Expect offence to take centre stage for Hilltops in 2024

Trey Reider fires a pass down field on August 1.

It was the year of the defence for the Saskatoon Hilltops in 2023, and it hid the fact their offence was pretty good.

In 2023, the Hilltops allow just 51 points against over their eight regular season games. It was the lowest points allowed total for the team in regular season play dating back to 1949.

Saskatoon followed that up giving up just 25 points in four post-season games on the way to winning the Canadian Bowl to become CJFL champions for a 23^rd time. On the campaign itself, the Hilltops posted a 12-0 overall record giving up a total of 76 points against, which is the team’s lowest total in that department since 1949.

Actually when it comes to combined action in both the regular season and post-season, the 1949 Hilltops are the only squad in the history of the team to give up fewer points against that the CJFL championship winning 2023 Hilltops did.

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

With that run, the Hilltops defence seemingly gathered up all the headlines in 2023. The Hilltops offence was strong too, but it was often overshadowed by the defence.

Drake Douglas (#86) was a first team CJFL all-Canadian in 2023.

The 2023 Saskatoon Hilltops were like the Pittsburgh Steelers of the 1970s. Everyone wanted to see “Mean” Joe Greene, Jack Lambert, Jack Ham and Mel Blount on defence. In time, players like Franco Harris, Terry Bradshaw, Lynn Swann, John Stallworth and Mike Webster took centre stage too.

The Hilltops in 2024 return 11 of 12 starters on offence from the previous season. The offence is led by a sure-fire star in quarterback Trey Reider, who is playing his final season of CJFL eligibility.

During the Hilltops eight regular season games, Reider completed 108-of-167 passes for 1,571 yards and 16 touchdowns, while throwing five interceptions. He topped the PFC with a 114.6 quarterback efficiency rating, was named a PFC all-star and took honours as the PFC’s Most Outstanding Quarterback.

Reider returns along with two of his biggest receiving targets in Drake Douglas, who is also in his final year of CJFL eligibility, and Noah Flaman, who is in his fourth year of eligibility. In the regular season in 2023, Douglas hauled in 56 passes for 591 yards and four touchdowns for the Hilltops on the way to being named a first team CJFL all-Canadian all-star. Pass catcher Noah Flaman, who is known as “TD Noah,” caught 21 passes for 422 yards and six touchdowns during the regular season.

That trio played a large part in allowing the Hilltops to top the PFC in regular season scoring with 335 points for an average of 41.9 points per game. Saskatoon finished second in total offensive yards gained in the PFC at 3,556.

Noah Flaman (#85) was a touchdown maker for the Hilltops in 2023.

The biggest missing piece is star power running back Boston Davidsen, who was the Hilltops lone starter that exhausted his CJFL eligibility following the completion of the 2023 campaign. In being named a first team all-Canadian all-star, Davidsen led the PFC in carries (170), rushing yards (1,184) and rushing touchdowns (nine). He finished his CJFL career posting two straight seasons for rushing over 1,000 yards.

Still, a pair of third-year running backs in Charles Sawi and Corbin Ebben have been improving and gaining experience in preparing for the time right now when they have the chance to step into a bigger role. Sawi gives the Hilltops an explosive playmaker, while Ebben brings a power game that is similar to Davidsen’s.

The Hilltops return their starting offensive line in right tackle Cody Shumanski, right guard Victoire Bikulo, centre Matt Noble, left guard Erik Barsness and left tackle Davin Johnson. Saskatoon also has a super sub waiting in the wings in Quinton Pike. Pike started the Hilltops final regular season game and all four of the club’s post-season games at right guard in 2023 after Bikulo was lost due to a lower right leg injury.

Shumanski was a first team all-Canadian all-star a season ago.

When the Hilltops open their regular season schedule on Sunday hosting the Edmonton Huskies at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, it will be the time for the Hilltops offence to take on more of the spotlight.

Charles Sawi can make explosive plays for the Hilltops.

