Hilltops home debut spoiled by big Thunder boot

Maximuik hits 51-yard walk off winning field goal

Eric Maximuik hits a 51-yard winning field goal for the Thunder.

Eric Maximuik’s powerful leg put a damper on the homecoming party for the Saskatoon Hilltops.

On Saturday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the fourth-year kicker with the Regina Thunder hammered a 51-yard walk off field goal to lift his side past the host Hilltops 16-13 in a CJFL regular season clash played before 1,891 spectators.

The Thunder win spoiled the 2021 home debut for Hilltops. Due to the fact the 2020 CJFL campaign was lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hilltops hadn’t played at SMF Field since October 27, 2019, when they down the Edmonton Huskies 30-14 in the Prairie Football Conference championship game.

The Thunder mob Eric Maximuik after his winning kick.

Saturday’s victory allowed the Thunder to improve to 3-0 to sit alone in first place in the PFC, while the Hilltops fell to 2-1.

When Maximuik was lining up for his winning kick on the final play of the game, legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant said the action from the rest of the contest went through his head.

“The thoughts that go through the mind are we should never ever be in that situation,” said Sargeant. “You reflect back a little bit.

The Hilltops defence stops a Thunder run early in Saturday’s clash.

“It was good for him (Maximuik) to clutch up in the moment and make a big kick. For amateur football, this is as good of a game as you are going to see. It was a defensive battle back and forth.

“Both teams played real hard and wanted it real bad. The good thing is for us we have to regroup and get to Regina next week. Obviously, they have a lot of momentum and energy on their side right now.”

The two provincial rivals will go at it again on Saturday, September 18 at 7 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium in Regina.

RB Ryland Leichert runs in a TD for the Thunder.

Maximuik said he felt good he was able to boot home the winning score in the first encounter in Saskatoon to head into the back end of the home-and-home series in Regina.

“It is something you practise every week in practice,” said Maximuik. “You practise trying to put yourself in those game situations with the whole team.

“Being able to execute is huge. Hopefully, that momentum will keep going forward for next week and the weeks after that.”

When it came time to hit the winning kick, Maximuik said he was able to mentally get to a peaceful place.

“I try and keep the mind empty,” said Maximuik. “I just focus on the job.

Hilltops kicker Teijon Abel-Douglas hits a 42-yard field goal.

“There is not much going through my head. You stay relaxed and stay cool on the field with everyone else. We were expecting them to call timeout too, but they didn’t want to.

“We’ll take that all day long.”

The Thunder came rolling out of the gates on Saturday putting together a lengthy drive on the first offensive series of the contest that concluded with a seven-yard touchdown romp from running back Ryland Leichert. That score put the visitors up 7-0.

The Hilltops answered back about three minutes later with a 42-yard field goal from kicker Teijon Abel-Douglas to cut the Thunder lead to 7-3.

The Hilltops defence gang tackles Thunder RB Justin Reiger.

Before the first quarter ended, the Thunder extended their advantage to 10-3 thanks to a 29-yard field goal from Maximuik.

Veteran Hilltops outside linebacker Konner Johnson thought the Thunder were able to set the tone early due to the fact they had success on the ground.

“They started off they got running the ball on us,” said Johnson, who had four total tackles and an interception in the setback. “We have to stop that right off the bat and make them pass.

“That is what we are comfortable doing. It is always a barnburner with these guys. They are a great football team.”

Thunder LB Ryan Mills sacks Hilltops QB Damon Dutton.

After the first quarter, the Hilltops pulled starting quarterback Doug Fleming, who completed just 1-of-5 passes for 20 yards and one interception in the contest.

Damon Dutton handled most of the signal calling duties from that point completing 9-of-14 passes for 128 yards and one interception.

The quarterback change did initially give the Hilltops a burst. With 6:15 remaining in the second quarter, they put together a sound offensive drive that culminated in a one-yard touchdown run by running back Jordan Tabin to even the score at 10-10.

With 2:46 remaining in the second quarter, Abel-Douglas hit a 34-yard field goal to give the Hilltops a 13-10 lead.

Shortly before halftime, Maximuik had a chance to tie the game, but he hit the upright on a 45-yard field goal attempt to allow the Hilltops to head into the halftime break with a 13-10 advantage.

Hilltops DB Jared Giddings forces a Thunder runner out of bounds.

With 67 seconds remaining in the third quarter, Maximuik hit a 39-yard field goal to even the score 13-13. That set the stage for the dramatics on the last play of the game.

During the contest, the Hilltops were held to 288 yards of total offence. In two of the Hilltops three games, they have pulled Fleming in favour of Dutton.

Sargeant, who doubles as the Hilltops offensive coordinator, said the offence has been inconsistent, and he didn’t like getting shutout in the second half in the loss to the Thunder.

“It is ridiculous,” said Sargeant. “It is not up to our standard.

“Everyone is talking about a quarterback controversy. Obviously, that got in our way today. Our quarterback play in my books wasn’t very good.

Receiver Rylan Sokul makes a big catch for the Thunder.

“You know what, we have to get back to the lab and get to work and figure it out.”

Thunder quarterback Carter Shewchuk had a respectable outing completing 19-of-25 passes for 253 yards and one interception.

Defensively, linebacker Brady Fossen and defensive end Craig Torgerson had sacks for the Hilltops. Defensive back Jared Giddings led Saskatoon with 9.5 total tackles.

Linebacker Ryan Mills had two sacks for the Thunder, while fellow linebacker Davin Williamson had a single sack. Defensive backs Adam King and Bobo Kisusari had interceptions for Regina.

The Thunder win also brought an end to the Hilltops 33-game winning streak that included action in the CJFL’s regular season and post-season. It is believed that streak was a CJFL record.

Before Saturday’s game in Saskatoon, the Hilltops last loss came way back on September 9, 2017, when they dropped a 29-26 decision at SMF Field also to the Thunder.

