Hilltops focused on playing back to standard

Saskatoon opens home-and-home series with rival Thunder

Hilltops RB Boston Davidsen leads the PFC in rushing.

Tom Sargeant wants his Saskatoon Hilltops to show they’ve righted the ship.

A win over the Regina Thunder would be a bonus.

On Saturday at 7 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the provincial rivals go at it in the first game of a CJFL regular season home-and-home series. The series concludes when the two sides go at it again on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 1 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium in Regina.

The Thunder head into those clashes with a perfect 3-0 record. The Hilltops sport a 2-1 mark falling in their last outing 19-16 to the Rifles in Winnipeg on August 28.

Sargeant, who is the Hilltops long time legendary head coach, wants to see his club play up to the standard that has seen the program in 22 CJFL championships.

“We are playing at home, so I want to make sure we come out and play our best game of the year, defend home turf and play a physical brand of Hilltop football,” said Sargeant, whose 220 career wins are the most for Canadian amateur football in the post-secondary ranks. “If we get that, it doesn’t matter who we play if we go and execute the game plans.

“I’m certainly not happy from the performance we saw (on August 28 against the Rifles). That is why we coach. We coach to get better and to improve.

“I believe we have the right players in the situations to grow and develop. If that is the case, they’ll come out and play game four real, real well.”

The Thunder enter the contest with the top ranked offence and defence in the PFC. They have gained 1,705 yards of net offence, while giving up just 862 net yards on defence.

The Hilltops are ranked third in offence and defence in the PFC entering Saturday’s game. They have gained 1,179 yard of net offence and given up 1,038 net yards on defence.

The biggest difference between the two clubs offensively has been the passing game. The Thunder lead the PFC with 1,059 yards passing, while the Hilltops sit last in the six-team PFC with 523 yards passing.

Damon Dutton has completed 45-of-68 passes this season.

Thunder star starting quarterback Carter Shewchuk has been on fire completing 60-of-79 passes for 990 yards and 10 touchdowns, while throwing four interceptions. Shewchuk’s yardage and touchdown pass totals lead the PFC.

Hilltops starting quarterback Damon Dutton has officially completed 45-of-68 passes for 483 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Sargeant wants to see improved production from the passing game, because he expects the Thunder will key on disrupting the Hilltops ground game.

“We have to work hard to get our pass game better,” said Sargeant. “Like anything, we always want to be a 50/50 team.

“Right now, we haven’t been able to do that, because we haven’t executed the plan as well.  That is straight on the coaches and the players. Those things we need to figure out, and we need to figure it out by Saturday night.

“The good thing about Regina, they’ll let us know what they think are our strengths. I’ll be able to tell after the game what we need to do to move forward.”

Statistically, the teams are almost even with the production they’ve gotten out of their ground game. The Thunder top the PFC in rushing with 712 yards along the ground, while the Hilltops sit second with 672 yards along the ground.

Thunder star running back Ryland Leichert sits second in the PFC in rushing with 379 yards coming on 53 carries, and he has scored one touchdown.

Hilltops star power running back Boston Davidsen leads the PFC with 392 yards rushing coming on 65 carries, where he has reached the end zone twice. The last time these two teams met back on Nov. 14, 2021 at Mosaic Stadium, the Hilltops piled up 386 yards as a team on the ground road gradering their way to a 29-9 victory in the PFC final to capture a seventh straight conference crown.

Davidsen said the Hilltops offensive line had a special game that day leading to that dominant final outcome.

Boden Marley leads the Hilltops with 143 yards receiving.

“I just feel that the mindset that we had of our blockers was really good that day,” said Davidsen. “There were some pretty big holes that day I feel like you maybe could have drove a truck through.

“When you have blockers like that, it makes the game easy. It looks good, and I think that really came down to their mindset.”

Davidsen said the ground game isn’t always going to have a monster outing like in last year’s PFC final. He believes his team’s passing game is on the verge of having a breakout performance.

With that said, Davidsen believes the passing game will have a better chance to get on track, if the Hilltops can continue to have success along the ground.

“Obviously, we are looking to run the ball and run it well,” said Davidsen. “That is obviously a goal for us every game, especially this upcoming Saturday.

“I think we would really benefit, if we run the ball well early on. It will really help us open up our pass game. We have a lot of really talented players on the passing side of the ball.

“They haven’t really been able to showcase and put up those numbers that I think they really could put up yet this year. I think if our backs can run the ball well early on it would really help our pass game this Saturday.”

The Thunder receivers have made the big plays so far this season. Isaac Foord sits second in the PFC with 290 receiving yards coming off 16 catches, and he has leads the PFC in receiving touchdowns with four.

Isaiah Woodley sits third in the PFC with 279 receiving yards coming on 16 catches, and he has scored three touchdowns through the air. 

Rylan Sokul, who was the PFC’s most valuable player last season, sits fifth in the conference with 205 receiving yards coming off 13 catches, and he has scores two touchdowns.

Dillan Heintz is looking for his first big game of the 2022 season.

