Taylor cemented in Hilltops lore with Canadian Bowl pick

Zaden Taylor is a team captain for the Hilltops.

Zaden Taylor already has a moment that ensures he will forever be part of the Saskatoon Hilltops storied lore.

During last year’s CJFL Championship Game played on November 9 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, Hilltops kicker Ryden Gratton booted a 37-yard field goal with 28.6 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to put the host Saskatoon side up 21-18 over the Okanagan Sun. On the ensuing Sun drive, Taylor, who has built a playmaking reputation at outside linebacker, intercepted Sun quarterback Liam Kroeger to seal the 21-18 victory for the Hilltops and allow them to raise the Canadian Bowl winning their 24^th CJFL title.

“I just remember getting swarmed by my teammates and that amazing feeling,” said Taylor. “To have something that incredible happen and a memory like that happen and get to celebrate with my teammates literally right beside me as it happened, it was pretty surreal.

“It is hard not to overplay it in my head.”

When the Sun got the ball at that point in the game, they needed to gain yards in chunks in order to get in range for a game tying field goal. Taylor remembers things were happening at a frantic pace on the play when the opportunity presented itself for him to make his interception that closed out victory.

“That one I believe it was more of a broken play, because I remember covering into the like hook/curl a little deeper,” said Taylor, who stands 6-feet and weighs 215 pounds. “I remember feeling the receiver that was trying to like hook around me was completely covered.

“I saw it was their main receiver. He kind of cut on it. It looked to be like he was either coming from an out or he skied across the field, and I saw (Liam) Kroeger’s eyes just all over him.

“I just break on the ball and try to make a play on it.”

Legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant has seen many team members over the decades make countless big plays dating back to when he first joined the club as a receiver way back in 1983. With Taylor’s game-clinching interception occurring right in front of the Hilltops bench, Sargeant said that moment was forever burned into his memory.

“It sealed the victory to our 24^th national championship,” said Sargeant, who has guided the Hilltops to 15 CJFL title wins as head coach to go along with two victories as a assistant coach and his first coming in 1985 as a player. “I’ll never forget that moment when he made that play and ran over and gave me the football.

“Right then and there, we knew we were taking these to celebrate a great team victory. Zaden’s been a kid that since he walked in on the first day he has been very important to us. He started as a defensive back, and then because of his football IQ and his playmaking ability and toughness, we moved him to linebacker to the “sam” position.

“He has been patrolling that greatly for the last couple of years and done a tremendous job. He is a team captain now, and as I said, he is very important to our defensive success and team success.”

Taylor joined the Hilltops for their 12-0 CJFL championship season in 2023 from the Delisle Composite High School Rebels nine-a-side football program. At that time, he was the rookie looking to capitalize on every repetition that came his way.

Zaden Taylor unloads a big hit on a Regina Thunder receiver last season.

This season, Taylor is now a grizzled fourth-year veteran and a defensive captain. The 21-year-old is living the days he envisioned getting here when he was a rookie.

“It is pretty cool to be on the other end of it,” said Taylor, who had 25 total tackles, one quarterback sack and four pass knockdowns in the Hilltops eight regular season games in 2025. “I remember as a rookie watching those older guys play hoping I’d be there one day.

“Now that I’m here, it is as cool as I thought it would be. To start for a team as prestigious as the Hilltops is pretty surreal, and it is awesome.”

Taylor’s football journey began when he was a youngster playing in Saskatoon Minor Football’s flag program, when his family lived in Saskatoon. He got a taste of tackle football playing in the Kinsmen Football League.

By the time Taylor entered high school, his family had moved out to Asquith, which is a town located about 55 kilometres straight west of Saskatoon. While going to Lord Asquith School, Taylor was allowed to play with the Rebels due to the fact his school didn’t have a tackle football program.

As a result, Taylor was traveling by car 30 minutes from Asquith to Delisle almost daily for football practices and games during the high school season. During his high school days, Taylor said he found at that time he really enjoyed the physicality of the game.

“I played hockey a lot as a kid, and I was always a big physical player,” said Taylor, who played linebacker and a little bit of running back for the Rebels. “Football kind of brings more physicality into a sport.

“I just kind of enjoyed it from there. Hitting heads is fun.”

The Rebels have built their own strong history having four provincial titles starting in 2002. With that squad, Taylor gained an experience of football being family.

“The camaraderie of that team is really fun,” said Taylor. “You get to know the guys a lot, because we did a lot of summer practices together – just like captains-led practices and all that.

