead out to 18-11. 

That set the stage for the dramatics in the fourth quarter.

Hilltops defensive tackles and brothers Scott and Ryan Adamko said they both felt an adrenaline rush when Taylor made his interception in the final seconds of the fourth quarter to cement the win.

Charles Sawi had 86 total return yards on special teams.

“I still can’t believe it to be honest,” said Scott, who is in his second year with the Hilltops. “That is just such a huge play at the time.”

“That is just when the switch flipped and the realization hit,” said Ryan, who played the final game of his CJFL eligibility on Sunday. “This is it.

“We did it.”

Michayluk got to cherish the fact he graduates from the Hilltops with a second CJFL championship having helped the venerable squad with the Canadian Bowl in 2023 with a 12-0 record.

“I’m kind of speechless,” said Michayluk. “Not many people get to play the Canadian Bowl on home turf, so that is super special.

The Hilltops being celebrating their CJFL championship win.

“It is fantastic to go out with a “Ship.” That is awesome, glory to God.”

With Sunday’s win, Sargeant enjoyed his 18^th CJFL championship with the Hilltops. Sargeant has won 15 of those titles as a head coach, two as an assistant coach and his first came as a receiver in 1985.

He felt Sunday’s Canadian Bowl mirrored the regular season for his team. He enjoyed how his players in 2025 rose to the occasion to persevere like they did, which allowed the club to win a 24^th CJFL title.

“There are so many plays,” said Sargeant. “You never know which one it is going to be and when it is going to be.

The Hilltops enjoy the spoils of a 24th CJFL title victory.

“As I said, this team just all year just had a great belief and a will power, and they always just found ways. I couldn’t be more proud of them and the coaching staff and the organization. Son of a gun, our 24^th national championship.

“That is pretty good.”

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Collins soaks in his Canadian adventure with Hilltops

RB one of storied CJFL team’s first three U.S. born players

David Collins completes a 65-yard TD run this past Sunday.

A call to a friend started David Collins on a path to a country and a football team he knew very little about.

After playing the 2023 season for the Central Lakes College Raiders Football Team in Brainerd, Minn., in the National Junior College Athletic Association, Collins, who is a talented running back, took a year off from the game. The St. Michael, Minn., product was looking for a way to return to playing the game, so he called friend and former Raiders teammate David Boyd Jr., who he knew was playing in Canada.

Collins asked Boyd Jr. what team he was going to be playing for in 2025. Boyd Jr. said he was going to play for the CJFL’s Saskatoon Hilltops in 2025, and Collins asked if he could have the phone number for Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant.

“Then I made a highlight tape, and sent it to coach,” said Collins. “Coach said he loved how explosive I was, so he said he’d take a chance on me.”

With that initial contact, Collins arrived in Saskatoon in late July for the start of his one and only CJFL campaign being a 22-year-old. For Collins, leaving the United States and just coming to Canada was a big step.

“Truth be told, it was my first time out of the country, so I didn’t really know much about Canada or like anywhere,” said Collins, who stands 5-foot-10 and weighs 195 pounds. “It was a good experience.

“I’m really glad I’m here. I’m glad I’m learning a different culture other than my own and learning a lot about Canada, actually. I didn’t know this much about it, so it is really good.

“I can go back and tell my family and friends about it.”

David Collins ran fo 1,028 yards in the CJFL regular season.

As far as adjusting to football went, Collins felt welcomed in right away by everyone in the storied and historic Hilltops program, which has won 23 total CJFL championships.

On Sunday, Collins begins his one and only run in the CJFL Playoffs with the Saskatoon side. The Hilltops (6-2) host the Winnipeg Rifles (4-4) in a PFC semifinal contest on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Hilltops were rated fourth in the final CJFL Top 10 Power Rankings released on October 10.

Thanks to an early season injury to star fourth-year running back Corbin Ebben, Collins was thrown into the fire playing a lot out of the gate at the running back spot.