Boden Marley tops the Hilltops in receiving with 12 catches for 143 yards and one touchdown. He ranks eighth in receiving yardage in the PFC.

On paper talent wise, the Hilltops have depth at receiver with Marley, Dillan Heintz, Lachlan Horsley, Presley Peterson, Boden Marley, Matthew Turple and Noah Flaman. All of those pass catchers are capable of having big games.

“At the end of the day, it is all of us in one big pile working hard to sort this out,” said Sargeant. “We’re not going to talk about it too much.

“We just have to come out and practice harder, play better, compete harder, and when you do those things, it is amazing what the results are. I’m excited for the challenge that is coming our way. Saturday night can’t come soon enough.”

Roughriders alum Hughes coming to End Zone Dinner

A Neal Hughes card.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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“Sarge” says Hilltops play on field not up to standard

Head coach wants more consistency from team

Tom Sargeant didn’t like what he saw on video from the Hilltops last game.

Tom Sargeant wants to see the Saskatoon Hilltops look like the Saskatoon Hilltops when he watches game film.

When the team’s long time legendary head coach checks out the video of his club’s 19-16 CJFL regular season loss this past Sunday to the Rifles in Winnipeg, he was dismayed. Sargeant wondered if the visiting team he was watching on video was really the squad he was coaches.

“When you watch the film, at times I didn’t recognize what this football team was,” said Sargeant. “Even though it was a 19-16 game, I wasn’t happy with our offence.

“I wasn’t happy with our defence and special teams at times. We’re just inconsistent. We’re not playing with the urgency, the intensity that needs to happen consistently for you to try and be at a great level.”

The Hilltops dropped to 2-1 with the loss to the Rifles, while the Winnipeg side improved to 1-2. In the contest itself, the Hilltops turned the ball over four times, while the Rifles gave up the ball three times.

Winnipeg outgained Saskatoon in net offensive yards 383 to 345. Those little differences ultimately helped the Rifles exit the contest with a three-point win.

“At the end of the day, you just see on the film and you learn from what you made your mistakes on,” said Sargeant. “Obviously, what you see is what you coach.

“We have to coach better. They have to play better. The performance is unacceptable for a Hilltops standard, and it doesn’t get more clearer than that.”

Bryson McNeil (#9) threw for 295 yards last Sunday.

Offensively, Rifles star quarterback Bryson McNeil had a big game completing 26-of-40 passes for 295 yards, while throwing one interception. Hilltops star power running back Boston Davidsen had the big outing offensively for his side carrying the ball 27 times for 168 yards and one touchdown.

Still, the Hilltops found themselves having a number of stops and starts in that contest.

“We have a long ways to go to get this team playing at a level that I thought we’d be at by now, but we’re not,” said Sargeant. “I own that.

“I want to get this right.”

Hilltops right tackle Victoire Bikulo, who earned a starting role this season in his second campaign with the team, said the bus ride home from Winnipeg was the most quiet bus ride he’d ever been on. Bikulo said he wasn’t happy with how he played in that contest.

After the Hilltops arrived back home to Saskatoon, Bikulo began watching film at 4 a.m. on Monday to do his part in self-examining what he did wrong.

With entire Prairie Football Conference the Hilltops play out of on a bye week, they will return to action on Saturday, September 10, when they host their provincial rivals the 3-0 Regina Thunder at 7 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Bikulo said everyone with the Hilltops will be more dialed in during practices as that contest approaches.

“Going into the next game, it is just practice hard and physical,” said Bikulo. “You have something to prove no matter whether you are a fifth year, a first year, you always have something to prove.

“There is always somebody that can take your spot. You just have to work hard, show up to practice, be ready to learn, be very attentive, stay focused and focus on your game and your craft. Everything else can come after practice.

“Once you hit the field, it is all about football, and there are no more distractions from there on out. It is just all seriousness and toughness the whole practice.”

Boston Davidsen, left, piled up 168 yards rushing last Sunday.

Due to the fact the Hilltops have won 22 CJFL titles in team history, Sargeant said opponents are always going to be extra motivated to play his squad. He said his team has to be ready to see a top effort from every opponent game in and game out.

“Anytime we show up, people are excited to play us,” said Sargeant. “We’re going to get their best.

“When you don’t bring your best, then you lose games. That is what took place. Now, we have no time to feel sorry for ourselves, because now we have to get ready for Regina Thunder.

“The tape they’re putting out I’m jealous of. That is good tape they are putting out, and we aren’t putting out that same tape.”

Johnson captures second PFC player of the week nod

Konner Johnson was named the PFC defensive player of the week.

Saskatoon Hilltops starting outside linebacker Konner Johnson took a PFC player of the week honour for the second time this season.

On Wednesday, Johnson was named the PFC’s defensive player of the week for his effort this past Sunday, when the Hilltops dropped a 19-16 heartbreaker to the Rifles in Winnipeg. In that contest, Johnson piled up eight total tackles and returned an interception 11 yards.

Johnson, who is playing out his final season of CJFL eligibility, took home PFC defensive player of the week honours after Week 1 for his performance in helping the Hilltops down the visiting Rifles 19-10 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field on August 14.

