Hilltops gear up to face Thunder stampede in PFC final

Two sides meet for conference title on Sunday at SMF Field

The Hilltops defence corrals Thunder RB Sadik Sadik.

The defending CJFL Saskatoon Hilltops are gearing up for the Regina Thunder stampede.

On Sunday, the provincial rivals will go at it in the PFC final at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The winner advances to host a CJFL semifinal game against the winner of Saturday’s British Columbia Football Conference championship clash in Kelowna between the host Okanagan Sun (11-0) and the defending BCFC champion Westshore Rebels (6-5).

The Hilltops (9-0) and Thunder (7-2) are meeting for the fourth straight year in the PFC final. Saskatoon claimed two of the three previous meetings including last year’s October 22 clash 21-13.

The current stretch of consecutive meetings between the Hilltops and Thunders in the PFC final is the most between CJFL representatives from Saskatoon and Regina since the Hilltops and Regina Rams collided eight straight years for the conference title from 1991 to 1998. The Rams took six of those eight contests before moving to the U Sports ranks to become the University of Regina Rams.

In 2024, the Hilltops took both regular season clashes with the Thunder. Saskatoon prevailed 29-15 at Mosaic Stadium in Regina on September 7 and 36-11 at SMF Field on September 28.

Following September 28 meeting, the Thunder hosted the Calgary Colts twice at Leibel Field to close the regular season on October 6 and in a PFC semifinal last Sunday. In those contests, the Thunder elected to become their versions of Bronko Nagurski and the 1930s Chicago Bears or Bronko Nagurski Jr. and the 1960 Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The elder Nagurski was an all-time NFL legend at fullback and the son was an all-star offensive tackle in the CFL.

In the Thunder’s 40-21 victory over the Colts on October 6, the Thunder piled up 452 yards of offence including slugging out 326 yards on the ground. During the 64-7 win in the PFC semifinal over the Colts, the Thunder amassed 584 yards of total offence including an unthinkable 425 yards along the ground.

Hilltops DBDalton Urban (#17) returns an interception on Sept. 28.

Over their last two outings, the Thunder have posted an incredible total of 751 yards rushing handing the ball off to running backs Ryland Leichert, Sadik Sadik and Peter Boersch behind what has become a road grader style offensive line anchored by PFC all-star left tackle Caleb Barajas. Sadik was named the PFC’s most outstanding running back on Monday to go with a PFC all-star selection that had been awarded on October 11.

“That is their game plan right now,” said legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant. “They’re going to try and bully you at the line of scrimmage.

“They feel two of their real productive players are (Ryland) Leichert and (Sadik) Sadik. They’re both running backs, so at the end of the day, you see a lot of split formation, two backs in the backfield. They’re letting that O-line get after you, and they’re running in behind.

“They feel they have a pretty good flow, and they’ve had two good weeks of running the football. That is obviously something we need to focus on and get ready for.”

Traditionally, the Thunder have had good ground games, but they are better known for taking it to the air and leaning towards the passing game. They are normally one of the PFC’s best passing teams and piled up the second most passing yards during the PFC regular season at 1,940.

In their PFC semifinal win over the Colts, the Thunder played regular starting quarterback Carter Moberg and backup Ethan Hugg fairly equally. Hugg started last year’s PFC final for the Thunder.

Hilltops OLB Noah Gedir hits Thunder RB Ryland Leichert.

Hilltops PFC all-star safety Dalton Urban believes the Thunder’s trend to being a more physical team will continue in Sunday’s PFC final.

“It shows that in playoff football they want to establish that run game early,” said Urban. “We’ve got to do a good job this week making that our priority.”

On the Hilltops side things, they have hammered their opponents running attack all season. During the regular season, the Hilltops gave up the fewest rushing yards in the PFC at 665.

Saskatoon’s starting defensive line of defensive tackles Nahom Menghestab and Johnathon Stevens and defensive ends Kai Kukurudza and Noah Chelsom have clogged things up at the line of scrimmage. Hilltops PFC all-star middle linebacker Isaac Michayluk and outside linebackers Noah Gedir and the emerging Zaden Taylor had swarmed in to nullify ball carriers coming out of the backfield.

Urban had made a reputation of throwing his share of hard hits since he started playing for the Hilltops in 2021 after graduating from the St. Joseph High School Guardians Football Team. He said the game is going get very man versus man physical, if the Thunder elect to push with the running game like they have against the Colts.

“Playoff football is always going to be physical,” said Urban. “We know that going into the game that we have to bring that mindset.

“We have to come out on first down expecting the run and get them into those second and long situations where we can get off the field and get turnovers.”

Noting what the Thunder have done on the ground, there also comes the question that showcasing the running game against the Colts might be all smoke and mirrors as they could come into the PFC final with a totally different game plan. At this point in the season, teams like to bring out plays they have been working on all year but haven’t used so they don’t show up on video.

That also applies to the Hilltops. Sargeant deadpanned the notion that his venerable squad will have some surprises for the Thunder.

The Hilltops mark their win over the Thunder on Sept. 28.