Hilltops LB Konner Johnson wants to play the Thunder again.

“I’ve never worried about that stuff in the least,” said Sargeant. “I’m not worried about numbers.

“I’m worried about process and getting better. We took a step back today, and that is fine. That is on me.

“What you see is what you coach. Myself and my coaches have to do a better job of coaching this young team and get them more seasoned so that they can handle these situations better than what we did today.”

Johnson is looking forward to facing the Thunder again in seven days in Regina.

“We have some film now on them,” said Johnson. “We know what we need to correct.

“I think it is going to be another great game, but hopefully, we are coming out on top next week.”

’Toppers RB Tabin signs with NLL’s Rush

Jordan Tabin runs the ball for the Hilltops in 2019.

Saskatoon Hilltops running back Jordan Tabin took another step forward in his journey towards a career in professional lacrosse.

On Friday, Tabin signed a two-year contract with Saskatchewan Rush, who are a powerhouse club in the National Lacrosse League.

During the NLL Entry Draft that was held virtually on August 28, Tabin was selected in the sixth round and 89^th overall by the Rush, who are a league powerhouse. The Rush captured NLL titles in 2016 and 2018 playing out of the SaskTel Centre and when the franchise was still located in Edmonton, Alta., in 2015.

The 20-year-old Tabin plays defence for the Saskatchewan SWAT junior A lacrosse team.

On the football field, Tabin is playing in his third full season with the Hilltops having also suited up for the storied CJFL club in 2018 and 2019 CJFL championship seasons.

In the 2019 CJFL campaign, Tabin carried the ball seven times for 103 yards in the Hilltops eight regular season games and ran the ball six times for 81 yards scoring one touchdown in four post-season contests.

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Hilltops’ Dale makes history as first female playing CJFL games

Emmarae Dale takes part in a drill at Hilltops practice.

The realization of a moment that wasn’t on Emmarae Dale’s radar became real the first time she ran out on to the field for a regular season game with the Saskatoon Hilltops.

On August 22 at Jasper Place Bowl in Edmonton Alta., Dale became the first female player to play in a CJFL game when she took the field as a linebacker with the Hilltops against the host Huskies.

The Hilltops has been part of Dale’s life since she was a little girl. In the late 2000s and early 2010s, Dale went to games to support her older brothers Anthony and Donovan, when they played for the storied junior club.

When she was coming out of the tunnel to take the field with the Hilltops for her first game, Dale thought of her brothers. It hit her in that moment that she was now doing something her brothers did many times in coming out of a stadium tunnel to take the field with the “blue and gold.”

“That was really cool,” said Dale. “It made me kind of feel like I was really truly part of the legacy.

“I can’t even describe how much of an impact it kind of felt like. I think it is something that I will remember for the rest of my life.”

Dale made one special teams tackle in helping the Hilltops pull out an 18-17 victory, which was their 30^th consecutive road victory including action in the CJFL regular season and post-season.

A week later on August 29, Dale recorded a solo defensive tackle, two assisted defensive tackles and two special teams tackles in a 35-18 win over the Colts in Calgary, Alta., at Shouldice Park. That was the Hilltops 31^st consecutive win on the road.

Emmarae Dale became the first female to play games in the CJFL.

Dale will make her home debut when the Hilltops host their home opener against their provincial rivals the Regina Thunder on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The clash will be a battle of teams both sporting 2-0 records.

While watching her older brothers play for the Hilltops growing up, Dale saw football as a sport she would like to try one day. Becoming a member of the Hilltops wasn’t a thought that crossed her mind.

Dale played flag football in high school, where she caught the eye of personnel from the Saskatoon Valkyries. The Valkyries are a powerhouse tackle team in the Western Women’s Canadian Football League.

Michelle Duchene, who is the Valkyries general manager, Carisa Polischuk, who was a Valkyries player and director, and Jeff Yausie, who was the Valkyries head coach at the time and is the Hilltops defensive coordinator, talked Dale into giving the Valkyries a try.

In 2016, Dale joined the Valkyries as an 18-year-old rookie. She played middle linebacker for the Valkyries for four seasons from 2016 to 2019 helping them win two WWCFL championships in 2016 and 2019.

On top of playing for the Valkyries, Dale was a member of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies women’s track and field team for four seasons specializing in throwing events. She helped the Huskies win three straight Canada West Conference team championships from 2018 to 2020.

On the football side of things, Yausie stepped down as Valkyries head coach following the 2016 campaign and remained the team’s defensive coordinator in 2017 before stepping away from that club.

Emmarae Dale (#45) in action for the Valkyries in 2019.

Yausie kept tabs on how Dale was doing with the Valkyries and thought she improved to the point where she could help the Hilltops. He brought the idea to legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant, and the decision was made early in 2020 to recruit Dale to the club that has won 22 CJFL championships.

Dale was slated to play with the Hilltops last year, but that season was ultimately cancelled on August 6, 2020 due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that had gripped the world.

The Hilltops completed all the paperwork to allow Dale to join the team before August 6, 2020. 

That allowed her to be eligible to play in the 2021 campaign, when the CJFL announced in early September of 2020 that players who were 22-years-old in 2020 could play as 23-year-olds in 2021.

Dale took part in the six weeks of practice the Hilltops were able to hold in September and October of 2020, and the official announcement she was on the team’s roster was made on September 15, 2020.

That eventually led to Dale getting on the field for the Hilltops regular season open on August 22 of this year. She can still feel the excitement from that day.

“It was pretty surreal,” said Dale, who has done numerous interviews with media outlets across Canada about joining the Hilltops. “I think it was just such a long time coming that it is kind of weird to think that it has already come and gone.

“It was the first game back since COVID. I think everyone is still just kind of getting the rust off after such a long wait, but it was awesome being there. I think even when I was just first putting on the shoulder pads and the Hilltops jersey it definitely kind of hit me that it was going to be a big game and very meaningful game.