In the Hilltops three games this season, Johnson has 15.5 total tackles, one sack, two interceptions and two pass knockdowns to sit second in the PFC in defensive points with 46 points.

Rifles kicker Donovan Downing was named the PFC’s special teams player of the week. In his team’s win over the Hilltops, Downing made all four of his field goal attempts including the game-winning kick from 10 yards out with 36 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

Downing made his one conversion attempt and kicked off once for 51 yards. He punted the eight times for 299 yards for an average of 37.4 yards per kick.

Regina Thunder star quarterback Carter Shewchuk was named the PFC’s offensive player of the week helping his squad thump the Huskies in Edmonton 43-14 this past Sunday. In that game, Shewchuk completed 26-of-33 passes for 367 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. He also ran the ball three times for 38 yards.

Roughriders alum Hughes coming to End Zone Dinner

A Neal Hughes card.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

-------

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.

Hilltops’ Johnson gets boost from Roughriders camp

Saskatoon drops heartbreaker in Winnipeg 19-16

Hilltops LB Konner Johnson attended Roughriders training camp.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Konner Johnson was a PFC all-star in 2021.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Konner Johnson said Roughriders camp was a great experience.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Roughriders alum Hughes coming to End Zone Dinner

A Roughriders promo picture of Neal Hughes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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.

Hilltops get big game feel for second battle with Rifles

Boston Davidsen has 224 rushing yards for the Hilltops.

Head coach Tom Sargeant views the Winnipeg Rifles as a legit tough foe, and he won’t let his Saskatoon Hilltops be fooled by the Rifles’ 0-2 record.

On Sunday, the Hilltops, who sport a 2-0 record, travel to the Manitoba capital to face the Rifles in a CJFL regular season clash at East Side Eagles Field for a 1 p.m. Winnipeg time kickoff. The two sides opened their respective regular season schedules playing each other in Week 1 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, where the Hilltops pulled out a 19-10 victory in a defensive battle on August 14.

Following that contest, the Hilltops remained at home for Week 2 this past Sunday and dumped the Edmonton Huskies 38-10 in solid fashion at SMF Field.

The Rifles traveled to Regina in Week 2 to face the Thunder this past Sunday at Leibel Field. Winnipeg held a 22-18 lead going into the fourth quarter, but the Thunder got two field goals from kicker Zack Schmidt to rally for a 24-22 victory.

Schmidt, who was playing in place of injured veteran Eric Maximuik, booted home the winning field goal from 28 yards out with 5:14 remaining in the fourth quarter.

In both Rifles setbacks, Winnipeg quarterback Bryson McNeil surpassed 300 yard passing. McNeil has completed 47-of-76 passes for 645 yards and three touchdowns, while throwing three interceptions, in the Rifles two games to date.

“When you have a quarterback, then you’re always in a game,” said Sargeant, whose 220 career wins are the most for Canadian amateur football in the post-secondary ranks. “At the end of the day, this will be their first game at home, so they’re going to be excited to defend their home turf.

Bryson McNeil has passed for 645 yards in two games for the Rifles.

“They got us coming in, and they felt they were right with us the last game. We know we have to play better, prepare better. We know they are going to be up to the challenge.”

In the Week 1 encounter between the Hilltops and Rifles, Saskatoon’s defence stalled Winnipeg’s running game as the Rifles gained 38 yards rushing as a team on 12 carries. That caused the Rifles to go to the air, where they piled up 335 yards passing.

The Hilltops defensive ultimately forced the Rifles drives to stall and the Saskatoon side got timely interceptions from outside linebacker Konner Johnson and defensive back Wade Keating. Johnson had 4.5 total tackles, one sack and two pass knockdowns to go with his interception in that win, while Keating had seven total tackles to with this his interception in the Week 1 victory.

While the defense came up big for the Hilltops in Week 1, Johnson thought the Hilltops defensive unit played better in the win over the Huskies, and he said the focus is to continue that improving trend going into the second encounter with the Rifles.

“It is their home opener now,” said Johnson. “They have a very talented quarterback and a very talented group of receivers, so we’re really looking to shut them down.

“It is going to be a challenge for us, but we’re up for it.”

Rifles receiver Jacob Roger had a breakout game in the loss to the Thunder hauling in 11 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns. On Wednesday, Roger was named the PFC’s offensive player of the week. On the season, Roger leads the PFC in receptions (14) and receiving yards (307).

Defensive back Kyle Chorney leads the Rifles with 15 total tackles and also has one sack.

Damon Dutton has completed 34-of-47 passes this season.

Offensively for the Hilltops, quarterback Damon Dutton has been efficient completing 34-of-47 passes for 357 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions over two games. Veteran power running back Boston Davidsen sits third in the PFC in rushing piling up 224 yards on the ground on 38 carries scoring one touchdown.

Hilltops 17-year-old rookie running back Charles Sawi has 268 all-purpose yards come on 11 touches via rushing, receiving, kickoff returns, punt returns and missed field goal returns.

