Hilltops, Thunder PFC final – A must watch game

Teams to showcase some of CJFL’s best players

The Thunder and Hilltops will square off in the PFC final.

For the casual football or sports fan in Saskatchewan, a PFC final between the Saskatoon Hilltops and Regina Thunder is easy to get into.

On the simple to understand but always compelling front, the two teams are natural provincial rivals who are facing off for a conference title in the CJFL playoffs for the second year in a row. The Hilltops took last year’s encounter 29-9 at Mosaic Stadium in Regina.

After that victory, the Hilltops fell 17-14 in a CJFL semifinal to the BCFC champion Rams at McLeod Stadium in Langley, B.C. The Rams advanced on to win the Canadian Bowl to become CJFL champions.

When the Hilltops and Thunder go at it in this year’s PFC final set for Sunday at 1 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium, there will be a little more on the line. The PFC champion hosts the Canadian Bowl this year, so the winner of the PFC final advances to host the CJFL championship game on November 12.

The followers of both the Hilltops and Thunder are aware of the team’s successful histories in recent years. The Hilltops won three straight CJFL titles from 2010 to 2012 and six straight CJFL championships from 2014 to 2019.

Konner Johnson is the Hilltops big play weak side linebacker.

The run of consecutive CJFL crowns for Saskatoon was interrupted by the Thunder in 2013.

This season, the Thunder once again enter the PFC final with a perfect 9-0 record. The Hilltops placed second in the conference with a 5-3 regular season record and enter the PFC final with a 6-3 overall mark.

Statistics on paper would say the Thunder are the favourites. The observation is backed by the fact the Thunder won both regular season meetings between the two sides. The last encounter saw the Thunder post a 23-7 victory at Mosaic Stadium on September 17, where they were the better team that day on offence, defence and special teams posting a complete solid win.

Of course in rivalry games, anything can happen, and records and statistics often get thrown out of the window. Of course, both sides have prime time players to watch.

One of the best to watch on the Hilltops side is star weak side linebacker Konner Johnson, who was named the PFC’s most outstanding defensive player of the year, most outstanding linebacker and conference all-star. The Melfort, Sask., product just makes plays.

During his team’s eight regular season games, Johnson posted 31 solo defensive tackles, 13 defensive tackle assists, four special teams solo tackles, two special teams tackle assists, two quarterback sacks, five pass knockdowns and four interceptions. Johnson plays in the image of the cerebral Jack Ham, who was the greatest outside linebacker in the history of the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers.

Carter Shewchuk is having a stellar season for the Thunder.

On the Thunder side, their most exciting player is arguably defensive back Justin Mckerracher. Mckerracher topped the PFC with five interceptions to go along with 16 defensive solo tackles, seven defensive tackle assists, one special teams solo tackle, six pass knockdowns and one fumble recovery.

Mckerracher is such a threat when it comes to making interceptions that opposing teams game plan to stay away from his area of the field. He returned one of his interceptions this season for a touchdown, and he has the ability to emulate NFL defensive back all-time great Deion Sanders every time the ball is thrown his way.

On offence, the Hilltops have always been known for their ground game. Star power running back Boston Davidsen had an outstanding 2022 regular season carrying the ball 149 times for 1,037 yards and seven touchdowns.

Charles Sawi, who is a 17-year-old rookie running back, has made some of the Hilltops most exciting plays this season being named the PFC’s rookie of the year and the conference’s all-rookie team. During the regular season, he carried the ball 30 times for 342 yards and scored two touchdowns.

On special teams, Sawi returned seven kickoffs for 168 yards and one touchdown, and five missed field goals for 271 yards that included a 125 yard return for a touchdown.

Offensively for the Thunder, veteran quarterback Carter Shewchuk is the biggest star. For the second straight season, Shewchuk was named the PFC’s most outstanding quarterback and conference all-star at quarterback.

Charles Sawi is making splash plays for the Hilltops as a rookie.

During the Thunder’s eight regular season games, Shewchuk completed 157-of-250 passes for 2,351 yards and 18 touchdowns, while throwing eight interceptions.

The Thunder are loaded with talent at receiver and running back, but Shewchuk’s most explosive playmaker is arguably receiver Isaiah Woodley, who was named a PFC all-star. Woodley has loads of speed to burn having caught 34 passes for 593 yards and five touchdowns.

Both sides are also blessed with elite level coaching. Hilltops legendary head coach Tom Sargeant holds the record for most wins in Canadian amateur post-secondary football at 224, and he has been the Hilltops head coach since December of 1997.

Thunder head coach Scott MacAulay was named the PFC’s coach of the year each of the past two seasons, and he captured that honour at the CJFL level last year too. MacAulay took over the Thunder head coaching role in the off-season before the 2013 campaign.

Both coaching staffs will likely have some plays in the bag they haven’t used but will be waiting to be used in this game.

On the weather front, Environment Canada is predicting a mix of sun and cloud with a temperature of 9 C for game time on Sunday. Those are balmy conditions for this time of year in Saskatchewan, which means both clubs will be able to use their entire playbooks.

Isaiah Woodley is the Thunder’s speedy, big play receiver.