“We’re not that fancy a team,” said Sargeant, whose 245 career head coaching wins are the most in post-secondary amateur football in Canada. “We have a pretty strong blueprint of what we believe in, so we’re going to show up and do what we’ve sort of done consistently all year.

“We’re going to let our players be physical and make plays. I’m sure they got different plays for different situations as we do. At the end of the day, it is not about trick plays or this or that.

“It is about who controls the line of scrimmage, who is more disciplined and who wins a plus-minus turnover battle. That is what we focus on.”

Reider cleans up in major PFC awards

Trey Reider was named MVP of the PFC.

Monday turned out to be a golden day for Saskatoon Hilltops star quarterback Trey Reider.

Reider picked up a trio of honours as the PFC major award winners were announced. The fifth-year signal caller was named the conference’s most outstanding quarterback, most valuable player and offensive player of the year.

During the regular season, Reider completed 119 of 185 passes for 1,685 yards and 17 touchdowns, while throwing two interceptions. His 119.8 quarterback rating topped the PFC. That marked the second straight year Reider led the PFC in quarterback rating.

On top of his throwing, Reider carried the ball 26 times for 135 yards and four touchdowns during the regular season as well.

On Sunday, Reider’s Hilltops face their provincial rivals in the Regina Thunder in the PFC final at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. As he is playing through his final post-season run with the Hilltops before exhausting his CJFL eligibility, Reider is focused on beating the Thunder for one last time.

“This is my last year, so it means everything to me to get this last win,” said Reider. “There are no tomorrows for me anymore.

“This is it for me, so I just need to come out with the win.”

Reider’s top target in fifth-year receiver Drake Douglas picked up a couple of PFC awards on Monday. Douglas was named the PFC’s most outstanding receiver and most outstanding special teams player.

Drake Douglas was named the PFC’s most outstanding receiver.

He led the PFC in receptions (58), receiving yards (955) and receiving touchdowns (eight) during the regular season. Over the Hilltops eight regular season contests, Douglas returned 38 punts for a PFC leading 342 yards.

Hilltops right tackle Cody Shumanski captured honours as the PFC’s most outstanding offensive lineman and legendary head coach Tom Sargeant was named the PFC’s coach of the year.

Thunder star middle linebacker Stephen Smith was named the PFC’s most outstanding linebacker and defensive player of the year. During the regular season, Smith piled up 34 solo defensive tackles, 20 defensive tackle assists, three special teams solo tackles, two special teams tackle assists, two pass knockdowns and one interception.

Thunder tailback Sadik Sadik claimed honours as the PFC’s most outstanding running back, defensive end Liam Sellwood took the nod as most outstanding defensive lineman and the offensive rookie of the year award went to Thunder starting left guard Tristen Rapchalk. Sadik carried the ball 106 times for 781 yards and a PFC leading 10 touchdowns during the regular season.

The Hilltops and Thunder will be going at it in the PFC final for the fourth straight year. The Hilltops have won two of the previous three encounters. Reider said the luster in conference title games between the Saskatoon and Regina never fades.

“I always like playing Regina in the final,” said Reider. “They’re always the best team.

“They bring a really good crowd. The excitement is always up, and at the end of the day, it is just really fun to play Regina.”

Sawi, Michayluk get weekly PFC honours

Charles Sawi took PFC special teams player of the week honours.

Charles Sawi and Isaac Michayluk came up big in helping the Saskatoon Hilltops win their PFC semifinal, and they claimed weekly awards for their effort.

Last Sunday, the Hilltops downed the visiting Edmonton Huskies 33-18 in a PFC semifinal at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. 

With the two sides locked in an 18-18 tie, Sawi returned a missed field coal 112 yards for a touchdown that gave the Hilltops a 25-18 advantage with 7:32 remaining in the fourth quarter. That play sparked the Hilltops to victory.

With that effort, Sawi was named the PFC’s special teams player of the week on Thursday. Sawi also returned two punts for 12 yards.

Michayluk, who is a PFC all-star at middle linebacker, recorded seven solo tackles, four defensive tackle assists, one pass knockdown, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one interception in the Hilltops win. His interception came shortly after Sawi returned his missed field goal for a major to give the Hilltops a lead they would never relinquish.

Isaac Michayluk was the PFC’s defensive player of the week.

Thunder star running back Ryland Leichert claimed honours as the PFC’s offensive player of the week for his efforts helping the Thunder flatten the visiting Calgary Colts 64-7 last Sunday in a PFC semifinal at Leibel Field in Regina.

Leichert carried the ball 22 times for 182 yards and three touchdowns. He was a big part in helping the Thunder amass 425 yards rushing as a team in that victory.

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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Raiders searching for identity in longer early hiccup

The Raiders celebrate a goal earlier this season at home.

It appears the early growing pains have dogged the Prince Albert Raiders longer than expected.

After starting the 2024-25 campaign with a loss and a win, the Raiders proceeded to go winless over their next six outings with an overtime setback and five regulation losses. In all but one of those games in that skid, the Raiders, who are 1-5-2 entering play on Tuesday, have been one or two plays away from gaining victory.

They kind of mirror what the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders went through earlier this year, when the ’Riders went through a seven game winless skid where they were one or two plays away from victory in most of those outings. Saskatchewan’s CFL side currently rides a four game winning streak and has clinched the right to host a home playoff game.

