Jolly centre of focus and fun on Hilltops offensive line

Luciano Jolly has had a standout season as the Hilltops centre.

As a backup centre, Luciano Jolly created the signature fun off-field moment that will be remembered forever by the Saskatoon Hilltops 2019 CJFL championship winning team.

Following a 49-22 victory over the Winnipeg Rifles on October 6, 2019 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, a photo I took of then fifth-year right guard Taylon Elderkin running the ball for a 13 yard gain ran with the game story posted on this blog. The picture was placed as a solo post on my Twitter account.

Jolly and Elderkin are long time best friends having played football together during their high school days with the North Battleford Comprehensive High School Vikings. When Jolly discovered the photo, he sent it to a site called Linemanprobs.com.

Linemanprobs.com ran the photo on their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram feeds and the picture went viral racking up views.

“Seeing him run for 13 yards, it could have been a touchdown in my opinion, but it is what it is,” said Jolly. “I saved it immediately, sent it into that linemen page and it kind of just blew up from there.”

Jolly said it is the dream of every offensive lineman to touch the ball. Now as the Hilltops starting centre this season, Jolly touches the ball on every play as he snaps it back to the quarterback.

Still, the other four members of the offensive line might touch the ball the rare time on a trick play or recovering a fumble.

Looking back on that moment of Elderkin’s photo from 2019, Jolly thought that helped keep things fun and in a positive groove for the offensive line and team.

Luciano Jolly, right, opens a hole for Boston Davidsen.

“We were already like a tight brotherhood I guess you could say,” said Jolly, who stands 6-feet and weighs 260 pounds. “Seeing one of us make it up higher and getting the recognition we finally wanted, that just made it 10 times better.”

This season, Jolly is doing a little more than helping provide levity off the field. As the starting centre, Jolly is looked upon to be the leader on the offensive line, and he is responsible for calling out blocking adjustments.

The 22-year-old has played centre on the offensive line since Grade 9. With the Hilltops, he toiled as backup for his first three seasons helping the Hilltops win CJFL championships in 2017, 2018 and 2019. After the 2020 season was lost due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has gripped the world, Jolly was elated to move into the starter’s role this season.

“I don’t know how to put this,” said Jolly, whose Hilltops (3-2) host the Edmonton Huskies (4-1) on Sunday at 1 p.m. at SMF Field. “It feels like I’m just finally earning my place like I’ve been riding the bench for so long.

“Finally, I’ve moved up and this is my spot now.”

Jolly said he was ready to take on the starter’s role and believes the Hilltops offensive line has been communicating and working together well as a unit. It seemed natural for him to step in and call out the adjustments on the offensive line.

“I’ve kind of been in that position since Grade 9, so it is nothing really new for me,” said Jolly. “It is nice being able to have the guys communicate.

The viral Taylon Elderkin run on Instagram from 2019.

“I need to say something to them, and they say it right back. We automatically know what we are doing on that play or just getting people riled up.”

Jolly’s play has pleased legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant. Sargeant said Jolly put in the work to be ready to become the starting centre, and the hard work is paying off.

“First thing first, Luciano paid the price in his first three years in terms of just being on the practice roster and being a backup and developing,” said Sargeant. “We thrust him into the starting lineup, and he has been one of our more consistent football players.

“Our centre position is something we were concerned about. Luciano has come and erased those question marks or doubts. He has been an outstanding performer.

“As I said, he has been a real difference maker this year, very proud of him.”

Sargeant admitted that Jolly could have started in the 2019 campaign, if then fifth-year centre Patrick Arno had gone down to injury. Arno was in his fourth full season as the Hilltops starting centre in 2019 and had a big edge over Jolly in the experience department.

This season, Sargeant said only three-time all-Canadian all-star left tackle Mason Ochs has performed better on the offensive line than Jolly has.

“Luciano is probably performing at the second highest level right now in terms of doing his job and doing it with physicality and understanding and executing his assignments,” said Sargeant. “I’m very impressed and very happy with how he is playing.”

Luciano Jolly, with hand on ball, calls adjustments on the O-line.

Jolly said he enjoyed learning and playing behind Arno and the other veterans he was teammates with on the offensive line who have since graduated from the program. From the veterans, Jolly learned about the focused and fun vibe the offensive line has and works to pass that down to the younger offensive linemen on the team.

“It is a great group of guys,” said Jolly. “We always like to say that we’re like a pod of dolphins, because dolphins are smart and they always communicate with each other and everything.

“We always like to say we are a pod of dolphins just to keep us like together.”

After last season was nixed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jolly has enjoyed playing games that much more this season. Going into Sunday’s clash with the Huskies, he has that big game excited feel.