Emmarae Dale followed two of her older brothers to the Hilltops.

“It was really awesome. It was definitely exciting and humbling. It was just a lot of emotions just kind of wrapped into one I think.”

During the first game, Sargeant said lots of people didn’t realize Dale was a female player. He said Dale deserved the opportunities she was given.

“She is just another football player,” said Sargeant. “She is one of the 45 players we took on the road trip.

“She was in some good situations. She did her job. She had some contain responsibilities.

“She got in on a tackle. Emmarae is such a positive kid. She works real hard, and she is a joy to be around.”

Sargeant said Dale has been perfect fit with the team.

“We really enjoy coaching her,” said Sargeant. “As I said, we don’t think anything else.

“She is number 45 in the blue and gold, and she is out there to try and help us win. That is all we care about.”

After getting that season opener under her belt, Dale said the focus quickly shifted to the rest of the 2021 campaign.

“Now that game is done, I think it kind of feels like a little bit less pressure,” said Dale. “I’m excited to just keep getting better for the rest of this season.

Michelle Keene, left, with Emmarae Dale. (Photo courtesy Michelle Keene)

“I think we still all have a lot of learning to do. We’re a young, fast and talented team. I think we are just going to keep growing from here.

“It is definitely not the peak of the Hilltops for that first game, so we’re excited to keep going.”

 

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Sports scene feeling more optimistic vibes

Marie-Philip Poulin in action in November of 2018.

Marie-Philip Poulin delivered those tingly feel-good feelings to Canada.

On Tuesday night, Poulin roofed home the overtime winner to the top right corner of the United States goal to power Canada to a 3-2 comeback victory in the gold medal game of the Women’s World Hockey Championship Tournament. The win marked the first time Canada (7-0) won gold at worlds dating back to 2012.

The United States (5-2) had captured the gold medal the last five times worlds were contested.

When worlds were last held in 2019, Canada won a bronze medal.

Worlds weren’t contested in 2020 due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has gripped the world.

Poulin has a history of coming through in big moments in Canada. She scored the gold medal game winning goal for Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, B.C., and the gold medal overtime winning goal for Canada at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

In Tuesday’s gold medal game at worlds, the United States took a 2-0 in the first period with forward Alex Carpenter netting both tallies.

Brooklin Fry and the Prince Albert Northern Bears are going again

Canada tied things up at 2-2 in the second as forwards Brianne Jenner and Jamie Lee Rattray netting singles.

That set the stage for Poulin to net the winner in three-versus-three overtime. Her shot went in and out of the net so fast that her goal had to be confirmed by video review.

Ann-Renee Desbiens made 23 saves to pick up the win in goal for Canada. Nicole Hensley turned away 29 shots taking the setback in goal for the United States.

Tuesday’s clash at the Winsport Arena in Calgary, Alta., was played before a gathering of family members from both teams. The International Ice Hockey Federation had women’s worlds played in a bubble format without fans as part of the event’s protocols to deal with the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.

The move allowed women’s worlds to get completed in 2021.

Actually, it feels like optimism is riding much higher in Canada’s sports scene than it did a year ago at this time. Unlike a year ago at this time, there are vaccines that are available to the public for COVID-19.

Due to the fact those vaccines exist, there is a bigger and realistic believe sports seasons will be played and national championships will be contested.

The Hilltops cherish their time on the field.

A year ago at this time, some in the sports scene tried to sell false hope that everything would be alright, but a back of the mind suspicion always existed that things would fall through.

One person who has noted the increased optimism is Jeff Willoughby, who is the head coach of the Prince Albert Northern Bears female under-18 AAA hockey team. The Bears held a prospects camp and a practice session for returning regulars on Sunday.

Willoughby spoke of the positive vibes to Lucas Punkari of the Prince Albert Daily Herald.

“Even going back to last fall, the anticipation level is a lot higher,” said Willoughby to Punkari. “I think there is a little more optimism compared to last season, and it’s nice to be able to think ahead on things as we’re getting closer to normal and hopefully have a full season ahead.”

If you go by Saskatoon Hilltops practice in Saskatoon, the positive vibes are flowing like in pre-pandemic times. The players, coaches and staffers seem to be cherishing the opportunity to be involved in football a little bit more than in the past.

After the 2020 CJFL season was scrapped due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hilltops have played their first two regular season games in 2021.

The Saskatoon Angels will play at a big tournament this weekend.

They are looking forward to hosting their home opener against their provincial rivals the Regina Thunder on Saturday, September 11 at 7 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The contest will be a battle between two teams with 2-0 records.

Excitement is running high at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex as the 2021 Rawlings Grand Slam Softball Championship begins there on Thursday and runs through to Sunday.  That event features nine men’s teams in the under-23 division and 10 teams in the men’s division from across Canada.

Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic is still going cause bumps and adjustments to the sport scene. With that said, there is a strong believe the games will be able to march on.

On that note, here are a few other observations from the sports scene.

• Morgan Willoughby was named an assistant coach with the Prince Albert Northern Bears female under-18 AAA hockey team near the middle of August. She is a former Bears captain and a recent graduate of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Women’s Hockey team. Odds are high she will make big waves in the hockey coaching scene.

• 

  Jessica Vance in action for the Huskies on February 15, 2020.