For the Raiders, you look over their game footage, and you have to conclude a solid effort is there every night. The wins just aren’t coming. They are going through the growing pains and mistakes that come with hitting the ice with a younger roster.

Also, the Raiders changed things up a bit with trades in the off-season, and it seems like the team is searching for an identity early on in the campaign.

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

Sawi saves Hilltops season

Saskatoon wins ugly, takes PFC semifinal over Huskies

Charles Sawi begins to return a missed field goal for a touchdown.

Charles Sawi came to the rescue for the Saskatoon Hilltops.

On Sunday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the defending CJFL champion Hilltops found themselves locked in an 18-18 tie with the Edmonton Huskies in a PFC semifinal match with under eight minutes to play. Huskies PFC all-star kicker Laine Santos was lined up for a 46-yard field goal attempt to try and put the visitors ahead.

Santos was just wide, but that allowed Sawi his opportunity. The third-year running back returned the ball out of the Hilltops end zone.

Sawi continued his return down the left sideline, he turned toward the centre of the field at the Hilltops 40 yard line, and cut upfield down the right sideline to the Huskies end zone for a touchdown. Sawi’s 112-yard missed field goal return for a major put the Hilltops in front 25-18 with 7:32 to play in the fourth quarter.

Laine Santos attempts a 46-yard field goal he would miss.

That played sparked the Hilltops to a 33-18 victory before a crowd of 818 spectators as they improved to 9-0 overall. The Huskies would finish the 2024 campaign with a 3-6 overall mark.

“It was a very big return for myself,” said Sawi. “I wanted another week of football, and there were guys that were struggling and were stressing on the sidelines.

“You know what? I thought I had to return it all the way back to the crib.”

The 19-year-old said he was happy to reach the end zone when he did on his return.

“I was running out of gas as soon as I got to the end,” said Sawi. “It was a very far run, if I can say so myself.”

Charles Sawi jets his way downfield for the winning touchdown.

The win allows the Hilltops to advance to host the PFC final expected to be held this coming Sunday at 1 p.m. at SMF Field. They will play their provincial rivals in the Regina Thunder (7-2), who thumped the visiting Calgary Colts (4-5) by a 64-7 outcome in the other PFC semifinal played at Leibel Field on Sunday.

When the dust settled in the clash between the Hilltops and Huskies on Sunday, Sawi gave a determined foe their due.

“It was a very physical match I’ll say that,” said Sawi. “The Huskies brought their guys, their star players, and we struggled at times.

“We did overcome it once again, and we are now in the (PFC) final.”

The Hilltops celebrate Charles Sawi’s fourth quarter touchdown.

After the host side went ahead on Sawi’s major, the Hilltops defence ensured the Huskies wouldn’t hit the scoreboard again. A short time after Sawi’s score, Hilltops star third-year middle linebacker Isaac Michayluk came up with an interception to snuff out one Huskies drive.

With under three minutes to play in the fourth quarter, the Huskies gambled on a third-and-10 on their own five yard line. An incomplete pass caused a turnover on downs.

At that point, Hilltops star power running back Corbin Ebben ran and dove home for five-yard touchdown run that put the Hilltops up 32-18 with 2:39 remaining in the fourth quarter. Ebben finished the contest carrying the ball 29 times for 172 yards to go with his major on the ground. He also caught thtree passes for 25 yards.

Charles Sawi reflects on his missed field goal return TD.

Following Ebben’s major, Hilltops fourth-year kicker Teijon Abel-Douglas recorded a single booting a ball through the end zone on a 23-yard missed field goal attempt to round out the 33-18 final score in favour of the Hilltops.

Michayluk finished the contest recording seven solo defensive tackles, four defensive tackle assists, one pass knockdown, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one interception. He was pumped his squad gets to play on for another week.

“It is awesome,” said Michayluk. “I didn’t want this to be my last week.

“For sure the fifth years, I didn’t want that to be their last game for sure. We have another week. That is what it is.

“We have another week, and so we got to go and put our nose to the grindstone. Regina is going to be a tough test. We have a long week of work ahead of us.”

Corbin Ebben (#34) carried the ball 30 times for 177 yards.

Legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant was pleased his team survived and found a way to overcome the Huskies. He cautioned leading up to Sunday’s PFC semifinal the Huskies were going to provide a big challenge, and sideline boss said the final score ultimately flattered his club. Sargeant gave credit to the Huskies for their effort.

“They’re a good football team,” said Sargeant. “They know how to play football.

“They know how to coach. We’ve had so many competitive games with these guys over the last three or four years. There is a lot of pride on their end.

“It was obvious. At the end of the day, a champion heart kicked in. We were able to walk away with this win.”

Isaac Michayluk returns an interception for the Hilltops.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Huskies got on the scoreboard first going ahead 3-0 on a 46-yard field goal by Santos.

Just when a seemed the Huskies had all the momentum, they muffed a punt return a short time later where the ball was recovered by Hilltops fifth-year outside linebacker Noah Gedir. The hosts proceeded to drive down field and the march culminated with star quarterback Trey Reider hitting rookie receiver Hayden Day with a four-yard touchdown toss to put the Hilltops in front 7-3.

