CJFL title capped rebound season for Hilltops in 2023

The Hilltops celebrate a TD from Drake Douglas, right.

Do you remember the Saskatoon Hilltops going 6-4 in 2022?

That season feels long forgotten after the Hilltops posted a perfect 12-0 record in 2023 culminating in the team’s 23^rd CJFL championship and sixth perfect season. The Hilltops closed out the 2023 campaign last Saturday downing the host Westshore Rebels 17-10 in the CJFL championship game – the Canadian Bowl.

The Saskatoon side persevered through Biblical type rains to capture their first CJFL title since 2019 at Starlight Stadium in Langford, B.C., which is a suburb of Victoria. It was a familiar sight seeing the Hilltops raise the Canadian Bowl as CJFL champions.

A year ago at this time disappointment was the prevailing feeling around the Hilltops. Their 2022 campaign came to an end on October 30 of that year with a 39-21 loss to their provincial rivals the Regina Thunder in the PFC final at Mosaic Stadium in the Saskatchewan capital city.

Boston Davidsen ran for 1,184 yards in the regular season.

Saskatoon was 5-3 in the regular season and 6-4 overall. Before 2022, the last time Hilltops experienced those records was 1993. Between 1993 and 2022, the Hilltops had never lost more than two games in the regular season and won the CJFL title 14 times.

The Hilltops graduated 20 players from their roster following their loss to the Thunder in the 2022 PFC final. With the PFC going through a massive reset with all of its six teams experiencing sizable graduations, there was no certainty about where the Hilltops would stand going into the 2023 campaign.

The biggest thing for the venerable CJFL squad was the team’s legendary head coach in Tom Sargeant was back along with his long time defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Jeff Yausie. Actually, all the members of the Hilltops coaching staff had been working with the team for a number of years.

The coaches were determined to get the Hilltops back playing up to their lofty standards of their CJFL championship seasons. Being good but not good enough like in 2022 wasn’t going to cut it.

MLB Matt Wist was a second team CJFL all-Canadian all-star.

The Hilltops had one of their more youthful rosters in 2023. Out of the eight players suiting up in their final seasons of CJFL eligibility, six of those players were holdovers from the team’s previous CJFL title winning season back in 2019, when the Hilltops posted a perfect 12-0 record at that time.

The six holdovers included middle linebacker Matt Wist, outside linebacker Wade Keating, defensive back Carter Wingert, defensive lineman Craig Torgerson, power running back Boston Davidsen and receiver Evan Ward. Linebacker Jordan Levesque and offensive lineman Justice Walker were the other two graduating players who joined the Hilltops following the 2019 campaign.

Due to the fact only six players had CJFL championship rings, the journey through the 2023 season for the Hilltops had a newness feeling to it. The coaches had experience guiding more youthful rosters in the past, and they were able to draw on that experience and apply it this past season.

Trey Reider was named the PFC’s Most Outstanding Quarterback.

One of the biggest differences between 2022 and 2023 was the Hilltops defence rose to a higher level to achieve some historical accomplishments. The Hilltops allowed just 51 points through their eight regular season games posting the team’s lowest point against total in regular season play dating back to 1949.

The ’Toppers gave up just 25 points in four playoff games for a total of 76 points over 12 contests, which was the lowest points against total for the team including play in the regular season and post-season since 1949. In 1949, the Hilltops gave up 70 points in 10 overall games that season falling in the Western Canada Championship game 16-12 to the Vancouver Blue Bombers.

When you break things down to average points allowed per game, the 2023 Hilltops in overall play gave up an average of 6.3 points a game, which is the lowest total in team history.

Wade Keating returns an interception for a TD for the Hilltops.

The defence was anchored by first team CJFL all-Canadian all-stars in defensive end Riece Kack and defensive tackle Johnathon Stevens. Wist and hard hitting and ball hawking safety Dalton Urban were named second team CJFL all-Canadian all-stars.

The second biggest thing that happened in 2023 was the Hilltops got their most consistent play at the quarterback position since winning the CJFL title in 2019. After the 2020 CJFL campaign was lost due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that gripped the world, the Hilltops had campaigns in 2021 and 2022 that saw them change the starting quarterback near the midpoint of the regular season.