  Jessica Vance’s name can be added to the list of athletes who likely didn’t know they were playing their final game before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. On February 15, 2020, Vance made 28 saves playing goal for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Women’s Hockey team as they dropped a 1-0 decision in Game 2 of a Canada West quarter-final series to the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds at Merlis Belsher Place. The Thunderbirds swept the best-of-three series 2-0. Vance was the Huskies star goalie and was named the MVP of the Canada West Conference for the 2017-18 campaign. She has one season of U Sports eligibility remaining. The 2020-21 U Sports campaign was scrapped due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Vance kept progressing in her school studies and is now attending the University of Toronto to pursue her masters of physical therapy.
• On Tuesday night, Saskatoon Blades general manager Colin Priestner announced on Twitter long time Blades volunteer dressing room attendant Bobby Kirkness had passed away. Kirkness was battling stage 4 liver and pancreatic cancer. The Blades named their training camp tournament trophy after him in “The Kirkness Cup.” Kirkness was a true gem on the WHL circuit, and he will be missed by many.
• Back on August 18, the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets signed centre Cole Sillinger to a three-year, entry-level contract. The Blue Jackets picked Sillinger in the first round and 12 overall in the NHL Entry Draft held this past July via video conference call. If Sillinger doesn’t make the Blue Jackets, he would be returned to the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers for his 18-year-old season. Last season, the Tigers loaned Sillinger to the Sioux Falls Stampede of the United States Hockey League. Sillinger had 24 goals, 22 assists and a plus-five rating in the plus-minus department in 31 games in Sioux Falls. He had 22 goals, 31 assists and a plus-19 rating in 48 games with the Tigers in 2019-20. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Sillinger crack the Blue Jackets roster this coming season.
• Yours truly is off to attend a big family wedding, so I am out of here for a short bit. See you all in about seven to 10 days.

 

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Last dance with Hilltops means the world to Giddings

Saskatoon surges past Colts in Calgary 35-18

Jared Giddings is pumped to be back on the field.

Jared Giddings’ last dance with the Saskatoon Hilltops has already been better than he imagined.

When the 2020 CJFL season was canceled in early August of that year due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has gripped the world, Giddings wondered if his chance to play his fifth and final season with the Hilltops was gone.

On September 8, 2020, the CJFL announced players who would have been in their 22-year-old years that season would be able to play in 2021, while players who were 21-years-old in 2020 would be eligible to play through to 2022.

With that decision, Giddings was able to return to the Hilltops as a 23-year-old to play his fifth and final campaign. The Humboldt, Sask., product wasn’t going to let that opportunity pass him by.

“It means the world,” said Giddings, who also took part in the Hilltops six weeks of practice in September and October of 2020. “This program has been a big part of my life.

“Ever since high school, I’ve been here. You build bonds with these guys. I had the option to comeback with the CJFL extending eligibility.

“I just couldn’t be more thankful. I really wanted to take that opportunity to just come back and be with these guys for one more year. I made so many memories.”

On Sunday, Giddings stepped into his boundary cornerback position and helped the Hilltops down the Calgary Colts 35-18 at Shouldice Park in Calgary.

Before joining the Hilltops as a player in 2016, Giddings attended Hilltops games as his older brother, Josh, played for the team in their 2012 CJFL championship winning season and 2013.

Jared Giddings attended winter camps with the Hilltops during his high school years and earned a roster spot after attending the team’s spring camp in 2016.

Jared Giddings makes an interception at Hilltops practice.

He always cherished his time with the team helping the Hilltops win CJFL titles in his first four seasons in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. Giddings was a Prairie Football Conference all-star in 2018.

After there was no CJFL season in 2020, Giddings found he appreciated the chance to be on the team and play in the CJFL that much more. When the Hilltops took the field for their regular season opener and downed the Huskies in Edmonton 18-17, Giddings found that pre-game jitters returned.

“I was pretty nervous to be honest after a year off of football,” said Giddings, who stands 6-feet and weighs 185 pounds. “I was so excited just to be back out there.

“You never knew if it was going to happen again just because I was a little older guy. There was a little uncertainty there. I was so appreciative just to be able to step on the field.

“Just to see the atmosphere and the fans again, that was just an amazing feeling.”

Giddings is the only players on the Hilltops defensive unit who is in his fifth full season with the team.

The graduate of the nine-man Humboldt Collegiate Institute Mohawks football team is one of just three players who are in their fifth full season with the Hilltops. That short list includes a pair of offensive linemen in left tackle Mason Ochs and right tackle Jonathan Chisholm.

Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant was pumped to have Giddings back for one last season and said the defensive back’s experience is extremely valuable.

“Jared (Giddings) is a primetime player,” said Sargeant. “He is one the few all-stars we have coming back.

“He absolutely understands the game. He brings a lot of confidence and a lot of swag. He is our top lockdown cover guy.

Jared Giddings provides a steady presence on the Hilltops defence.

“In critical spots, we are putting him in those physical and aggressive spots. He seems to take advantage of it. He makes our defence a lot better, and he also brings real good leadership too.”

Sargeant said Giddings provides a calming influence to the Hilltops defensive secondary.

“He has been around here now for six years, so you look at him and you just feel good,” said Sargeant. “You feel right.

“You know he is going to do what you want him to do. You know he is going to lead the group properly. He is a pretty quiet guy, but he practices hard.

“He just makes everyone around him better, because they just have to watch his practice habits and how he conducts himself. He is a true winner and a true leader for the Hilltops.”

Giddings said the Hilltops defensive secondary has some good chemistry. He noted that fourth-year safety Brant Morrow and third-year defensive halfback Evan Mantyka were both starters in 2019.

Giddings said converted receiver Steven Gilewicz has found his groove at the field side cornerback position in his second season with the team.

“The defensive back group, it seems like we have some experience compared to the rest of the defence,” said Giddings. “Being with (Brant) Morrow and (Evan) Mantyka, we started 2019 together.

“Steveo (Gilewicz), he has been with us for a couple of years now. It felt normal out there. I feel comfortable with those guys just to be having that experience.

“I wouldn’t actually want to be with anyone else to be honest. I know what those guys are going to bring, and I know what they are going to do. We all trust each other.”

As the season marches onwards, Giddings plans to soak each day for that day. After there was no CJFL campaign in 2020, Giddings has a new appreciation of the journey through a season.

Jared Giddings has helped the Hilltops win four CJFL titles.