Sargeant wasn’t surprised Gedir came through with a big play to get the Hilltops going at that point in the contest.

“That is your fifth-year player making plays,” said Sargeant. “Noah (Gedir) has been a great leader for us.

“He rallies in and steps up and does what he needs to do in the big moments. That is why he has been like that for five years. It is awesome to see.

Hayden Day makes a four-yard TD catch for the Hilltops.

“I’m proud of him, but I’m proud of the whole team, how we stuck together (and) played hard together.”

The Huskies then conceded a safety, and Reider followed connecting with second-year PFC all-star receiver Datiel Fountaine on a 39-yard touchdown toss to push the Hilltops advantage out to 16-3.

Just 80 seconds into the third quarter, the Huskies started to get rolling. Reider fumbled the ball away while running up the left sideline on a scramble, and the ball was scooped up by Huskies outside linebacker Matthew Alloway.

Alloway returned the fumble 36 yards for a touchdown that cut the Hilltops lead to 16-10. Michayluk said it was big for his squad to navigate the ups and downs of the contest.

Datiel Fountaine makes a 39-yard TD catch for the Hilltops.

“We were definitely put through some adversity there for sure,” said Michayluk. “Our team stuck together.

“We’re a family, we bonded, so we stayed with it and got it done.”

At the 7:07 mark of the third quarter, Huskies punt returner Aiden Janes fumbled the football at his own two-yard line on a hit by Hilltops long snapper Colton Zimmer. The ball rolled into the end zone. The Huskies recovered it, but they were downed in the end zone resulting in a safety that increased the Hilltops lead to 18-10.

That mishap didn’t deter the Huskies. At the 4:16 mark of the fourth quarter, Huskies running back Carson Eddy powered in for a major score from three yards out putting the visitors in position to attempted a two-point conversion to tie the contest.

The Huskies enjoy a fumble return TD by Matthew Alloway (#47).

Huskies quarterback Wyatt Matson hit receiver Cameron Coyne with a five-yard pass for a successful two-point conversion to even the score 18-18.

A short time later, Huskies defensive halfback Moise Mutebutsi intercepted Reider. That interception allowed the Huskies to set up for Santos’s field goal attempt that was missed and returned to the end zone by Sawi. That was ultimately the last momentum change in the contest.

“They (the Huskies) play us hard every time we play them,” said Michayluk. “They’re a physical bunch.

“They’re well coached. They play right to the end of the whistle. They play right to the end of the game.

Carson Eddy had a three-yard rushing TD for the Huskies.

“A hell of a lot of respect to them, and we wish them the best on the next year, next season.”

Sunday’s game was a gutty and at times an ugly post-season win. The Hilltops turned the ball over five times in the contest, and the Huskies gave away the ball on seven occasions.

Reider completed 13-of-19 passes for 117 yards and two touchdowns, while throwing one interception. He ran the ball seven times for 50 yards.

Fountaine caught two passes for a team high 48 receiving yards to go with his major score.

Matson completed 19-of-37 passes for 160, while throwing two interceptions. He also ran the ball seven times for a team high 58 yards.

Corbin Ebben (#34) dives into the end zone for a touchdown.

William Campbell led the Huskies with five catches for 52 yards.

Kai Kukurudza and Lucas Sosnowski each had one quarterback sack for the Hilltops. Zaden Taylor and Johnathon Stevens each had a half sack. Defensive halfback Jackson Dean had an interception for the Saskatoon side.

Outside linebacker Tristan Price led the Huskies with nine total tackles to go with a pass knockdown. Westley Johnsen and Kaige Houle recorded one quarterback sack each for the Huskies.

Now, the Hilltops turn their attention towards the PFC final and the Thunder, but they first had to respect the battle they got from the Huskies.

“We knew we drew the hard seed, because they’re physical,” said Sargeant. “They play a certain brand that matched up well against us.

The Hilltops do a cheer after their win on Sunday.

“Football is about matchups, and they match up well. We knew it was going to be physical. They got underneath us at times, and they took it to us.

“It is live and learn and grow. We’ve got to get better for next week. The good thing is we’re playing at home.”

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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Huskies have Hilltops attention heading into PFC semifinal

Two sides go at it Sunday at SMF Field

Hilltops MLB Isaac Michayluk (#48) tackles a Huskies ball carrier.

Tom Sargeant said you have to give the Edmonton Huskies their due for creating headaches for his Saskatoon Hilltops.

Sargeant, who is the Hilltops legendary head coach, has seen his Hilltops go at it in all sorts of close contests since the 2016 campaign with the Huskies. The commonality in all those clashes is the Hilltops have always found a way to win.

For the 2024 campaign, the defending CJFL champion Hilltops (8-0) and Huskies (3-5) will battle for a third and final time in a PFC semifinal at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Hilltops took both regular season encounters with the Edmonton side.

The two clubs opened their respective regular season schedules against each other on August 11 at SMF Field with the Hilltops claiming a 38-13 victory. The Hilltops and Huskies closed their respective regular season schedules against each other last Sunday with Saskatoon pulling out a 21-14 victory at Jasper Place Bowl in Edmonton.