Sargeant is looking for his club to play their best game in the early part of the season in the second encounter with the Rifles.

“We have to be ready for whatever they bring,” said Sargeant. “The game we had last Sunday, the team grew a lot.

“We got better. I’m looking forward to taking this team out there on Sunday and coming out and playing our best game of the year.”

Roughriders alum Hughes coming to End Zone Dinner

A Roughriders promo picture of Neal Hughes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Clark and Canada open women’s worlds with win, other notes

An Emily Clark hockey card.

Emily Clark and her Canadian team got a big win to start their quest to repeat as champions at the International Ice Hockey Federation’s Women’s World Championship.

On Thursday at the Kvik Hockey Arena in Herning, Denmark, Canada opened preliminary round play downing Finland 4-1. Finland was the bronze medal winner at last year’s women’s worlds.

In Thursday’s clash between Canada and Finland, Canadian captain Marie-Philip Poulin and forward Sarah Nurse each had a goal and an assist to pace their squad to victory. Meaghan Mikkelson and Blayre Turnbull netted singles for Canada. Clark, who is an alumna of the Saskatoon Stars female under-18 AAA team, picked up an assist on Turnbull’s goal, which was scored into an empty net to round out the 4-1 final with 1:42 remaining in the third.

Defender Jocelyn Larocque picked up a pair of assists for Canada as well.

Julia Liikala netted the lone reply for Finland.

Ann-Renee Desbiens made 16 saves to pick up the win in goal for Canada, which included turning away Finnish forward Kiira Yrjanen on a penalty shot late in the opening frame.

Anni Keisala turned away 39-of-42 shots to take the setback in goal for Finland, who was also opening preliminary round play.

Canada returns to action on Saturday taking on Switzerland in Herning.

Canada captured gold at last year’s women’s worlds played in Calgary, Alta. In the tournament final played on August 31, 2021 at the WinSport Arena, Canada downed the United States in the gold medal final 3-2 in overtime with Poulin netting the winner.

This year’s women’s worlds are being held in Herning and Frederikshavn, Denmark.  The tournament runs through to Sept. 4, when the bronze and gold medal games will be played in Herning at the Kvik Hockey Arena.

• Last Saturday, Canada won gold at the IIHF’s World Junior Championship taking the tournament’s championship game against Finland 3-2 in overtime at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alta. A total of 13,327 spectators were on hand to seeing Canada’s championship win.
• Most of the games at the world juniors that wrapped up in Edmonton were plagued low attendances as that event was often overshadowed by the ongoing sexual misconduct scandals involving Hockey Canada with focus on its world junior teams from the 2017-18 gold medal winning season and the 2002-03 silver medal campaign. Troubles on this front came to light on April 20 regarding Hockey Canada’s 2017-18 world junior team, and the sport governing body has seen numerous troubles pile up since that time including a freeze of funds coming from the Canadian federal government and from sponsors. Developments regarding these scandals appear set to be part of the news cycle in Canada for some time in the foreseeable future.
• Regina Thunder defensive back Adam King was named the PFC’s defensive play of the week on Wednesday. King intercepted a pass, recovered a fumble, knocked down a pass and had 3.5 total tackles as the Thunder slipped past the Winnipeg Rifles 24-22 last Sunday in Regina.
• Calgary Colts place kicker/punter Nicholas Sirleaf was named the PFC’s special teams player of the week on Wednesday. In the Colts 38-10 victory over the visiting Edmonton Wildcats last Sunday, Sirleaf made his lone field goal attempt from 41 yards out and connected on all five of his conversion attempts. He kicked off six times for 332 yards or an average of 55.3 yards per kick. Sirleaf punted the ball seven times for 240 yards or an average of 34.3 yards per punt.
• On Thursday, Mike Babcock, who is 59-years-old, stepped down as the head coach of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Men’s Hockey team. Brandin Cote, who was the Huskies associate head coach last season and is 41-years-old, was promoted to interim head coach. Babcock became the Huskies head coach before the start of last season with plans that he would be in that role for two seasons at most. Babcock, who is a star former NHL head coach, was helping the Huskies to transition to a new permanent head coach after the team’s long time legendary head coach Dave Adolph’s retirement became official on May 1, 2021. In Babcock’s one season behind the Huskies bench, they posted a 13-7 regular season record and fell in a best-of-three Canada West Conference quarter-final series 2-1 to the University of Calgary Dinos.
• The University of Saskatchewan Huskies football team slipped past the University of Manitoba Bison 10-9 in a U Sports exhibition game on Thursday. Receiver Rhett Vavra caught a 72-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter for the Huskies from quarterback Anton Amundrud. The Huskies open their regular season on Friday, Sept. 2, when they travel to Calgary, Alta., to face the University of Calgary Dinos.

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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Football all about brains and brawn for Hilltops’ Hartz

Daylen Hartz has rounded into top form for the Hilltops.

Daylen Hartz said you need to have both brains and brawn, when it comes to playing football.

The defensive end has become a force on the defensive line with the Saskatoon Hilltops. While Hartz enjoys slugging it out in the trenches against offensive linemen and hitting quarterbacks and running backs, he is mindful of tactics and game plans used in the sport.