In the sixth game of the regular season in 2022, the Hilltops inserted Trey Reider into the starting spot at quarterback. He started the Hilltops final three regular season games and both their post-season games.

Noah Flaman jets downfield on a long TD reception.

Playing his 21-year-old season in 2023, Reider went the distance as the Hilltops starting signal caller. During the Hilltops eight regular season games, Reider has completed 108-of-167 passes for 1,571 yards and 16 touchdowns, while throwing five interceptions during the regular season.

He topped the PFC with a 114.6 quarterback efficiency rating, was named a PFC all-star and took honours as the PFC’s Most Outstanding Quarterback. With the 2023 season in the books, Reider is currently 16-1 overall as the Hilltops starting quarterback.

Reider’s favourite targets in 2023 included receiver Drake Douglas, who took first team CJFL all-Canadian honours after catching 42 passes for 591 yards and four touchdowns in regular season play, and pass catcher Noah Flaman, who caught 21 passes for 422 yards and six touchdowns during the regular season earning the nickname “TD Noah” in the process.

Davidsen was a first team CJFL all-Canadian having had a monster campaign leading the PFC in carries (170), rushing yards (1,184) and rushing touchdowns (nine) during the regular season. Hilltops right tackle Cody Shumanski captured a first team CJFL all-Canadian spot on the offensive line.

Erik Barsness (#60) and Davin Johnson (#71) set the edge on a run play.

Saskatoon’s group of starters on the offensive line were all standouts with Davin Johnson at left tackle, Erik Barness at left guard, Matt Noble at centre and Victoire Bikulo at right guard. 

When Bikulo was lost for the season in the Hilltops seventh regular season game due to a leg injury, Quinton Pike filled in the rest of the way admirably at the starting right guard spot to ensure the Hilltops offensive line did not lose a step.

The Hilltops had to slug it out and persevere in some tough games. In the contest where Bikulo went down on September 30 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Hilltops had to grind out a 19-10 victory over the Thunder in the pouring rain that came down for the entire contest. 

When those same two squads met in the PFC final on October 22 at SMF Field, the Hilltops entered the fourth quarter trailing 13-9 before rallying back for a 21-13 victory.

Riece Kack makes a sack for the Hilltops.

In the CJFL championship game, they had battle it out against the Rebels in a game where the rain came down intensely. The Rebels also had the CJFL marquee player in quarterback Te Jessie, who was named a first team all-Canadian and claimed the CJFL’s Peter Dalla Riva Outstanding Offensive Player award.

While the contest was tied 7-7 early in the third quarter, the Hilltops scored the next 10 points to go up 17-7 and would close out a 17-10 victory. Wist and Davidsen both had big games.

Wist was named the defensive player of the game recording three interceptions, nine solo defensive tackles, four defensive tackle assists and one pass knockdown. With those defensive statistics, Wist accumulated 36 defensive points, which is a new record for a CJFL championship game. His three picks equaled the record for most interceptions in a CJFL championship game.

Davidsen claimed honours as the offensive player of the game. He carried the ball 25 times for 157 yards and one touchdown. His major score ultimately held up as the winning score of the contest.

The Hilltops celebrate with the Canadian Bowl. (CJFL photo)

From an uncertain beginning, the Hilltops wrote another brilliant chapter to the storied legacy of the team. They ultimately finished off in a familiar spot standing tall on the CJFL mountain top.

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Hilltops offence comes in under radar at Canadian Bowl

Boston Davidsen topped the PFC with 1,184 yards rushing.

In 2023, the Saskatoon Hilltops are living out a campaign where the defence has overshadowed the offence.

The defence of the venerable CJFL club has garnered the bulk of the attention on the team after giving up just 51 points in eight regular season games, which is the lowest points allowed total for the squad in the regular season dating back to 1949. The Hilltops have given up just 15 points in three post-season games. In building an 11-0 overall record, the Hilltops are giving up an average of just six points a game.

While the defence is having a special season, the Hilltops offence has quietly has a great season of its own with some strong accomplishments. The Hilltops topped the PFC in regular season scoring with 335 points for an average of 41.9 points per game. Saskatoon finished second in total offensive yards gained in the PFC at 3,556.