There is hope the pleasant conditions on Sunday will be the perfect ingredient to attract casual ticket buyers. For the past eight years, fans in Canada seem to stay away from going to outdoor football games when it gets a touch cold even at the temperature of 1 C, which isn’t even that cold.

The only exceptions seem to be fans of the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers and supporters of Quebec’s U Sports football teams, who still attend contests in frigid conditions.

With that noted, you can expect the Hilltops and Thunder to put on a football showcase at Mosaic Stadium. In Canada’s current media cut era, please do spread word about this game.

If you are not in the stadium for this year’s PFC final, you will be missing out.

Thunder sweep PFC player of the week awards

Eric Maximuik, right, was the PFC’s special teams player of the week.

The Regina Thunder swept the PFC’s player of the week awards this week.

On Wednesday, Thunder players took the PFC’s offensive, defensive and special teams player of the week awards after the team’s 23-14 PFC semifinal victory over the Winnipeg Rifles this past Sunday in frigid conditions at Leibel Field in Regina.

Thunder running back Ryland Leichert was named the PFC’s offensive player of the week. Leichert carried the ball 52 times for 390 yards. Leichert’s 52 carries are a record for a CJFL post-season game surpassing the old mark of 44 carries set by Hilltops running back Ben Abrook on October 27, 2019, when Saskatoon downed the Edmonton Huskies 30-14 in that year’s PFC final.

Defensive end Reece McCormick took honours as the PFC’s defensive player of the week. McCormick had four quarterback sacks and a fumble recovery in the win over the Rifles.

With the four sacks McCormick was one sack away from equaling the record for most sacks in a CJFL post-season contest. Roger Rourke of the Richmond Raiders of the then BCJFL had five sacks in a post-season game on October 12, 1985 for the CJFL record.

Finally, Thunder kicker Eric Maximuik took honours as the PFC’s special teams player of the week. In the win over the Rifles, Maximuik made all three of his field goal attempts coming from 35, 18 and 19 yards out.

Maximuik made both his converts. In the punting department, Maximuik kicked the ball seven times for 225 yards for an average of 32.1 yards per kick. He also kicked off three times for 122 yards for an average of 40.7 yards per kick.

McCormick and Maximuik accounted for three of the 13 PFC all-star selections the Thunder picked up this season. McCormick was an all-star on the defensive line, while Maximuik earned all-star selections as both a place kicker and punter.

The Thunder’s other PFC all-stars on defence included Reed Rabbetz on the defensive line, Stephen Smith at linebacker and defensive backs Justin Mckerracher and Adam King.

The Thunder’s PFC all-stars on offence included quarterback Carter Shewchuk, offensive linemen Riley Schick and Connor Klassen and receivers Isaac Foord, Rylan Sokul and Isaiah Woodley.

Thunder offensive lineman Ben Schmidt and defensive back Cooper Filazek were named to the PFC’s all-rookie team.

The Thunder also took home five of the PFC’s major awards with Shewchuk being named the most outstanding quarterback, Klassen the most outstanding offensive lineman, Foord the most outstanding receiver, McCormick the most outstanding defensive lineman and Maximuik as the most outstanding special teams player.

Thunder head coach Scott MacAulay was named the PFC’s coach of the year.

No conference awards for 1,000-yard rusher Davidsen

Hilltops RB Boston Davidsen was shutout of awards from the PFC.

Saskatoon Hilltops star power running back Boston Davidsen was the recipient of the top snub, when the PFC handed out its major awards and all-stars.

The 21-year-old led the PFC in rushing carrying the ball 149 times for 1,037 yards and seven touchdowns in eight regular season games. Davidsen was the only player in the PFC to reach the 1,000-yard plateau in rushing yards.

Despite the lofty numbers Davidsen put up, he didn’t receive any awards. He should have been at least one of the PFC’s two all-star running backs.

To be fair, Edmonton Huskies star running back Alex Gayle earned full marks for the PFC awards haul he had. He finished second in the PFC in rushing with 150 carries for 923 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also caught 18 passes for 193 yards and two touchdowns during the regular season.

Davidsen wasn’t the same threat making catches out of the backfield hauling in three passes for 20 yards during the regular season.

Gayle was named the PFC’s most valuable player, most outstanding offensive player and most outstanding running back as well as a PFC all-star.

While Gayle was deserving of all his big honours, Davidsen should have still been a conference all-star.

WWCFL champion Valkyries hand out awards

Jaime Lammerding won the Valkyries Green and White award.

The WWCFL champion Saskatoon Valkyries handed out their team awards on October 15 in the main banquet hall at the Gordie Howe Sports Centre building with established stars taking the three big honours.

Quarterback Alex Eyolfson was named the Valkyries offensive MVP. The 25-year-old had a career campaign putting up numerous big games. If she hadn’t before, Eyolfson cemented herself was one of Canada’s best quarterback in the female game.

Defensive end Danaye Holynski was named the Valkyries defensive MVP. Holynski has the gifts of both power and speed. She is able to sack the quarterback, make devastating hits and even run down receivers in the passing game.