The Huskies attempt at a two-minute drill drive in the fourth quarter to change the latter contest’s final result came to an end with an interception by Hilltops rookie defensive lineman Noah Chelsom with 14.4 seconds remaining on the clock at Saskatoon’s 26 yard line. Two plays before Chelsom’s interception, Huskies backup quarterback Wyatt Matson just missed receiver William Campbell on a deep slant pattern that would have been home free for a touchdown.

Sargeant said last Sunday’s game was a reminder that his side has to continue to be aware of what the Huskies can do.

“We are heading into game nine,” said Sargeant. “At the end of the day, we know the Edmonton Huskies are a good football team.

“They have played us tough over the last five to eight years, a proud organization, and they’ve got good football players. They have a good team. Records mean nothing now when you’re heading to playoffs.

Carson Eddy charges upfield for the Huskies.

“All the 8-0 does for us is it gives us home field advantage. That is all that means.”

Sargeant knows his Hilltops need to have a better performance in the PFC semifinal compared to what happened this past Sunday. If the Hilltops have a repeat of what happened last Sunday, the Huskies might find the one or two plays they need to claim victory.

“Can we get better? Absolutely,” said Sargeant. “We have to get better.

“We’ve got to play better. We’ve got to coach better, and we’ve got to perform better. I’m sure the Edmonton Huskies are saying the same thing.”

During the regular season, the Hilltops led the PFC in points scored at 325 and allowed the fewest points against at 106. The Huskies were fourth in the PFC for points scored at 159 and third in allowing the fewest points against at 184.

The backbone this season of the Huskies offence was their running game as they topped the PFC in rushing yards at 1,475 yards. Running backs Carson Eddy, Nolan Baragar and Titus Fagnan along with starting quarterback Jackson Harnett all made sizable contributions to that rushing total.

Hilltops star middle linebacker Isaac Michayluk knows his side is facing more than a formidable opponent in the Huskies.

“It is going to be a challenge for sure,” said Michayluk, who led the PFC with 113 defensive points. “Every week is a challenge.

“Every team that we play we give them the respect that they deserve. The Huskies are no different. They are a good team.

“They’re physical. They play hard. We’re going to practice hard here on the practice field and just prepare for them the best we can.”

The Hilltops enter the game with some of the biggest stars in the PFC on offence. Fifth-year quarterback Trey Reider topped conference with a 119.8 quarterback efficiency rating. He completed 119-of-185 passes for 1,685 yards and 17 touchdowns, while throwing just two interceptions.

Corbin Ebben led the PFC with 964 yards rushing.

Fifth-year receiver Drake Douglas led the PFC in receptions (58) receiving yards (955) and receiving touchdowns (eight). Third-year power running back Corbin Ebben carried the ball 157 times for 964 yards and six touchdowns. He led the PFC in rushing yards.

When the dust settles in the PFC semifinal against the Huskies, Sargeant believes his players will raise the effort to another level.

“We learned a lot about ourselves,” said Sargeant. “We need to correct a lot of mistakes.

“If we’re able to do that, I’m pretty sure these players will rally around each other, play for the fifth-year player, and you know what? - Come out and play our best game of the year in game nine.

“That is all I’m looking for.”

Hilltops pick up 11 PFC all-star selections

Trey Reider topped the PFC with a 119.8 quarterback rating.

After posting an 8-0 regular season record for the second straight year, it was no surprise the defending CJFL champion Saskatoon Hilltops picked up 11 Prairie Football Conference all-star selections.

The CJFL announced the PFC all-stars on Friday. The Hilltops picked up five all-star selections on offence, four on defence and two on special teams.

Fifth-year star quarterback Trey Reider helped highlight the offensive all-stars. He led the conference with a 119.8 quarterback efficiency rating. Reider completed 119-of-185 passes for 1,685 yards and 17 touchdowns, while throwing just two interceptions.

The Hilltops PFC all-stars on offence also included receivers Drake Douglas and Datiel Fountaine, power running back Corbin Ebben and right tackle Cody Shumanski.

Third-year middle linebacker Isaac Michayluk highlighted the Hilltops PFC all-stars on defence. Michayluk led the PFC with 113 defensive points. He picked up those points by recording 33 defensive solo tackles, 27 defensive tackle assists, five special teams solo tackles, four special teams tackle assists, one pass knockdown and one interception.

The Hilltops PFC all-stars on defence also included defensive end Kai Kukurudza, defensive tackle Johnathon Stevens and safety Dalton Urban.

Douglas picked up a second all-star nod as the PFC’s return specialist on special teams. He returned 38 punts for 342 yards. His punt return yardage total topped the PFC.

Hilltops kicker Teijon Abel-Douglas took home honours as the PFC’s all-star punter. Abel-Douglas punted the ball 39 times for 1,433 yards for an average of 36.7 yards per kick. His punting average led the PFC.

Along with the all-stars, the Hilltops claimed a pair of PFC all-rookie team selections on Friday as well. Brody Kormarnicki was named all the all-rookie team running back and Charlie Molder captured honours at the all-rookie team quarterback. Kormarnicki and Molder are backups at their respective positions.