That includes figuring out ways to beat blocking schemes that are used against him in line play to overall defensive schemes that are used to stop various plays and looks opposing offences comes up with.

“It is not always about contact,” said Hartz, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 245 pounds. “It is the strategy behind everything too.

“It is almost like the chess of sports. Every move has strategy behind it. You’re trying to like counteract each other with what they are doing, but also hitting is fun too.”

Strategy could play a part in the Hilltops (1-0) upcoming game when they host the Edmonton Huskies (1-0) on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

The last time these two clubs played was in a PFC semifinal last season that saw the Hilltops pull out a 33-31 victory in an all-time classic at SMF Field on November 7, 2021. Saskatoon claimed victory when quarterback Damon Dutton hit receiver Dillan Heintz with a five yard game winning touchdown toss with 21.3 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

Daylen Hartz, right, had two sacks for the Hilltops last Sunday.

Last season marked the first time Hartz hit the field in a starting role for the ’Toppers. He led the team with four sacks during the eight game regular season, while collecting five solo tackles, six tackle assists and a forced fumble.

In the Hilltops three playoff games, Hartz had one sack, nine solo tackles and one tackle assist. His sack came in the CJFL semifinal, which the Hilltops fell to the Rams in Langley 17-14. The Rams advanced from that contest to win the Canadian Bowl to become CJFL champions.

Hartz was pumped to get on the field as a starter.

“It was awesome,” said Hartz, who is a graduate of Saskatoon’s Holy Cross High School Crusaders Football Team. “I loved having the opportunity to start after being on the sideline for a while.

“It was exciting to get in there. Obviously, I did a lot of bad plays. I had a couple of good plays.

“I had a lot to learn still, and I’m happy with how it went.  It didn’t end the way we wanted it to, but we learned a lot.”

Hartz got the 2022 campaign and his final CJFL season off to a hot start picking up a couple of sacks in the Hilltops 19-10 regular season opening victory this past Sunday at SMF Field over the Winnipeg Rifles. Legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant said Hartz has grown a tonne since first coming on board with the team in 2018.

Daylen Hartz, right, can stop the run and rush the quarterback.

“Coming out of Holy Cross, I think he was their top defensive player, and he is a player that has evolved here,” said Sargeant. “For the first couple of years, we weren’t sure where he was going to fit in.

“We knew he has some ability and some talent. He did his part in getting bigger, stronger and faster. Last year, he was our top sack leader, and he is an excellent run stopper.

“He doesn’t get enough credit for his ability to stop the run. He’s been very, very productive last year and the beginning of this year. We’re excited for what the rest of the season looks like.”

Hartz remembered he got a reality check that he had to work on strategy and technique when he first joined the Hilltops. During his rookie season in 2018, Hartz had an eye opening experience the first time he went up against star fifth-year right tackle Kirk Simonsen in practice.

“He (Simonsen) picked me up with one arm and just threw me to the ground,” said Hartz. “I wasn’t even 200 pounds back then, so I knew that it was just a massive reality check.

“I’m not that good. I have to get better.”

Hartz worked to get better and learned from the veterans as the Hilltops posted undefeated seasons in their 2018 and 2019 CJFL championship winning campaigns. He was looking forward to big things in his third season until the 2020 CJFL season was wiped out by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has gripped the world.

Daylen Hartz topped the Hilltops with four sacks last season.

While the Hilltops practised together for six weeks as a team in September and October of 2020, Hartz kept his focus the best he could on training, but he admitted you reach the point you need to play a game.

“I had so much time to like prepare and get stronger, but it felt weird like having that summer where there was nothing really going on,” said Hartz, who will turn 22-years-old in December. “You have to keep the mentality of training.

“You always have to remember that you still have to like work on technique, because that is one thing a lot of people I think would have neglected. You always have to have a technique day, because I know even I neglected a lot of technique. I got back in my fourth year there, and my footwork was bad.

“I was way too high, so it was a big adjustment there.”

Still, Hartz kept playing better as the 2021 season motored along, and he started his final campaign in 2022 with a head turning performance. Sargeant believes Hartz has the potential to have a special season.

“You could look at the game film on Sunday, and he was determined that no one could block him,” said Sargeant. “At times, he was dominant.

“We need more of that. Hopefully, he builds on the confidence that he created for himself last weekend and the whole defence did. This team will never be satisfied.

Daylen Hartz got extra motivation after a CJFL semifinal loss in 2021.

“We’ll always want more. We’ll always have extremely high expectations for anyone who is in a starting role. Daylen Hartz is starting to certainly become an impact player in the PFC.”

Hartz said the CJFL semifinal loss to the Rams last year has provided extra motivation to become an even better play. He has put in a lot of time studying the game film of that setback to figure out how he can improve and drive forward into the 2022 campaign.

“I’ve watched that game a few times now, and I’ve rewatched a bunch of the plays,” said Hartz. “I see what we did well.

“I see what we did wrong. I want to get better, and I know we can be better specifically like me too. There were some plays that I blew, and I want to get better at that.”