The winner of that CJFL regular season clash will hold second place in the Prairie Football Conference. The Hilltops claimed the first encounter between the two sides 18-17 on August 22 at Jasper Place Bowl in Edmonton.

A win by Saskatoon on Sunday would allow the Hilltops to sweep the season series 2-0 and give them the standings tiebreaker with the Huskies.

Jolly said his Hilltops still have to show how good they really can be and the encounter with the Huskies provides a chance to do that.

Luciano Jolly (#58) is looking forward to big game days with the Hilltops.

“We’re just trying to prove ourselves,” said Jolly. “That is our second place spot, and we want it.

“We want to go get it.”

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 right guard Elderkin becomes Internet star

This photo of Taylon Elderkin has gone viral on the Internet.

    Taylon Elderkin seems to constantly chuckle when he thinks about seeing an off day surprise.

    The standout right guard on the Saskatoon Hilltops offensive line was on his way to work on Monday, when he found out he was tagged in a picture running the football in a CJFL regular season game one day earlier.

    Last Sunday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Hilltops thumped the visiting Winnipeg Rifles 49-22, and Elderkin carried the ball early in the third quarter for 13 yards.

    A photo taken by myself of that run has gone viral on the Internet over various social media lines.

    “It definitely wasn’t expected,” said Elderkin with a chuckle. “I don’t know.

    “One of our guys sent it in to that lineman page, and yeah. It definitely took off a lot more than what I thought.”

    Elderkin said Luciano Jolly, who is a backup centre on the Hilltops offensive line, sent the picture of Elderkin running with the football to a site called Linemanprobs.com, which sells clothing and accessories geared toward offensive linemen.

The Taylon Elderkin run on Instagram.

    The site circulated the picture on its social media platforms with the caption, “Coach just hear me out.”

    Elderkin kept hearing about the photo from his Hilltops teammates throughout the day on Monday, which is an off-day for the team.

    “In our group chat, they just kept sending messages,” said Elderkin, who stands 6-feet and weighs 290 pounds. “(Hilltops left tackle) Mason (Ochs) was like, ‘It is rising and rising.’

    “I think eventually it got to like 20,000 likes or something.”

    On Instagram, the photo has surpassed 20,500 likes. On Twitter, it has attracted over 1,200 likes. On Facebook, the photo has drawn over 750 reactions and has been shared over 540 times.

    All of those numbers were current as of Thursday night.

The Taylon Elderkin photo on Twitter.

    “For a 13-yard run, it is something else,” said Elderkin. “I guess I’d rather see more publicity on (Hilltops running back) Ben (Abrook) making 1,000 yards.

    “I’m getting bugged a lot, so it is kind of different and fun at the same time.”

    In the romp over the Rifles, Elderkin and the Hilltops offensive line opened huge holes to allow Abrook to pile up 206 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 18 carries.

    Abrook blew past the 1,000-yard mark in rushing. 
   After that contest concluded, Abrook had carried the ball 180 times for 1,114 yards and seven touchdowns helping the Hilltops, who are the five-time defending CJFL champions, improve to 7-0.

    In the aftermath, Elderkin came away from that contest with the fame. 
    Legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant said the team’s coaching staff has a few chuckles over the photo.
    Sargeant first saw the photo on Monday, when his wife, Kris, showed it to him over a social media line.

The Taylon Elderkin photo on Facebook.

    “I’m not a Facebook or a Snapchat or whatever it is, but I’m happy for him (Elderkin) and happy for the program and happy for the offensive linemen,” said Tom Sargeant. “You always want to give those guys some love.
    “To celebrate having a 1,000-yard rusher in Ben Abrook, that is certainly one way to recognize that. That has just been a tradition of the Hilltops. We’ve been doing this for about the last eight or 10 years, where we honour a fifth-year player, and they get to handle a ball, and we see what we can do.

    “I think he (Elderkin) is in second place. Nathan Heide is still in first with 19 yards, and Tay is now in second place with 13 yards. It is good to see the O-line always get some recognition.”

    Elderkin, who will turn 22-years-old in December, joined the Hilltops on a full-time basis in 2016, and Sargeant said the North Battleford, Sask., product has been a joy to coach.

    “What a super kid,” said Sargeant. “He started slow, but by the middle of his first year, he was a starter.

    “No one has played more football on this team than Taylon Elderkin. He is a very unassuming guy. He is just a great teammate.
    “He is loyal. Whatever you need, he is going to give you everything he has got. He is one of the reasons we’ve had a lot of success running the ball and protecting our quarterback, because Taylon loves and is great at playing the game of football.”

Another photo of Taylon Elderkin’s 13-yard rumble down the field.

    Elderkin said he has taken some good-natured jabs the last few days including ones from graduated teammate like former Hilltops offensive lineman Cord Ivanco, who is the equipment manager for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies men’s hockey team.