Abel-Douglas takes PFC player of the week nod

Teijon Abel-Douglas was the PFC’s special teams player of the week.

Saskatoon Hilltops kicker Teijon Abel-Douglas had another clutch performance in his team’s final regular season game.

As a result of his efforts, Abel-Douglas was named the PFC’s special teams player of the week on Tuesday. In the Hilltops 21-14 victory over the Huskies at victory at Jasper Place Bowl in Edmonton last Sunday, Abel-Douglas nailed 4-of-5 field goal attempts and booted his only one-point conversion attempt to account for 13 out of the Hilltops 21 points. The Humboldt, Sask., product connected on field goals from 22, 35, 36 and 26 yards.

Along with his field goals, Abel-Douglas punted the ball five times for 203 yards for an average of 40.6 yards per kick. He also kicked off twice for 103 yards for an average of 51.5 yards per kick.

In the Hilltops final two regular season contests of the 2024 campaign, Abel-Douglas has connected on 9-of-10 field goal attempts and all four of his one-point converts.

Winnipeg Rifles running back Kaiden Banfield claimed honours as the PFC’s offensive player of the week for his performance in his club’s 32-21 season ending loss to the Edmonton Wildcats at Emerald Hills Regional Park in Sherwood Park, Alta. In that contest, Banfield carried the ball 36 times for 216 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 25 yards.

Regina Thunder star middle linebacker Stephen Smith claimed the PFC’s defensive player of the week award. Smith had a big outing this past Sunday, when the Thunder downed the visiting Calgary Colts 40-21 at Leibel Field in Regina. He recorded six solo defensive tackles, four defensive tackle assists and returned one interception 23 yards.

Douglas comes up just short of 1,000 yards, other notes

Drake Douglas led the PFC with 955 receiving yards.

Drake Douglas came up just short of doing something no other member of the Saskatoon Hilltops had ever done before.

Throughout the 2024 regular season, the fifth-year star receiver was in pursuit to try and become the first Hilltops player to ever hit 1,000 yards receiving for one regular season. He finished the regular season topping the PFC in receptions (58), receiving yards (955) and touchdowns (eight). Douglas came up just 45 yards short of the 1000-yard plateau, but he still had a spectacular season.

To go along with his receiving exploits, Douglas also returned 38 punts for 342 yards. His punt return yardage total topped the PFC.

In a 52-19 victory over the Colts in Calgary on August 25, Douglas also threw a 34-yard touchdown pass to power running back Corbin Ebben off a fake field goal.

On Friday, Douglas picked up PFC all-star selections as a receiver on offence and a return specialist on special teams.

Douglas also came up just shy of the Hilltops record for most receiving yards in one regular season held by one of the storied squad’s all-time greats in Andrew Busby. In 2006, Busby caught 73 passes for 974 yards and nine touchdowns. His receiving yardage total from that regular season is still a Hilltops record.

Busby holds the CJFL’s career regular season record for receiving yards. He piled up 3,109 receiving yards playing for the Hilltops from 2004 to 2008.

Late in the Hilltops 36-11 victory over the Regina Thunder at Saskatoon Minor Football Field on September 28, Douglas had a deep pass reception nullified due to a holding penalty. That catch would have given him the Hilltops receiving yardage record for one regular season and would have put him close to 1,000 yards receiving.

• Hilltops star fifth-year quarterback Trey Reider has a 24-1 career record as the venerable club’s starting signal caller at the conclusion of the 2024 regular season.
• The Regina Thunder (6-2) host a PFC semifinal match against the Calgary Colts on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Leibel Field. The winner faces the victor of Sunday’s PFC semifinal between the defending CJFL champion Saskatoon Hilltops (8-0) and the visiting Edmonton Huskies (3-5) at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.
• In the final CJFL Top 10 Power Rankings that were released on Wednesday, the defending CJFL champion Saskatoon Hilltops were rated first, the Regina Thunder came in at fourth and the Calgary Colts were listed at seventh. The Okanagan Sun, who topped the British Columbia Football Conference with a 10-0 mark, were ranked second. The St. Clair Saints, who finished first in the Ontario Football Conference at 8-0, were rated third. The Saints are based out of Windsor, Ont.
• Saskatoon Hilltops star defensive end Kai Kukurudza led the PFC with seven quarterback sacks.
• Cohen McCluskey of the Winnipeg Rifles, Lorrin LeBlanc of the Regina Thunder and Keon Raymond Jr. shared the lead in interceptions for the PFC at four.
• Regina Thunder kicker Shawn Green made 16-of-22 field goal attempts with a long from 44 yards out and all 30 of his one-point conversion attempts. All of those numbers led the PFC in their respective categories.
• The Saskatoon Hilltops topped the PFC in the takeaway-giveaway category at plus-24.

• On Wednesday, I had new content appear on the Howe Happenings blog that supports the Gordie Howe Sports Complex. I put together a feature on Samuel LaFreniere, who is the star running back of Saskatoon’s St. Joseph High School Guardians Football Team. LaFreniere is having an insane overall football year in 2024. That piece can be found by clicking right here. I also put together a photo roundup that is anchored by pictures that show the memories that are made at the home games of the CJFL’s storied Saskatoon Hilltops. It also includes photos from high school football and the YXE First Responders Fitness Festival. That post can be found by clicking right here.

