Hilltops 2024 – A season with an unfulfilled finish

The Hilltops react to losing in the PFC final.

There are times the Saskatoon Hilltops are trapped by their own success.

Since the current modern version of the Hilltops were founded in 1947, they have won 23 CJFL championships. When don’t win a CJFL championship, it feels like the season was unfulfilled.

Legendary head coach Tom Sargeant has repeatedly said the standard is the standard. With that level of expectations, it seems like the regular season is something to just get through as ultimate barometer of success comes in the playoffs.

With that noted, the Hilltops coaches have been able to create a day-to-day value in the journey of the happenings of practice days and game days. The Hilltops advanced through the regular season posting an 8-0 record and piling up individual honours.

Sargeant was named the coach of the year for the Prairie Football Conference. Star fifth-year quarterback Trey Reider claimed honours as a PFC all-star, the PFC’s most valuable player, the PFC’s most outstanding offensive player and the PFC’s most outstanding quarterback.

Drake Douglas was the PFC’s most outstanding receiver, the PFC’s most outstanding special teams’ player, a PFC all-star receiver and the PFC’s all-star return specialist.

Right tackle Cody Shumanski was the PFC’s most outstanding offensive lineman and a PFC all-star.

Third-year middle linebacker Isaac Michayluk led the PFC in defensive points and third-year defensive end Kai Kukurudza topped the PFC with seven quarterback sacks. Both were named PFC all-stars.

The biggest challenges came in the post-season. In the PFC semifinal on October 13 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Hilltops found themselves locked in an 18-18 tie with the Edmonton Huskies in the fourth quarter.

Charles Sawi returns a missed field goal for a touchdown on Oct. 13.

Hilltops third-year running back Charles Sawi returned a missed field goal 112 yards for a touchdown to put Saskatoon up 25-18 with 7:32 to play in the fourth quarter. Saskatoon would post a 33-18 victory.

Next came the PFC final, and the Hilltops fell to their provincial rivals the Regina Thunder 24-19 this past Sunday at SMF Field. The Thunder piled up 321 yards rushing as a team on 49 carries for an average of 6.6 yards per rush attempt.

Now we get to the elephant in the room being the head hit Thunder star middle linebacker Stephen Smith threw on Reider on the second last play of the game, when the Hilltops ran a gadget play. The facts are the hit happened and the officials missed it.

On that play, the Hilltops ran their version of the “Philly Special.” Reider passed the ball laterally in the right flat to star power running back Corbin Ebben.

Ebben took a couple of steps and fired a lateral pass back across the field to Reider. Reider took off down the left sideline before encountering Smith at the Thunder 22 yard line. Smith, who is a 21-year-old veteran, made a head first driving tackle striking the crown of his helmet into the head of Reider dropping the signal caller to the turf.

With the no penalty call, the Hilltops had basically one play to throw the ball into the end zone from the Thunder 22 yard line with 6.1 seconds remaining on the clock. Since Reider went down in bounds, the clock starts when the officials blow the play in. The final play was a Reider pass to the Thunder end zone that was knocked down.

Had a major foul penalty been called, the Hilltops would have been scrimmaging first and goal from the Thunder seven yard line, and the clock would not start until the ball was snapped. Saskatoon could have conceivably run two more offensive plays in that scenario to try and win the game.

First, it should be noted that Smith is a good guy. 

The head hit play. (Photo courtesy Shane Clausing at 650 CKOM).

With the Hilltops running a gadget play, it is conceivable that a panic adrenaline rush took over for Smith on the misdirection play, and in the moment, he might not have realized what he was doing when he got Reider to the ground. Unfortunately, the hit played out the way it did.

Football has changed and the maniac linebacker and head hunting free safety that existed in the game’s past main from the 1950s up to about 2010 have been cycled out of the sport.

Second, it should also be noted the official crew for the PFC final did an outstanding job working that contest. They missed that call, and that is part of the human element of the game. With the misdirection of the “Philly Special” play and the fact the Hilltops were in a two-minute drill, there is a good chance the officials weren’t in the best position to see Smith’s hit on Reider.

Still, there were lots of points the Hilltops could have made plays in that contest that could have changed the outcome. In the first quarter, receiver Datiel Fountaine had a pass in the end zone slip through his hands and the Hilltops settled for a 22-yard field goal by Teijon Abel-Douglas.

Abel-Douglas hit the post on a 23-yard field goal in the second quarter. At the start of the fourth quarter, Douglas muffed a punt return that the Thunder recovered. The Thunder turned that gift into a touchdown for a 24-12 lead with 11:40 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Despite the miscues by the Hilltops, Reider had a heroic last game trying to carry his side to victory. He completed 23-of-41 passes for 305 yards and one touchdown, while throwing one interception. Reider ran the ball nine times for 102 yards.

Hilltops long snapper Colton Zimmer was named the special teams player of the game of the PFC final by the CJFL. The CJFL tabbed Thunder left guard Caleb Barajas as the offensive player of the game and Thunder defensive back Tristan Bergquist as the defensive player of the game.

Trey Reider won a number of individual awards in 2024.

The Hilltops entered the 2024 campaign as defending CJFL champions and finished the season wondering what might have been. With how the PFC final played out, those with the team will likely be processing that contest still in the coming weeks of the near future.

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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Huskies have Hilltops attention heading into PFC semifinal

Two sides go at it Sunday at SMF Field

Hilltops MLB Isaac Michayluk (#48) tackles a Huskies ball carrier.

Tom Sargeant said you have to give the Edmonton Huskies their due for creating headaches for his Saskatoon Hilltops.

Sargeant, who is the Hilltops legendary head coach, has seen his Hilltops go at it in all sorts of close contests since the 2016 campaign with the Huskies. The commonality in all those clashes is the Hilltops have always found a way to win.