    As the years go on, Elderkin said the picture of his carry going viral will always be a discussion point to have a few laughs over.
    “It will definitely be in there,” said Elderkin. “It is something you will look back on your last season.

    “Being able to do that, it could have been (left guard) Ryder (Klisowsky), because at the beginning of the year, we rock, paper, scissors for it. I came out on the lucky side of that.”

Hilltops RG Taylon Elderkin (#67) assists in pass blocking in the trenches.

    Elderkin is ready to experience another memorable moment in his final season. This coming Sunday, the Hilltops close their regular season schedule hosting the Edmonton Wildcats (2-5) at 1 p.m. at SMF Field.

    As a team tradition, the Hilltops players, who are playing out their final campaigns of CJFL eligibility, will be introduced one by one and walk on to the field with their parents. Elderkin will be taking that final walk out of the tunnel with his mother, Melissa, and he is looking forward to that moment in time.

    “The season has definitely gone by pretty quick,” said Elderkin. “Being able to do that with my mom, she supported me throughout my entire football career.

    “Doing that with her, I think that is going to be real special for me and for her too.”

Abrook takes PFC offensive player of the week honours

Ben Abrook jets home on a 52-yard touchdown run.

    A monster outing allowed Saskatoon Hilltops star power running back Ben Abrook to take offensive player of the week honours for the Prairie Football Conference for the second time this season.

    Last Sunday, the 21-year-old carried the ball 18 times for 206 yards and scored two touchdowns as the Hilltops hammered the Winnipeg Rifles 49-22 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. On Wednesday, Abrook was named the PFC offensive player of the week.

    The huge outing allowed Abrook, who is in his third year with the Hilltops, to blow past the 1000-yard mark in rushing. In helping the Hilltops post a 7-0 record, Abrook has carried the ball 180 times for 1,114 yards and seven touchdowns.

    The Hilltops close their regular season schedule this coming Sunday taking on the Edmonton Wildcats at 1 p.m. at SMF Field.

    It is unlikely Abrook will catch the Hilltops record for most yards gained rushing in one regular season.

    That mark is held by current Hilltops running backs coach Andre Lalonde. In his final campaign as a Hilltops running back in 2013, Lalonde ran the ball 182 times for 1,367 yards and seven touchdowns in eight regular season games.

    Lalonde was the CJFL’s offensive player of the year and an all-Canadian all-star that season.

    Earlier this season, Abrook took PFC offensive player of the week honours for his performance when the Hilltops downed the Regina Thunder 28-21 on Sept. 7 at SMF Field.

Kleiter three-peats for PFC special teams player of the week

Rylan Kleiter (#7) is a three-peat player of the week for the PFC.

    Another week means another Prairie Football Conference special teams player of the week award has come the way of Saskatoon Hilltops receiver/kicker Rylan Kleiter.

    On Wednesday, Kleiter was named the PFC’s special teams player of the week for a third straight week. He received his third player of the week honours for his efforts last Sunday, when the Hilltops dumped the Winnipeg Rifles 49-22 at SMF Field.

    Kleiter connected on 4-of-5 field goal attempts hitting from 12, 27, 40 and 15 yards out. He scored a single off a 40 yard missed field goal.

    Kleiter kicked off six times for 340 yards averaging 56.7 yards per kick. He took on the Hilltops punting duties punting the ball four times for 144 yards for a 36 yard average.

    The fourth-year player connected on all five of his conversion attempts.

    Going into the final week of the PFC’s regular season, Kleiter leads the conference in scoring with 88 points coming off 16 field goals, 27 one-point converts, one single and two touchdowns.

Sargeant’s pride shows through for Hilltops fifth years

Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant has a lot of pride in his fifth years.

    Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant admits that his team’s final home game of the regular season always pulls at his heartstrings.

    The Hilltops close their regular season schedule this coming Sunday, when they host the Edmonton Wildcats at 1 p.m. at SMF Field.

    The ’Toppers always honour their players, who are playing out their final campaigns of CJFL eligibility, before the final home game. Most of those players have usually played five full seasons with the team.

    The graduating players will be introduced one by one, and they will walk out to the field with their parents. The Hilltops have been holding this tradition for a large number of years.

    The Hilltops have 15 players who will exhaust their eligibility after this season including Patrick Arno, John Brown, Taylon Elderkin, Connor Graham, Caleb Haight, Tristan Hering, Tyler Hermann, Colton Holmes, Riley Keating, Logan Kelsey-Stern, Ryder Klisowsky, Jesse McNabb, Kirk Morrow, Jadyn Pingue and Tanner Rhode.

    “A lot of emotions are going to come through me and just make me realize how proud and how fortunate I am to be a part of these young men’s lives,” said Sargeant. “To see their parents who we spend a lot of time with over the last five years, it is now.