“It was a winning culture out there. There was a lot of winning to do out there and a lot of fun to have after the wins.”

When his high school days concluded, Taylor’s former Rebels teammate in current Hilltops star running back Corbin Ebben just finished his first season with the venerable CJFL club. Taylor’s then current Rebels teammate in offensive lineman Tobin Kirkness was going to Hilltops winter workouts, so defensive standout decided to give that experience a chance.

Zaden Taylor has built a playmaking reputation at outside linebacker.

“I had nothing else going on after high school,” said Taylor, who was teammates with Kirkness on the Hilltops in 2023 and 2024. “I said, “Why not, and I’ll give it a try.”

“It turns out I really enjoyed it even further being around guys that were around my skill level to way better than me. It was a lot of fun to learn from those guys.”

When Taylor joined the Hilltops, Sargeant said it was noticeable how much the Rebels grad was improving each week, each month and ultimately each year. The Hilltops coaches were devising ways to get Taylor more involved on the defensive side of the game.

“He (Taylor) has got great instincts,” said Sargeant. “Sometimes, we put him on a blitz opportunity to impact the game.

“He is one of those playmakers that knows how to get to the ball, and when he gets there, he does something real productive. He is a high-end player, and we’re very fortunate that he is a big part of our success game in and game out.”

Now that Taylor is in his fourth year, Sargeant said the coaches are looking forward to how the skilled linebacker will run with the role of being a team leader.

“Well number one, we’re here to defend a national championship,” said Sargeant. “We’re here to get the 25^th national championship for our tradition, for our fifth-year players and for the city of Saskatoon.

“We’re embracing everything that comes our way. We know it is not going to be easy. We know the spotlight is on us, so we’ve got to take it on.

“I need my best players, my leaders, people like Zaden, players like Zaden, they’ve got to be the best players and the best leaders. If we do that, then we’ve got a chance to be playing in the biggest, best games, and that is what it is all about.”

Taylor said a big turning point last season came when the Hilltops fell in their regular season opener 31-11 to the Rifles in Winnipeg on August 10, 2025 at Maple Grove Rugby Park. He said the veterans led by example from that point onwards to winning the CJFL title.

“It was a tough start to the season,” said Taylor. “We lose to Winnipeg.

“We had I think our third string quarterback in at the time. We didn’t know what was going to happen going into that game, but I do believe we were overconfident in it anyway. From there, the coaches really got on us, and I think that was the biggest momentum changer.

“When you see all the older guys working as hard as they are after a loss like that, it just motivates the entire team to get better, and that is just exactly what happened.”

Taylor said he wants to carry on what he learned from his former veteran teammates who have graduated from the historic squad. When his Hilltops days wrap up, Taylor would like to continue playing the sport, but for now, he wants to fully live in the moment playing for the blue and gold.

Zaden Taylor (#8) enjoys getting a sack last season.

“If an opportunity arises after my fifth year, I’d definitely give it a lot of consideration,” said Taylor. “For right now, the focus is finishing my years off here with the Hilltops and hopefully getting two more championships.”

This piece first appeared in the Saskatoon Hilltops game program on August 23, 2026.

Adamko brothers soak in CJFL title win with Hilltops

Ryan Adamko (#65) and Scott Adamko (#35) are pictured in a great moment.  

SASKATOON, Sask. – The reality was better than the dream for brothers Ryan and Scott Adamko when it came to winning the CJFL championship game – the Canadian Bowl.

On Sunday, the Adamko brothers suited up to play on the defensive line for the storied Saskatoon Hilltops as they battled the Okanagan Sun for the CJFL title at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Sun star quarterback Liam Kroeger ran home an 18-yard touchdown with 1:33 remaining in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 18-18.

On the ensuing series, Hilltops kicker Ryden Gratton booted a 37-yard field goal with 28.6 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to put the host side up 21-18. The Sun’s last ditch effort to even the score or go ahead was ended on an interception by Hilltops strong side linebacker Zaden Taylor that cemented the 21-18 score as the final outcome in favour of Saskatoon.

The Hilltops completed the 2025 campaign with a 9-2 overall record, while the Canadian Bowl was the only loss for the Sun in posting a 13-1 overall mark. The win was the Hilltops 24^th CJFL title in team history, and it was a perfect cap for Ryan as his CJFL eligibility came to an end at the conclusion of the Canadian Bowl.

This story of mine appeared in the Prince Albert Daily Herald. To read the full article, feel free to click right here.