He excelled becoming the team’s leading rusher and the leading touchdown scorer in the CJFL’s Prairie Football Conference. The seamless fit extended to the Hilltops two other United States born players in Boyd Jr., and Isaiah Vallderruten. Body Jr. suits up at receiver, and Vallderruten plays both ways at receiver on offence and at safety on defence.

Collins, Boyd Jr. and Vallderruten are the first three United States born players to ever play for the Hilltops. Collins said it has been cool to see how quickly they have all fit in with the Hilltops.

“It was super neat,” said Collins. “We were just ready for the opportunity and ready to work.

“I feel like we knew what we came here for and knew exactly what we had in store for us, so we just came and did that.”

During the regular season, Collins ran the ball 126 times for 1,028 yards and 13 touchdowns. He put up the 11^th individual 1,000-yard rushing season in team history and his 13 majors led the PFC.

David Collins came to the Hilltops from St. Michael, Minn.

Sargeant, who is the Hilltops legendary head coach, noted that, while his club is deep at running back with Ebben and fourth-year veteran Charles Sawi having great seasons, it was big for the team to have Collins step up coming out of the gate.

“It started from day one when he got here,” said Sargeant. “He certainly had a special skill set.

“When we gave him the ball, we got to see some glimpses of what it could be. When Corbin (Ebben) got hurt, there were some quick realities of we had to put him (Collins) in some different spots, and he responded.”

When it came to bringing in the three players born in the United States, Sargeant said it became something the venerable Saskatoon side had to do.

“In the rest of the league, every other team was doing it,” said Sargeant. “Either, you complain about it, or you do something about it.

“I met with the directors and (Hilltops) president (Greg) Peacock, and we came up with a game plan. Then, I went to work. I had to actively start recruiting.”

Under CJFL rules, each of the clubs on the junior circuit are only allowed to have three United States born players on their respective rosters. When it comes to his first recruiting class from the United States, Sargeant said the trio of Collins, Boyd Jr. and Vallderruten have exceeded his expectations.

“Ultimately, it turned out the way it is right now,” said Sargeant. “The first thing I’d say is all three of them are just great kids.

“They’re great kids to be around. They have absolutely come in and fit our systems well. They’ve handled themselves great, and they’ve made us a better football team.”

David Collins (#10) jets past Edmonton Huskies defenders on Aug. 17.

While Collins made the initial reach out to Sargeant, the shifty ball carrier was happy the long time sideline boss got him running to Saskatoon.

“I’m glad that I was one of the guys that he found truth be told,” said Collins. ““Sarge” (Sargeant) is great, and I’m glad that he picked the other two Americans that came along.

“We’ve been working super hard to try to make a difference on this team.”

On the field, Collins said it has been a joy to play with the rules of the Canadian game.

“I kind of like the Canadian rules better,” said Collins. “The only thing I wish the Canadian football game had was fourth down, but I love the bigger end zone.

“I love the longer field. It gives more opportunity for the offence to make more plays. I guess it is harder for the defence, but defence in general is always going to be hard.

“You just got to get used to it for the defence.”

Collins loves the 65-yard width of the Canadian field, and he said it allows him to make more plays running to the outside compared to the United States field that has a width of 53.3 yards.

“If I’m running laterally like I’m running a stretch play, I’ll be able to pick my own time to pick when I want to puncture the line of scrimmage,” said Collins. “It won’t be just because I’m running out of real estate or running out of yards to run.”

With the regular season having come to a completion, Collins is looking forward to playing in the CJFL Playoffs. He believes it is great the CJFL has a post-season single elimination bracket style tournament that mirrors what is traditionally seen in the NFL.

David Collins, left, walks with his mom Sadia VaPond.

Collins wants to experience the feeling of getting a win to move on to the next round making it possible to keep playing the game in the process.

“I’m going to try to elongate it as long as possible,” said Collins, who said he is looking forward to snow games having played in those growing up in Minnesota. “(I will be) trying to win as many games, try to make as many sacrifices in order for us to be ready as a team.