“Football is a grind, and sometimes coming to practice isn’t easy,” said Giddings. “Honestly, it is all just a little bit easier now.

“When we were off, you don’t know what is happening. You don’t know what is going to happen next. Every day, it is like it is a blessing.

“I don’t mind coming to practice and getting bruised up a bit and hitting some guys. It is a lot of fun. I think it brought the fun back into football for me personally.”

In the win over the Colts on Sunday, Hilltops kicker Teijon Abel-Douglas kicked a 14-yard field in the first quarter to give the visitors a 3-0 lead.

Early in the second quarter, running back Carter McLean ran the ball in from eight yards out for a major to give the Hilltops a 10-0 edge.

The Colts responded with quarterback Cole Belway hitting receiver Joel Pipke with a four-yard touchdown pass to cut the Hilltops lead to 10-7.

With less than three minutes to go in the second quarter, the Hilltops scored 18 straight points to go ahead 28-7.

The surge started with the Colts electing to concede a safety after being pinned deep in their own end. On the ensuing Saskatoon offensive drive, Hilltops quarterback Doug Fleming hit third-year receiver Presley Peterson with a 40-yard touchdown pass.

The Colts again got pinned in their own end, and Belway was sacked in the end zone by Mantyka for another safety score for Saskatoon. The Hilltops surge closed when Fleming scored a rushing touchdown with 20 seconds remaining in the half.

At the start of the third quarter, the Colts picked up a single as kicker Austin Griffiths booted the opening kickoff into the end zone. Griffiths hit a 31-yard field goal before the third quarter ended trimming the Hilltops lead to 28-11.

Jared Giddings has made big plays for the Hilltops.

On the opening play of the fourth quarter, Belway hit receiver Brendt Adams on an eight-yard touchdown toss for the Colts to further cut the Hilltops edge to 28-18.

Saskatoon dashed any hopes of a Calgary comeback when running back Jordan Tabin ran the ball in from five yards out to round out the scoring in the 35-18 victory causing the Colts to fall to 0-2.

Sunday’s contest was the physical one causing the Hilltops to make some regular substitutions. On the offensive line, Mitchel Clarke entered the game at left tackle replacing Ochs, who is a three-time all-Canadian all-star, and Jayson Kehler went in a right tackle for Chisholm.

Clarke is in his third full season with the Hilltops, while Kehler is in his fourth full season with the team.

The Hilltops return to action on Saturday, September, 11 at 7 p.m. hosting their home opener against their provincial rivals in the Regina Thunder. Both teams enter that contest with identical 2-0 records and the winner will sit alone in first place in the Prairie Football Conference.

’Toppers RB Tabin picked by NLL’s Rush

Jordan Tabin runs the ball for the Hilltops in 2019.

Saskatoon Hilltops running back Jordan Tabin is going to get the chance to crack the professional ranks in lacrosse.

During the National Lacrosse League Entry Draft that was held virtually on Saturday, Tabin was selected in the sixth round and 89^th overall by his home province team in the Saskatchewan Rush, who are a league powerhouse. The Rush captured NLL titles in 2016 and 2018 playing out of the SaskTel Centre and when the franchise was still located in Edmonton, Alta., in 2015.

The 20-year-old Tabin plays defence for the Saskatchewan SWAT junior A lacrosse team.

On the football field, Tabin is playing in his third full season with the Hilltops having also suited up for the storied CJFL club in 2018 and 2019 CJFL championship seasons.

In the 2019 CJFL campaign, Tabin carried the ball seven times for 103 yards in the Hilltops eight regular season games and ran the ball six times for 81 yards scoring one touchdown in four post-season contests.

During the fourth quarter of the Hilltops 35-18 victory over the Colts in Calgary, Alta., at Shouldice Park, Tabin ran in a touchdown from five yards out in the fourth quarter.

Hilltops’ In The End Zone Dinner returns

A Scott Schultz card.

The Saskatoon Hilltops traditional In The End Zone Dinner to raise funds for the team’s scholarship program is returning this season.

The club wasn’t able to hold the fundraising dinner a year ago due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year’s dinner will be held on September 11 at the Gordie Howe Sports Centre building on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds. The guest speakers will be a pair of former Saskatchewan Roughriders members in defensive lineman Scott Schultz and linebacker Mike McCullough.

Schultz, who is originally from Moose Jaw, Sask., played for the Roughriders from 2002 to 2009 and helped Saskatchewan win the 2007 Grey Cup as CFL champions.

McCullough suited up for the Roughriders for 11 seasons from 2003 to 2013 helping the team to Grey Cup wins in 2007 and 2013. The 2013 championship was won at the Roughriders historic home park in Taylor Field.

A Mike McCullough card.

Doors for the In The End Zone Dinner open at 4:15 p.m. with dinner to be served at 5:15 p.m.

Following dinner, the Hilltops will hold their home opener at 7 p.m. hosting their provincial rivals the Regina Thunder at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, which is right next to the Gordie Howe Sports Centre on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds.

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

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

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

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Hilltops’ QBs tackle bumps

Doug Fleming throws a pass at a Hilltops scrimmage.

The bumps came, but the Saskatoon Hilltops still found a way to win.

This past Sunday, the venerable Hilltops found themselves trailing the Edmonton Huskies 14-0 at halftime at Jasper Place Bowl in Edmonton, Alta. In the second half, the Hilltops rallied to pull out an 18-17 victory in rain soaked conditions on opening day of the CJFL regular season.

Quarterback Doug Fleming, who doubles as the club’s punter, kicked a punt single on the last play of the game to record the winning point of the contest. Fleming started the game for the Hilltops but was pulled at halftime in favour of backup Damon Dutton.

Dutton engineered the second half comeback that included hitting veteran receiver Dillan Heintz with a 38-yard pass on the Hilltops final drive to create the chance to score the winning point.