For the 2024 campaign, the defending CJFL champion Hilltops (8-0) and Huskies (3-5) will battle for a third and final time in a PFC semifinal at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Hilltops took both regular season encounters with the Edmonton side.

The two clubs opened their respective regular season schedules against each other on August 11 at SMF Field with the Hilltops claiming a 38-13 victory. The Hilltops and Huskies closed their respective regular season schedules against each other last Sunday with Saskatoon pulling out a 21-14 victory at Jasper Place Bowl in Edmonton.

The Huskies attempt at a two-minute drill drive in the fourth quarter to change the latter contest’s final result came to an end with an interception by Hilltops rookie defensive lineman Noah Chelsom with 14.4 seconds remaining on the clock at Saskatoon’s 26 yard line. Two plays before Chelsom’s interception, Huskies backup quarterback Wyatt Matson just missed receiver William Campbell on a deep slant pattern that would have been home free for a touchdown.

Sargeant said last Sunday’s game was a reminder that his side has to continue to be aware of what the Huskies can do.

“We are heading into game nine,” said Sargeant. “At the end of the day, we know the Edmonton Huskies are a good football team.

“They have played us tough over the last five to eight years, a proud organization, and they’ve got good football players. They have a good team. Records mean nothing now when you’re heading to playoffs.

Carson Eddy charges upfield for the Huskies.

“All the 8-0 does for us is it gives us home field advantage. That is all that means.”

Sargeant knows his Hilltops need to have a better performance in the PFC semifinal compared to what happened this past Sunday. If the Hilltops have a repeat of what happened last Sunday, the Huskies might find the one or two plays they need to claim victory.

“Can we get better? Absolutely,” said Sargeant. “We have to get better.

“We’ve got to play better. We’ve got to coach better, and we’ve got to perform better. I’m sure the Edmonton Huskies are saying the same thing.”

During the regular season, the Hilltops led the PFC in points scored at 325 and allowed the fewest points against at 106. The Huskies were fourth in the PFC for points scored at 159 and third in allowing the fewest points against at 184.

The backbone this season of the Huskies offence was their running game as they topped the PFC in rushing yards at 1,475 yards. Running backs Carson Eddy, Nolan Baragar and Titus Fagnan along with starting quarterback Jackson Harnett all made sizable contributions to that rushing total.

Hilltops star middle linebacker Isaac Michayluk knows his side is facing more than a formidable opponent in the Huskies.

“It is going to be a challenge for sure,” said Michayluk, who led the PFC with 113 defensive points. “Every week is a challenge.

“Every team that we play we give them the respect that they deserve. The Huskies are no different. They are a good team.

“They’re physical. They play hard. We’re going to practice hard here on the practice field and just prepare for them the best we can.”

The Hilltops enter the game with some of the biggest stars in the PFC on offence. Fifth-year quarterback Trey Reider topped conference with a 119.8 quarterback efficiency rating. He completed 119-of-185 passes for 1,685 yards and 17 touchdowns, while throwing just two interceptions.

Corbin Ebben led the PFC with 964 yards rushing.

Fifth-year receiver Drake Douglas led the PFC in receptions (58) receiving yards (955) and receiving touchdowns (eight). Third-year power running back Corbin Ebben carried the ball 157 times for 964 yards and six touchdowns. He led the PFC in rushing yards.

When the dust settles in the PFC semifinal against the Huskies, Sargeant believes his players will raise the effort to another level.

“We learned a lot about ourselves,” said Sargeant. “We need to correct a lot of mistakes.

“If we’re able to do that, I’m pretty sure these players will rally around each other, play for the fifth-year player, and you know what? - Come out and play our best game of the year in game nine.

“That is all I’m looking for.”

Hilltops pick up 11 PFC all-star selections

Trey Reider topped the PFC with a 119.8 quarterback rating.

After posting an 8-0 regular season record for the second straight year, it was no surprise the defending CJFL champion Saskatoon Hilltops picked up 11 Prairie Football Conference all-star selections.

The CJFL announced the PFC all-stars on Friday. The Hilltops picked up five all-star selections on offence, four on defence and two on special teams.

Fifth-year star quarterback Trey Reider helped highlight the offensive all-stars. He led the conference with a 119.8 quarterback efficiency rating. Reider completed 119-of-185 passes for 1,685 yards and 17 touchdowns, while throwing just two interceptions.

The Hilltops PFC all-stars on offence also included receivers Drake Douglas and Datiel Fountaine, power running back Corbin Ebben and right tackle Cody Shumanski.

Third-year middle linebacker Isaac Michayluk highlighted the Hilltops PFC all-stars on defence. Michayluk led the PFC with 113 defensive points. He picked up those points by recording 33 defensive solo tackles, 27 defensive tackle assists, five special teams solo tackles, four special teams tackle assists, one pass knockdown and one interception.

The Hilltops PFC all-stars on defence also included defensive end Kai Kukurudza, defensive tackle Johnathon Stevens and safety Dalton Urban.

Douglas picked up a second all-star nod as the PFC’s return specialist on special teams. He returned 38 punts for 342 yards. His punt return yardage total topped the PFC.

Hilltops kicker Teijon Abel-Douglas took home honours as the PFC’s all-star punter. Abel-Douglas punted the ball 39 times for 1,433 yards for an average of 36.7 yards per kick. His punting average led the PFC.

Along with the all-stars, the Hilltops claimed a pair of PFC all-rookie team selections on Friday as well. Brody Kormarnicki was named all the all-rookie team running back and Charlie Molder captured honours at the all-rookie team quarterback. Kormarnicki and Molder are backups at their respective positions.

Abel-Douglas takes PFC player of the week nod

Teijon Abel-Douglas was the PFC’s special teams player of the week.

Saskatoon Hilltops kicker Teijon Abel-Douglas had another clutch performance in his team’s final regular season game.