Holynski made plays all over the field this past season for the Valkyries.

The Valkyries Green and White award for dedication to the team and the overall women’s game went to defensive tackle Jaime Lammerding. Lammerding is an original member of the Valkyries joining the team in their inaugural season in 2011, and she served as president of the WWCFL.

She retired as a player following the completion of the 2022 WWCFL campaign, which was a winning one. The Valkyries posted a perfect 7-0 record in 2022 taking the WWCFL title game 36-6 against the Manitoba Fearless on June 25 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

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Skid puts Hilltops in unfamiliar territory in CJFL

Saskatoon falls to 2-3 with 23-7 loss to Thunder

Boden Marley and the Hilltops have lost three straight games.

Shockingly could this Saskatoon Hilltops be team what its record says it is?

Unfortunately, the Hilltops recent perfect CJFL championship seasons of going 11-0 in 2018 and 12-0 in 2019 seem like something long gone in the rearview mirror.

On Saturday at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, the Hilltops fell 23-7 to the host Thunder. The setback was a third straight for the Hilltops, who saw their CJFL regular season record fall to 2-3.

The last time the Hilltops lost three games during an entire CJFL regular season came back in 1993, when they posted a 5-3 mark to finish second in the PFC. In the 1993 post-season, Saskatoon advanced to the PFC final ultimately falling 30-15 to the Regina Rams, who advanced to win the CJFL title with a perfect 12-0 record.

It is unknown when exactly the Hilltops last lost three games in a row before their current skid. The last time the Hilltops had a losing regular season record came back in 1973, when they posted a 3-4-1 mark in the then Manitoba-Saskatchewan Junior Football League.

The Manitoba-Saskatchewan Junior Football League in 1973 was a conference comprised of the Hilltops, Rams, Winnipeg Hawkeyes and Winnipeg Rods. The Hawkeyes and Rods junior programs are both defunct, while the Rams joined the U Sports ranks as the University of Regina Rams in 1999.

This is the first time the Hilltops have lost three regular season games let alone three in a row under the guidance of legendary head coach Tom Sargeant, who became the team’s top sideline boss before the start of the 1998 CJFL season. Sargeant’s career record is 220-36-2 overall including 163-26-2 in regular season play.

During the first two games of their current three-game skid, the Hilltops faltered in moments. After starting 2-0, the Hilltops losing streak started on August 28 with a 19-16 setback to the Rifles at East Side Eagles Field in Winnipeg.

The Hilltops held a 16-13 advantage at the 3:45 mark of the fourth quarter, but weren’t able to close out the contest down the stretch. Rifles kicker Donavon Downing booted two field goals including the winner from 10-yards out with 36 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to pull out the 19-16 victory.

Hilltops QB Damon Dutton, left, was pulled in the second quarter.

Saskatoon’s second straight loss came on September 10 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, when they dropped a 29-21 decision in overtime to their provincial rivals in the Thunder. That was a contest where the Hilltops were in position to win but couldn’t make the plays down the stretch to seal a final outcome in their favour.

The Hilltops were up 21-14 and their offence was given the ball with less than two minutes to play just inside Regina’s side of midfield after a fumble recovery by Saskatoon defensive back Dylan Cook. Saskatoon’s offence wasn’t able to get a first down, and the Thunder gained another offensive possession after a Hilltops punt.

On that ensuing possession the Thunder found themselves facing a third-and-eight situation from the Saskatoon 31 yard line. Thunder quarterback Carter Shewchuk connected with receiver Isaiah Woodley on a 31-yard touchdown pass that evened the score at 21-21 with 16.8 seconds remaining the quarter.

Woodley had to make a great adjustment on an underthrown pass to allow that scoring play happen.

The Thunder got the winning touchdown in overtime on a 15-yard run from running back Ryland Leichert, while Shewchuk connected with receiver Isaac Ford on a two-point convert. In the CJFL, teams must attempt a two-point convert after every major score due to using the CFL’s shootout format to decide extra time games.

When those two sides met again on Saturday in Regina, there was no wondering what might have been if two or three plays were changed in critical moments in the fourth quarter or overtime. The Thunder seemingly scored 23 points in the slowest way possible to post a solid victory and improve to 5-0.

The Hilltops were close on the scoreboard for most of the contest but couldn’t seem to get kickstarted to start any type of roll of momentum. Regina had possession of the ball for long stretches of time, while the Hilltops had a significant number of drives where they went two-and-out.

Trey Reider score the Hilltops only TD on Saturday.

Regina held a 5-0 lead at the end of the first quarter thanks to a 35-yard field goal by kicker Eric Maximuik and a conceded safety by the Hilltops due to bad field position.

Just 51 seconds into the second quarter, Hilltops starting quarterback Damon Dutton was intercepted by Thunder star defensive back Justin McKerracher, who returned the ball 35 yards for a touchdown to increase the host side’s advantage to 12-0. McKerracher would ultimately make three interceptions on the day to sit with five picks on the season.

Dutton played one more two-and-out series, which included being sacked on first down by Thunder defensive lineman Reece McCormick, before being pulled for backup quarterback Trey Reider. Reider played the rest of the way in relief.