    “We have to make sure that we represent those families. We always talking about coaching and playing for our fifth-year players and their families and make sure we put them in good spots so that they can keep climbing this mountain. There is nothing better than to be a fifth-year player with the Saskatoon Hilltops and leaving as a champion.

    “We believe they are going to do that whether or not, because they are part of this process. We’re going to work darn hard to make sure good things happen for them all the way to the end.”

    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 grind way to 4-0 start, control destiny going forward

Hilltops RB Ben Abrook fights his way for an extra yard.

    It was far from easy, but the Saskatoon Hilltops are 4-0 in a reloading season.

    The five-time defending Canadian Junior Football League champions expected to be in for a challenging campaign in 2019 having graduated a large number of players after going 11-0 in 2018. They opened the 2019 season with a meat grinder of a schedule starting with three straight road games before hosting their home opener.

    In those first four games, the Hilltops took on the Winnipeg Rifles once, the Edmonton Huskies once and the Regina Thunder twice. Those three teams were slated to be the three other toughest clubs in the six-team Prairie Football Conference.

QB Tyler Hermann has two fourth quarter comebacks this season.

    In 2018, the Hilltops were impressive trailing on the scoreboard for a total of 81 seconds throughout their 11 overall games. Their closest game on the scoreboard was downing the Huskies in the PFC final 28-9.

    With the turnover the Hilltops experience in personnel, their conference rivals had to be feeling they could finally take the venerable Saskatoon side down.

    Facing four early big season games, the Hilltops showed off their big game mystique. Often veteran players came through in big moments allowing the team to pull out victory.

    Third-year power running back Ben Abrook has been a tank for the blue and gold. Over four games, he has carried the ball 123 times for 642 yards and four touchdowns.

    He has paced the Hilltops offence running behind a powerful and veteran offensive line in left tackle Mason Ochs, left guard Ryder Klisowsky, centre Patrick Arno, right guard Taylon Elderkin and right tackle Jonathan Chisholm. Chisholm is the only new starter on the unit, but he is in fourth year with the team.

Mason Ochs, left, locks up on a block for the Hilltops.

    In the season opener in Winnipeg, the Hilltops posted a solid 34-20 win with fifth-year receiver Connor Graham hauling in five passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns. The Rifles were pesky, but the Hilltops subdued them winning the turnover battle 6-1.

    On August 25 in Regina, the Hilltops downed the host Thunder 34-16. With the win, legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant picked up his 200^th win combining action in the CJFL’s regular season and post-season.

    Still, this game had its nervous moments. The Hilltops held a slim 14-9 edge and the Thunder had the ball on the Saskatoon four yard line with one play remaining in the third quarter.

    Hilltops third-year safety Brant Morrow played the role of hero intercepting a pass and racing 113 yards in the other direction for a touchdown that sparked the Hilltops to a sound win.

    The Hilltops really got pushed in their next two games resulting in fifth-year quarterback and first year starter Tyler Hermann getting credited with two fourth quarter comebacks. 

Hilltops HC Tom Sargeant, right, get the game ball for career win 200.

    In a rarity, Saskatoon entered the fourth quarter in back-to-back games trailing on the scoreboard.

    On Sept. 1 in Edmonton, the Hilltops fell behind the host Huskies 14-0 in the first quarter, 19-7 at halftime but down just 19-17 after three quarters.

    The Huskies got ahead 22-17 in the fourth quarter before Abrook powered home for the winning touchdown with 1:47 remaining in the frame to give the Hilltops a 24-22 victory. Abrook finished that game carrying the ball 29 times for 204 yards and one touchdown.

    On Sept. 7, the Hilltops finally hosted their home opener at Saskatoon Minor Football Field against the Thunder. Regina held a slim 18-17 edge heading into the fourth quarter, and the Hilltops offence looked stalled to that point in the second half.

Hilltops receiver Keegan Dicks, right, looks to get past a Thunder defender.

    After kicker/receiver Rylan Kleiter gave the Hilltops a 20-18 lead with a 22 yard field goal, the Thunder jumped back in front on a 45 yard field goal from kicker Eric Maximuik with 1:24 remaining in the fourth quarter.

    The Hilltops proceeded to drive down to the Thunder one yard line, where Hilltops backup and short-yardage quarterback Doug Fleming fumbled the ball away to the Regina side. The play was negated by an offside penalty against the Thunder.

    Had the fumble stood up, the Thunder would have likely been able to run out the clock as both clubs had used up their timeouts at that point in the contest.

Brant Morrow (#22) made a game-changing play.

    The Hilltops hopes were still alive because of a break.

    Abrook proceeded to dive home for the winning touchdown from a yard out on the next play, and the Hilltops added a two-point convert for a 28-21 victory.