As a result of his efforts, Abel-Douglas was named the PFC’s special teams player of the week on Tuesday. In the Hilltops 21-14 victory over the Huskies at victory at Jasper Place Bowl in Edmonton last Sunday, Abel-Douglas nailed 4-of-5 field goal attempts and booted his only one-point conversion attempt to account for 13 out of the Hilltops 21 points. The Humboldt, Sask., product connected on field goals from 22, 35, 36 and 26 yards.

Along with his field goals, Abel-Douglas punted the ball five times for 203 yards for an average of 40.6 yards per kick. He also kicked off twice for 103 yards for an average of 51.5 yards per kick.

In the Hilltops final two regular season contests of the 2024 campaign, Abel-Douglas has connected on 9-of-10 field goal attempts and all four of his one-point converts.

Winnipeg Rifles running back Kaiden Banfield claimed honours as the PFC’s offensive player of the week for his performance in his club’s 32-21 season ending loss to the Edmonton Wildcats at Emerald Hills Regional Park in Sherwood Park, Alta. In that contest, Banfield carried the ball 36 times for 216 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 25 yards.

Regina Thunder star middle linebacker Stephen Smith claimed the PFC’s defensive player of the week award. Smith had a big outing this past Sunday, when the Thunder downed the visiting Calgary Colts 40-21 at Leibel Field in Regina. He recorded six solo defensive tackles, four defensive tackle assists and returned one interception 23 yards.

Douglas comes up just short of 1,000 yards, other notes

Drake Douglas led the PFC with 955 receiving yards.

Drake Douglas came up just short of doing something no other member of the Saskatoon Hilltops had ever done before.

Throughout the 2024 regular season, the fifth-year star receiver was in pursuit to try and become the first Hilltops player to ever hit 1,000 yards receiving for one regular season. He finished the regular season topping the PFC in receptions (58), receiving yards (955) and touchdowns (eight). Douglas came up just 45 yards short of the 1000-yard plateau, but he still had a spectacular season.

To go along with his receiving exploits, Douglas also returned 38 punts for 342 yards. His punt return yardage total topped the PFC.

In a 52-19 victory over the Colts in Calgary on August 25, Douglas also threw a 34-yard touchdown pass to power running back Corbin Ebben off a fake field goal.

On Friday, Douglas picked up PFC all-star selections as a receiver on offence and a return specialist on special teams.

Douglas also came up just shy of the Hilltops record for most receiving yards in one regular season held by one of the storied squad’s all-time greats in Andrew Busby. In 2006, Busby caught 73 passes for 974 yards and nine touchdowns. His receiving yardage total from that regular season is still a Hilltops record.

Busby holds the CJFL’s career regular season record for receiving yards. He piled up 3,109 receiving yards playing for the Hilltops from 2004 to 2008.

Late in the Hilltops 36-11 victory over the Regina Thunder at Saskatoon Minor Football Field on September 28, Douglas had a deep pass reception nullified due to a holding penalty. That catch would have given him the Hilltops receiving yardage record for one regular season and would have put him close to 1,000 yards receiving.

• Hilltops star fifth-year quarterback Trey Reider has a 24-1 career record as the venerable club’s starting signal caller at the conclusion of the 2024 regular season.
• The Regina Thunder (6-2) host a PFC semifinal match against the Calgary Colts on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Leibel Field. The winner faces the victor of Sunday’s PFC semifinal between the defending CJFL champion Saskatoon Hilltops (8-0) and the visiting Edmonton Huskies (3-5) at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.
• In the final CJFL Top 10 Power Rankings that were released on Wednesday, the defending CJFL champion Saskatoon Hilltops were rated first, the Regina Thunder came in at fourth and the Calgary Colts were listed at seventh. The Okanagan Sun, who topped the British Columbia Football Conference with a 10-0 mark, were ranked second. The St. Clair Saints, who finished first in the Ontario Football Conference at 8-0, were rated third. The Saints are based out of Windsor, Ont.
• Saskatoon Hilltops star defensive end Kai Kukurudza led the PFC with seven quarterback sacks.
• Cohen McCluskey of the Winnipeg Rifles, Lorrin LeBlanc of the Regina Thunder and Keon Raymond Jr. shared the lead in interceptions for the PFC at four.
• Regina Thunder kicker Shawn Green made 16-of-22 field goal attempts with a long from 44 yards out and all 30 of his one-point conversion attempts. All of those numbers led the PFC in their respective categories.
• The Saskatoon Hilltops topped the PFC in the takeaway-giveaway category at plus-24.

• On Wednesday, I had new content appear on the Howe Happenings blog that supports the Gordie Howe Sports Complex. I put together a feature on Samuel LaFreniere, who is the star running back of Saskatoon’s St. Joseph High School Guardians Football Team. LaFreniere is having an insane overall football year in 2024. That piece can be found by clicking right here. I also put together a photo roundup that is anchored by pictures that show the memories that are made at the home games of the CJFL’s storied Saskatoon Hilltops. It also includes photos from high school football and the YXE First Responders Fitness Festival. 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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Hilltops plan to stick to basics against Huskies in Edmonton

Two sides close regular season going head to head

The Huskies and Hilltops will battle in two straight weeks.

When you are closing the regular season against a team you will see in the post-season, gadget plays tend to fly out the window in the first encounter.

That is the situation facing the defending CJFL champion Saskatoon Hilltops and the Edmonton Huskies. The two sides will go at it and close out their respective regular season schedules on Sunday at Jasper Place Bowl in Edmonton at 1 p.m. local time.

The Hilltops enter the contest with a 7-0 mark having locked up first place in the Prairie Football Conference and home field advantage through the CJFL playoffs until reaching the league’s championship game – the Canadian Bowl. The Huskies are 3-4 and are cemented to finish fourth in the PFC.