With 2:38 remaining in the second quarter, the Hilltops conceded another safety due to bad field position to give the Thunder a 14-0 advantage.

Despite all the momentum being on the Thunder’s side, the Hilltops broke through on the scoreboard, when Reider executed a quarterback sneak from one-yard out for a major score that cut Regina’s advantage to 14-7 with 33 seconds remaining in the second quarter. That Hilltops scoring drive was kept alive by roughing the kicker and rough the passer infractions against the Thunder.

Early in the third quarter, the Hilltops came up with a goal-line stand turning away Leichert on a third-and-goal gamble from the Saskatoon one yard line.

Again, the Hilltops couldn’t build momentum off that stop and had to concede their third safety of the game on their ensuing offensive possession due to the bad field position increasing the Thunder’s edge to 16-7.

With 56 seconds remaining in the third quarter, Thunder running back Ife Adebogun punched in a touchdown from one-yard out to ultimately round out the game’s scoring at 23-7.

Hilltops RB Boston Davidsen, right, was kept in check on Saturday.

Inside the final minute of the fourth quarter, the Hilltops were turned away by a Thunder goal-line stand, when Reider was stopped on a quarterback sneak attempt on a third-and-goal gamble from the Regina one yard line.

With the win, the Thunder sweep the regular season series and the home-and-home set with the Hilltops 2-0. That marked the second straight year the Thunder have claimed the regular season series against the Hilltops 2-0, which was a first in the history of the Regina program that began play in 2000.

The Hilltops will try to end their skid, when they return to action on Sunday, September 25, when they travel to Calgary to face the Colts.

At the moment, the Colts, Edmonton Huskies and Rifles all have 2-2 records. The Colts and Huskies face each other this coming Sunday (tomorrow) in Edmonton, while the Rifles will also be in the Alberta capital at the same time taking on the 0-4 Wildcats.

Going forward, the Hilltops will be in a battle for the race for second place in the PFC and the right to host a game in the first round of the playoffs. As inconceivable as it sounds, the Hilltops could miss the post-season for the first time since 1971, when they posted a 3-5 record playing in the then Manitoba-Saskatchewan Junior Football League.

In Saturday’s loss to the Thunder, the Hilltops did have players make good plays in spurts including receiver Boden Marley and star power running back Boston Davidsen on offence and defensive end Riece Kack, who had a sack, and defensive back Evan Mantyka, who had an interception, on defence.

They have the coaches that can guide them out of this unaccustomed position. On paper, they have players who have the potential to allow the Hilltops to have a special season.

With all the media cuts that have happened in Canada, they aren’t going to face the big outside pressure to turn things around, and they won’t face anywhere near the scrutiny that comes the way of the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders, who are facing a tonne of heat being 6-8 on the Canadian professional football circuit.

Still at this time, the facts lead to the conclusion that realistic doubt has to exist if the Hilltops can get thing done on the field in 2022.

Hilltops HC Tom Sargeant, right, faces his first ever three-game skid.

At the moment, the Hilltops are what their record says they are and that is that they are a 2-3 football team.

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 versus Thunder PFC final has unique big game feel

The Thunder and Hilltops take part in a coin toss on Sept. 11.

It is a big game that has a true big game feel that is also unique, because it is a match the amateur football community in Saskatchewan wants.

On Sunday, the Saskatoon Hilltops will travel to Regina to take on the host Thunder in the CJFL’s Prairie Football Conference final at 1 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium.

The Hilltops are 7-2 overall, which includes posting a 6-2 mark in the regular season. Saskatoon has won the CJFL title the last six times it was contested from the 2014 to 2019 and has a CJFL record 21 game winning streak in the post-season.

The 2020 CJFL campaign was lost due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has gripped the world.

The Thunder sport a 9-0 overall record, which includes an 8-0 mark in the regular season. The last time the Hilltops didn’t win the CJFL championship, the Thunder took it in 2013.

Along with all of that, this season marks the first time the Thunder have finished first in the PFC regular season standings, have had an undefeated record at this point in time of a campaign and will host the PFC final for the first time since the club first hit the field in 2000.

 Among the football community in Regina, there is a lot of excitement surrounding this game.

Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant, who is the all-time leader in career post-secondary football coaching wins in Canada at 217 victories, said his squad is looking forward to getting to a pumped up atmosphere in “The Queen City.”

“We’re not scared of their environment,” said Sargeant. “We embrace the opportunity that we have been given.

Mason Ochs makes a block for the Hilltops.

“It going to be great to take this team on the road. We still have some lofty goals ahead of us. We’re putting together a good game plan.

“We need the players to get out there and make it a great one. That is why we are practicing hard and putting everything at them.”

The Thunder won both head-to-head encounters between the two sides in the regular season.

On Sept. 11 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, a 51-yard walk off field goal by Regina kicker Eric Maximuik delivered the Thunder to a 16-13 victory over the host Hilltops.

On Sept. 18 at Mosaic Stadium, Regina defensive back Justin McKerracher made an end zone interception off Hilltops quarterback Damon Dutton to preserve a 30-27 triumph for the Thunder.