The Hilltops lost some key pieces on defence due to graduation after the 2023 campaign concludes. Middle linebacker Matt Wist, outside linebacker Wade Keating, defensive back Carter Wingert and defensive tackle Craig Torgerson all exhausted their CJFL eligibility. Wist, Keating and Wingert were all key starters and Torgerson played frequent snaps on the defensive line rotation.

Defensive end Riece Kack moved on to join the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team in the U Sports ranks.

Still, the Hilltops defence will be anchored by star veterans in defensive tackle Johnathon Stevens, outside linebacker Noah Gedir and hard-hitting safety Dalton Urban. Stevens was a first team all-Canadian all-star.

With that noted, watch for the Hilltops offence to fly high in 2024.

Berries fever takes over Saskatoon, other notes

Joe Carnahan has words for the umpire crew on Thursday.

Joe Carnahan is well on his way to becoming a household name in Saskatoon.

On Thursday, the Saskatoon Berries head coach took one for the team to give his players an extra spark in their 3-0 loss to the Medicine Mavericks in Game 2 of a best-of-three WCBL semifinal series. The Mavericks win on that night evened the series at 1-1.

Late in that Game 2 with his players having concerns with the strike zone of home plate umpire Brendan Boucher, Carnahan came out of his team’s dugout to make his feelings known. Along with getting in a shouting match with members of the umpire crew, Carnahan proceeded to kick dirt in order to cover up home plate.

Carnahan got tossed, and he walked out of the park to a standing ovation from the 1,974 spectators that packed into Cairns Field. While the Berries are a first-year expansion team, Carnahan has a long and storied history with the WCBL.

He played on Swift Current’s WCBL championship teams in 2001, 2005 and 2006, and he was Swift Current’s head coach winning WCBL titles in 2010, 2016 and 2017. This isn’t his first rodeo going through the ups and downs of a WCBL campaign.

In baseball, good coaches are always thinking about the next game, because in leagues like the WCBL, teams are playing every day. You can expect Carnahan knew putting on a show and getting kicked out would get his players fired up and refocused for the series deciding Game 3 that was to come on Friday night in Medicine Hat.

In that Game 3 at Athletic Park, Berries scored four runs in the top of the ninth to break a 2-2 tie and ultimately post a 6-2 victory to take the series 2-1. Combined with the fact the Moose Jaw Miller Express upset the powerhouse Regina Red Sox sweeping the other East Division semifinal series 2-0, the Berries find themselves having home-field advantage for the best-of-three East Division Championship Series against the Express.

Game 1 is set for Sunday at 1 p.m. at Cairns Field. Game 2 is slated for Monday at 7 p.m. at Ross Wells Stadium in Moose Jaw. If necessary, Game 3 will be held on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Cairns Field.

The Berries stumbled out of the gates with an expected expansion team slow start posting a 3-8 mark to start the regular season. When the regular season wrapped up, the Berries finished with a 31-25 mark to sit third in the East Division just two games back of the Mavericks for second place.

The Express finished fourth in the East Division with a 26-29 mark.

Carter Beck has had a stellar season for the Berries.

The presence of Carnahan along with pitching coach and former MLB pitcher Andrew Albers on the Berries coaching staff did create the conceivable potential the Berries could progress at a rapid rate.

Centre-fielder Carter Beck has emerged as the Berries most recognizable star being one season removed from being named the most valuable player of the under-18 AAA level of the Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League with the South East Twins. Local area products like Nolan Sparks, Oakland Flodell, Cory Wouters and Colin Plain have also come through at key times for the Berries.

Plain, a right-handed pitcher who is an alumnus of the Saskatoon Cubs under-18 AAA team, closed out Friday’s win throwing three scoreless innings striking out five batters and give up just one hit.

United States products like Bailyn Sorensen, Jalen Freeman and Ethan Menard have endured themselves to the Saskatoon and area community since arriving in the area in May.

On the attendance front, the Berries are playing in front of an average home crowd of about 1,900 spectators a night.