Instant classic – Hilltops edge Sun 21-18, take Canadian Bowl

Saskatoon wins 24^th CJFL championship in team history

The Hilltops raise the Canadian Bowl as champions of the CJFL.

It was an instant classic that showcased the grit of the 2025 edition of the Saskatoon Hilltops.

On Sunday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Hilltop battled an extremely tough Okanagan Sun squad from Kelowna, B.C., in the CJFL Championship Game – the Canadian Bowl. With the Hilltops holding an 18-11 lead, Sun star quarterback Liam Kroeger ran home a touchdown from 18 yards out to even the score at 18-18 with 1:33 remaining in the fourth quarter. Kroeger’s touchdown jaunt capped an impressive 108-yard scoring drive by the Okanagan side.

The Hilltops didn’t back down. They got a solid return on the ensuing kickoff from fourth-year star running back Charles Sawi. Fifth-year star running back David Collins picked up some hard yards running up the middle.

The Hilltops graduating players are pictured with the Canadian Bowl.

After a quick mid-length drive, the Hilltops found themselves in range for a 37 yard field goal. Fourth-year kicker Ryden Gratton nailed the boot with 28.6 seconds remaining on the clock.

On the ensuing Sun drive, third-year strong side linebacker Zaden Taylor intercepted Kroeger to seal the 21-18 victory for Saskatoon before 1,903 spectators. The win gives the Hilltops their 24^th CJFL title in team history.

“It feels outstanding,” said legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant, whose team finished with a 9-2 overall record. “You know what?

Charles Sawi, left, and Johnathon Stevens enjoy Sunday’s win.

“This has been us all year. Nothing was easy, and look how battle tested we were at the end. Everyone stayed together, played together (and there was) a lot of trust.

“The coaches coached it hard. There were two great teams on the field today, great representation for the CJFL, but at the end of the day, the Hilltop tradition shines through again today.”

The Hilltops and Sun have met a total of four times in the CJFL final with the Hilltops claiming victory in three of those encounters

Sunday’s setback was the only loss for a strong BCFC champion Sun squad that finished with a 13-1 overall mark. Okanagan was rated second in the final CJFL Top 10 Power Rankings released on October 10. The Hilltops were rated fourth in those same rankings.

Liam Kroeger runs in an equalizing TD for the Sun.

The PFC champion Hilltops received big performances from three of their best players allowing the Saskatoon side to sweep all three player of the game awards. Graduating star running back David Collins was the offensive player of the game running the ball 26 times for 143 yards and two touchdowns. He also had one catch for six yards.

Fourth-year star running back Charles Sawi took special teams player of the game honours. He returned six punts for 47 yards, one kickoff for 19 yards and one missed field goal for 20 yards.

Hilltops graduating star middle linebacker Isaac Michayluk was given the nod as the defensive player of the game recording nine solo defensive tackles and two defensive tackle assists.

David Collins picks up big yards to set up the Hilltops winning field goal.

For Collins who came up from St. Michael, Minn., to join the Hilltops, his one and only season with the storied and historic club will be something he takes with him for the rest of his life. He was elated to cap the campaign off with a CJFL title win.

“It feels amazing,” said Collins. “I’ve never been on this side of things.

“For me to actually be on the winning side of things, it feels like an honour to be a Hilltop. This will probably be something I tell my great grandkids about when I grow up. Coming to Canada for a year with little to no expectations and leaving with a national championship, it just feels amazing.”

Ryden Gratton boots a 37-yard winning field goal for the Hilltops.

The Sun had some big gamers too. Kroeger completed 26-of-44 passes for 296 yards, and he ran the ball six times for 54 yards and his major score. He did have two interceptions, and both those picks came in the fourth quarter due to big plays by the Hilltops.

Early in the fourth quarter, Kroeger was intercepted by Hilltops defensive end Huntur Johnson on the Saskatoon 10 yard line. Johnson jumped up at the line of scrimmage and batted the ball into his own hands, and he made a 20-yard return after that defensive snag. That interception preserved the Hilltops 18-11 advantage at that time.

The Hilltops faithful cheer on their team at SMF Field.

Of course, Taylor had the second interception sealing the win for the host side in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter.

Skilled Sun receiver Vincent Chuoi had five catches for a game high 86 yards. Star Sun running back Gerren Hardisty carried the ball 17 times for 71 yards.