Hilltops star left tackle Mason Ochs has helped the Hilltops win four PFC finals from 2016 to 2019, and all of those victories have come at SMF Field. Ochs, who attended the training camp with the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2019, is looking forward to playing this PFC final on the road at the Roughriders home park and the atmosphere that awaits the clash between the Hilltops and Thunder.

“Going in the road for the first time, it is a little different, but I’m pretty pumped to play at Mosaic,” said Ochs. “That is pretty damn cool.

“You go to Regina every time, and you get the home and away crowd roaring. It is always loud. It is a good environment.

“If I was going to go anywhere, that would be it.”

Both sides are loaded up with PFC all-stars and award winners.

For 2021, Ochs is the PFC’s most outstanding offensive lineman and a PFC all-star. He was named a PFC all-star for the fourth consecutive season.

Carter Shewchuk throws a pass downfield for the Thunder.

Ochs was joined on the PFC all-star team for 2021 by three teammates in defensive tackle Jaxon Funk, outside linebacker Konner Johnson and safety Brant Morrow.

Hilltops defensive end Riece Kack made the PFC’s all-rookie team.

The Thunder took seven of the PFC’s major awards.

Rylan Sokul claimed honours as the PFC’s most outstanding receiver, most outstanding offensive player and most valuable player.

Carter Shewchuk was named the PFC’s most outstanding quarterback, Maximuik claimed the PFC’s most outstanding special teams player award and defensive lineman Reece McCormick captured PFC rookie of the year honours.

Thunder head coach Scott MacAulay was named the PFC’s coach of the year.

Sokul, Shewchuk, Maximuik and McCormick were all named to the PFC all-star team.

Also named to the PFC all-star team from the Thunder were a trio of offensive linemen in Riley Schick, Logan Hubick and Connor Klassen. Joining them from the Thunder on the PFC all-star team are receiver Issac Ford, linebacker Ryan Mills and McKerracher.

McCormick made the PFC all-rookie team from the Thunder along with Running back Ryland Leichert, receiver Tristan Bergquist and linebacker Stephen Smith.

Funk, who is in his fourth full season with the Hilltops, said his club always gets excited for the PFC final, and playing the Thunder in Regina adds to the big game feel.

“It is different, but we’re just as excited as if it was at home,” said Funk. “The PFC final always gets guys fired up.

“It is the best game of the year for us, especially playing against Regina just that rivalry. We’re going to be working hard this week getting ready to go for that.”

Hilltops QB Damon Dutton (#19) will look to avoid Thunder pressure.

Sargeant said his side got a good start into the post-season with their 33-31 PFC semifinal win over the Edmonton Huskies last Sunday at SMF Field. Hilltops receiver Dillan Heintz caught the winning touchdown pass from Dutton with 21.3 seconds to play in that game.

The legendary sideline boss believes his team is ready to respond to the ups and downs that are sure to come in the PFC final this Sunday in Regina.

“We’re pretty confident that they are going to respond to any situation that comes their way come Sunday,” said Sargeant. “They proved that last week with a gutsy win in the fourth quarter against the Huskies.”

Morrow gets PFC defensive player of the week nod

Brant Morrow was the PFC’s defensive player of the week.

On Tuesday, Saskatoon Hilltops safety Brant Morrow was named the defensive player of the week for the PFC.

Morrow earned that nod after making two tackles and posting two fourth quarter interceptions in the Hilltops 33-31 PFC semifinal victory this past Sunday at SMF Field. The graduate of Saskatoon’s Bishop James Mahoney High School Saints football team was named a PFC all-star at safety for the 2021 campaign and took a PFC special teams player of the week accolade earlier in the current campaign.

The PFC special teams player of the week for this past week was Huskies kick returner Ben Wilton. In the PFC semifinal setback for his side, Wilton returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown.

During that contest, Wilton returned six kickoffs for 189 yards to go with his one touchdown and four punts for 36 yards.

Winnipeg Rifles quarterback Bryson McNeil was the PFC’s offensive player of the week for his performance this past Sunday in a 45-26 PFC semifinal loss to the Thunder in Regina. In that contest, McNeil completed 22-of-40 passes for 384 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.

He also ran the ball 11 times for 62 yards and one touchdown.

Morrow enjoyed Funk interception

The Hilltops celebrate an interception by Jaxon Funk (#77).

Saskatoon Hilltops safety Brant Morrow enjoys it every time one of his teammates on the defensive line can get their hands on the ball.

After the Hilltops took a 33-31 lead over the Edmonton Huskies in a PFC semifinal played this past Sunday at SMF Field with 21.3 seconds to play, Saskatoon’s victory was cemented with an interception from defensive tackle Jaxon Funk.

Funk made his interception after Hilltops defence end Riece Kack forced Huskies quarterback Declan O’Flaherty to send the ball high into the air. That preserved the 33-31 final outcome.

“I loved it,” said Morrow, who had two earlier interceptions in that same contest. “I was happier than when I got mine.

“It is awesome to see the big guys make plays. Another D-lineman tipped it, and he caught it. That is all on the D-line.

“That is an amazing play, and I’m happy to see that.”