Johnson named PFC defensive player of the week

Konner Johnson was the PFC’s defensive player of the week.

Konner Johnson’s all-star form from 2021 has carried over into 2022 resulting in a weekly award honour.

On Wednesday, the Saskatoon Hilltops veteran outside linebacker was named the PFC’s defensive player of the week for his work in his team’s 19-10 regular season opening home victory this past Sunday over the Winnipeg Rifles. In that contest, Johnson recorded 4.5 total tackles, one quarterback sack, one interception and two pass knockdowns.

Johnson and the Hilltops defence shutout the Rifles in the second half of last Sunday’s contest.

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

Before joining the Hilltops this season, Johnson attended training camp with the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Green takes PFC’s weekly special teams player honour

Connor Green (#4) was the PFC’s top special teams player for the week.

Connor Green’s impressive debut handling all the kicking duties for the Saskatoon Hilltops helped land him the honour of capturing a weekly award.

On Wednesday, Green, who is playing his first year with the Hilltops, was named the PFC’s special teams player of the week for his work in the Hilltops 19-10 regular season opening home victory this past Sunday over the Winnipeg Rifles. Green hit on 4-of-5 field goal attempts connecting from 46, 20, 45 and 37 yards out.

He made his one conversion attempt, kicked off twice for 111 yards and punted four times for 123 yards for an average of 30.8 yards per punt.

Green accounted for 13 of the 19 points the Hilltops scored in their victory over the Rifles.

Regina Thunder receiver Isaac Foord claimed PFC offensive player of the week award honours on Wednesday for his work in his team’s 57-15 romp over the Edmonton Wildcats at Leibel Field in Regina. Foord hauled in nine passes for 179 yards and scored three touchdowns in that contest, which was played one day after his mother passed away.

Roughriders alum Hughes to speak at End Zone Dinner

A Roughriders promo picture of Neal Hughes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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2001 Rams/Huskies game provided release in rough time

Some crave similar release from respective local sports scenes

Neal Hughes is off to the races for the Rams.

It was a day like no other when you didn’t realize how good it would feel to be at a football park.

That day for me happened to be Saturday, September 15, 2001, when I arrived at Taylor Field to see the U Sports football clash between the University of Regina Rams and the University of Saskatchewan Huskies in a contest that was newly dubbed the Hall of Fame Game.

This game provided a significant memory for me because it occurred just four days after the terrorist attacks in New York City on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001. Those attacks saw the fall of the World Trade Center towers after hijacked airplanes crashed into them.

Jason Clermont, left, rumbles upfield after a catch for the Rams.

It was safe to say everyone who saw the images of what happened in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001 was affected emotionally by them.

A third plane had crashed into the Pentagon that day. A fourth plane in United Airlines Flight 93 was initially flying to Washington, D.C., but it crashed into a field in Stonycreek Township, Pennsylvania after passengers thwarted the hijackers.

It seemed most were in a fog for most of that week after the terrorist attacks happened, and I was one of those that was in a fog. On top of that, I was going through some changes that were the biggest in my life up to that point in time.

Darryl Leason (#8) steps up in the pocket to make a pass.

In May of that year, I had moved away from Regina to work as the sports writer in Prince Albert at the Prince Albert Daily Herald almost a year after graduating from the University of Regina. I had covered the University of Regina’s athletic teams from 1996 to 2001, and most of my old friends from those days were still at the U of R, when I returned from the Hall of Fame Game.

After the terrorist attacks happened, all I wanted to do was go to Regina and see all my old friends again and be around something that felt normal.

It seemed a lot of other people wanted to be around something that felt normal that day as 7,238 spectators attended this clash between the Rams and Huskies. At that time, there pretty tight friendships among most of the members of all the athletic teams at the U of R, and a large sizable contingent from the rest of those teams was at this contest.

Jarrod Livingston watches his Rams from the sidelines.

The U of R was coming off arguably its most memorable season as an athletics program in 2000-01, where the Rams made the Vanier Cup falling 42-39 to the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees, the Cougars women’s hockey team made the U Sports title game coming up short on a 4-3 decision against the U of Toronto Varsity Blues and the Cougars women’s basketball team won the U Sport championship game 94-85 over the U of Alberta Pandas.

Adding in extra fun from my side was I took pictures of the Hall of Fame Game from the sidelines. I wasn’t planning on that, but Brad Woods, who was the U of R’s sports information officer, saw me before the game and set me up with a field pass.

Rams head coach Frank McCrystal evaluates play.

I later enlarged five photos from that contest, got them autographed and gave them to be used for the silent auction at the Rams annual fundraising dinner.

When I got to the sidelines, it was great to see Jarrod Livingstone was out on the field keeping tabs on the Rams. Jarrod, who is the grandson of legendary Rams builder Scotty Livingstone, has spina bifida and has to get around in a wheelchair.

For a lengthy stretch of years, he attended every Rams game and practice. He was the focal point of a lot of fun for everyone involved with the team, and he would give some locker room post-game addresses too from time to time.