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

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Hilltops’ Michayluk modest on PFC defensive points title win

Saskatoon hosts PFC semifinal Sunday against Huskies

Isaac Michayluk (#48) topped the PFC in defensive points.

Isaac Michayluk was well aware he was filling big shoes at middle linebacker for the Saskatoon Hilltops, because he looked up to his predecessor.

Matt Wist was the Hilltops star starting middle linebacker during his last three years with the team from 2021 to 2023. On November 11, 2023, Wist closed out his Hilltops career in a blaze of glory at Starlight Stadium in Langford, B.C.

Taking on the host Westshore Rebels in the CJFL championship game – the Canadian Bowl, Wist piled up three interceptions, nine solo defensive tackles, four defensive tackle assists and one pass knockdown in the Hilltops 17-10 victory. He was named the defensive player of the game.

With Wist having exhausted his CJFL eligibility, Michayluk came into the 2024 campaign playing his third season with the Hilltops and first campaign as the starting middle linebacker. 

He remembers Wist’s final big game that helped the Hilltops win their 23^rd CJFL title in 2023 well. Michayluk wanted to live up to what Wist did with the team, but he did feel the butterflies at the start of the campaign.

“Definitely, I was a bit nervous for sure,” said Michayluk. “I looked up to Matt (Wist) quite a bit.

“He is a role model, and I watched him a lot on the practice field and in games. It is an opportunity that I was given, so I’m just kind of taking it and running with it.”

Michayluk said the 2023 was a big learning year as a backup for the Hilltops as the team posted a 12-0 record to take the CJFL title. During the regular season, the Hilltops gave up 51 points for the squad’s lowest points against total dating back to 1949.

Isaac Michayluk (#48) is one of the PFC’s best run stoppers.

Saskatoon proceeded to give up just 25 points over four post-season wins on the way to claiming the CJFL championship. The 76 points the Hilltops gave up overall in the regular season and post-season was again the squad’s lowest total dating back to 1949.

The biggest thing Michayluk observed was Wist and the veterans brought the lunch buckets to ever film meeting, practice and game.

“There are no days off,” said Michayluk, who is the team’s backup long snapper. “If you keep working, you keep grinding, it doesn’t really matter what happens.

“If you put the work in, you’ll get what you want out of it.”

Michayluk, who is a graduate of the Bishop James Mahoney High School Saints Football Team, showed in 2024 he was a good student who was able to apply what he learned. In helping the Hilltops post an 8-0 record in the regular season to top the PFC standings, Michayluk led the conference with a 113 defensive points due to recording 33 defensive solo tackles, 27 defensive tackle assists, five special teams solo tackles, four special teams tackle assists, one pass knockdown and one interception.

He has become one of the top players on the Hilltops defence as they enter the CJFL playoffs hosting a PFC semifinal contest against the Edmonton Huskies (3-5) on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. When it comes to topping the PFC’s defensive points race, Michayluk said the individual accomplishment was a team accomplishment.

“It is pretty cool to have that recognition, but a lot of it is credit to my teammates and the guys up front in the trenches,” said Michayluk, who stands 6-feet and weighs 230 pounds. “Big ‘Nomer’ (Nahom Menghstab) and John Stevens, when they do their job they make it a lot easier for me to do my job.

“A big credit goes out to all my teammates.”

Isaac Michayluk (#48) calls out pre-snap adjustments.

With the Hilltops giving up the fewest points against in the PFC at 106, Michayluk said everyone on the Hilltops defence has had a good year. He can go through the Hilltops defensive unit and note how everyone has done something special. As the middle linebacker, Michayluk said he benefits from the fact everyone around him is playing well.

“It is a lot of fun to play,” said Michayluk. “It is a lot of fun to be around when all the guys are flying around doing their jobs.

“You trust the guy beside you, and you know they’re going to make a play. It is a lot of fun.”

Legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant said the coaching staff is pleased with what Michayluk has been able to do this season. Sargeant said Michayluk put in the work and is getting rewarded for his efforts.

“He is a Hilltop,” said Sargeant. “When Matt (Wist) left, hey, you (Michayluk) are the starting middle linebacker.

“We expect him to play at a high level, and that is exactly what he has done. He had a lot of growing pains, but the good thing last year was we got him in some games too. He got to see himself develop, see himself on film, learn from his mistakes, and that is what he has done.

“He is taking his game to the next level. We are going to need more and more of that, because playoff football is here right now.”

Sargeant said Michayluk has been able to make a lot of plays because the Hilltops defensive line has had a good season. 

Isaac Michayluk (#48) said his teammates make his job easier.

With that said, the sideline boss said it benefitted the first year starter to be a backup behind Wist and pick up nuances of the game from the now graduated star.

“He (Michayluk) had a good role model to follow and learn from,” said Sargeant. “He has stepped right in and played high-end football.

“It is the reason we’ve given up the least amount of points this year as a defence. As a coach, that is always something we look at. Isaac (Michayluk) is a premier run stopper in the PFC.