    Going into the second half of their regular season schedule, the Hilltops are still riding a 23 game winning streak overall including action in the regular season and playoffs. The Hilltops have won their last 26 straight road games including three victories in the CJFL championship game –the Canadian Bowl.

    So far in 2019, Sargeant said he and his staff have to keep finding ways to do things better in the coaching department. When he evaluates games, Sargeant said there have been times he and his staff haven’t put their players in the best positions to succeed.

    The players themselves know they have to be better.

    There is a realization by all parties everyone a lot of players are learning and growing in new roles as the campaign goes on.

The Hilltops defensive line springs into action.

    Looking ahead, the Hilltops will have lots of opportunity to improve. On paper, their last four regular season games are considerably easier than their first four regular season games.

    Right now, the Hilltops need to win three out of their last four regular season games to once again lock up first place in the PFC. They play the Calgary Colts (1-3) once and the Edmonton Wildcats (1-3) twice along with one more date against the Rifles.

    No one likes to count wins before the happen, but the Hilltops should collect three victories from their encounters with the Colts and Wildcats. If the Colts or Wildcats were able to beat the Hilltops, it would be a monumental upset.

The Hilltops keep making and enjoying coming through with big plays.

    The Hilltops begin the second half of their regular season on Sunday, September 22, when they host the Colts at 1 p.m. at SMF Field.

    Saskatoon one again controls its own destiny. Getting to that point over their first four games has been tougher than previous years.

    The Hilltops will have ample time to get things tuned up to their storied standards before the post-season rolls around.

    At the moment, they are beatable, but when the chips are down, they still find ways to pull through.

    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’ O-line gets love with PFC all-star awards

RT Kirk Simonsen, right, was named a PFC all-star.

    Saskatoon Hilltops offensive line received their due for a dominate 8-0 regular season.

    On Friday, three of the Hilltops five starting offensive linemen were named to the Prairie Football Conference all-star team. Right tackle Kirk Simonsen was voted unanimously as a PFC all-star. Also receiving all-star nods were right guard Taylon Elderkin and left tackle Mason Ochs. The trio were named PFC offensive all-stars for a second straight year.

    “It is pretty good,” said Simonsen, who is in his fifth and final season with the Hilltops. “They couldn’t name five of us, but I think all five are pretty deserving of the award.

    “It is good to get the recognition out there for the three of us, but it is a five man award pretty much to me.”

    Saskatoon’s starting offensive line is rounded out by centre Patrick Arno and left guard Ryder Klisowsky. As a five-man unit, the Hilltops offensive line did earn a PFC offensive player of the week award after Saskatoon crushed the Colts in Calgary 79-7 on Sept. 15.

    The offensive linemen were joined as PFC all-star selections by the Hilltops version of “The Triplets” in quarterback Jordan Walls, running back Josh Ewanchyna and receiver Jason Price. The PFC offensive all-stars were released a day after the defensive all-stars.

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

    Walls, Ewanchyna and Price were all able to enjoy special seasons because of the work of the club’s O-line.

    Walls had an outstanding campaign completing 122-of-197 passes for 2,010 yards, 18 touchdowns and four interceptions in the regular season. He topped the PFC in passing yardage.

    Ewanchyna appeared in seven regular season games carrying the ball 134 times for 1,007 yards and 14 touchdowns. He led the PFC in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns and was named the PFC’s offensive player of the week on four occasions.

    The graduate of Saskatoon’s Holy Cross High School Crusaders football team became the first Hilltops player to surpass 1,000 yards rushing in a season since Wayndel Lewis turned that trick back in 2014.

RG Taylon Elderkin, right, was named a PFC all-star.

    Price was by far the PFC’s most productive pass catcher. During the regular season, he hauled in 31 passes for 709 yards and scored four touchdowns. The fifth-year veteran collected the most receiving yards in the PFC.

    Walls said his team’s offensive line is the reason his club’s offensive unit can put up the points and yardage that it does.

    “They don’t get the recognition that they deserve, so when they get awards like that, it is awesome,” said Walls. “They work so hard in practice and so hard in the off-season to get themselves in playing shape, and they do their job when they get on the field.

    “I like those guys. I hang around with them lots. They are good people.

    “They are always coming to work and ready to work hard. I am super happy to have those guys there to back me and just perform like they have been performing.”

    Simonsen said continuity has been the biggest thing that has helped Saskatoon’s offensive line succeed. Klisowsky was the only new starter among the Hilltops “hogs” this season.

    “I think just knowing each other,” said Simonsen. “We’ve all played together.

    “I’ve played with Taylon (Elderkin) now for three years. You just know where he is going to be. You don’t even have to communicate.