Rams claimed last PFC final played in Regina in 1998

The Rams take home the PFC championship trophy in 1998.

The Regina Thunder may be hosting the PFC final for the first time in club history, but the PFC title game has been held in Saskatchewan’s capital city many times before the Thunder first took the field in 2000.

The last time the PFC final was played in Regina was on Saturday, October 31, 1998 at it featured the then defending CJFL champion Regina Rams taking on the Saskatoon Hilltops. It would be the last time the historic rivals would face each other as the Rams were set to move to the U Sports ranks for the 1999 season.

In that 1998 PFC final played at historic Taylor Field, current Thunder head coach Scott MacAulay was a linebacker for the Rams, and Tom Sargeant was in his first season as the head coach of the Hilltops.

The Rams took a 16-0 lead at halftime thanks to three field goals from kicker Todd Pinkney from 30, 43 and 15 yards out and an electrifying 87-yard punt return touchdown by rookie Neal Hughes, who went on to play 10 seasons for the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders.

The Hilltops cut the Rams lead to 16-10 in the third quarter with a 17-yard field goal by Jody Kerr and an 11-yard touchdown run from Sheldon Duval.

In the fourth quarter, the Rams blew the contest open scoring 32 unanswered points to post a 48-10 victory.

Jason Clermont makes a catch for the Rams in the 1998 PFC final.

Slotback Jason Clermont, who starred for 10 CFL seasons with the British Columbia Lions and Roughriders, ran in a major from three yards out, while Chris Briltz ploughed in for a one-yard rushing touchdown.

Pinkney followed Briltz’s major with a kickoff single, and linebacker Cory Thacheray returned an interception 55 yards for a major.

Pinkney then hit a 40-yard field goal. The scoring closed when Rams linebacker Doug Hill Jr. blocked a punt and defensive back Corrie McKee returned it to the end zone for the fourth major of the frame for the host side.

“We’re very appreciative of and respectful of having an opportunity to be a part of the Prairie Football Conference and this great rivalry,” said legendary Rams head coach Frank McCrystal after the contest. “I don’t think the score was indicative of the game.”

The Thunder host this year’s against the Hilltops at 1 p.m. on Sunday at Mosaic Stadium.

Huskies praised for saving life, other notes

It's so much more than just football! The @Edm_Huskies training staff spring into action assisting a motorcycle accident victim on the way home from their semi-final. #CJFL https://t.co/EEDwgzfEud pic.twitter.com/RUbmxxkxoP

— CJFL News (@CJFLnews) November 8, 2021

The Edmonton Huskies play gallantly in their 33-31 PFC semifinal loss to the Saskatoon Hilltops this past Sunday at SMF Field, but they made a bigger impact off the field.

During their bus trip home and getting near the town of Borden, which is about 50 kilometres north of Saskatoon, the Huskies came across an accident scene.

A motorcyclist had apparently hit a deer. The Huskies training staff jumped into action to help the first responders, who were on route to the scene.

The quick action by the Huskies training staff helped save the motorcyclist’s life. The training staff included Cassidy Ku, Shawna Crozier and Randy Kuefler along with Luca Cupelli.

Cupelli, who is the team’s equipment manager, was running back and forth getting the trauma kit. Defensive back Sheldon McNabb, who is a paramedic student, also assisted.

“This shows the character of the young women and men that participate in our programs,” said CJFL commissioner Jim Pankovich in a statement last Sunday. “Thank you very much to the Huskies’ training staff that helped going above and beyond expectations in their caring actions regarding this motor vehicle accident victim.

“Their actions made a difference this evening.”

• The British Columbia Football Conference championship game is set for Saturday in Langley, B.C. The host Rams (8-1 overall) face the Kelowna, B.C., based Okanagan Sun (8-1 overall). The winner hosts a CJFL semifinal against the PFC champion.
• The Ontario Football Conference semifinals are set for Saturday. The St. Clair Fratmen (8-0) host the Quinte Skyhawks (2-6), while the London Beefeaters (6-2) host the Hamilton Hurricanes (4-4). The OFC champion will host the CJFL championship game – the Canadian Bowl.
• The Canada West Conference for football in U Sports announced its all-star teams on Wednesday. That list included 10 members of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies and two members of the University of Regina Rams. That announcement can be found by clicking right here.
• I produced a couple of new posts for the Howe Happenings blog that went live on Tuesday. I caught up with professional baseball pitcher and North Battleford, Sask., product Andrew Albers about returning to the AAA and MLB ranks this season. That post can be found by clicking right here. I put together a photo round up that can be found by clicking right here.

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

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Hilltops set sights on rebound

The Hilltops storm on to SMF Field on September 11.

When it comes to his Saskatoon Hilltops sporting a 2-2 record at this point in time, head coach Tom Sargeant said an old cliché is proving to be true.

“Right now, it is who we are,” said Sargeant. “We are an average football team hence the 2-2 record.

“The mood is good. At the end of the day, a lot of conversations and a lot of tough talks and lots of reality checks. At the end of the day, I have to coach better, and they have to play better.