It is cool to see this season has turned out as it has for Berries president Steve Hildebrand, who is still better known as the associate general manager of the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades. When the Sask Entertainment Group, the parent company owns the Berries and Blades, bought into the WCBL with the Berries expansion franchise, you could tell the Berries and baseball were Hildebrand’s passion. He really, really wanted to make this work.

To add on to the already memorable campaign, Hildebrand was able to spend the summer working with his son Max Hildebrand before the go off to be WHL rivals again. Max Hildebrand, who was once an accomplished baseball player himself, is the Berries equipment manager but is best known as the star netminder of the WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders.

The Berries are well into playing with house money in 2024. Still at this point in the campaign, you suspect the Berries want to get greedy at this point and win it all.

Backed by the warm crowds that they are playing in front of at home and are starting to follow the team on the road, let’s just see how far this feel-good story can go.

• On Saturday night at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Team Canada downed Czechia 2-1 in the Gold medal game of the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Liam Kilfoil, who plays for the QMJHL’s Halifax Mooseheads, and Caleb Desnoyers, who plays for the QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats, netted singles for Canada. Jack Ivankovic, who plays for the OHL’s Brampton Steelhead, made 18 saves to pick up the win in goal for the Canadian side. Gavin McKenna, who is a star left-winger of the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers, had three goals and three assist in five games for Canada at that event. McKenna will turn 17-years-old on December 20.
• The CJFL’s Prairie Football Conference opens regular season play with all six teams hitting the field on Sunday. The defending CJFL champion Saskatoon Hilltops host the Edmonton Huskies a 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Regina Thunder travel to Winnipeg to take on the Rifles. The Edmonton Wildcats venture to Calgary to face the Colts.
• On Friday, I had new content appear on the Howe Happenings blog that supports the Gordie Howe Sports Complex. I put together a feature on PSI Hockey Training, which is an off-ice conditioning program that has attracted the “who is who” of hockey players seemingly in Saskatoon and area. That piece can be found by clicking right here. I also put together a photo roundup that is anchored by pictures from Softball Canada’s Under-19 Women’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournament that was held on the diamonds at the Complex. 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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CJFL title capped rebound season for Hilltops in 2023

The Hilltops celebrate a TD from Drake Douglas, right.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Noah Flaman jets downfield on a long TD reception.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Riece Kack makes a sack for the Hilltops.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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Wist, Davidsen lead Hilltops to 23rd CJFL title

Saskatoon completes 12-0 perfect season

The Hilltops get presented the Canadian Bowl.

Matt Wist and Boston Davidsen went out in a blaze of glory.

Playing in the final contests of their CJFL playing careers, both had monster outings for the Saskatoon Hilltops on Saturday playing in the CJFL championship game – the Canadian Bowl. Thanks to their efforts, the visiting PFC champion Hilltops downed the host and BCFC champion Westshore Rebels 17-10 at Starlight Stadium in Langford, B.C., which is a suburb of Victoria.

With Saturday’s win, the Hilltops claimed the CJFL title for the 23^rd time in team history. It was their first CJFL championship win since 2019.

Saskatoon also completed a perfect season with a 12-0 record. That would mark the sixth time the club has posted a perfect season. The Hilltops’ first perfect season came in 1958 at 11-0, the second in 1978 at 12-0, the third in 2003 at 12-0, the fourth in 2018 at 11-0 and the fifth in 2019 at 12-0.

The Rebels entered Saturday’s clash with a 12-0 record. They finish out the 2023 campaign with a 12-1 mark and have lost all three of their CJFL championship game appearances in club history, with all those losses coming against the Hilltops.

The Hilltops mantra has been to help their graduating players leave the CJFL as champions. They also look to their graduating players to lead the way on the field.

Wist, who is the team’s star 22-year-old middle linebacker, was named the defensive player of the game. The graduate of Saskatoon’s Bethlehem Catholic High School Stars Football team collected three big interceptions to go with nine solo defensive tackles, four defensive tackle assists and one pass knockdown.

Wist was named a first team CJFL all-Canadian all-star at punter, and he delivered in that department too. With most of the contest being played in a downpour, Wist punted the ball 10 times for 306 yards for an average of 30.6 yard per kick and a net average of 27.3 yards per kick.

