Hilltops’ Johnson gets boost from Roughriders camp

Saskatoon drops heartbreaker in Winnipeg 19-16

Hilltops LB Konner Johnson attended Roughriders training camp.

Even for an experienced football player like Konner Johnson, he had some good nervous energy when he found out he could realize a classic Saskatchewan childhood dream.

Johnson, who will turn 22-years-old in early September, attended training camp with the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders this past May and June as a territorial junior before being returned to the CJFL’s Saskatoon Hilltops for the 2022 campaign. During his preparations in the off-season, the outside linebacker was informed by Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant that there could be an opportunity with the Roughriders.

“I talked to coach ‘Sarge,’ and he said that it was going to be a possibility,” said Johnson, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 220 pounds. “He didn’t guarantee anything, because it wasn’t up to him.

“He said just be ready in case. I trained my butt off and got the phone call about three weeks before camp started. That is when I found out.”

As the start of the rookie part of Roughriders camp approached on May 11, Johnson began to feel like a kid right before opening gifts at Christmas.

“I was really nervous but also really excited,” said Johnson. “I didn’t really know what to expect.

“I didn’t know what I was walking into. It was a great experience, and I learned a lot.”

Johnson’s experience with the Roughriders helped give him a boost upon rejoining the Hilltops. He helped the Hilltops get off to a 2-0 start in the 2022 regular season.

On Sunday, the Hilltops dropped their first game of the 2022 campaign falling 19-16 to the Rifles in Winnipeg. With the two sides locked in a 16-16 tie, Rifles kicker Donavon Downing booted a 10-yard field goal with 36 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to deliver the Winnipeg side to victory at East Side Eagles Field.

The Hilltops fell to 2-1 with the setback, while the Rifles improved to 1-2.

Konner Johnson was a PFC all-star in 2021.

At Roughriders camp, Johnson took part in activities as both an outside linebacker and long snapper. The Melfort, Sask., product said the Roughriders didn’t do a lot of contact drills, but the pace with how everything was done on the field was heightened compared to the Canadian junior ranks.

“It is quite a bit different,” said Johnson. “The speed is a lot different.

“They don’t practice like physically, because they have to save themselves for game day and they are professional athletes. Just the speed at practice was crazy. They go full speed on everything.

“That is what we are trying to replicate here is just practising full speed. It helps a lot on game day.”

Johnson enjoyed getting reps as an outside linebacker with the Roughriders and learning the CFL club’s defensive system.

“I didn’t know how they played their linebackers,” said Johnson. “Here (with the Hilltops) I am a weak side linebacker, and that is what I ended up doing there too.

“Their schemes were a lot different, so you had to learn a lot of that stuff at the linebacker side.”

When it came to long snapping, Johnson got to work with Roughriders long snapper and Hilltops alumnus Jorgen Hus. Hus also played for the University of Regina Rams in the U Sports ranks and spent time as a long snapper with the NFL’s St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs before joining the Roughriders before the start of the 2015 season.

Hus often helps coach various long snappers throughout Saskatoon during the off-season, and Johnson found Hus genuinely wanted to help the long snappers that came to the Roughriders.

“I got to learn from Jorgen (Hus) a bit,” said Johnson. “He, obviously, came from this program, went to the Rams and made the whole route there.

“He taught me a few things. I hope to just keep snapping well here and see what happens.”

Johnson said there is a big focus on the technical part of the long snapping skill at the professional level to ensure punters and holders for field goals get the ball exactly as they want it.

Konner Johnson said Roughriders camp was a great experience.

“It is one of those spots where you don’t get noticed unless you mess up,” said Johnson. “Not a lot of people can do it, and they don’t really understand it isn’t an easy job.

“You just have to keep doing it and keep practising until it becomes automatic for you.”

Sargeant was pleased to see Johnson got a chance to go to Roughriders training camp. The legendary sideline boss said the playmaking linebacker earned that opportunity with his performance in the 2021 season.

Over eight regular season games in the 2021 campaign, Johnson recorded 26 defensive tackles, 13 defensive tackle assists, 12 special teams tackles, three special teams tackle assists, one quarterback sack, five pass knockdowns, one fumble recovery and five interceptions. Johnson was named a PFC all-star for the 2021 season.