    “He is just there, and you know how to work with each other. It helps a lot.”

    The Hilltops offensive line also takes a lot of pride in helping the club’s quarterbacks, running back and receivers have good years.

    “It is good for them,” said Simonsen. “We want to make sure that they have good years and make sure they get their awards and their goals they set for themselves at the start of the year.”

    Walls took his own all-star selection in stride.

    “It is nice,” said Walls. “I think my goal at the start of the year was just to execute and give this team a chance to win.

Mason Ochs, left, was named a PFC all-star.

    “Whether that was throwing the ball 30 times or handing the ball off 30 times, it didn’t matter to me. To get recognized is nice, but my goal is the Canadian championship. Hopefully, we can get a win this week to get there.”

    While the PFC all-star selections are great, the Hilltops have their sights set on winning an unprecedented fifth straight CJFL title. The winner of the PFC final advances to host the CJFL title game – the Canadian Bowl – on November 17.

    Walls said his team is focused on the challenge they face in the Huskies.

    “I’m very excited to get to the PFC final,” said Walls. “It is a big game.

    “It is a big stage. We like being there. I am excited.

    “I’ve got a lot of family coming down for it, so it is going to be a fun day.”

Thunderbirds get second in Canada West on crazy comeback

Michael O’Connor guided UBC to a big comeback win.

    It seems like the football Gods love the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds.

    Back on Sept. 28, the Thunderbirds dropped a 26-21 decision to the University of Alberta Golden Bears in a U Sports regular season game in Edmonton, Alta. At the time, the loss dropped the Thunderbirds record to 1-4 heading into the bye week for the Canada West Conference.

    Before the Canada West teams returned to action, the University of Regina Rams self-declared they had been playing with an ineligible player. That led to the Rams forfeiting three wins including a 19-17 victory over the Thunderbirds on Sept. 14 in Regina.

    The Thunderbirds received new life improving to 2-3 with that development. UBC proceeded to down the University of Saskatchewan Huskies 20-10 on Oct. 12 and the Golden Bears 30-11 on Oct. 20 to improve to 4-3. Both those wins came in Vancouver, B.C.

    Entering play Saturday, the Thunderbirds needed to beat the University of Manitoba Bisons in Winnipeg, Man., to lock up second place in Canada West and earn the right to host a Canada West semifinal playoff game. If the Thunderbirds lost, the Huskies, who posted a 5-3 regular season record, would take second place.

    The Bisons jumped out to a 31-10 lead and held a 31-13 advantage at halftime at Investors Group Field.

    The Thunderbirds rallied to claim a 38-34 victory in overtime to improve to 5-3 and take second place. The Bisons fell to 3-5 to finish fourth in Canada West and hold the conference’s last playoff berth.

    UBC claims the standings tiebreaker with U of S due to winning that Oct. 12 encounter, which was the only regular season meeting between the two sides.

    Thunderbirds star quarterback Michael O’Connor hit receiver Trivel Pinto with a 46-yard touchdown pass and running back Ben Cummings ran in a two-point convert to force a 31-31 tie with 7:30 remaining in the fourth quarter. The 46-yard reception marked Pinto’s second touchdown catch of the game.

    In overtime, Bisons kicker Brad Mikoluff hit a 50-yard field goal to put the host side up 34-31. Mikoluff had two field goals in the contest.

    On the ensuing overtime shootout possession, O’Connor hit Cummings with a two-yard touchdown pass to give the Thunderbirds their third straight victory, with every one of those wins coming after the Rams forfeited all their wins.

    O’Connor completed 36-of-49 passes for 467 yards, four touchdowns and one interception for the Thunderbirds. Bisons quarterback Jamie Ybarra, who started in place of the injured Des Catellier, completed 20-of-26 passes for 396 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

    Trey Kellogg had a touchdown catch for the Thunderbirds, while Greg Hutchins made all three of his field goal attempts. Dylan Schrot and Shai Ross had touchdown receptions for the Bisons, while Jesse Walker and Victor St. Pierre-Laviolette ran in major scores.

    The Bisons travel to Calgary, Alta., to face the University of Calgary Dinos (8-0) in one Canada West semifinal contest this coming Saturday, while the Huskies face the Thunderbirds in the other Canada West semifinal to be held in Vancouver on the same day.

Siemens leaves mark on Huskies career passing records

QB Kyle Siemens vaulted up the U of S Huskies’ all-time passing lists.

    With one great final regular season game, Kyle Siemens ensured he will go down as one of the top quarterbacks to ever play for the U of Saskatchewan Huskies.

    On Friday facing the U of Regina Rams at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, Siemens completed 21-of-31 passes for 321 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. In helping the Huskies post a 5-3 record, Siemens completed 155-of-249 passes for 2,118 yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions.