Matt Wist (#44) was the defensive player of the game.

With the adverse weather conditions with a rain falling in Biblical proportions at times, the Hilltops needed Davidsen to come through with a big game, and he claimed honours as the offensive player of the game. The 22-year-old star power running back carried the ball 25 times for 158 yards and one touchdown. The major from the graduate of the Bishop James Mahoney High School Saints Football Team ultimately held up as the winning score of the contest.

Expecting to play in the snow and cold at the tail end of the regular season and in the post-season, the Hilltops to their credit built their offensive unit to be balanced in the running and passing games. That type of planning helps for games played in a steady downpour too.

During the 2023 campaign, the Hilltops have been blessed with having good weather for their games. Before Saturday’s CJFL title game, the Hilltops only other adverse weather game this season came back on September 30, when they downed their provincial rivals the Regina Thunder 19-10 in a regular season contest played in a steady monsoon at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

That contest proved to provide valuable experience for what the Hilltops would face in the Canadian Bowl on Saturday at Starlight Stadium.

A crazy as it sounds, the adverse weather likely hurt the host Rebels more than the Hilltops. The Rebels have the CJFL’s marquee player in quarterback Te Jessie, who captured CJFL’s Peter Dalla Riva Outstanding Offensive player award on Friday.

In the Rebels 10 regular season games, Jessie was outstanding completing 150-of-212 passes for 2,453 yards and 41 touchdowns, while throwing seven interceptions. He had a quarterback rating of 135.1, and his 41 touchdown passes set a new record for CJFL regular season play.

Facing the Hilltops stingy defence and the rain, Jessie was limited to completing 23-of-36 passes for 221 yards, while throwing two interceptions. Jessie ran the ball 10 times for 49 yards too.

Boston Davidsen (#24) was the offensive player of the game.

After the two sides played through a scoreless opening quarter, the Hilltops broke through on the scoreboard at the 2:35 mark of the second quarter as receiver Noah Flaman lived up to his nickname of “TD Noah.” With the ball at the Rebels 36 yard line, Hilltops star quarterback Trey Reider hit Flaman with a deep 36-yard touchdown pass to give the visitors a 7-0 lead.

Late in the second quarter, Wist made his first of three interceptions catching the football after it deflected off of about two sets of hands.

With the Hilltops defence shutting down the Rebels offence, Westshore’s special teams came through with a big play. Rebels receiver Cairo Berry ran the opening kickoff in the third quarter 81 yards for a touchdown to even the score at 7-7.

A short time later, the Rebels tried to take the lead with a field goal attempt from 40 yards out. After a bad snap, holder Ethan Pickard, who is the Rebels backup quarterback, rolled out with the ball and threw it downfield only to be intercepted by Wist, who set the visitors up at their own 34 yard line.

Later on in the quarter, the Hilltops were forced to punt and Berry fumbled the ball away to be recovered by defensive back Nathan Young at the Rebels 31 yard line. On the ensuing offensive series, the Hilltops cashed that turnover into a one-yard touchdown run by Davidsen on a third-and-goal gamble. That major gave the Hilltops a 14-7 lead at the 7:08 mark of the third quarter.

At the 5:15 mark of the fourth quarter, the Hilltops pushed their edge out to 17-7 with a 40-yard field goal from first team CJFL all-Canadian kicker Teijon Abel-Douglas.

The Rebels cut the gap to 17-10 with a 30-yard field goal from kicker Gio Linuzzi with 6:25 remaining in the fourth quarter. Westshore wasn’t able to get any closer as the 17-10 score would hold up as the game’s final outcome.

Wist ended the Rebels second last offensive series with his third interception of the contest.

Reider completed 12-of-19 passes for 162 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions. Flaman topped the Hilltops with 94 receiving yards on three catches,which included his touchdown catch.

The Hilltops celebrate their CJFL title win.

Rebels star running back Gerren Hardisty ran the ball 16 times for 90 yards. Berry led all pass catchers with eight receptions for 102 yards.