“The kids showed enough poise and guts and confidence to stay together and play and win,” said Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant. “You certainly never like to switch quarterbacks at halftime, but I thought Damon Dutton came in and gave us some life and made some plays and the players rallied around him.

“Our defence, any time you give up 17 points in the PFC we feel that is a pretty positive. At the end of the day, the focus of this time right now is blocking, tackling, catching, throwing, running and just the basics of the game. If everyone does their job and we play hard and do it together, it is going to result in pretty good play.

“We didn’t do that consistent enough on Sunday.”

Following that opening day comeback win, the Hilltops have been extra focused on the film room and at practice on Ron Atchison Field preparing for their next game this coming Sunday against the Colts in Calgary at Shouldice Park.

The Colts dropped a 36-25 decision with past Sunday at home against the Edmonton Wildcats in the season opener for both of those squads.

Damon Dutton throws a pass at a Hilltops scrimmage.

With the way the Hilltops regular season opener went, it brought the million dollar question about whether there will be a change at the starting quarterback spot.

“Doug (Fleming) is going to come in against Calgary,” said Sargeant. “He is our starting quarterback.

“At the end of the day, they are both going to play. Doug is a great kid and a great leader. Damon (Dutton) is a real good football player.

“They are both going to play. At the end of the day, Damon (Dutton) has earned some minutes and some opportunity. Doug needs to get out there and show us that his is more capable than what he did last week.”

Sargeant, who also doubles as the Hilltops offensive coordinator, said the coaches have to elevate their games going forward and that included him as well.

“As coaches, we have to own some of that too on the performance,” said Sargeant. “I’ve met with both quarterbacks.

“I had great visits with them. As I said, they both know that they can play better, and they want to do better. I guarantee you they are going to practice harder, and we’re going to see hopefully better results in the future.”

Sargeant added the Huskies have often made life difficult for opposing quarterbacks in recent years and played the Hilltops tough. He said that was added into all the evaluations of the Hilltops last outing too.

“The Edmonton Huskies are extremely well coached,” said Sargeant. “Their defensive concepts and systems we haven’t quite cracked the code yet.

“That is on us. We’ll keep working at it. We’ll keep striving to improve.

“At the end of the day, you have to tip your hat off to your opponent as well. They came out, they were at home, and they played a real good football game.”

The Hilltops are focused on continual improvement.

Fleming completed 6-of-15 passes for 42 yards, while being intercepted on one occasion against the Huskies. Dutton completed 8-of-15 passes for 126 yards and one touchdown pass in the second half of that contest.

Both signal callers remember former Hilltops star starting quarterback Jordan Walls was never totally happy with his performances against the Huskies in his career even though Walls was victorious in every encounter with the Edmonton side.

Both Fleming and Dutton, who strongly support each other, admitted getting the Huskies in the opener was a big challenge.

“It was a little more difficult than I would like it to be,” said Fleming. “I mean they are a really good team, and they play us really, really well.

“Obviously, Wallsy wouldn’t like his games too much, because they know how to play us. It was just a little bit of growing pains out there, but that is kind of expected.”

“It was a challenge,” said Dutton. “All we had to do really was stick to what we know and trust the coaches and trust each other.

“We were able to go out and execute in the second half there.”

Fleming was pleased to kick the winning point for the Hilltops but noted he would have rather won in a more sound fashion.

“It was cool,” said Fleming. “We would have rather have not been in that situation and would have rather won the game a little bit more cleanly than that.”

The Hilltops are preparing to face the Colts this coming Sunday.

Dutton was pleased to part of some key moments in the comeback including the Hilltops last two scoring drives. 

He hit speedy pass catcher Ethan Godson with a 22-yard touchdown pass to tie the game up at 17-17 with 5:27 remaining in the fourth quarter.

“It was exciting,” said Dutton. “It was that time of the game, and some guys had to step up and the coaches they were calling great plays.

“The O-line was doing their thing. They were holding off the D-line. The running game was really working, so it was a mixture of a bunch of things.

“Obviously, it was very, very exciting to be able to be part of that group making that push for the end of the game there.”

Fleming gets PFC special teams player of the week nod

Doug Fleming picked up a weekly PFC award.

Saskatoon Hilltops starting quarterback Doug Fleming captured a weekly award for his work in the kicking game.

Fleming, who doubles as the Hilltops punter, was the named the special teams player of the week for the Prairie Football Conference on Tuesday. In the Hilltops 18-17 opening day win over the Huskies at Jasper Place Bowl in Edmonton, Alta., Fleming punted the ball 13 times for 455 yards for an average of 35 yards per punt.

The veteran in his third full CJFL season had 407 net yards off his 13 punts for a net average of 31.3 yards per punt.

On the last play of the game, Fleming kicked a punt single to break a 17-17 tie and give the Hilltops an 18-17 victory.

Fleming was appreciative of the weekly honour, but he wants to have better outings as a signal caller so he doesn’t have to kick as much.

“It was nice, but I’d rather not have to punt 13 times in a game,” said Fleming. “I’d rather not have to use me as a punter.”

Calgary Colts receiver Brendt Adams was the PFC’s offensive player of the week, while Winnipeg Rifles defensive back Joseph Funk-Clements took honours as the PFC’s defensive player of the week.

Dale makes history as first female to play CJFL game

Emmarae Dale made CJFL history this past Sunday.

Emmarae Dale carved out a piece of history on the CJFL’s opening day with the Saskatoon Hilltops.

This past Sunday, Dale became the first female player to suit up and play a game in the CJFL helping the Hilltops slip past the Edmonton Huskies 18-17 at Jasper Place Bowl in Edmonton, Alta.

Dale, who is one of the Hilltops middle linebackers, recorded a special teams tackle in the win.

She was added to the Hilltops roster last year and took part in the six practice weeks the team held in September and October. The 2020 CJFL season was wiped out due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has gripped the world.