In three post-season contests, the Hilltops have scored 117 points for an average of 39 points scored per game.

The PFC champion Hilltops close their 2023 campaign Saturday, when they face the BCFC champion Westshore Rebels (12-0) in the CJFL championship game – the Canadian Bowl. The two sides will go at it at Starlight Stadium at 3 p.m. local time which is 5 p.m. Saskatchewan time in Langford, B.C., which is a suburb of Victoria.

The Hilltops will be attempting to win their 23^rd CJFL championship and first title since 2019, while the Rebels are still searching for their first CJFL title in team history. The Rebels lost their only two CJFL championship appearances in team history back in 2016 and 2003, when they were known as the Victoria Rebels, to the Hilltops.

Hilltops star power running back Boston Davidsen will be playing the final game of his CJFL career on Saturday before exhausting his junior eligibility. Davidsen led the PFC in carries (170), rushing yards (1,184) and rushing touchdowns (nine). He believes the Hilltops offence will play a factor in how Saturday’s CJFL title game turns out.

“I think that offensively it is less about the stats and more about the will we have each game,” said Davidsen. “I think we will come with that on Saturday.

“I think the stats that we’ve put out haven’t been the most accurate of our offence. I think we’ve done a good job of improving every game in mental aspects as well. It is stuff that doesn’t necessarily show up on the stats sheets.

“I think we will look forward to translating that to Saturday.”

Drake Douglas is a reliable sure-handed receiver.

The Rebels offence has been in the spotlight heading into the Canadian Bowl along with the Hilltops defence. In 10 regular season games, the Rebels scored 583 points for an average of 58.3 points scored per game. Westshore has scored 73 points in two post-season contests for an average of 36.5 points per game.

The Rebels have the CJFL’s marquee player in quarterback Te Jessie. In the Rebels 10 regular season games, Jessie was outstanding completing 150-of-212 passes for 2,453 yards and 41 touchdowns, while throwing seven interceptions.

He had a quarterback rating of 135.1, and his 41 touchdown passes set a new record for CJFL regular season play. A graduate of the St. Paul’s High School Crusaders Football Team in Winnipeg, Man., Jessie topped the CJFL’s annual Top 50 players to watch list heading into the 2023 campaign. He was named a first team CJFL all-Canadian all-star on Thursday.

Legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant respects the Rebels but said he likes his guys on offence going into the CJFL title contest.

“We just are who we are,” said Sargeant, whose 235 career head coaching victories are the most for post-secondary amateur football in Canada. “We’re going to run the football.

“We’re going to get Trey (Reider) going and get our receivers going. They know who were going to throw the ball too. As I said, we’re very confident with who we are and how we do business, and I am sure they are too.

“The difference is we’re walking into their barn. This team, they’ve displayed and showed the ability to you know what, they’ve handled all circumstances. They’ve done it all year and done it very admirably.”

Hilltops star quarterback Trey Reider has had a great season. He completed 108-of-167 passes for 1,571 yards and 16 touchdowns, while throwing five interceptions during the regular season. He topped the PFC with a 114.6 quarterback efficiency rating.

Sure-handed receiver Drake Douglas hauled in 56 passes for 591 yards and four touchdowns for the Hilltops. Pass catcher Noah Flaman, who is known as “TD Noah,” caught 21 passes for 422 yards and six touchdowns during the regular season.

The Hilltops showed they could change up their strategy during their 43-0 victory over the OFC champion St. Clair Saints from Windsor, Ont., in a CJFL semifinal played on October 29 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Saskatoon created big plays off the play-action pass to build a 21-0 advantage just 33 seconds into the second quarter and cruised to victory at that point.

Trey Reider had a 114.6 quarterback efficiency rating this season.

Davidsen was a decoy in a lot of instances in that contest carrying the ball 13 times for 62 yards. The Hilltops still piled up 165 yards rushing in that contest to go with 235 yards passing.

In going against a Rebels defence that gave up an average of 11.2 points per game in the regular season, Davidsen didn’t tip his team’s hand but added his side will be prepared entering the Canadian Bowl.

“All I know is our coaches have a great game plan for us,” said Davidsen. “We have been reliant on our defence at times this year.