“I’m just really excited for what the team has in store, what I have in store, what the weather has in store for us and all that. We have to stay warm. We have to stay bonded up and just make sure that we’re mentally ready, mentally strong and we’re physical.”

Zimmer cracks into play of week awards, other notes

Colton Zimmer (#7) was named the PFC special teams player of the week.

The Saskatoon Hilltops downplay individual accolades, but this one likely got a big cheer somewhere during this past week.

On Tuesday, fifth-year long snapper Colton Zimmer was named the PFC’s special teams player of the week. The long-time veteran from Langham, Sask., has been a favourite inside the Hilltops dressing room pretty much since he arrived with the venerable club as a rookie.

In last Sunday’s 31-6 victory over the Calgary Colts concluding regular season play for both sides, Zimmer was perfect on his long snaps in fairly dreadful weather conditions. The Hilltops’ clash with the Colts started in rainy weather which turned into snowy weather by game’s end.

He also had 3.5 total special teams tackles and recovered a fumble on a missed field goal return. Zimmer received big cheers from the Hilltops bench after his special teams tackles and his fumble recovery.

The PFC offensive players of the week went to the entire Regina Thunder starting offensive line for their performance in their team’s 56-3 victory over the Edmonton Wildcats last Sunday at Leibel Field. The Thunder piled up a CJFL record 632 yards rushing as a team for one game running behind left tackle Caleb Barajas, left guard Tristen Rapchalk, centre James Lucio, right guard Nolan Finn and right tackle Ethan Kreutzer.

The old CJFL record for most rushing yards posted by one team in one game was held by the Edmonton Huskies, who put up 588 yards rushing in one contest back in 2002.

Thanks to the work of Barajas, Rapchalk, Lucio, Finn and Kreutzer, Thunder star running back Peter Boersch ran for 218 yards on 18 carries and scored one touchdown. Carter Ashman, who is having a breakout season at running back, put up 205 yards rushing on 10 carries and scored one touchdown.

Barajas, who is a 22-year-old veteran, got to run the ball once for 11 yards scoring a touchdown.

Winnipeg Rifles outside linebacker Cohen McCluskey was the PFC defensive player of the week for his efforts in his team’s 47-11 victory over the host Edmonton Huskies last Sunday at Jasper Place Bowl. McCluskey piled up 9.5 total defensive tackles and one pass knockdown in his team’s victory.

The Thunder, who topped the PFC standings with a 7-1 record, host the Huskies (3-5) in one PFC semifinal set for 1 p.m. this coming Sunday at Leibel Field. Regina is rated third in the final CJFL Top 10 Power Rankings released on October 10.

The Rifles (4-4) travel to Saskatoon to face the host Hilltops (6-2) in the other PFC semifinal set for 1 p.m. this coming Sunday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Hilltops are rated fourth in the final CJFL Top 10 Power Rankings.

·         The Okanagan Sun (11-0) host the Westshore Rebels (8-3) on Saturday in the BCFC championship game set for 1 p.m. local time at the Apple Bowl in Kelowna, B.C. The Rebels are based out of Langford, B.C., which is a suburb of Victoria. In the battle for the Cullen Cup, the Sun were rated second in the final CJFL Top 10 Power Rankings, while the Rebels were placed at fifth.

·         The St. Clair Saints (9-0) will host the London Beefeaters (7-2) on Saturday in the OFC title contest set for 7:30 p.m. local time at Acumen Stadium in Windsor, Ont. The contest is dubbed the Ontario Conference Teddy Morris Championship Game. The defending CJFL champion Saints topped the final CJFL Top 10 Power Rankings, while Beefeaters placed seventh.

·          The BCFC champion will host the OFC champion in this year’s CJFL national semifinal set to be held on October 25.