“We’re always excited when someone from the blue and gold gets an opportunity to fulfill a dream, when you play the game of football at such a high level,” said Sargeant. “We knew Konner (Johnson) had some long snap ability.

“He was an all-star last year in the league. It was amazing to see the confidence that he brought back. He had a great experience.”

Before coming to the Hilltops, Johnson played high school football in the nine man ranks with his hometown Melfort and Unit Comprehensive Collegiate Comets. Sargeant said the Hilltops have been fortunate to get numerous high quality character players from the Comets program guided by head coach David Rogers, and those players know how to work hard and have a solid base in playing the game.

After the 2020 CJFL season was cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has gripped the world, Sargeant said you could tell Johnson put in quality work to prepare for the 2021 campaign that resulted in a breakout season.

“In our defence, that ‘will’ linebacker position there has always been great players who have come through there,” said Sargeant. “Usually at ‘will’ linebacker there is someone good in front of him.

“They do a lot of learning from that. At the end of the day when you look at Konner (Johnson), he put in the time there he got bigger, stronger and faster. He got smarter through the process, and what has that led to.

“It has led to him being a natural playmaker on the field, a big time player. He does everything right. He is a great captain and leader for our program.”

Konner Johnson is more confident about playing in the CFL one day.

At Roughriders camp, Johnson crossed paths with former Comets teammate and former foe with the Regina Thunder in Logan Ferland, who is the Roughriders starting left guard. While they played just one season together in high school, Johnson said it was good to chat with the fellow Melfort product.

“I hadn’t talked to him in years,” said Johnson. “I remember him beating up on me when he was in Grade 12 and I was in Grade 9.

“He used to throw me around a bit. We talked about that at camp a bit.”

After being at Roughriders camp, Johnson said it is in the back of his head that playing with the Roughriders or in the CFL is more of a real possibility in the future.

“It is definitely a hope for the future,” said Johnson. “Every kid that grows up playing football in Saskatchewan wants to play for the ’Riders one day.

“I’m worried about this season right now. After that, I definitely hope to see where the doors open up.”

Playing in his final season of CJFL eligibility with the Hilltops, Johnson said he wants to have a memorable campaign. He believes the Hilltops on 2022 have potential to do great things.

“I think we have a very high ceiling,” said Johnson. “I think we have to work our butts off.

“We have a lot of fifth year guys, a lot good leaders on the team, but we have a long ways to go. We just have to take it week by week right now.”

On Sunday’s clash with the Rifles, Winnipeg held a 13-10 lead at halftime thanks to two field goals from Downing and a touchdown run on a jet sweep by receiver Adam Fast. Saskatoon responded with a field goal from Connor Green and a rushing touchdown from power running back Boston Davidsen.

The Hilltops got a field goal from Green in the third quarter to pull even at 13-13. Green hit his third field goal of the game to push the Hilltops in front 16-13 at the 3:45 mark of the fourth quarter.

Konner Johnson (#42) believes the Hilltops can have a great 2022.

Downing nailed his third field goal of the contest with 7:50 remaining in the fourth quarter to force a 16-16 tie. That set the stage for Downing to hit the winner with 36 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

It is believed this marked the first time the Rifles have beaten the Hilltops since 2005, when the Winnipeg side finished first in the PFC for the only time to date in team history with a 7-1 record. The Rifles in 2005 fell in the PFC final 35-17 to the Edmonton Huskies, who advanced on to win the CJFL title.

The entire PFC now heads off on a bye week. The Hilltops return to action on Saturday, Sept. 10, when they host the 3-0 Thunder at 7 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

Roughriders alum Hughes coming to End Zone Dinner

A Roughriders promo picture of Neal Hughes.

Saskatchewan Roughriders alum Neal Hughes will be the special guest speaker at this year’s Saskatoon Hilltops End Zone Dinner.

The End Zone Dinner will be held on Saturday, September 10 at the Gordie Howe Sports Centre building on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds. Doors open for the dinner at 4:15 p.m. with food to be served at 5:15 p.m. The funds raised at the dinner go towards the Hilltops scholarship fund.