    A graduate of Saskatoon’s Aden Bowman Collegiate Bears high school football team, Siemens finished the regular season portion of his five-year Huskies career completing 604-of-998 passes for 7,932 yards, 55 touchdowns and 23 interceptions.

    Siemens 604 career completions rank first on the Huskies all-time list surpassing the 586 completions of Drew Burko. Burko played from 2012 to 2016 and was a former teammate of Siemens.

    The 7,932 yards passing Siemens piled up ranks second on the Huskies all-time list surpassing 7,675 yards put up by Burko. Siemens 55 career touchdown passes equals Steve Bilan for second on the Huskies all-time list. Bilan played for the Huskies from 2001 to 2005.

    While Siemens will still get to guide the Huskies through one more venture into the U Sports playoffs, he has to be given big props for posting some lofty accomplishments.

Chow passes Siwak for third in Huskies career rushing

Tyler Chow is the Huskies third all-time career leading rusher.

    Running back Tyler Chow vaulted to a spot that will be tough for future ball carriers to hit as the sport of football continues to evolve into more of a pass heavy game.

    Chow, who is a fifth-year veteran for the U of Saskatchewan Huskies football team, finished the regular season with a strong outing carrying the ball 14 times for 99 yards and scoring one touchdown and hauling a pass for 11 yards as the Huskies thumped the U of Regina Rams 57-14 on Friday at Mosaic Stadium in Regina.

    On the season, Chow carried the ball 100 times for 640 yards and scored two touchdowns to help the Huskies post a 5-3 regular season record. During his regular season career with the Huskies, Chow carried the ball 385 times for 2,372 yards and scored 13 touchdowns.

    The Calgary, Alta., product just edged Tyler Siwak for third on the Huskies career rushing yards list.

    Siwak was a red shirt during the Huskies last Vanier Cup winning season in 1998 and he carried the ball 361 times for 2,365 yards and scored 11 touchdowns during a five year career as an active player from 1999 to 2003. During his time with the Huskies, Siwak was a fan favourite due to being a power tailback that could crush up to six would be tacklers on any running attempt.

    The Prince Albert, Sask., product was a physical runner who favoured initiating contact and powering through defenders as opposed to running around them. Fans at Griffiths Stadium used to rise to their feet and cheer, when Siwak gave one of his textbook punishing runs.

    Away from the field, Siwak was a very personable, jovial and upbeat when he interacted with everyone on campus and in the city.

    Siwak had been the Huskies third all-time leading rusher since he graduated from the program. With that in mind, the fact that Chow cracked into the top three of the Huskies career rushing list is impressive.

Back in the Express assisting on female hockey story

Emily Clark, left, and Grace Shirley are hockey greats from Saskatoon.

    I was back in the pages of the Saskatoon Express this week helping out with a story on the growth of female hockey in Saskatoon.

    I gathered pictures and quotes from head coach Greg Slobodzian and captain Grace Shirley from the defending Saskatchewan Female Midget AAA Hockey League champion Saskatoon Stars for this piece. I helped add some details for the facts that were used as well.

    Theresa Kirkpatrick, who is a veteran sportswriter, did a masterful job of crafting the piece. I was happy with how the article turned out and contributions I was able to make to it.

    The Express article 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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Klisowsky fits in as new O-line starter, Hilltops hammer Colts

Ryder Klisowsky, left, is the Hilltops new starting left guard.

    Ryder Klisowsky was ready to be a starter on the Saskatoon Hilltops offensive line, but that still didn’t prevent him from being attacked by pre-game nerves.
    On Saturday, the fourth-year Watrous, Sask., product made his second career start for the Hilltops slotting in at the left guard position on the offensive line. Klisowsky and the Hilltops first offensive unit piled up 354 yards of offence and a 45-0 lead by halftime of a Canadian Junior Football League regular season clash with the Calgary Colts.
    With the offensive starters getting a rest for the second half, the Hilltops cruised to a 59-1 victory before 1,065 spectators at Saskatoon Minor Football Field to improve to 2-0 on the campaign. The Colts fell to 0-2.
    Klisowsky went the distance in the Hilltops 41-7 regular season opening win over the Thunder in Regina on Aug. 18. The 21-year-old has enjoyed the anticipation that comes, when a start closes in.

Ryder Klisowsky, right, forces a Colts pass rusher into a double team.

    “It is a big change,” said Klisowsky, who stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 318 pounds. “It was kind of nerve-racking the first couple of games, because I’ve never really started.
    “It was an interesting thing to play a whole game and start off. I like it, and it feels good to start finally.”
    When he attended Winston High School in Watrous, Klisowsky played six-man football. He was placed in a pure offensive line position in the six-man game, which he said eased his transition to the 12-man game.