The Rams faithful at Taylor Field were jacked up.

As for that contest itself, the cheers during the player pre-game introductions for that contest had a distinctly different feel to them. It seemed like everyone was happy to be out at a football game due to what had happened that past week in the world.

The fans seemed to get a little more engaged into the game when Rams star quarterback Darryl Leason gave a little pump up motion with his arms during pre-game introductions to make everyone remember a pretty big rivalry game was about to take place. Leason at the time was arguably viewed by those in Saskatoon’s sports scene as their greatest villain adversary at that point in time.

Rams LB Jeff Zimmer hits Huskies RB Tyler Siwak.

He loved to get verbal jabs out there that star Huskies defensive end and former Rams team member Brent Dancey would never be able to touch him among a number of other lines that would stir the emotions in the rivalry.

The Rams three key stars in Leason, slotback Jason Clermont and running back Neal Hughes put on a show, and the Rams came away with a 31-21 victory.

One of the game’s signature moments came when six Huskies defensive players were unsuccessfully trying to bring Clermont down, and one of those defensive players came at Clermont with a high flying tackle attempt grabbing the receiver around his neck. Clermont still didn’t go down, but the play was blown dead as his forward progress was stopped.

Darryl Leason ran for 64 yards and threw for 376 yards.

He caught five passes for 113 yards in the win.

Hughes was the night’s MVP. He ran the ball 17 times for 141 yards and scored two rushing touchdowns, and he caught six passes for 80 yards and one receiving major score.

Leason completed 23-of-39 passes for 376 yards and one touchdown, while running the ball 10 times for 64 yards and a major score.

The Huskies did manage to gleefully intercept Leason three times including one pick that was run back 31 yards by defensive back Eric Duchene.

U of S did have other highlights in the game. The Huskies led 7-0 after the first quarter thanks to a 12-play, 89-yard drive that finished with star quarterback Sheldon Ball hitting slotback Greg Meikle with a 16-yard touchdown pass.

Jeff Zimmer made 12 tackles for the Rams.

Huskies powerback Tyler Siwak ran the ball 16 times for 131 yards and scored one touchdown. With the Rams leading 21-7 early in the fourth quarter, Siwak ran his major in from 42 yards out to cut the U of R lead to 21-14 with 9:51 remaining in the frame.

The Rams answered that score with a monster 13-play drive that covered 100 yards that ate up over five minutes and 30 seconds on the clock. On that march, the Rams converted three third down gambles.

The march ended when Leason hit Hughes with a 19-yard touchdown pass to put the hosts up 28-14 with 3:58 remaining in the game.

U of R was able close out the contest from that point.

Linebacker Jeff Zimmer topped the Rams with 12 tackles. Dancey had four tackles for the Huskies, but wasn’t able to come close when it came to trying to register a sack.

Neal Hughes (#36) ran for 141 yards and two touchdowns.

Jon Ryan punted the ball twice for the Rams averaging 49.5 yards a kick.

On the legendary coaches’ front, Frank McCrystal patrolled the sidelines as the Rams head coach, and Brian Towriss worked the opposing sidelines as Huskies head coach.

After the Rams received the Hall of Fame trophy, everyone from the U of R side slipped off to their favourite long time night spot in Checkers for a joyful and spectacular post-game victory party. The festivities ran well into the early hours of the morning.

During the celebrations, you could tell everyone was feeling a release from being bombarded with what happened that week in world events on top of enjoying the Rams victory.

The U of Regina Cheer Team does their thing.

In the current world that is gripped by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, many right now would love to revel in a similar experience following sports teams in their respective local centres.

It doesn’t matter the sport. 

If you are involved with or follow football, hockey, basketball, curling, baseball, softball, racing or any sport that holds the heart of a town or centre, you would like to be able to go to a game and try to relive an experience you have had many times before.

It makes you feel good.

Back when that clash between the Rams and Huskies was played in September of 2001, a lot of the sporting world in the United States had paused in order to come to terms with what happened with 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The anxiety of those events spilled into Canada, and the battle between the Rams and the Huskies gave a break from all that tension.

The Rams get the Hall of Fame Game trophy.

That break and being able to feel good are partial reasons why some sports and leagues have gotten back into action in modified forms. 

In North America, nothing is running exactly like it did on March 10 of this year, which was last real normal day on the calendar before massive restrictions happened due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It will likely be some time before sports events in North America are held exactly like they were back on March 10.

When the day comes sports events can go ahead without restrictions again, you will likely see a lot of joy along with relief at various venues.

COVID-19 caution in local curling, hockey?

CurlSask is throwing caution to the wind in the curling scene.

It appears caution regarding the COVID-19 pandemic has hit a new gear in Saskatchewan when it comes to curling and the under-18 AAA hockey scene.

On Friday, stories came out over various mainstream media outlets that CurlSask postponed a provincial men’s curling tour stop at the Highland Curling Club in Regina and a women’s curling tour stop in Martensville. Both events were originally slated to begin Friday and run through to Sunday.