That means the Hilltops and Huskies will collide for a second straight week in a PFC semifinal contest slated for 1 p.m. Sunday, October 13 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

Legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant said he wants to keep the game plan to his team’s regular plays and looks and avoid putting in something special the Huskies could dissect on video for the post-season rematch. With that noted, he still wants his squad to play hard.

“For me, it is pretty simple,” said Sargeant. “We are going to have a pretty basic game plan, because we know they’re coming back to our place the following week.

“We’re certainly going in with our top 46 players. We’re going there to come out in game eight and play our best game of the year and play Hilltops football. We’re going to do that in a specific way that we’re not going to show or expose a lot of things that we might do in the future.”

Drake Douglas has 856 receiving yards this season for the Hilltops.

Hilltops star outside linebacker Noah Gedir said his club can get really in depth breaking down what the Huskies do in having to play them for two straight weeks. For the first encounter, Gedir said it is important for the Hilltops to keep up their physical play.

“To have the same opponent two weeks in a row, that means you can watch the same film for two weeks in a row and really deep dive into what they’re doing and the schemes that they’re trying to run,” said Gedir. “Our goal this week is just to go down there and be the most physical team like it was last week and the week prior.

“We just have to be physical and work on the fundamentals of football. The coaches are saying this year is about getting one per cent better. As long as we get one per cent better come Sunday afternoon in Edmonton, then we’re on the right path going into playoffs.”

In Sunday’s clash in Edmonton, a handful of Hilltops players have shots to reach some personal milestones. Star fifth-year receiver Drake Douglas leads the PFC in receptions (47), receiving yards (856) and receiving touchdowns (eight). If Douglas collects 144 yards receiving, he will become the first player in the history of the Hilltops to hit the 1,000 yard barrier in receiving yards for the regular season in team history.

Hilltops star power running back Corbin Ebben has carried the ball 125 times for 774 yards and six touchdowns. Ebben has a long but still possible shot at hitting the 1,000 yard barrier in rushing, if he can pile up 226 yards on the ground on Sunday. In the history of the Hilltops, the individual 1,000 yard rushing season for the regular season has been accomplished 10 times.

Hilltops star defensive end Kai Kukurudza tops the PFC with seven quarterback sacks. He needs three sacks to hit double digits for total sacks in the regular season.

Hilltops star middle linebacker Isaac Michayluk is contending for the lead in defensive points in the PFC. He has 95 defensive points, which has him tied with Winnipeg Rifles outside linebacker Kyler Banfield.

Kai Kukurudza has seven sacks this season for the Hilltops.

Michayluk has piled up his 95 defensive points on 25 solo defensive tackles, 25 defensive tackle assists, five special teams solo tackles, four special teams tackle assists, one pass knockdown and one interception. Banfield has collected his 95 defensive points on 33 solo defensive tackles, 12 defensive tackle assists, one special teams solo tackle, one special teams tackle assist, one blocked kick, one pass knockdown, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one interception.

Overall for this week, Sargeant is focused on his team playing with intensity, while keeping things straight forward.

“We’re going to keep practicing hard and developing hard,” said Sargeant. “At the end of the day, we’re just going to play simple Hilltop football, and let’s see where it takes us.”

Taylor, Zimmer tabbed as players of the week

Zaden Taylor (#10) was the PFC’s defensive player of the week.

Zaden Taylor and Colton Zimmer got to stand in the PFC’s weekly spotlight for the first time in their careers with the Saskatoon Hilltops.

Taylor, who is an outside linebacker in his second of CJFL eligibility, was named the PFC’s defensive player of the week on Tuesday. On that same day, Zimmer, who is a fourth-year running back, took home honours as the PFC’s special teams player of the week for his work as the Hilltops long snapper.

In the Hilltops 36-11 victory over their provincial rivals in the Regina Thunder last Saturday, Taylor had eight defensive solo tackles, one special teams tackle assist and one interception. Zimmer had 14 perfect snaps on Saturday that included six punts, five field goal attempts and three one-point convert attempts.

Hilltops kicker Teijon Abel-Douglas successfully made all the Hilltops five field goal attempts and all three one-point convert attempts.

Edmonton Wildcats quarterback Marcos Soltero was named the PFC’s offensive player of the week on Tuesday for his efforts in his team’s 32-20 victory over the Edmonton Huskies last Saturday at the Huskies home field in Jasper Place Bowl. The win was the first victory of the campaign for the Wildcats.

In that contest, Soltero completed 21-of-30 passes for 280 yards and two touchdowns, while throwing one interception.

Seniors walk still a heartwarming Hilltops tradition

Erik Barsness (#60) walks to the field with his parents.

The Saskatoon Hilltops still have one of the most heartwarming traditions in Canadian sports for graduating players.

Before the Hilltops played their final home regular season game downing their provincial rivals the Regina Thunder 36-11 last Saturday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Hilltops honoured their graduating players. During a pre-game ceremony, the Hilltops graduating players were announced one by one and made a walk to the field with their parents. All of the parents took the field decked out in cool looking team gear.

The nine graduating players included cornerback Justin Adamko, left guard Erik Barsness, receiver Drake Douglas, offensive lineman Jeremy Funk, outside linebacker Noah Gedir, quarterback Trey Reider, defensive halfback Isaac Rivalin, linebacker Andy Scrivens and right tackle Cody Shumanski.

All of these graduating players are still in the CJFL playing with the Hilltops even with navigating their individual journeys around the fact the 2020 campaign was cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that gripped the world. There were all sorts of various restrictions and shutdowns in place when the 2020 season was supposed to happen in order to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2020 campaign marked the first year of CJFL eligibility for this year’s group of graduating players. They are the last class that had to navigate around how pandemic restrictions affected their CJFL playing careers.