·         Winnipeg Rifles middle linebacker Kyler Banfield topped the PFC with 129 defensive points. He tallied up that total recording 37 defensive solo tackles, 26 defensive tackle assists, three special teams solo tackles, one special team tackle assist, two quarterback sacks, four pass knockdowns, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Saskatoon Hilltops middle linebacker Isaac Michayluk was second in the PFC with 116 defensive points. He collected that total recording 32 defensive solo tackles, 22 defensive tackle assists, one special teams solo tackle, four special teams tackle assists, three pass knockdowns, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and three interceptions.

·         Winnipeg Rifles receiver Jarome Penner caught 40 passes for 794 yards and three touchdowns this season. His receiving yardage total topped the PFC.

·         Saskatoon Hilltops running back Charles Sawi led the PFC in punt returns (50) and punt return yards (451).

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Hilltops best Colts and weather, finish second in PFC

Collins surpasses 1,000 yards rushing in regular season finale

Ryan Adamko (#65) looks for a play call in snowy conditions.

Would you like rain gear or snowshoes?

That seemed to be the question facing both the Saskatoon Hilltops and Calgary Colts as they closed their respective CJFL regular season schedules playing each other on Sunday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. As far as the natural elements went, it rained through the entire first half and turned into snow early in the third quarter.

The snow continued to fall through to the end of the contest. Throughout the game, sporadic winds would come into play creating another challenge for both clubs.

When the fourth quarter came to an end, the Hilltops claimed a 31-6 victory. With the win, the Hilltops improve to 6-2 and finish second in the CJFL’s Prairie Football Conference.

David Collins, left, walks to the field with his mom Sadia VaPond.

“You know what, (it was) a little sloppy today,” said legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant. “We were matching the conditions at times.”

The loss was a fourth straight one for the Colts eliminating them from CJFL post-season contention as they finish with a 2-6 mark. They conclude having an identical record with the Edmonton Wildcats.

The Wildcats and Colts split their two head-to-head regular season meetings, but the Wildcats finish fifth in the PFC due to outscoring the Colts 50-38 in those two contests. That caused Calgary to settle out in the basement of the conference.

David Collins reaches the end zone after a 65-yard TD run.

The Wildcats were eliminated from CJFL post-season contention on Sunday when they traveled to Regina and were wiped out by the host Thunder 56-3 at Leibel Field. The Thunder finished first in the PFC with a 7-1 mark.

In the clash between the Hilltops and Colts, those on both sides will probably remember the havoc the weather played on the afternoon’s festivities, which saw the Hilltops honour their graduating players pre-game. Saskatoon’s graduating players made a walk to the field with their parents, and that walk has been a Hilltops tradition for decades.

Both the Hilltops and Colts combined for 16 turnovers. The Colts turned the ball over 10 times including twice on interceptions, four times via fumbles and four times on downs. The Hilltops gave the ball away six times including once by an interception, three times via fumbles and twice on downs.

David Collins finished the regular season with 1,028 yards rushing.

The teams were playing competitively and with fairly decent intensity until the 3:53 mark of the third quarter. With the Hilltops holding a 21-0 lead, one of the Colts players got injured on the field of play. The teams had to go through a wait of about 30 minutes before an ambulance arrived to tend to the injured Colts player.

The Colts and the officials returned to the dressing room, while the Hilltops remained on the field and went through some exercises to remain warm. When it was time to resume play, the Colts went through a short warm up when they came out of their dressing room.

After the action resumed, the competitive play for both sides took a drop. By the time play got going again, the rain turned to snow and the intensity drop persisted through to the end of the contest.

Ryan Adamko (#65) celebrates recovering a fumble.

“It is definitely one for the books,” said Hilltops fifth-year defensive tackle Ryan Adamko. “At that break (where the injured Colts player was tended to), we just tried to keep ourselves warm out here moving.

“We were keeping our boys trying to not lock up. I am happy with the way it ended, but now, we have to look forward and get ready for next week.”

The Hilltops came out of the gates on fire. Just 1:54 into the first quarter, star running back David Collins broke off a 65-yard touchdown run to give the host side a 7-0 lead.