Lot of players had big games on the Hilltops defence. Outside linebacker Wade Keating, who was playing the final game of his CJFL career, recorded six solo defensive tackles, four defensive tackle assists and two special teams solo tackles.

Defensive end Ben Marce had four solo defensive tackles, one defensive tackle assist and two quarterback sacks. Star defensive tackle Johnathon Stevens had three solo defensive tackles, two defensive tackle assists and one quarterback sack. Star defensive end Riece Kack had two solo defensive tackles and one quarterback sack.

For the Rebels defensively, Defensive lineman Cody McMahon had six solo defensive tackles and one defensive tackle assist. Defensive back Oluwaferanmi Okunlola had five solo defensive tackles and two defensive tackle assists. 

Defensive lineman Ted Windom Jr. had four solo defensive tackles, one defensive tackle assist and one quarterback sack. Defensive lineman Praise Odogun has a fumble recovery, one solo defensive tackle, one defensive tackle assist and one pass knockdown for Westshore.

The Hilltops forced seven turnovers from the Rebels, while the Rebels made the Hilltops turn the ball over twice.

Legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant enjoyed his 17^th CJFL championship with the Hilltops on Saturday. Sargeant has won 14 of those titles as a head coach, two as an assistant coach and his first came as a receiver in 1985.

The Hilltops had six players who were holdovers from their 2019 CJFL championship team in Wist, Davidsen, Keating, defensive tackle Craig Torgerson, defensive back Carter Wingert and receiver Evan Ward. They all graduate from the program with two CJFL championship rings.

Linebacker Jordan Levesque and offensive lineman Justice Walker, who joined the Hilltops after the 2019 campaign, also exhausted their CJFL eligibility at the conclusion of the Canadian Bowl. They will graduate from the Hilltops winning a CJFL championship in their final year of junior eligibility.

The Hilltops trophy case will repeat this look from early 2020.

In the CJFL title win on Saturday, Wist and Davidsen led the way and set the tone in their final game of junior eligibility. The rest of the team followed adding another storied chapter in the history of the venerable Hilltops.

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 offence comes in under radar at Canadian Bowl

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Drake Douglas is a reliable sure-handed receiver.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Trey Reider had a 114.6 quarterback efficiency rating this season.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Noah Flaman has been money in the end zone.

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

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

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

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

Last hurrah for Hilltops grads, other notes

Matt Wist will play his final CJFL game on Saturday.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Evan Ward has made key timely catches for the Hilltops.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Hilltops smash Saints 43-0, advance to CJFL title game

Kack sets sack record in CJFL semifinal victory

The Hilltops celebrate their CJFL semifinal win.

Riece Kack was thinking about paying off some debts to his teammates on a CJFL record breaking day.

On Sunday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, Kack’s PFC champion Saskatoon Hilltops led the visiting OFC champion St. Clair Saints 21-0 just 33 seconds into the second quarter thanks to three touchdown passes by star quarterback Trey Reider. 

At that point, Kack would go on to steal the show piling up six quarterback sacks from his defensive end position as the Hilltops rolled to a 43-0 victory in the CJFL semifinal clash between the two sides.

Riece Kack makes his CJFL record sixth sack of Sunday’s game.

With the win played before 1,007 spectators, the Hilltops, who improved to 11-0 overall, advance to the CJFL title game – the Canadian Bowl. That contest will be played on Saturday, November 11 at 3 p.m. local time or 5 p.m. Saskatchewan time against the BCFC champion Westshore Rebels (12-0) at Starlight Stadium, in Langford, which is a suburb of Victoria.

The Saints, who are based in Windsor, finished out at 10-1 overall.

While the celebration was on for the Hilltops who will get to play in the CJFL title game since last winning it in 2019, Kack made history as his six sacks were a new record for a CJFL playoff game. The old record of five sacks was set by Roger Rourke of the Richmond Raiders on October 12, 1985.

Riece Kack reacts to making his CJFL record sixth sack in one game.