All of the Hilltops nine graduating players had sizable roles in helping the club win a 23^rd CJFL championship last season and helping the storied squad post a 7-0 mark so far in the current campaign.

Roughriders great Clark rocked at End Zone Dinner

Dan Clark speaks at the Hilltops End Zone Scholarship Dinner.

Dan Clark, who is an all-time great with the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders, did a stellar job holding court as the guest speaker at the Annual Hilltops End Zone Scholarship Dinner last Saturday.

The dinner was held in the main hall of the Gordie Howe Sports Centre building before the Saskatoon Hilltops downed their provincial rivals the Regina Thunder 36-11 in a CJFL regular season contest at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Clark was a star centre Roughriders from 2009 to 2022.

He was on the Roughriders practice roster in 2009 and 2010 and was on the main roster from 2011 to 2022 appearing in 131 games. During his years on the Roughriders practice roster, Clark was playing for the Thunder. Before playing for the Thunder, Clark played high school football for Regina’s Thom Collegiate Trojans.

The 36-year-old Clark drew some good-natured chuckles about how Thunder seemingly always fell short against the Hilltops during his time with Regina’s CJFL club. He also went into how important his time was playing in high school for the Trojans and talked lots about his time with the Roughriders.

Of course, Clark’s best Roughriders memory was winning the Grey Cup 45-23 over the Hamilton Tigers-Cats on November 24, 2013 at historic Taylor Field.

For another other good-natured chuckle, Clark was asked if he advocated for big guys scoring touchdowns. Clark gained fame catching an eight-yard touchdown pass from legendary Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant in a 37-0 romp over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in a game played at Taylor Field on July 21, 2013.

On August 24, 2014, Clark caught a one-yard touchdown pass from Roughriders backup quarterback Tino Sunseri in a 20-16 victory over the British Columbia Lions at B.C. Place in Vancouver, B.C.

During his CFL career, Clark had three receptions for 21 yards to go with his two touchdowns. He said he used to advocate for big guys scoring touchdowns, but he enjoyed his spot being the most recently remembered big guy touchdown scorer for the Roughriders.

Clark said he enjoyed holding the distinction of having two touchdown receptions in his CFL career and liked to bring that up when he talks with other offensive linemen who have played in the league.

Thunder, Colts will battle for two straight weeks

The Thunder will face the Colts for two straight weeks.

The Regina Thunder and Calgary Colts are in a similar spot as the defending CJFL champion Saskatoon Hilltops and Edmonton Huskies.

The Hilltops and Huskies will go at it and close out their respective regular season schedules on Sunday at Jasper Place Bowl in Edmonton at 1 p.m. local time. Saskatoon enters that contest with a 7-0 mark having locked up first place in the Prairie Football Conference and home field advantage through the CJFL playoffs until reaching the league’s championship game – the Canadian Bowl.

The Huskies are 3-4 and are cemented to finish fourth in the PFC. That means the Hilltops and Huskies will collide for a second straight week in a PFC semifinal contest slated for 1 p.m. Sunday, October 13 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

The Thunder (5-2) will host the Colts (4-3) on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Leibel Field in Regina. Both squads are cemented at finishing in the second and third spots in the PFC, which means they will go at it either Saturday, October 12 or Sunday, October 13 in a PFC semifinal.

The Colts split their two regular season games with the Huskies, but they hold the standings tiebreaker against the Edmonton side with a 47-41 edge in the total score of those two head-to-head contests.

Sunday’s clash between the Thunder and Colts is the only head-to-head meeting of the 2024 regular season for those two clubs. The winner of Sunday’s contest will host the PFC semifinal between those two squads. If the contest ends in a tie, the Thunder will host the PFC semifinal encounter with the Colts.

In the CJFL’s Top 10 Power Rankings released on Thursday, the Hilltops were rated first, the Thunder were ranked fourth and the Colts came in at seventh.

The Edmonton Wildcats and Winnipeg Rifles will close their overall 2024 campaigns both sporting 1-6 records in their head-to-head meeting on Sunday. The Wildcats will host the Rifles at 1 p.m. local time at Emerald Hills Regional Park in Sherwood Park, Alta.

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 lock up first in PFC, improve to 7-0

Saskatoon thumps Thunder 36-11 at SMF Field

Datiel Fountaine makes a 26-yard TD catch for the Hilltops.

It was seemingly a perfect night under the “Saturday night lights” for the Saskatoon Hilltops.

On Saturday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Hilltops dumped their provincial rivals the Regina Thunder 36-11 in a CJFL regular season clash played before 2,266 spectators. The host side jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter and continued to methodically pull away from there.

The win allowed the defending CJFL champion Hilltops to improve to 7-0 and lock up first place in the CJFL’s Prairie Football Conference. The Hilltops will also have homefield throughout the CJFL playoffs up to the league championship game – the Canadian Bowl. The Canadian Bowl will be hosted by the champion of the Ontario Football Conference.

Hilltops LB Noah Gedir tackles Thunder RB Ryland Leichert.

“Our line of scrimmage, our offensive line played outstanding today,” said legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant, whose team has won 19 straight overall. “Our defensive line, it just came together tonight.

“This is the best we’ve played all year. Obviously, Regina is a formidable opponent. They’re well coached, and they know us well and they play hard.

“We had to come out and play hard and play aggressive, and that is what we did today. I am super happy with what took place, and now, we’ve got to keep building.”

At that point, Sargeant took a quick pause before looking to the future.

Trey Reider (#3) throws a pass behind sound protection.

“We clinched first. Good. Who cares?” said Sargeant. “Now, we’ve got to keep moving.”

The Thunder fell to 5-2 with the result of Saturday’s contest. They have lost their last five straight head-to-head encounters including action in the regular season and post-season to the Hilltops.