Sun linebacker Phil Palmarin and defensive back Tariq Brown each had a team high six total tackles. Okanagan defensive back Riley Easton came down with one interception.

Vincent Chuoi (#7) caught five passes for 86 yards for the Sun.

Michayluk said the Sun gave his Hilltops side a lot to handle.

“They won the B.C. league for a good reason,” said Michayluk. “They are a really good team.

“They are physical. They have lots of athletes. They have a very balanced attack.

“Their defence is stellar. (We have) a lot of respect for Okanagan there. They put up a big challenge.”

Early in the first quarter, the Sun had the first chance to go ahead on the scoreboard, but star kicker Liam Atwood missed on a 40-yard field goal attempt that was run out of the end zone by Sawi. Late in the first quarter, the Sun conceded a safety and the Hilltops a short time later also conceded a safety causing the two squads to exit the opening 15 minutes locked in a 2-2 tie. The safeties were given up due to bad field position.

The Hilltop Cheer Team hits their finishing pose at halftime.

The Hilltops started the contest with fifth-year signal caller Brexton Elias at quarterback, and he completed 2-of-3 passes for 25 yards. 

Late in the first quarter, the Hilltops elected to go with fourth-year quarterback and former University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team reserve quarterback Griffin Sander for most of the rest of the contest. 

Sander completed 11-of-18 passes for 104 yards, while throwing one interception.

Isaac Michayluk had nine solo defensive tackles for the Hilltops.

In the second quarter, the Hilltops surged ahead 16-2 with Collins running in major scores from seven and 23 yards out respectively. He credited the Hilltops always formidable offensive line for allowing him to get the big scoring runs in the second quarter.

“The O-line was doing great,” said Collins. “I was able to pick my holes and just finish through from there.

“I kept the ball secured high and tight and just did the rest with my feet.”

Before the second quarter ended, the Hilltops would concede another safety due to bad field position trimming their advantage to 16-4 heading into halftime.

Gerren Hardisty ran the ball 17 times for 71 yards for the Sun.

The Sun offence caught fire after getting the ball for the opening drive of the third quarter. The visitors drove down to the Hilltops one yard line. 

At that point, Okanagan short-yardage quarterback Marcus Christos dove in for a one-yard major score to cut Saskatoon’s lead to 16-11.

With 3:58 remaining in the third quarter, the Sun had to concede their second safety of the contest due to bad field position to push the Hilltops lead out to 18-11. 

That set the stage for the dramatics in the fourth quarter.

Hilltops defensive tackles and brothers Scott and Ryan Adamko said they both felt an adrenaline rush when Taylor made his interception in the final seconds of the fourth quarter to cement the win.

Charles Sawi had 86 total return yards on special teams.

“I still can’t believe it to be honest,” said Scott, who is in his second year with the Hilltops. “That is just such a huge play at the time.”

“That is just when the switch flipped and the realization hit,” said Ryan, who played the final game of his CJFL eligibility on Sunday. “This is it.

“We did it.”

Michayluk got to cherish the fact he graduates from the Hilltops with a second CJFL championship having helped the venerable squad with the Canadian Bowl in 2023 with a 12-0 record.

“I’m kind of speechless,” said Michayluk. “Not many people get to play the Canadian Bowl on home turf, so that is super special.

The Hilltops being celebrating their CJFL championship win.

“It is fantastic to go out with a “Ship.” That is awesome, glory to God.”

With Sunday’s win, Sargeant enjoyed his 18^th CJFL championship with the Hilltops. Sargeant has won 15 of those titles as a head coach, two as an assistant coach and his first came as a receiver in 1985.

He felt Sunday’s Canadian Bowl mirrored the regular season for his team. He enjoyed how his players in 2025 rose to the occasion to persevere like they did, which allowed the club to win a 24^th CJFL title.

“There are so many plays,” said Sargeant. “You never know which one it is going to be and when it is going to be.

The Hilltops enjoy the spoils of a 24th CJFL title victory.

“As I said, this team just all year just had a great belief and a will power, and they always just found ways. I couldn’t be more proud of them and the coaching staff and the organization. Son of a gun, our 24^th national championship.

“That is pretty good.”

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Hilltops lock up first in PFC, improve to 7-0

Saskatoon thumps Thunder 36-11 at SMF Field

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

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

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

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

Hilltops LB Noah Gedir tackles Thunder RB Ryland Leichert.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Corbin Ebben ran the ball 29 times for 196 yards.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Hilltop Cheerleading Team performs at halftime.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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