“We’re all in this thing together. We’ve all committed and signed up that you know what we can do a better job and we can do more than what we are doing. Ultimately, it is my job to find the right players and put them in the right spots and do the right things.”

The Hilltops sport a 2-2 record after losing two straight games to their provincial rivals the Regina Thunder, who are 4-0 and lead the Canadian Junior Football League’s Prairie Football Conference.

The venerable Saskatoon side aims to begin the first step towards a rebound on Sunday, when they host the Winnipeg Rifles (1-3) at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field in a CJFL regular season clash.

The storied Hilltops were close in their two setbacks to the Thunder. On Sept. 11 at SMF Field, the Thunder used a last play 51-yard field goal from kicker Eric Maximuik to pull out a 16-13 victory.

This past Saturday at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, an end zone interception by Justin McKerracher with seven seconds remaining in the fourth quarter preserved a 30-27 victory for the Thunder in an all-time classic CJFL match.

The losses halted the Hilltops overall winning streak at 33 games and their road winning streak at 31 games.

Sargeant said the confidence on his team is still high, and the Hilltops are focused on continuing to grow and learn. The legendary sideline boss said the club has dealt with adversity like this before in past seasons.

Damon Dutton had a solid outing in the Hilltops last game.

“You know what, this is old hat,” said Sargeant. “We’ve been here many times before.

“People forget about that maybe because we’ve had a lot of success lately. What is the old saying? It doesn’t matter how you start the race. It is how you finish it.

“We have four more games in front of us to dictate where we end up. The real season starts when playoffs begin. It is our job in these next four weeks to get us ready for those moments.”

Barring a Thunder collapse during the second half of the regular season, the highest the Hilltops can realistically finish in the PFC standings is second place, and they will likely have to win all four of their remaining games to do that.

Finishing first and second in the PFC has extra meaning in the 2021 campaign, as the post-season format for the conference has been expanded an extra round.

The last time a CJFL campaign was completed in 2019 before the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic gripped the world in March of 2020 causing shutdowns in North America, the top four teams in the PFC made the playoffs.

It was decided that this season all six of the conference’s teams would take part in post-season play. The first and second place clubs get byes to host PFC semifinal games.

The post-season for the PFC opens with a quarter-final round with the third place club hosting the six place team and the fourth place squad hosting the fifth place finisher.

In the semifinal round, the first place team will host the lowest seeded club that advances from the quarter-final round.

During their first four games, the Hilltops have juggled things at the quarterback position. Doug Fleming started the Hilltops first three games and was pulled in favour of Damon Dutton.

Dutton started the Hilltops last outing, which was the 30-27 setback to the Thunder at Mosaic Stadium.

The Hilltops still have big plans for Doug Fleming on offence.

In that contest, Dutton was really good completing 28-of-34 passes for 332 yards and one touchdown, while throwing the one inception with seven seconds remaining in the game.

“We are judging everybody week by week, and there is no question,” said Sargeant. “Damon (Dutton) came in and was one of our better players on Saturday night in a hostile environment.

“It was quite an environment. He showed a lot of poise, lot of confidence and made some real good decisions. He is certainly going to start this weekend.

“We look forward to him continuing his play and improving and continuing to move that offence.”

Sargeant said the Hilltops haven’t given up on Fleming, who is also the team’s punter. The sideline boss said the Hilltops coaches have been honest and real with both signal callers in working to keep things moving forward.

“Doug (Fleming) is a captain,” said Sargeant. “Doug (Fleming) is a great kid.

“He is doing all the right things. You don’t worry about Doug Fleming. If we need him, you can count on him.

“As I said, he is still our veer quarterback and short yardage quarterback. He is our punter. The thing about quarterback is you are one play away from being the guy in there.”

Fleming and Dutton joined the Hilltops together back in 2018, and Sargeant said the duo has worked well together and both want to see each other have success.

“They’ve been together for three years,” said Sargeant.” They’ve been teammates for a long time.

“They support each other. That is what we look for and that is what we expect and that is why the Hilltops have been so successful in the past.”

Sargeant believes a bright future is still ahead for the Hilltops in the 2021 campaign. The team’s practices this week have been upbeat and positive as the players strive to improve.

The Hilltops want to hit the end zone lots the rest of the season.

“There is so much in front of us,” said Sargeant. “It is a team that we thought would be ahead of schedule, and right now, we’re behind schedule.

“That is on me. That is not on anybody else. We’re just going to have to work and dig and grind. Ultimately, it is my job and our job to get this right.”

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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“Sarge,” Pingue highlight Hilltops major award winners for PFC

HC Tom Sargeant, right, give a play to Rylan Kleiter (#7)

    The fearless leader on the sidelines and a linebacker who had a career year were among four members of the Saskatoon Hilltops who claimed major awards for the CJFL’s Prairie Football Conference on Friday.

    Legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant was coach of the year for the PFC for a second straight year, and Hilltops fifth-year middle linebacker Jadyn Pingue was named the conference’s most outstanding defensive player and most outstanding linebacker.