On offence, all the Hilltops big players had big games. Star fifth-year quarterback Trey Reider completed 14-of-25 passes for 272 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He ran the ball four times for 26 yards too.

Star fifth-year receiver Drake Douglas hauled in five passes for 132 yards. Breakout second-year receiver Datiel Fountaine caught six passes for 106 yards and two touchdowns.

Drake Douglas, left, caught five passes for 132 yards.

Emerging star third-year power running back Corbin Ebben ran the ball 29 times for 196 yards and one touchdown.

The Hilltops starting offensive line in right tackle Cody Shumanski, right guard Jack Erlandson, centre Matthew Noble, left guard Erik Barsness and left tackle Davin Johnson all had banner days.

“Our O-line played great today,” said Reider. “They controlled the line of scrimmage.

“I have to shout out to Corbin Ebben. He ran the ball great. Drake Douglas came down with every ball.

“Obviously, two touchdown catches is great for Datiel (Fountaine) coming down with those.”

On defence, the Hilltops got big contributions from a number of players in limiting the Thunder to 307 total yards of offence. Star defensive end Kai Kukurudza record two sacks and 3.5 total tackles.

Corbin Ebben ran the ball 29 times for 196 yards.

Star defensive tackle Johnathon Stevens had one sack and 2.5 total tackles. Defensive tackle Nahom Menghestab and defensive end Noah Chelsom shared a sack. Second-year outside linebacker Zaden Taylor had eight solo defensive tackles, one special teams tackle assist and one interception.

Middle linebacker Isaac Michayluk had 7.5 total tackles. Outside linebacker Noah Gedir had 5.5 total tackles and two pass knockdowns. Safetly Dalton Urban had 3.5 total tackles and one interception.

“A big focus was stopping the run, so I think really early on we stopped that,” said Kukurudza. “Our interior guys in Nahom (Menghestab) and (Johnathon) Stevens, they really did their job.

“Noah (Chelsom) on the weak side didn’t let anything up either. Our DBs were locked down. All our sacks are really DB covered sacks, so it was good.”

Zaden Taylor (#10) reacts to making an interception.

The Hilltops opened the game’s scoring on their first offensive series, which culminated with Reider hitting Fountaine with an eight-yard touchdown pass to give the hosts a 7-0 lead. Before the first quarter expired, Hilltops veteran kicker Teijon Abel-Douglas hit a field goal from 18 yards out to push the Hilltops edge out to 10-0. That marked the first of five field goals Abel-Douglas would hit on the day.

At the 8:55 mark of the second quarter, Thunder kicker Shawn Green nailed a 35-yard field goal for the visitors to trim the Hilltops lead to 10-3.

The Hilltops closed out the first half getting field goals from Abel-Douglas from 13 and 30 yards out to hold a 16-3 lead.

The Hilltop Cheerleading Team performs at halftime.

Green recorded a rouge for the Thunder on the opening kickoff to start the second half to make the Hilltops lead stand at 16-4.

On that first offensive series of the half, the Hilltops got another major score as Reider hit Fountaine with a 26-yard touchdown strike to put the host side up 23-4. Ebben would run in a major from three yards out to push the Hilltops lead out to 30-4.

While the Hilltops offence was rolling on Saturday, Reider said his team will be focusing on fixing the mistakes they did make.

“I feel it was a good game, but at the end of the day, we can always do better,” said Reider. “Every day, every week, we’re trying to get better.

“I feel like that was one of our best games of the season for sure.”

Kai Kukurudza (#73) celebrates making a sack on Saturday.

Just 10 seconds into the fourth quarter, Thunder star quarterback Carter Moberg hit receiver Benjamin Walz with a 15-yard touchdown toss to trim the Hilltops lead to 30-11.

Abel-Douglas proceeded to hit field goals from 15 and 22 yards out to round out the 36-11 final score in favour of Saskatoon.

Also in the fourth quarter, Kukurudza recorded both of his sacks on third down gambles by the Thunder.

“It just feels good when you go all game like doing your job, and then finally, you can really do what you need to do at the end when it matters most on those third downs,” said Kukurudza. “It is good.”

Moberg completed 17-of-31 passes for 156 yards and one touchdown, while throwing two interceptions for the Thunder. Star veteran running back Ryland Leichert topped Regina with 88 yards rushing on 15 carries. Walz had record 55 yards receiving on six catches to go with his touchdown through the air.

Dalton Urban (#17) returns an interception for the Hilltops.

Star middle linebacker Stephen Smith led the Thunder with 9.5 total tackles.

The Thunder return home to close out their regular season schedule on Sunday, October 6, when they host the Calgary Colts at 1 p.m. at Leibel Field.

The Hilltops will also conclude their regular season schedule on Sunday, October 6. They will travel to Edmonton to face the Huskies at 1 p.m. local time at Jasper Place Bowl.

Looking forward to the rest of the season, Sargeant is pumped his squad will have homefield advantage through the CJFL playoffs until reaching the Canadian Bowl. With that noted, he wants his team to focus on playing well in their final regular season contest first.

“We love playing at home,” said Sargeant. “We’ve worked hard to be in the spot we’re in, and now, we’ve got to take advantage.

“We’re off to the Edmonton Huskies next week. We could be playing them two weeks in a row. You know what?

The Hilltops do a breakdown cheer after Saturday’s win.

“We just can’t give an inch to anything or anyone. This is the type of group that they’re pretty locked and loaded right now. I’m very pleased with the performance of all 65 players that we dressed tonight.”

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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Battle of undefeated teams up next for Hilltops

3-0 Saskatoon faces 3-0 Thunder in Regina

Drake Douglas has been making big plays for the Hilltops.

Just saying “Saskatoon versus Regina” is enough to stoke the passions in Saskatchewan’s amateur football community.