Hughes, who is from Regina, played 11 CFL seasons at fullback for the Roughriders from 2004 to 2014 helping the team to Grey Cup wins in 2007 and 2013. The 2013 championship was won at the Roughriders historic home park in Taylor Field.

During his time with the Roughriders, Hughes mainly focused on blocking duties as a fullback or from a tight end position and covered kicks on special teams. He also showed his versatility in being able to make big plays running the football, catching it out of the backfield or punting it when required.

Before joining the Roughriders, Hughes played six seasons with the Regina Rams as their star running back. He suited up for the Rams as a rookie in 1998, when they played their final season in the CJFL capturing their 15^th and final CJFL championship.

Hughes played with the Rams during their first five seasons in the U Sports ranks as the University of Regina Rams helping them advance to the U Sports championship game – the Vanier Cup – in 2000. The Rams fell 42-39 in that contest to the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees.

Neal Hughes gets pictured with a couple of small fans in 2011.

Following the End Zone Dinner, the Hilltops will face their provincial rivals in the Regina Thunder at 7 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, which is right next to the Gordie Howe Sports Centre on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds.

Single tickets for the dinner are $100 or a table of eight can be bought for $725.

Tickets can be purchased online by clicking on a link right here.

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

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Hilltops defence rules opening day game at SMF Field

Saskatoon downs Rifles 19-10 to start regular season

Konner Johnson reacts after making an interception for the Hilltops.

A sideline meeting helped the Saskatoon Hilltops defence hit another gear to play at a lights out level.

On Sunday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Hilltops hosted the Winnipeg Rifles in the CJFL regular season opener for both sides. Saskatoon was opening a campaign on home turf for the first time since August 14, 2016, when they romped over the Rifles 40-13.

During Sunday’s clash to start the 2022 campaign, the Hilltops held a 10-3 lead early in the second quarter. At the 6:06 mark of the second quarter, Rifles quarterback Bryson McNeil hit receiver Eric Adams on a 35-yard touchdown strike to even the score at 10-10.

Rifles QB Bryson McNeil is about to be sacked by the Hilltops.

McNeil connected with Adams on a deep post pattern, where Adams was double covered on the play. Adams battled for the ball with two Hilltops defensive backs and the ball bounced in the air off of various sets of hands for a couple of seconds before Adams snatched it away and came down in the end zone.

Following that score, the Hilltops defensive unit met on the sideline with long time defensive coordinator Jeff Yausie. After that talk, the Hilltops defensive pitched a shutout and allow the host side to grind out a 19-10 victory.

“It is a fifth-year team, and the end of the day these coaches are always going to be after it,” said legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant. “They are always going to have high expectations.

Riece Kack had a big fourth quarter sack for the Hilltops.

“When we don’t see what we see, we’re going to let them know very quickly what needs to change. That has always been our way. It is nice to see the player adapt and rise up to the challenges that coaches put forth.

“Hey, defence is the reason we won today – bottom line. Hey when your defence is playing like that, that is why you can make aggressive offensive play calls when your defence is playing like that.”

Usually when the Hilltops and Rifles meet, the encounter concludes with a lopsided score in favour of the ’Toppers. The Rifles under the guidance of long time head coach Geordie Wilson came out ready for a battle.

The Hilltops gang up on a special teams tackle.

Early in the first quarter, the Rifles took a 3-0, when kicker Donavon Downing nailed a field goal from 39 yards out. The Hilltops would even things up at 3-3 just over six minutes later when kicker Connor Green, who is in his first year with the Hilltops, connected on a field goal from 46 yards out.

At the 2:17 mark of the second quarter, the Hilltops broke through with a major on a three-yard run from power back Boston Davidsen. That set the stage for the Rifles to tie the contest with Adams touchdown reception causing the Hilltops defence to hold their sideline meeting.

Hilltops star outside linebacker Konner Johnson said the defensive meeting consisted of talk about rallying together, to keep up the effort on plays, reminders about assignments and that game plan was sound but needed better execution.