Dale’s older brothers Anthony and Donovan both played for the Hilltops in the late 2000s and early 2010s, so she was pretty pumped to play in last Sunday’s game.

“It was pretty surreal,” said Dale, who stands 5-foot-6. “I think it was just such a long time coming that it is kind of weird to think that it has already come and gone.

“It was the first game back since COVID. I think everyone is still just kind of getting the rust off after such a long wait, but it was awesome being there. I think even when I was just first putting on the shoulder pads and the Hilltops jersey it definitely kind of hit me that it was going to be a big game and very meaningful game.

“It was really awesome. It was definitely exciting and humbling. It was just a lot of emotions just kind of wrapped into one I think.”

Before joining the Hilltops, the 23-year-old Dale starred for the Saskatoon Valkyries from 2016 to 2019 helping them win Western Women’s Canadian Football League titles in 2016 and 2019. She was also a member of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies women’s track and field for four seasons through to the end of the 2019-20 campaign specializing in throwing events.

Since the September 15, 2020 announcement that Dale had officially cracked the Hilltops roster, she has been regularly featured by various media outlets across Canada.

End Zone Dinner is back for Hilltops

A Scott Schultz card.

The Saskatoon Hilltops traditional In The End Zone Dinner to raise funds for the team’s scholarship program is returning this season.

The club wasn’t able to hold the fundraising dinner a year ago due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year’s dinner will be held on September 11 at the Gordie Howe Sports Centre building on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds. The guest speakers will be a pair of former Saskatchewan Roughriders members in defensive lineman Scott Schultz and linebacker Mike McCullough.

Schultz, who is originally from Moose Jaw, Sask., played for the Roughriders from 2002 to 2009 and helped Saskatchewan win the 2007 Grey Cup as CFL champions.

McCullough suited up for the Roughriders for 11 seasons from 2003 to 2013 helping the team to Grey Cup wins in 2007 and 2013. The 2013 championship was won at the Roughriders historic home park in Taylor Field.

A Mike McCullough card.

Doors for the In The End Zone Dinner open at 4:15 p.m. with dinner to be served at 5:15 p.m.

Following dinner, the Hilltops will hold their home opener at 7 p.m. hosting their provincial rivals the Regina Thunder at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, which is right next to the Gordie Howe Sports Centre on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds.

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

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

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

-------

If you like what you see here, you might want to donate to the cause to keep independent media like this blog going. Should you choose to help out, feel free to click on the DONATE button in the upper right corner. Thank you for stopping in.

Fleming perseveres to score winning point for Hilltops

Saskatoon rallies for 18-17 victory in Edmonton

Doug Fleming sets to throw a pass at a Hilltops scrimmage.

When world events throw you a curveball, Doug Fleming believes you try to do the best you can with the cards that get dealt your way.

Fleming was looking forward to his third season in the CJFL in 2020 as he was slated to become the new starting quarterback for the storied Saskatoon Hilltops.

Unfortunately, the world came into the grips of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the 2020 CJFL campaign was lost.

The Hilltops were cleared to hold practices for six weeks during September and October of 2020, and Fleming was happy to take that on field action given the circumstances.

“It was tough, but we were fortunate enough to at least practice together and get a few scrimmages in,” said Fleming, who stands 5-foot-11 and weighs 215 pounds. “It sucked not playing, but it was nice to be able to grow as a person and like be better mentally and be better physically for this season.”

Fleming’s third CJFL season did indeed get underway. On Sunday, he made his first career start at quarterback as the Hilltops battled the Huskies at the Jasper Place Bowl in Edmonton, Alta.

The start was a rough one. The Hilltops offence struggled in the first half and a late second quarter interception by Fleming saw the Huskies turn that turnover into a touchdown to go up 14-0 at halftime.

At the start of the second half, the Hilltops inserted Damon Dutton in at quarterback, who is also in his third full season with the team. Dutton led a second half comeback that saw the Hilltops get back on even terms at 17-17 with 5:27 remaining in the fourth quarter.

On the final play of the contest, the Hilltops had the ball on the Huskies nine yard-line. Fleming, who is also the Hilltops’ punter, came into the game and booted a walk-off rouge through the Edmonton end zone to give Saskatoon an 18-17 victory.

Damon Dutton throws a pass at a Hilltops scrimmage.

During the 2019 season, Fleming was being groomed to eventually take over as the Hilltops starting signal caller during his sophomore campaign with the team. Besides seeing action in lopsided wins, Fleming hit the field on goal-line and short-yardage situations along with some special offensive packages the team designed.

He completed 9-of-16 passes for 109 yards and one touchdown over the team’s eight regular season games. Fleming also ran the ball nine times for 68 yards and scored three touchdowns in those contests too.

The graduate of Saskatoon’s Bishop James Mahoney High School Saints football team said the 2019 CJFL championship season with the Hilltops was a campaign where he was doing a lot of learning and trying to get better.

“It wasn’t bad, but I definitely needed to improve on a bit of stuff,” said Fleming. “As the season went on, I missed a few easy throws.

“I really worked on trying to correct those mistakes for this year. It was fun to play. It was just nice to get off the bench a little.

“Even just running the ball, it was nice to be able to get out there and contribute.”

With Tyler Hermann playing out his final season of CJFL eligibility as the Hilltops starting quarterback in 2019, Hilltops legendary head coach Tom Sargeant, who is also the club’s offensive coordinator, wanted to get Fleming some meaningful reps that season.

“That was purposeful,” said Sargeant. “Number one, we knew eventually he was going to move into that starting role, so we wanted to give him some opportunities in real live situations to grow and learn what he needs to do and how he needs to do it to play at an elite level.

Doug Fleming saw frequent action in 2019.

“The good thing is Damon Dutton has had an outstanding camp as well. We’re very happy with our two quarterbacks.”

With the Hilltops down 14-0, they engineered their first score with Dutton at quarterback off a nine-yard touchdown run by running back Carter McLean at the 5:11 mark of the third quarter to trim the Huskies lead to 14-7.