“We’re going to try and take another step forward in our final game together with this group to maybe lead the charge a little bit. I think that it is just going to come down to can we work together, can we get it done. It is more about how much we want it than any kind of play we can put out there.”

Davidsen believe the players on the Hilltops offence are going to rally together to have a good outing against the Rebels.

“I’m as confident as the guys around me are confident,” said Davidsen. “It is not something that I can project confidence on to this team, or they can tell me everything is going to be fine.

“It is has to be something we do together. We put our arms around each other, work as hard as we can and I think if we, you know, give it our all things will turn out OK.”

With the Hilltops last appearing in the Canadian Bowl in 2019 when they down the Rams in Langley 11-6, the experience of playing in the CJFL championship game is new to almost all the players. The Hilltops have six holdovers who were members of the 2019 CJFL title winning squad.

Sargeant and his coaching staff have lots of experience guiding their squad in the CJFL championship game. While the experience is new for most of his players, Sargeant is going in expecting to close out a campaign the right way having already guided the Hilltops to 13 CJFL title wins as head coach.

“We expect to be in big games all the time,” said Sargeant. “As I said, this coaching staff has done a great job with the pedigree they have to get this team to start believing where they should be and what they need to do to get there.

“They’ve done that. You know what, we’re excited for the process that is taking place. When you’ve come this far, you want to finish it off now. We know it is not going to be easy.

Noah Flaman has been money in the end zone.

“We know going into Westshore we’re the underdogs. Hey, the B.C. league has won the Canadian championship the last two years. We need to get real about that.”

Davidsen, who was a member of the 2019 CJFL title winning team, added the fact Saturday’s game will be the last for his CJFL career has crossed his mind more and more. His goal is to leave one last final good impression.

“It is a bit of a surreal feeling,” said Davidsen. “It feels like I’ve been part of this team for a huge portion of my life, and it has been.

“It has been a good five years. I think the mindset has to be make sure you don’t regret you last moment as a Hilltop.”

Last hurrah for Hilltops grads, other notes

Matt Wist will play his final CJFL game on Saturday.

The Saskatoon Hilltops are one win away from once again helping their graduating players depart their junior football careers as CJFL champions.

On Saturday, the PFC champion Hilltops (11-0) close the 2023 campaign taking on the BCFC champion Westshore Rebels (12-0) in the CJFL championship game – the Canadian Bowl. The two sides will go at it at Starlight Stadium at 3 p.m. local time which is 5 p.m. Saskatchewan time in Langford, B.C., which is a suburb of Victoria.

For eight members of the Hilltops, the CJFL title game will be the final contest of their junior football careers.

The group of eight includes six players who were members of the Hilltops last CJFL title winning team in 2019. The holdovers include defensive tackle Craig Torgerson, middle linebacker Matt Wist, outside linebacker Wade Keating, defensive back Carter Wingert, running back Boston Davidsen and receiver Evan Ward.

Linebacker Jordan Levesque and offensive lineman Justice Walker, who joined the Hilltops after the 2019 campaign, will also exhaust their CJFL eligibility when the Canadian Bowl wraps up. The Hilltops will be trying to win their 23^rd CJFL title in team history.

For a lengthy stretch of time, the Hilltops mantra has been to help their graduating players leave the CJFL as champions. Legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant said the team’s graduating players have played a huge part in helping the club go undefeated heading into the CJFL title game.

“If it wasn’t for our fifth-year players, we’re not in the game,” said Sargeant. “We need them to be our best players like they’ve been all year.

Evan Ward has made key timely catches for the Hilltops.

“I don’t see any of that to change. We’re going to put them in the spots. We’re going to give them the play calls for them to do what we’ve seen all year and that is about as simple as that.

“It will be their job to lead on the field and make the plays, and the other guys will follow suit. If we do that, then things are always going to go well for the blue and gold.”

Wist took home individuals honours this season being named a second team CJFL all-Canadian all-star at linebacker and a first team all-Canadian at punter. The 22-year-old recorded 22 solo defensive tackles, 17 defensive tackle assists, two pass knockdowns, two forced fumbles and three interceptions during the regular season.

On the punting side during the regular season, Wist punted the ball 47 times for a gross average of 37.7 yards per kick, a net average of 32.2 yards per kick and three singles. He has been soaking in his final days as a CJFL player.