CurlSask said the decisions were reached based on the advice of the Government of Saskatchewan’s Business Response Team and the recent increases of COVID-19 cases.

On Saturday, the Government of Saskatchewan reported there were 78 new COVID-19 cases in the province, which was a new record for the province over a 24-hour period. Saskatchewan currently has 574 active COVID-19 cases, which is also an all-time high.

Gregory Strong of The Canadian Press put out a story on Friday showing that Matt Dunstone’s Regina-based rink and Colton Flasch’s Saskatoon-based rink are frustrated with Saskatchewan’s COVID-19 restrictions.

In the story put out by The Canadian Press, the Dunstone team hinted they were thinking about moving to Alberta in order to have the chance to get more competition in these COVID-19 pandemic times. At the moment, CurlSask won’t allow Saskatchewan curling teams to participate in events outside Saskatchewan and is barring teams from outside the province from coming into the province to play games.

Add caption

The Canadian Press story was posted on CBC’s website, and some of the reader comments directed towards the curlers weren’t that nice. The Canadian Press story on the CBC site can be found by clicking right here.

There has also been a trio of cancellations on the under-18 hockey front including two male exhibition games and one female pre-season contest on Friday and Saturday in Saskatchewan. COVID-19 wasn’t named as the reason for the cancellation, but “unforeseen circumstances” seemed to be the buzz words.

On Friday, the Saskatoon Blazers announced their exhibition home again that night against the Warman Wildcats was cancelled in male under-18 AAA play.

On Saturday, the Saskatoon Contacts announced their exhibition home clash that night against the Battlefords Stars was cancelled also in male under-18 AAA play.

Also on Saturday, the Prince Albert Northern Bears announced their pre-season home game against the Saskatoon Stars on Sunday was cancelled in female under-18 AAA play.

Bedard hits the ice in Sweden for games, other notes

Connor Bedard is seeing game action, and business is picking for other players on WHL rosters.

On Wednesday, Gregg Drinnan was the first in North America to report in his Taking Note blog that Bedard, who turned 15-years-old on July 17, played his first game that night with HV71 in Sweden’s U-20 league. HV71 is based in Jonkoping.

HV71 fell 2-1 to Farjestad, and Bedard was held pointless in that contest.

Bedard, who is from North Vancouver, B.C., was given exceptional player status to allow him to play in the WHL on a full-time basis at age 15. The Regina Pats selected the skilled centre first overall in the WHL Bantam Draft back in April.

Dave Struch, who is the Pats head coach and assistant general manager, told Drinnan the Pats released Bedard to HK71 with the understanding Bedard will return to the Pats when the WHL get back into action.

The WHL regular season is targeted to start on January 8, 2021.

Bedard has a goal and an assist in his first two games with HV71.

On Friday afternoon, the WHL announced it has granted temporary transfers for WHL roster players to play at the junior A, junior B and under-18 levels in order to continue their development.

On the same day, the Everett Silvertips announced they had loaned five players to the junior A ranks with the loans slated to expire on Dec. 20.

One of those players includes overage left-winger Cole Fonstad, who joined his hometown Estevan Bruins in the SJHL. Fonstad was a member of the Prince Albert Raiders until he was dealt to the Silvertips in October of last year.

Overall, a number of WHL players are now on rosters of junior A, junior B and under-18 teams.

All of these moves would not have come to pass at this point in time had it not been for the COVID-19 pandemic.

• On Thursday, TSN’s Rick Westhead reported on Twitter a judge in Quebec and a judge in Ontario have rejected the $30-million settlement in the CHL’s minimum-wage class-action lawsuit. There is no telling when this legal proceeding may actually conclude.
• Back on August 25, Forbes put out a piece stating the five biggest threats the COVID-19 pandemic poses towards the future of sports. The piece is geared towards a more United States viewpoint. The first threat mentioned is the financial threat noting the sports industry in the United States is worth US$750-billion. Some will see some parallels to the sports industry in Canada. The Forbes piece can be found by clicking right here.
• On Thursday, Greg Harder put out a story in the Regina Leader-Post catching up with Connor Hobbs, who was a great with the WHL’s Regina Pats. The 23-year-old defenceman said he had retired from professional hockey after playing three injury riddled seasons in the AHL with the Hershey Bears. The Bears are an affiliate with the NHL’s Washington Capitals, who selected Hobbs in the fifth round and 143^rd overall in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. Hobbs is taking business classes online at the U of Saskatchewan and has been practicing with the Huskies men’s hockey team with younger brother, Declan, who is a goalie. From 2013 to 2017, Hobbs played in 180 WHL regular season games split between the Medicine Hat Tigers and Pats posting 53 goals, 94 assists and a plus-36 rating in the plus-minus department. Harder’s story on Hobbs can be found by clicking right here. Hobbs arguably most hilarious moment in the WHL is contained in the tweet below.

Connor Hobbs thinks you should come enjoy games 1 & 2 and get in on the BRAND NEW pulled pork sandwich at @BrandtCentre! #JoinTheRegiment pic.twitter.com/uyENVUdTi9

— Regina Pats (@WHLPats) March 22, 2017

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