For venerable Saskatoon Hilltops and the Regina Thunder, it is “rivalry week” in their respective CJFL campaigns. On Saturday at 7 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, the defending CJFL champion Hilltops take on their provincial rivals in the Thunder in a battle of 3-0 teams. The winner will sit alone in first place in the CJFL’s Prairie Football Conference.

The Hilltops head into this regular season clash rated first in the CJFL’s Top 10 Power Rankings, while the Thunder are rated fourth. For the followers of both clubs, the hype for Saturday’s game is well underway.

Legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant is looking for his players to have their best outing of the campaign. He also knows a long road remains in the 2024 campaign following Saturday’s encounter.

“We enjoy the process, the preparation,” said Sargeant. “It is game four, so this should be our best game of the year.

“Coming off a bye, we’re all fresh, and we’ve got a lot of time to figure out what we need to do and how we need to do it just like they are. It is just going to come down to who is going to control the line of scrimmages and who is going to execute their game plans better”

Sadik Sadik is having a breakout season for the Thunder.

In their three games this season, the Hilltops have outscored their opposition 137-33. The Thunder have outscored their opponents 127-14 in their three contests. Last season, the Hilltops took all three meetings against the Thunder including two regular season encounters and a 21-13 victory in the PFC final at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

The Hilltops go into Saturday’s contest with a large cast of star playmakers on offence in quarterback Trey Reider, running backs Corbin Ebben and Charles Sawi and receivers Drake Douglas and Datiel Fountaine. Douglas has 17 receptions for a PFC leading 319 yards and four touchdowns. He tops the PFC in punt returns (18) and punt return yards (229).

Saskatoon’s offensive line is solid once again being anchored by left tackle Davin Johnson and right tackle Cody Shumanski.

The Thunder counter with their stars in quarterback Carter Moberg, running backs Sadik Sadik and Ryland Leichert, and receivers Zak Kwiatek and Lucas Di Iorio. 

Dalton Urban drops into coverage for the Hilltops.

Sadik is having a breakout campaign as a 22-year-old leading the PFC in rushing yards (358) and rushing touchdowns (five) on 40 carries. He also has seven catches for 133 yards and two touchdowns.

Regina’s offensive line is anchored by left tackle Mekhi Molleken and centre Max McFadden.

“They know us just as well as we know ourselves and vice versa,” said Sargeant. “Everyone has put in time and energy to come out and play a great game.

“That is all we’re looking for. I’m excited to go down to Regina to Mosaic. Hey, 3-0 versus 3-0, it doesn’t get much better than that.”

On defence, the Hilltops have a number of playmakers in defensive end Kai Kukurudza, defensive tackle Johnathon Stevens, middle linebacker Isaac Michayluk and defensive halfback Nathan Young and safety Dalton Urban. Young has returned two interceptions for touchdowns this season.

The Thunder counter with a host of playmakers on defence in middle linebacker Stephen Smith, outside linebackers Mitchell Tanchak and Zach Cloutier and defensive backs Noah Zimroz, Marcus Butz and Cooper Filazek. 

Ryland Leichert runs the ball for the Thunder in October 2023.

Tanchak, Zimroz, Butz and Filazek each have two interceptions for the Thunder.

Sargeant believes Saturday’s clash has the makings to be a great game but again cautions there is still a long way to go in the 2024 campaign after Saturday’s contest.

“It is game four,” said Sargeant. “You’re looking for placing and standings and all that other stuff, but it is game four.

“You know what? We’re going there, and they’re at home, so they’re going to be feeling good about themselves. They’re going to want to play well and represent in front of their fans.

“We’re going there, and you know, as I said, come out and play our best game of the year. That is all I’m asking.”

Hilltops End Zone Scholarship Dinner set for Sept. 28

The Annual Hilltops End Zone Scholarship Dinner is set for September 28.

The dinner will be held in the main hall of the Gordie Howe Sports Centre building located at the south end of Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The doors for the dinner will open at 4:15 p.m. and dinner will be served at 5 p.m.

The presenting sponsors of the event are TCU Financial and SaskTel. It is hosted in conjunction with the Hilltops community partners in the Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation. The official beverage sponsor is the Crossmount Cider Company.

All proceeds of the event go towards the Saskatoon Hilltop Scholarship Fund.

The guest speakers for the End Zone Dinner are still to be announced. Past guest speakers have included a host of stars and legends from the CFL’s Roughriders including the late George Reed, Darian Durant, Chris Getzlaf, Neal Hughes, Al Johns, Carm Carteri, Derrick Moncrief and Jorgen Hus.

Single tickets for the event are $100, and a table of eight goes for $725. Ticket purchases include admission to that night’s CJFL regular season contest between the Hilltops and the Regina Thunder set for 7 p.m. at SMF Field. Tickets for the End Zone Dinner can be purchased 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 where they should be in latest CJFL title quest

Trey Reider slings a pass for the Hilltops.

Pegged as the outright favourites to repeat as CJFL champions, the Saskatoon Hilltops are again living up to lofty expectations.

The defending CJFL champions have started the 2024 campaign with a 3-0 record outscoring their opposition 137-33 along the way. They have occupied the top spot in the CJFL’s Top 10 Power Rankings in every week that the rankings have been released.

Every team in the CJFL dreams of knocking the Hilltops off the mountain top. That has been easier said than done when it comes to the venerable and storied squad. The Hilltops have won 23 CJFL titles in their history and claimed 10 of the last 13 CJFL championships that have been contested dating back to 2010.

Legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant and his assistant coaches know what it is like to be the hunted team on the circuit. They know how to help their players deal with the noise that can range from people on the outside putting the team on pedestal or to negative comments coming the Hilltops players’ way via social media trying to tell them they are overrated and not that great.