A short time later, Collins surpassed 1,000 yards rushing for the season marking the 11-time in team history a Hilltops player has hit the 1,000-yard barrier for rushing in one regular season. After getting past 1,000 yards rushing, Collins ran in a major score from three yards out at the 10:25 mark of the first quarter to push the Hilltops advantage out to 14-0.

Charles Sawi (#18) ran the ball nine times for 51 yards and two TDs.

On the day, Collins ran the ball 12 times for 119 yards to go with his two major scores. On the season, the St. Michael, Minnesota, product carried the ball 126 times for 1,028 yards and 13 touchdowns.

“It is nice to see D.C., David Collins, get that thousand yards,” said Sargeant. “You know, we blocked well, and you know, it wasn’t a good day for throwing.

“Defence was on point and played real well. Special teams were a little loose. We just seemed to be struggling a little bit.

“At the end of the day, we’re 6-2. We know we’re in second place, and we’ve got work to do.”

Some of the Hilltops hearty supporters watch their team.

Just past the midway point of the second quarter, fourth-year star running back Charles Sawi ran home a touchdown from two yards out to give the Hilltops a 21-0 lead heading into halftime.

After the injury stoppage early in the third quarter, the Hilltops increased their lead to 24-0 on the final play of that frame thanks to a 22-yard field goal from place kicker Ryden Gratton. Saskatoon’s field goal special teams unit struggled in the adverse conditions as Gratton made 1-of-4 field goal attempts in the contest.

Members of the Hilltop Cheerleaders battle the elements.

At the 3:31 mark of the fourth quarter, Sawi ran home a major score from five yards out to make the Hilltops advantage stand at 30-0 after a one-point conversion try was unsuccessful. On the ensuing play, Gratton scored a rouge off an 85-yard kickoff to make Saskatoon’s lead sit at 31-0.

It appeared the Hilltops were going to hold on to the shutout, but that changed late in the fourth quarter. At that point, Colts middle linebacker Davin Bajema intercepted Hilltops back-up quarterback Charlie Molder and returned the ball 50 yards deep into the Saskatoon end.

Colts reserve quarterback Jan Djoumessi concluded a short drive with a three-yard touchdown run with 2:48 remaining in the fourth quarter. Calgary wasn’t able to add a two-point convert causing the 31-6 score in favour of the Hilltops to settle out as the final outcome of the contest.

Colts QB Noah Makkreel (#13) is taken down by the Hilltops defence.

While the Colts got the late score to break up the shutout bid, Adamko was pleased with how things went defensively for his team.

“Defence, it seemed like all the boys were clicking,” said Adamko, who had one solo defensive tackle, two defensive tackle assists and one fumble recovery in the win. “Everyone knew what they were doing, and we all just did our jobs.

“It all worked out in our favour.”

Hilltops starting quarterback Brexton Elias completed 3-of-9 passes for 18 yards before being pulled at halftime as the Saskatoon coaches elected to get everyone on their roster into the game. Colts starter Noah Makkreel completed 9-of-16 passes for 87 yards before being pulled.

Colton Zimmer makes a special team tackle for the Hilltops.

Sawi ran the ball nine times for 51 yards including his two rushing majors.

The Hilltops had 235 yards rushing and 53 yards passing as a team, while the Colts had 64 yards rushing and 89 yards passing.

Rudolph Osborne topped the Hilltops with 5.5 total tackles to go with one pass knockdown. Defensive end Anthony Roepe had one quarterback sack for Hilltops.

Cornerback Aiden Rosa and middle linebacker Maddox Huynh each had one interception for Saskatoon. Long snapper Colton Zimmer and defensive ends Huntur Johnson and Noah Chelson each had one fumble recovery for the ’Toppers.

The Hilltops huddle up as the snow falls.

Colts middle linebacker Sean Gunnip led his club with nine total tackles to go with one quarterback sack and one fumble recovery. Defensive end Jordan Southern also had a fumble recovery for Calgary.

With the regular season now in the rearview mirror, Adamko is looking towards going on his final post-season run with the storied and historic Hilltops.