“Time has definitely flown by,” said Wist. “Day in and day out, it just goes by in a flash, so I am just soaking this last week in.

“I’m just glad to be around the guys for this last week. We’re going as far as we can, so it makes me happy.”

• The Hilltops and Rebels last met head to head in the CJFL title game on November 12, 2016 at what was known as then Westhills Stadium at Langford. The Hilltops claimed a 37-25 victory on that day. The post about that contest can be found by clicking right here.
• The Hilltops and the then Victoria Rebels went head-to-head in the CJFL championship game on November 8, 2003 at Exhibition Stadium in Chilliwack, B.C. The Hilltops romped to a 59-0 victory in that contest. The 59 points the Hilltops scored that day is still a record for a CJFL championship game.
• Westshore Rebels head coach Dexter Janke played running back for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies football team in the U Sports ranks from 2010 to 2013. He claimed honours as the BCFC’s coach of the year this season.
• The Hilltops will be attempting to complete their sixth perfect season in team history on Saturday. Saskatoon’s first perfect season came in 1958 at 11-0, the second in 1978 at 12-0, the third in 2003 at 12-0, the fourth in 2018 at 11-0 and the fifth in 2019 at 12-0.
• I was back in the pages of the Prince Albert Daily Herald on Wednesday with a story on University of Alberta Pandas Women’s Hockey Team power forward Abby Soyko. Soyko is an alumna and an all-time great with the Prince Albert Northern Bears female under-18 AAA team. The story on Soyko can be found by clicking right here.
• On November 9, I had new content appear on the Howe Happenings blog that supports the Gordie Howe Sports Complex. I put together a piece on star pitcher Andrew Albers, who had stints in the MLB from 2013 to 2021 with three different teams, electing to retire from playing to move into coaching in baseball on a full-time basis. The piece on Albers can be found by clicking right here. I also put together a photo roundup that shows a CJFL record being broken and focuses on various championship chases in football drawing to a conclusion. 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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Torgerson faces last dance with storied Hilltops squad

DT to play final CJFL game in Canadian Bowl

Craig Torgerson (#56) mans the middle of the Hilltops D-line.

Craig Torgerson believes time on the football field should be cherished.

The 22-year-old defensive tackle will play his final game with the storied Saskatoon Hilltops on Saturday. The Hilltops will be attempting to win their 23^rd CJFL title in team history when they play in the CJFL championship game – the Canadian Bowl.

The PFC champion Hilltops (11-0) will take on the host and BCFC champion Westshore Rebels (12-0) at 3 p.m. local time which is 5 p.m. Saskatchewan time at Starlight Stadium in Langford, which is a suburb of Victoria. While Saturday’s game will mark the last time Torgerson plays both for the Hilltops and for a CJFL title, he stressed the game was big for everyone on the venerable Saskatoon club.

“It is actually very important,” said Torgerson. “It kind of not only makes the team better, but it also shows that what the rookies are getting themselves into and also it helps better the team, because you get extra playing time and you get extra practice and practice always makes perfect.”

During his first year with the team in 2019, Torgerson was a rookie who was thankful to be getting extra practice time on the field. The graduate of Saskatoon’s Bishop James Mahoney High School Saints Football Team did his part on the practice field helping get teammates ready for games as the Hilltops posted a perfect 12-0 record and claimed their 22^nd and to date last CJFL championship.

The Hilltops traveled to Langley, B.C., for the Canadian Bowl in 2019 and downed the host Rams 11-6 at McLeod Stadium to win a sixth straight CJFL title. Torgerson wasn’t part of the team’s travel party that year.

“I did not get to dress for the championship game,” said Torgerson, who stands 5-foot-9 and weighs 225 pounds. “All I remember was I was listening to it on the radio, and I could feel the anticipation and all the jitters just through that.

Craig Torgerson had three sacks in the regular season.

“It was definitely quite an experience.”          

Torgerson is one of six Hilltops players who are holdovers from the 2019 CJFL championship team and will exhaust their CJFL eligibility at the conclusion of the Canadian Bowl on Saturday. The other five include middle linebacker Matt Wist, outside linebacker Wade Keating, defensive back Carter Wingert, running back Boston Davidsen and receiver Evan Ward.