    In the six-man game, some offensive linemen can become pass receivers.
    “It wasn’t that bad of a change,” said Klisowsky. “It was kind of easier coming, so you didn’t have to run patterns or anything.
    “It was just straight up blocking.”

Ryder Klisowsky, left, protects the Hilltops pass pocket.

    In his preparation to become a starter with the Hilltops, Klisowsky said he was able to refine his game due to the help of the club’s long time offensive line coach in Donnie Davidsen.
    “He (Davidsen) has been a good help,” said Klisowsky. “He is a nice coach. He is great on the line.
    “He knows his stuff. He helps us out a lot. It is nice to have him around.”
    Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant was pleased by the effort put in by the Hilltops starting offensive line on Saturday. The four other starters include Kirk Simonsen at right tackle, Taylon Elderkin at right guard, Patrick Arno at centre and Mason Ochs at left tackle.
    Simonsen, Elderkin and Ochs were all Prairie Football Conference all-stars last season, while Simonsen and Ochs earned nods as CJFL all-Canadian all-stars. 

Ryder Klisowsky (#61) gets set at the line of scrimmage.

    Simonsen took home honours as the PFC’s most outstanding lineman last season as well.
    “Ryder (Klisowsky) is fantastic, and they all played great,” said Sargeant. “We know we are physical.
    “We know we can run and pass for the most part. The tape we are putting out is pretty good tape right now.”
    Klisowsky faced the challenge of fitting in as the only new starter on the Hilltops offensive line replacing Jack Sloboda, who exhausted his CJFL eligibility at the end of last season, coming into the current campaign.

Joshua Ewanchyna (#18) ran for a pair of touchdowns for the Hilltops.

    “I had to kind of mesh with them better, but I think we are doing well as a unit so far,” said Klisowsky. “We need to work on some more things, but I think we’re getting to that point that we are feeling good as a unit.”
    During his time with the Hilltops, Klisowsky has helped the club win CJFL titles in his first three campaigns with the team. He said that has been a highlight along with being around the rest of the players on the squad.
    “It is a blast,” said Klisowsky. “We are all a good group of guys.
    “It is all fun. We all have a good time on and off the field. It is nice to start and be a part of it all.”

    The Hilltops are trying to win an unprecedented fifth straight CJFL title this season, but Klisowsky said no one on the team is dwelling on the “drive for five” concept.

Keegan Dicks secures a catch near the sidelines.

    “It is in the back of everyone’s mind for sure, but we try to focus on our next game,” said Klisowsky. “That is our most important is the next game coming up.”
    The Hilltops stormed out to a 17-0 lead with just 6:12 elapsed in Saturday’s game as running back Joshua Ewanchyna ran in major scores from three and 20 yards out respectively and David Solie booted a 46 yard field goal.
    Saskatoon’s edge expanded to 31-0 by the end of the first quarter thanks to a one-yard plunge by fullback/defensive tackle Garth Knittig and a 12-yard touchdown reception from receiver Tanner Rhode, which was thrown by star quarterback Jordan Walls.
    In the second quarter, Walls hit receiver Keegan Dicks with an eight-yard touchdown toss and ran in a major score from 10 yards out to give the host side a 45-0 lead.
    Hilltops backup quarterback Tyler Hermann started the second half. In the third quarter, he connected with receivers Dillan Heintz and Carter Norrish on respective 31 and 27 yard touchdown passes to give the Hilltops a 59-0 advantage.

Hilltops DT Garth Knittig stops Colts RB Vad Wayne Kiana.

    Shortly before the third quarter expired, Colts kicker Dylan Pye scored a single on a missed 31-yard field goal attempt to round out the 59-1 final score.
    Walls connected on 14-of-19 passes for 231 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Ewanchyna ran the ball 11 times for 98 yards and scored two touchdowns.
    The Hilltops piled up 163 yards rushing and 348 yards passing of gross offence as a team.
    The Colts had 109 yards rushing and 80 yards passing of gross offence.

    Defensive tackle Jesse McNabb had four tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery for the Hilltops. 
    Backup defensive end Connor Delahey had a pair of sacks for the Hilltops, while fellow backup defensive end Jordan Seipp also had a sack.

    Safety Brant Morrow had an interception for Saskatoon.

Hilltops receiver Carter Norrish (#88) zips to the end zone after a catch.

    “We certainly challenged our team that we want to come out and play at a high level of great execution on offence, defence and specials teams, and we did that,” said Sargeant. “At the end of the day, it was fun to watch, fun to coach and fun to play.

    “More importantly, we got to build some capacity and got a lot of players on the field and that is only going to make us practise better and compete better and make this team better in the long run.”

    The Hilltops return to action on Sept. 2, when they travel to Winnipeg to take on the Rifles (1-1).

    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.