Kack said the majority of his sacks were coverage sacks. The Saints rotated quarterbacks Maurice Sodja and Matthew Guenette throughout Sunday’s game and both often held on to the ball as they didn’t see what they liked downfield.

That allowed Kack to pile up his sacks, and he admitted he owed the Hilltops defensive backs a bit of a debt.

“Their quarterbacks weren’t liking it a lot of times,” said Kack, who also had six total tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery to go with his sacks. “They were holding on to it real long.

“It lot of the sacks weren’t two second pressures. They were like seven or eight seconds, so it was just spectacular. I definitely owe those guys (the Hilltops defensive backs) a case of beer.

Riece Kack (#47) closes in on a sack for a safety.

“I’m just thrilled.”

Kack, who was named the defensive player of the game on Sunday, actually recorded the most sacks in any CJFL contest be it the regular season, playoffs or the CJFL championship game. The CJFL record for most sacks in a regular season game is five, which had been achieved on six occasions.

Ron Zammit of the Hamilton Hurricanes was the first to record five sacks in a CJFL regular season game on October 2, 1982 and Evan Foster of the Langley Rams was the last to pull of that feat on September 9, 2012.

Tyler Eckert of the Langley Rams recorded the most sacks in a CJFL championship at 3.5 coming in his squad’s 37-0 victory over the Beefeaters in London, Ont., in the Canadian Bowl played on December 4, 2021.

Riece Kack gets a sack on the last play before halftime.

While Kack’s record will stand for the most sacks by an individual in a CJFL playoff game, legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant was pumped his 21-year-old veteran had a record day in an important post-season outing.

“It is unbelievable,” said Sargeant. “He is one of our lifelines out here.

“He is the energy guy. He is a motivator. He loves the game, and we feed off him.

“For him to have that type of play today in the biggest game of our season so far, that just speaks volumes of who he is and what he means to us.”

After the Hilltops went ahead 21-0 just 33 seconds into the second quarter, Kack went to work and proceeded to record four of his sacks in that frame. Kack’s second sack caused a turnover on downs, his third sack resulted in a safety and his fourth sack came on the final play before halftime.

Riece Kack got to break out a number of sack celebrations.

In third quarter, Kack recorded his fifth sack to tie the CJFL record. His record equaling accomplishment at the time was announced over the public address system at SMF Field.

“I heard it, and then I was just kind of like you know I am just going to keep doing my thing,” said Kack, who stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 230 pounds. “I’m not going to over do it, and it should come.

“There was a lot of time left in still the third quarter, so I figured that it was quite possible.”

After the Hilltops went ahead 35-0 in the fourth quarter, Kack took down Sodja for the record breaking sixth sack.

“Crazy. I can’t describe it,” said Kack about the record. “It is just awesome coaching, awesome team.

Noah Flaman jets home on a 51-yard touchdown reception.

“It is just spectacular. I’m glad that we could come out and put up the performance that we did.”

The Hilltops opened the game’s scoring in the first quarter when Reider hit “TD Noah” in receiver Noah Flaman for touchdown passes from 10 and 51 yards out to give the host side a 14-0 lead.

On the second score in the 51-yard toss, Reider did a play action fake to star power running back Boston Davidsen before connecting with a wide open Flaman on an intermediate route. Flaman weaved the rest of the way taking the ball to the end zone for the major score.

The Hilltops had good success on play action pass plays as the Saints defensive players seemed to be too locked in on Davidsen. Flaman said the Hilltops plan was to use the play action pass to get some chunk plays in the passing game.

Drake Douglas hauls in a 27 yard touchdown catch.

“We have a great running game, a great running back and a great O-line,” said Flaman. “It is just part of everyone doing their own job.

“When your chance comes, you make the play. The receivers did that today.”

 Just 33 seconds into the second quarter, Reider connected with sure handed pass catcher Drake Douglas on a 27-yard touchdown strike to push the Hilltops advantage out to 21-0. The Hilltops proceeded to get a 38-yard punt single from middle linebacker/punter Matt Wist and Kack followed up with his safety to send the Hilltops into the halftime break with a 24-0 edge.