“It is surreal to think five years have already been gone by,” said Adamko. “I am excited to go through it and keep on playing.”

Also on Sunday at Jasper Place Bowl in Edmonton, the visiting Winnipeg Rifles trailed the host Huskies 11-0 after the first quarter, but roared to a 47-11 victory. The win was a second straight one for the Rifles, who finished third in the PFC with a 4-4 mark. Huskies finish fourth in the PFC with a 3-5 record.

Hilltops QB Griffin Sander eludes a Colts tackler.

The Hilltops will host the Rifles in one PFC semifinal set for this coming Sunday at 1 p.m. at SMF Field. The Thunder host the Huskies in the other PFC semifinal set for this coming Sunday at 1 p.m. at Leibel Field.

Way back on August 10, the Hilltops and Rifles opened their respective regular season schedules playing each other in Winnipeg, and the host Rifles claimed a 31-11 win. They met again on August 24 at SMF Field, and the Hilltops romped to a 42-15 victory.

“They showed us what we were about early in the year, and that loss was something that moved us forward,” said Sargeant. “I think ultimately in the long run we played well in the second game.

Hilltops players keep warm on their bench area on Sunday.

“Now, it is sort of let’s rally up, and hey, game three. Let’s see what happens.”

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’ Collins chases 1,000-yard club for rushing

David Collins has 909 yards rushing this season.

Individual milestones were not on David Collins’ mind when he joined the Saskatoon Hilltops but getting to enjoy the game of football for one more season was.

The 22-year-old running back, who is from St. Michael, Minnesota, joined the CJFL’s storied and historic Hilltops after taking a year off from the sport. Collins last played the sport in 2023 for the Central Lakes College Raiders in Brainerd, Minn., who are members of the National Junior College Athletic Association.

After seven games with the Hilltops, Collins, who stands 5-foot-10 and weighs 195 pounds, has carried the ball 114 times for 909 yards and 11 touchdowns. His rushing yardage total ranks second in the Prairie Football Conference, and his 11 rushing majors top the conference in both rushing and total touchdowns.

The Hilltops (5-2) close their regular season on Sunday when they host the Calgary Colts (2-5) at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. If Collins can collect 91 yards rushing in that contest, it will mark the 11^th time in the history of the modern version of the Hilltops dating back to 1947 that one player hit 1,000 yards rushing in one regular season.

“I am very blessed for the opportunity and being able to play for this long of a season, and hopefully we can go as far as we can go in the championship game,” said Collins. “(I am) really thankful for the O-line.

“Thank you for my team. Thank you for the coaches for giving me the opportunity and believing in me to even get this close to the chance.”

Legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant said Collins is going to get his chance to hit the 1,000-yard rushing barrier as the Hilltops aim to get going in an upward trend as the CJFL playoffs are just around the corner for the Saskatoon side. 

In their last outing, the Hilltops dropped a 24-21 decision at Saskatoon Minor Football Field to their provincial rivals in the Regina Thunder back on September 27. Following action on September 27 and 28, all teams in the PFC headed out on a bye week.

David Collins leads the PFC with 11 total touchdowns.

Sargeant said the Hilltops path forward includes ensuring Collins is a major part of the offence.

“He (Collins) has got to touch that ball 20 to 25 times this weekend,” said Sargeant. “There is no question about it.

“The offence has got to go through him. That is the mentality. That is the reality.

“Let’s go out there and make it happen. When he is touching the ball, if he is getting his carries, that means we’re moving the chains and first downs lead to touchdowns, and that is the type of offence we want to run.”

Going into the final weekend of the regular season for the PFC, the Hilltops, who are rated fourth in the final CJFL Top 10 Power Rankings on Friday, still have an outside shot at top spot in the conference. If they beat the Colts and the Thunder (6-1) fall in their final regular season clash with the Edmonton Wildcats (2-5), the Hilltops would take top spot in the conference.

The Thunder and Wildcats go at it on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Leibel Field in Regina. The Colts and Wildcats need to win their final respective contests, which would be big upsets, to keep their respective post-season hopes alive.