    The Hilltops, who are 9-0 overall, are set to host the PFC final on Sunday at 1 p.m. against the Edmonton Huskies, who are 7-2 overall, at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

    Sargeant and his coaching staff arguably did some of their best work this season guiding the Hilltops to an 8-0 record in the regular season for the second straight year. The Hilltops 8-0 regular season finish in the 2019 campaign was unexpected as the team turned over a high volume of starters from last season and had a number of players adjusting to new roles.

    Along the way, Sargeant collected his 200^th career win, when the Hilltops, who are the five time defending CJFL champions, downed the Thunder in Regina 34-16 on Aug. 25 in Week 2 of the CJFL campaign. Currently, the 54-year-old has a 207-30-2 career coaching record in both the CJFL regular season and playoffs.

    Under the guidance of Sargeant and his staff, the Hilltops have won their last 28 games in a row overall, a CJFL record 17 in a row in the post-season, and 27 straight games on the road including three appearances in the CJFL title game – the Canadian Bowl.

Jadyn Pingue (#45) leads the Hilltops on to the field.

    Pingue was a regular starter for the first time this season in his five campaigns with the Hilltops, and he made the most of his opportunity being named the PFC’s most outstanding defensive player and most outstanding linebacker.

    The 22-year-old appeared in seven regular season games with the Hilltops in the 2019 campaign collecting 29 defensive tackles, seven assisted defensive tackles, one special teams tackle, one pass knockdown, one fumble recovery and one interception.

    Hilltops veteran Colton Holmes, who is in his final year of CJFL eligibility, came away as a major award winner taking the nod as the PFC’s most outstanding defensive back despite missing four games in the regular season due to a leg injury. In the four regular season games Holmes appeared in, he posted 12 defensive tackles, five defensive tackle assists, three special teams tackles, two pass knockdowns, one fumble recovery and one interception.

    Holmes attended the training camp of the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders and was on the team’s practice roster until rejoining the Hilltops.

    Rylan Kleiter, who is a four-year veteran receiver/kicker with the Hilltops, captured honours as the PFC’s most outstanding special teams player. Kleiter hit 18-of-22 field goals for a success rate of 81.8 per cent with a long of 42 yards.

Colton Holmes, left, visits with supporters after a win in Regina.

    He kicked off 46 times for an average of 51.1 yards. Kleiter punted the ball seven times for an average of 36 yards per kick.

    As a receiver, Kleiter caught 22 passes for 283 yards and two touchdowns.
    Hilltops fifth-year defensive end Caleb Haight took the PFC’s Al Park Community Service Award. He had 10 defensive tackles, five defensive tackle assists, one special teams tackle and two sacks in Saskatoon’s eight regular season games. 

    In the PFC final, the Hilltops will be facing one of the Huskies stars who captured three major PFC awards. Running back Brandt Burzuk was named the PFC’s most valuable player, most outstanding offensive player and most outstanding running back.

    Burzuk carried the ball 129 times for 824 yards and six touchdowns appearing in all of the Huskies eight regular season games.

    Sargeant expects to be in a tough battle with the Huskies.

    “They are very well coached, they are very physical and they love to make plays,” said Sargeant. “They had the most sacks this year.

    “They had lots of turnovers. Their defence played at a very high level. Then you look at (Brandt) Burzuk who was the unanimous running back (as a PFC all-star), a good quarterback, a good receive corps, they just have good athletes all across the board.”
    Saskatoon downed the Huskies 28-9 in last year’s PFC final. The Hilltops took the lone regular season meeting in 2019 between the two sides 24-22 on Sept. 1 in Edmonton.

    Sargeant said the this year’s PFC final is a game where his side needs to be error free.

    “We have to play smart,” said Sargeant. “We have to be in right spots, and we have to play great Hilltops football.

Rylan Kleiter (#7) hit 81.8 per cent of his field goals in the regular season.

    “It is not an easy task in front of us, but we’re excited for the challenge. The coaches have been working extra hard to come up with great game plans, and now we have to figure out how to execute them and put our players in some critical spots and then expect them to make the plays, when the plays come their way.”

    Players from the Regina Thunder took the other five major PFC awards.

    Thunder left-tackle Logan Ferland was named the conference’s most outstanding offensive lineman. Ferland is on the practice roster of the Roughriders.

    Isaac Foord was named the PFC’s most outstanding receiver hauling in 31 passes for 605 yards and scoring two touchdowns.

    Blake Scherle took home honours as the PFC’s most outstanding quarterback. He completed 144-of-247 passes for 2,196 yards, 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

    Carson Bell was named the most outstanding defensive lineman posting 11 defensive tackles, 13 defensive tackle assists, 2.5 sacks and one fumble recovery.

    Defensive back Justin McKerracher captured the PFC’s rookie of the year award recording seven defensive tackles, four defensive tackle assists, two interceptions and two pass knockdowns.

Brandt Burzuk in action in last year’s PFC final.

    The Regina players compiled their statistics over seven regular season games due to claiming a home victory over the Winnipeg Rifles 1-0 by forfeit on Oct. 13. The Rifles were unable to make that contest due to snowstorm conditions in Manitoba.

    The Thunder were 6-2 in the regular season and 6-3 overall.

    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.