In the third quarter, the Hilltops assumed a 28-0 advantage thanks to a single from a 22 yard missed field goal and a 20 yard field goal from kicker Teijon Abel-Douglas.

Wade Keating (#20) closes in on a sack for the Hilltops.

At the 3:13 mark of the fourth quarter, star running back Charles Sawi ran home a major from 18 yards out to put the Hilltops up 35-0. Saskatoon began to substitute in various backups after that score including quarterback Brexton Elias, who relieved Reider for the rest of the contest.

The Hilltops then rounded out the scoring with a single from missed field goal by Abel-Douglas and major score from a quarterback sneak by Elias.

Sargeant was pleased with the chunk plays the Hilltops were able to make on offence.

“You know what, we’ve been tough on this offence a little bit,” said Sargeant. “Our defence has sort of been the team in front of us.

Trey Reider (#3) threw three TD passes for the Hilltops on Sunday.

“Offensively, we sometimes get in our own way. Trey (Reider) was making the reads early and was on point, and our receivers were on point. Hey, it is nice to see a game where we put up 43 where Boston (Davidsen) is not dragging his butt, because we gave him the ball 25 times.

“We were actually pretty strategic and smart today and used him as a bit of a decoy. Guys were open and Trey (Reider) made the plays.”

Reider completed 7-of-17 passes for 200 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions before giving way to Elias. Flaman had three catches for 86 yards to go with his two touchdowns in being named the offensive player of the game. Douglas had two catches for 72 yards to go with his major score.

The faithful at SMF Field cheer on the Hilltops on Sunday.

Davidsen led the Hilltops in rushing with 62 yards on 13 carries.

Sodja completed 9-of-17 passes for 123 yards, while throwing one interception for the Saints. Guenette completed 16-of-25 passes for 173 yards during his shifts on the field for the St. Clair side.

Receiver Darius France had a big game for the Saints making seven catches for 110 yards.

The Hilltops had nine total sacks as a team which was a new club record for a CJFL playoff game. Saskatoon previously recorded a team record seven sacks in CJFL playoff games on November 2, 2002 and October 29, 2017.

The ’Toppers nine sacks for a playoff game equals the most sacks recorded in a playoff game by a team from the PFC. The Regina Rams recorded nine sacks in a CJFL playoff game on October 24, 1981 on their way to winning a CJFL title.

Charles Sawi runs in a touchdown from 18 yards out.

Outside linebacker Wade Keating had seven total tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery for the Hilltops. Defensive tackle Johnathon Stevens had two total tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery for the Saskatoon. Defensive end Kai Kukurudza had a sack for the ’Toppers.

Defensive end Ben Marce had three total tackles, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries for the host side. Hilltops safety Dalton Urban had the game’s lone interception.

Defensive back Billy Patterson Jr. led the Saints with five total tackles, while defensive end Carl Fabre had a sack for the visitors.

Running back Boriz Wright of the Saints was named the special teams player of the game returning five kickoffs for 72 yards and one punt for one yard.

The Hilltop Cheer Team celebrates the Hilltops victory on Sunday.

The Hilltops didn’t have a single turnover in Sunday’s game, while the Saints turned the ball over 11 times including five times on fumbles, five times on downs and on one interception.

Now, the Hilltops will turn their attention to the Rebels in two weeks time. The two sides met in the 2016 CJFL title game at Starlight Stadium, which was then known as Westhills Stadium. Saskatoon pulled out a 37-25 victory in that encounter to capture the Canadian Bowl as CJFL champions.

The Hilltops have won 22 CJFL titles in their history. Kack is looking forward to the opportunity to try and help the storied squad capture a 23^rd CJFL crown against the Rebels.

The Hilltops raise the trophy given to the CJFL semifinal winner.

“It is going to be great,” said Kack. “I’m excited to go out there.

“I’ve been watching a bit of their games. It looks like they have a pretty good team, so it is definitely a tough test. We just have to get into film and on to the next game.”

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.