Linebacker Jordan Levesque and offensive lineman Justice Walker, who joined the Hilltops after the 2019 campaign, will also exhaust their CJFL eligibility when the Canadian Bowl wraps up.

While Torgerson was listening to the Canadian Bowl on the radio from Saskatoon in 2019, he will be in the middle of the action on Saturday. 

When it comes to the finality of the current post-season, Torgerson has elected to have fun with the experience and play as hard as he can.

“Definitely when playoffs came around, it was definitely do or die at this point,” said Torgerson, who had three quarterback sacks and seven total tackles in the Hilltops eight regular season games. “Hey, there is no better way than to go out on top.”

Legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant has enjoyed seeing how much Torgerson has grown during his time with the club. The sideline boss said Torgerson has set a good example of showing the effort on the practice field and in games that the team expects of its players.

“It has been great to see him develop into the player that he is today,” said Sargeant. “He is a dominant pass rusher.

Craig Torgerson will play his last CJFL game in the Canadian Bowl.

“He is a great special teams player, and he is well liked by his teammates. He shows up. He works hard.

“He practices with purpose, and he plays with purpose. He has been a real good example for how to practice and how to compete.”

Sargeant said Torgerson and the rest of the team’s graduating players played a big role in getting the club back into the CJFL title game since last winning it in 2019. 

As has been the Hilltops mantra for a lengthy stretch of time, the goal is to help those graduation players depart as CJFL champions.

“At the end of the day when you’re in your last game and you are in your last year, there is a different importance,” said Sargeant. “That is why we built this program to be a fifth-year program.

“We put a lot of pride in that. When we’re having out leadership meetings, we’re getting the input from them. We place the expectations.

“We challenge them. We’re always going to go after our best players the hardest and have the highest expectations. Look at this year, they’ve delivered.”

Torgerson still remembers learning about the work ethic players needed to have to be part of the Hilltops in his rookie year. He also recalls learning how everything they did in practice, the film room and off-season training all comes together and becomes a factor in how the team plays.

Craig Torgerson (#56) walks to SMF Field with his parents.

Overall, Torgerson said his best memories in playing for the Hilltops comes from the team bonding that happens in the off-season and throughout the football campaign. He also enjoyed and was thankful for the team suppers the parents prepared for the squad on the Thursday night before every game in the CJFL post-season.

He admits it is different that the end of his playing days with the Hilltops is drawing near.

“It is definitely crazy,” said Torgerson. “Time flew definitely.

“It just felt like a couple of years ago I was in my first year. It has been a great time.”

Wist, Urban named second team all-Canadians

Matt Wist was named a CJFL second team all-Canadian all-star.

Matt Wist and Dalton Urban were tabbed with CJFL individual honours on Monday.

Wist, who is the starting middle linebacker with the Saskatoon Hilltops, and Urban, who is the Hilltops starting safety, were both named CJFL second team all-Canadian all-stars. Both were key players in helping the Hilltops post an 11-0 overall record and advance to the CJFL championship game – the Canadian Bowl.

The Hilltops will take on the host Westshore Rebels (12-0) at 3 p.m. local time which is 5 p.m. Saskatchewan time at Starlight Stadium Langford, which is a suburb of Victoria.

Wist recorded 22 solo defensive tackles, 17 defensive tackle assists, two pass knockdowns, two forced fumbles and three interceptions during the Hilltops eight regular season games. The 22-year-old will play his final CJFL game on Saturday, when the Hilltops face the Rebels for the CJFL title.

Dalton Urban became a CJFL second team all-Canadian all-star.

Urban recorded eight solo defensive tackles, three defensive tackle assists, four special teams solo tackles, one pass knock down, one fumble recovery and five interceptions during regular season play for the Hilltops. On his fumble recovery, Urban returned the ball 61 yards for a touchdown in the Hilltops 49-0 win over the Rifles in Winnipeg on August 20.

Urban finishing out his third season with the Hilltops, and this was the first year he took up the spot as the team’s starting safety.

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Hilltops’ Wingert keys in on his final CJFL stretch run

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

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

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

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

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

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

Carter Wingert has forced five turnovers this season.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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