Simon Winsnes (#27) knocks down a pass for the Rifles.

Johnson said the Rifles went to work with the intermediate passing game after electing to give up on the run. The Rifles carried the ball 12 times as a team for 38 yards.

Hilltops defensive focused more on the intermediate passing game from the second quarter onwards.

“They (the Rifles) always play us tough,” said Johnson. “They’re well coached.

“They have a lot of tough O-linemen. We knew they would give up on the run once we stopped it. We were pretty confident we could stop the run.

“Then, that level two pass was what we had to stop next, so we just have to work on breaking on the check down pass, and we can’t give them eight yards at a time.”

Connor Green made 4-of-5 field goals for the Hilltops.

The Hilltops closed out the second quarter taking a 16-10 lead after Green hit field goals from 20 and 45 yards out. At the 6:12 mark of the third quarter, Green hit a field goal from 37 yards out to push the Hilltops advantage to the game’s final score of 19-10.

Green went 4-for-5 on field goals, while Downing connected on just 1-of-4 field goal attempts for the Rifles. In the hidden yardage part of the game, Hilltops rookie running back Charles Sawi piled up 114 yards on missed field goal returns running back Downing’s three misses.

Johnson had a big game for the Hilltops collecting 4.5 total tackles, two pass knockdowns, one sack and one interception. Defensive end Riece Kack came through with a clutch time sack late in the fourth quarter to hamper any Rifles comeback hopes.

Boston Davidsen piled up 162 yards rushing for the Hilltops.

“Any time we are on the field we know number 42 (Johnson) is going to be one of the best players on the field, and he proved that once again today,” said Sargeant. “He was just electric.

“He was on point. He energized the whole team and the stands with how played. Riece Kack at the end (of the game) once again situation he did a phenomenal job of getting off the block and making that big sack that basically ended the football game today.

“We’re happy with a lot of what we saw, and we’re also unhappy with some things. The good thing about this coaching staff is you know they are going to rally and make sure the product we put out here next Sunday is going to be better than what we saw today.”

Defensive end Daylen Hartz had a pair of sacks for the Hilltops, while veteran defensive back Wade Keating had seven total tackles and an interception. Veteran defensive back Joe Yausie led the Hilltops with eight total tackles.

Damon Dutton fires a pass downfield for the Hilltops.

Defensive back Kyle Chorney topped the Rifles with 11 total tackles, while defensive lineman Spenser Pilon had a sack for the visitors.

Offensively, both sides still piled up some yards moving the ball between the 20 yard lines.

Hilltops quarterback Damon Dutton completed 17-of-27 passes for 185 yards. Davidsen carried the ball 27 times for 162 yards to go with his rushing touchdown, and he caught one pass for 14 yards.

Dillan Heintz topped all Hilltops receivers with six catches for 69 yards.

Charles Sawi returned three missed field goals for 114 yards.

McNeil completed 26-of-40 passes for 307 yards and one touchdown, while throwing two interceptions. Receiver Adam Fast led the Rifles with nine catches for 105 yards.

“We’re happy to win, but we obviously have a lot of work to do,” said Dutton. “We’re happy with the ‘W,’ but we’re not happy with the score.

“We have to get back in the room and figure some things out. We have to finish these drives. We can’t be settling for field goals every time.

“We have to punch that ball in the end zone. That is what we are going to work on. We’ll be better next game.”

The Hilltops will face another big test when they return to action this coming Sunday hosting the Edmonton Huskies (1 p.m., SMF Field). 

The Hilltops faithful check out the action at SMF Field.

While the Hilltops were getting past the Rifles, the Huskies traveled to Calgary on Sunday and downed the Colts 37-17 in the season opener for both those clubs.

The Huskies have traditionally played the Hilltops tough, but Saskatoon has always found ways to win those contests. At this early point in the season, Sargeant said his Hilltops have to focus on what they can do to play better as a team.

“I’m worried about us right now,” said Sargeant. “This team has to play better, so I could care less who we’re playing.

The Rifles and Hilltops shake hands after the final play on Sunday.

“I got to care about us and how we perform and how we play.”

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.