The Edmonton Huskies (3-4) will host the Winnipeg Rifles (3-4) at Jasper Place Bowl on Sunday at 1 p.m. local time. The winner will lock up third place in the conference. A tie would clinch post-season berths for both squads.

Currently, the Colts hold the tiebreaker over the Rifles. The Huskies hold the tiebreaker over the Colts. The Rifles hold the tiebreaker over the Wildcats.

The Wildcats hold the tiebreaker over the Colts and Huskies. If there ends up being a three-way tie for fourth place and the final playoff berth in the PFC, the points for and against ratio for each team could be the deciding tiebreaker.

When the Hilltops and Colts met back on September 14 in Calgary, Saskatoon romped to a 51-3 victory. Sargeant said that was his club’s most complete game of the 2025 campaign, and he wants his club to get back to and surpass that performance to make a long post-season run possible.

David Collins is enjoying his lone season with the Hilltops.

“I’m just trying to build this football team so that when we hit the playoffs we hit our stride, and we play with great confidence and get the ball to the right guys,” said Sargeant. “David Collins is certainly one of those guys.”

Going forward, Collins is looking forward to embracing all the remaining experiences with the Hilltops. He almost can’t believe his team will only play one more regular season contest before starting a journey through the single-elimination CJFL post-season.

“It (the 2025 season) has been super fast,” said Collins. “Especially like coming in late July and soon as like the season got started and going, it just was every day was like game after game.”

Saints and Sun rolling in 2025, other notes

The St. Clair Saints and Okanagan Sun have cemented themselves as the teams to beat in the CJFL in 2025.

Last year, the Saints and Sun met in the CJFL championship game – the Canadian Bowl. The host Saints claimed a 37-22 victory at Acumen Stadium in Windsor, Ont.

This year the defending CJFL champion Saints have topped the Ontario Football Conference with an 8-0 mark and are rated first in the final CJFL Top 10 Power Rankings released on Friday. The Sun claimed first place in the British Columbia Football Conference with a 10-0 mark.

Due to the fact the champion of the Prairie Football Conference hosts the Canadian Bowl, the post-seasons in the CJFL Playoffs begin this weekend for teams in the OFC and the BCFC, while the PFC concludes its regular season.

The Saints open their post-season schedule hosting the Sault Ste. Marie Cougars (4-4) in an OFC semifinal at Acumen Stadium at 1 p.m. local time. The Sun host the Vancouver Island Raiders (5-4-1) in a BCFC semifinal at the Apple Bowl in Kelowna, B.C., at 1 p.m. local time.

The BCFC champion will host the OFC champion in this year’s CJFL national semifinal set to be held on October 25.

• Winnipeg Rifles receiver Jarome Penner leads the PFC in receptions (39) and yards (760). He also has three receiving touchdowns on the campaign.
• Winnipeg Rifles linebacker Kyler Banfield leads the PFC with 118 defensive points. He tallied up that total recording 34 defensive solo tackles, 25 defensive tackle assists, one special teams tackle, one special teams tackle assist, two quarterback sacks, four pass knockdowns, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
• Saskatoon Hilltops defensive tackle Johnathon Stevens leads the PFC with three quarterback sacks.
• On Thursday, I had new content appear on the Howe Happenings blog that supports the Gordie Howe Sports Complex. I put together a feature on Bedford Road Collegiate Redhawks Football Team star in Parker Bond. Bond is a natural middle linebacker, and has filled the roles of running back, fullback, receiver, starting quarterback and played on all special teams with the Redhawks this season. The piece on Bond can be found by clicking right here. I also put together a photo roundup that is dominated by images of high school football and the Toon Squad Female Flag Football League. The photo roundup also contains photos from baseball, softball, track and field and a couple of other surprises. That post 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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If you like what you see here, you might want to donate to the cause to keep independent media like this blog going. Should you choose to help out, feel free to click on the DONATE button in the upper right corner. Thank you for stopping in.