When the Hilltops come off their bye week, they will travel to Regina to face the 3-0 Thunder at 7 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium on Saturday, September 7. If the Hilltops fall in that contest, they will hear noise predicting that their attempt to win another CJFL title in 2024 won’t pan out.

So far for the Hilltops, their worst game of the campaign has been their regular season opener back on August 11 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. In that contest, they were flat but still beat the visiting Edmonton Huskies 38-13. To be fair, the Huskies and the officials were also flat in that contest creating one of those opening day games that can go all over the map, which does happen quite a bit in football.

The Hilltops have looked strong and exciting in their two road wins since. On August 18 at Maple Grove Rugby Park in Winnipeg, the Hilltops rolled over the Rifles 47-1. Last Sunday at Shouldice Athletic Park in Calgary, the Hilltops crushed the Colts 52-19.

Drake Douglas has made numerous big plays for the Hilltops.

While the Hilltops are once again showing great balance in their passing and running attacks on offence, quarterback Trey Reider has been excellent so far playing out his final campaign of CJFL eligibility. Reider has completed 38-of-60 passes for 521 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions. He has run the ball nine times for 76 yards and two major scores.

Hilltop receiver Drake Douglas, who is also playing out his final CJFL campaign, is making a case that he might be the most exciting player in all of Canadian junior football. He has caught 17 passes for 319 yards and four touchdowns.

Douglas tops the PFC in punt returns (18) and punt return yards (229). He has a 34-yard touchdown pass to his credit coming off a fake field goal in the win over the Colts.

Corbin Ebben is rounding into the power running back the Hilltops hoped the third-year player from Delisle Composite School Rebels nine-a-side Football Team could be. Ebben has carried the ball 51 times for 304 yards and two touchdowns.

While it might sound strange, the Hilltops most memorable “splash” play comes via a couple of first-year players. During mop up time in the win over the Colts, rookie signal caller Charlie Molder hit receiver Hayden Day for a 70-yard pass and run touchdown on a picturesque steak pattern play. Molder was a star with Saskatoon’s Aden Bowman Collegiate Bears Football Team, while Day starred for Balgonie’s Greenall High School Griffins Football Team.

On the other side of the ball, defensive end Kai Kukurudza and defensive tackle Johnathon Stevens have wreaked havoc on opposing offences. Kukurudza has three sacks and an interception, while Stevens has two sacks and a fumble recovery.

Defensive back Nathan Young, who is in his fourth season of CJFL eligibility, has made the highlight reels returning two interceptions for touchdowns to go along with a fumble recovery.

Kai Kukurudza (#73) closes in on a tackle for the Hilltops.

If the Hilltops can beat the Thunder in their upcoming clash, it should set Saskatoon up well going into the second half of the PFC’s regular season schedule. In the Hilltops final four regular season contests, they will play at home on three occasions. Playing frequently like that at SMF Field should aid the Hilltops considerably in big games down the stretch.

With the PFC champion scheduled to host a CJFL semifinal this season, the Hilltops could find themselves playing even more at home when the post-season comes around.

The Hilltops are again living up to their high standards, and at the moment, there is no reason to expect that to change.

Ebben tabbed as PFC Player of the week

Corbin Ebben (#34) was the PFC offensive player of the week.

Saskatoon Hilltops power running back Corbin Ebben did his best impression of Roger Craig, and he was recognized with a weekly CJFL award for his efforts.

On Tuesday, Ebben was named the offensive player of the week of the Prairie Football Conference for his performance in the Hilltops 52-19 victory over the Colts at Shouldice Athletic Park in Calgary last Sunday. Ebben carried the ball 18 times for 140 yards and hauled in four passes for 67 yards and three touchdowns.

On the season, Ebben has carried the ball 51 times for 304 yards and two touchdowns. His rushing yardage total ranks third in the PFC.

Craig gained fame becoming the first play in the history of the NFL to have over 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving in one season coming in 1985 with the San Francisco 49ERS.

Edmonton Huskies defensive back Owen MacNeil claimed honours as the PFC’s defensive player of the week for his performance in his team’s 27-8 victory over the Edmonton Wildcats at Emerald Hills Regional Park in Sherwood Park, Alta. MacNeil had three interceptions to go with five solo defensive tackles and a pass knockdown.

Winnipeg Rifles defensive back Cohen McCluskey captured the PFC’s special teams player of the week nod for his efforts in team’s 30-0 loss to the Thunder at Leibel Field in Regina last Sunday. McCluskey had five special teams solo tackles in that loss.

Hilltops’ director Gould passes away

Jeff Gould, right, talks with Topper in August of 2023.

The sidelines of Saskatoon Hilltops home games won’t be the same for some time with the passing of director Jeff Gould.

Gould passed away on Monday at age 73 due to complications following a recent cancer diagnosis. Gould was serving in his 15^th year as a Hilltops director and was the team’s game day convener and was also a vice-president of the PFC.

As the Hilltops game day convener, Gould was a fixture on the sidelines during Hilltops games. It was common to see him visiting with anyone who roamed the sidelines, and he often visited with Hilltops players on the sidelines who weren’t dressed due to injury. Gould also held roles in the past as the Hilltops manager and team president.

He was a person that lifted the atmosphere of any room he stepped into. Gould had a great sense of humour and good and often off-colour jokes.

Along with his work with the Hilltops, Gould enjoyed being involved in the community and contributed countless hours to the Kinsmen Club of Saskatoon, K-40 and the Saskatchewan Jazz Festival.

Gould was super proud of his family. He is survived by his wife of over 50 years, Hope, daughters Kara (Ralph) Deters and Kelly (Jeret) Bode, grandchildren Hayden, Olivia, Nora and Iris, siblings, nieces, nephews and countless others who had the privilege to know him.

Gould’s celebration of life will be planned for a date in October. His obituary from Saskatoon Funeral Home can be found by clicking right here.

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