Late in the third quarter, new Hilltops kicker Carter Sirman hit a field goal from 26 yards out to cut the Huskies advantage to 14-10.

Early in the fourth quarter, Laine Santos hit a 34-yard field goal for the Huskies to extend the host side’s advantage to 17-10.

With 5:27 remaining in the fourth quarter Dutton hit speedy receiver Ethan Godson with a 22-yard touchdown pass to even the score 17-17.

On the Hilltops final possession, Dutton hit sure handed receiver Dillan Heintz with a 38-yard pass to get the visitors down to the Huskies 18-yard line.

After one running play, Fleming was brought in try a punt single to win the game. He kicked the ball into the end zone, but the Huskies kicked the ball out of end zone.

Fleming fielded the ball for the Hilltops but was unable to kick the ball back into the end zone. The Huskies were called for a no yards penalty when Fleming caught the football giving the Hilltops one more play with no time remaining on the clock at the Huskies nine yard line.

Fleming hit the game-winning point from there.

The Huskies first half scores came courtesy a one-yard touchdown run by running back Alex Gayle early in the second quarter and quarterback Declan O’Flaherty hitting receiver Adner St Hilaire with a six-yard touchdown pass late in the second frame.

Sargeant said Fleming put in the time and deserved to be the Hilltops starting quarterback going into the opener. The sideline boss said the signal caller has continually improved and put in great work during the team’s six weeks of practice in the fall of 2020.

Doug Fleming, left, takes off on a memorable TD run in 2019.

“Dougie (Fleming) is growing, and he is getting better every day,” said Sargeant. “Coach (Shane) Reider and the offensive coaches are putting some things in to match his skill set.

“Every day he takes 100 steps. He is throwing the ball. He is getting more confidence with the game plan and our concepts. It is fun to watch.

“He is improving daily. He is a captain. Guys are rallying around him. They are following him. He just has positive energy. He is a fun kid to be around.”

Fleming carved out a special memory in the Hilltops second regular season game of the 2019 campaign, when they played the Thunder at Mosaic Stadium in Regina on Aug. 25.

On a third-and-two gamble late in the second quarter, Fleming ran off a 33-yard touchdown run on a draw play for the Hilltops second major of the contest. He also ran in the Hilltops final major from 11 yards out to round out a 34-16 victory.

The result allowed Sargeant to record his 200^th career coaching victory.

Fleming was pumped to help Sargeant get that milestone win and remembers being pretty energized after the 33-yard touchdown run.

“I was pretty excited,” said Fleming. “(Then Hilltops kicker and receiver Rylan) Kleiter said I was shaking really bad trying to hold the extra point after.

“I was really amped up for it maybe a little too amped up.”

Doug Fleming (#4) celebrates a memorable TD run in 2019.

Fleming enjoyed being part of the Hilltops CJFL championship teams in 2018 and 2019. Saskatoon had won the last six straight CJFL titles before the 2020 campaign was wiped out by the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the 2018 and 2019 campaigns, Fleming said the veterans left a big positive influence on the younger players.

“It was pretty cool,” said Fleming. “You get to learn a lot from those veteran guys.

“In 2018, we only had eight guys, but they were very well accomplished. In 2019, we had 15 guys who hadn’t played much, but you learn a lot about perseverance from those guys who stood on the bench for four years and waited their turn to play one year.

“It was good learning that from them too.”

As for the 2021 campaign, Fleming said he doesn’t want to look too far ahead. With the Hilltops having gone a lengthy stretch of not having a game due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Fleming wants to soak in the moments on the field as they come.

“We are taking it one week at a time and try and focus and win our game each week,” said Fleming. “We just go one week at a time.”

The Hilltops return to action this coming Sunday when they travel to Calgary to take on the Colts at Shouldice Park.

Doug Fleming, with ball, and the Hilltops next play in Calgary.

NOTES – Sunday’s victory marked the 30^th straight game the Hilltops have won on the road including play in the CJFL regular season and post-season. The Hilltops last road setback came way back on August 17, 2014, when they fell 19-16 in overtime to the Thunder in Regina at Taylor Field.

Overall, the Hilltops have won their last 32 games in a row including action in the CJFL regular season and post-season. Their last loss was a 29-26 setback to the Regina Thunder on Sept. 9, 2017 against the Thunder at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

It is believed both winning streaks are CJFL records. On paper, those streaks continue from the 2019 season with the 2020 CJFL campaign was lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

End Zone Dinner is a go for Hilltops

A Scott Schultz card.

The Saskatoon Hilltops traditional In The End Zone Dinner to raise funds for the team’s scholarship program is returning this season.

The club wasn’t able to hold the fundraising dinner a year ago due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year’s dinner will be held on September 11 at the Gordie Howe Sports Centre building on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds. The guest speakers will be a pair of former Saskatchewan Roughriders members in defensive lineman Scott Schultz and linebacker Mike McCullough.

Schultz, who is originally from Moose Jaw, Sask., played for the Roughriders from 2002 to 2009 and helped Saskatchewan win the 2007 Grey Cup as CFL champions.

McCullough suited up for the Roughriders for 11 seasons from 2003 to 2013 helping the team to Grey Cup wins in 2007 and 2013. The 2013 championship was won at the Roughriders historic home park in Taylor Field.

A Mike McCullough card.

Doors for the In The End Zone Dinner open at 4:15 p.m. with dinner to be served at 5:15 p.m. Following dinner, the Hilltops will hold their home opener at 7 p.m. hosting their provincial rivals the Regina Thunder at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, which is right next to the Gordie Howe Sports Centre on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds.

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

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

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

-------

If you like what you see here, you might want to donate to the cause to keep independent media like this blog going. Should you choose to help out, feel free to click on the DONATE button in the upper right corner. Thank you for stopping in.