“We’re very proud of his performance so far, but hey, playoff football is just around the corner. To win in playoff football in my books you have to run the football. We’re going to need him more than ever.”

Michayluk is looking forward to the post-season, and he said his squad was reminded to not take the Huskies lightly when the two sides met last Sunday in Edmonton to close their respective regular season schedules. 

In that contest, the Hilltops prevailed 21-14 holding off a late Huskies fourth quarter drive with an interception by Hilltops rookie defensive lineman Noah Chelsom.

As has been the Hilltops tradition, Michayluk wants to help the squad’s nine graduating players depart their junior careers as CJFL champions.

“That is what this program is built on is winning a championship for the fifth-year guys,” said Michayluk. “That is huge.

Isaac Michayluk (#48) aims to enjoy more big moments with his teammates.

“That is what we’re going to try and duplicate that this year and play for our fifth years.”

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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All in the family – Gedir has lifelong ties to Hilltops

Saskatoon goes 8-0 to close regular season

Noah Gedir, middles, walks with mom Ashley and dad Michael.

For Noah Gedir, the Saskatoon Hilltops have always been part of his life.

His links to the storied CJFL club go back to the fact his father, Michael, played centre on the squad’s offensive line from 1997 to 2001. Michael helped the Hilltops win their 10^th CJFL championship in his final season, when Saskatoon hammered the Okanagan Sun 45-11 at Foote Field in Edmonton, Alta., on November 4, 2001.

Noah was born just over nine months later after that championship game win. Some of his earliest recollections revolve around coming out to the old Hilltops clubhouse to see his father play in the annual Alumni Game for the Alumni Team at Ron Atchison Field.

“I have a vague memory of one of the Alumni Games back here at the Hilltops clubhouse,” said Noah, who is a fifth-year star outside linebacker for the Hilltops in the current day. “We have a picture hanging on the fridge of him holding me when I was maybe three-years-old.

“I look back at that and some of the same coaches actually coached him, and now, they’re coaching me so just that Hilltop tradition. He lived through it, and now, I get to live through it. It is pretty special to have that moment.”

While playing defence as opposed to offence, the son followed in this father’s footsteps. Last year on November 11, 2023, Noah helped the Hilltops win their 23^rd CJFL title when they downed the host Westshore Rebels 17-10 at Starlight Stadium in Langford, B.C., to capture the Canadian Bowl. The high-motor linebacker recorded four defensive solo tackles and three defensive tackle assists in the win.

“I’ve been around the ‘H’ for a while now, pretty much my whole life,” said Noah. “We definitely have that winning mindset in the family, which is awesome to have.”

On Sunday, Noah and the Hilltops downed the host Huskies 21-14 at Jasper Place Bowl in Edmonton in the final CJFL regular season clash for both clubs. The Huskies attempt at a two-minute drill drive in the fourth quarter to change the contest’s final result came to an end with an interception by Hilltops rookie defensive lineman Noah Chelsom with 14.4 seconds remaining on the clock at Saskatoon’s 26 yard line.

Noah Gedir (#36) charges to the field with the Hilltops.

The win allowed the defending CJFL champion Hilltops, who already have first place in the Prairie Football Conference locked up, to finish the regular season with an 8-0 record and improve their overall winning streak to 20 games. The Huskies, who were locked into finishing fourth in the PFC, fell to 3-5 with a fourth straight setback.

The two sides go at it again this coming Sunday in the CJFL playoffs going head-to-head in a PFC semifinal contest at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Hilltops have homefield advantage through the CJFL post-season up to the CJFL title game, which will be hosted on November 9 by the champion of the Ontario Football Conference.

With Noah’s family ties to the Hilltops, he said his family played a big role when it came to him getting interested in the game.

“Obviously, with my dad playing football, and then at a young age, my whole family has always been a big CFL family and diehard ’Riders fans,” said Gedir referencing the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders. “My grandparents always came out to my games.

“They’ve had season tickets to the Hilltops for I think it is 23 years now or something crazy like that. Football has kind of been a Gedir family thing. I started when I was young and got to play until I’m now.”

Still, Noah developed his own love for the game, which came from the defensive side of the ball. The 22-year-old said he quickly discovered he got pumped up when he could fly around to the ball and make hits on opposing players.

“I just like, honestly, the controlled violence of it,” said Gedir, who stands 6-feet and weighs 220 pounds. “You only get so many opportunities to go out there and play football.

Noah Gedir was a PFC all-star last year.

“It was just so fun to throw on the pads. Obviously, I play linebacker. I like doing the hitting.

“I don’t like being hit, so I chose defence. It is fun to fly around and just the team aspect of the sport having the 12 guys relying on each other is something really special. You don’t really get it anywhere else in the world.”

Legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant was the venerable squad’s head coach for Michael’s last four years with the team and an assistant coach during Michael’s rookie year. When Noah decided to join the Hilltops after graduating from Saskatoon’s Holy Cross High School Crusaders Football Team, Sargeant was confident he would have no worries when it came to intangibles.

“He (Noah) is just a quality kid,” said Sargeant. “You have to remember I coached his dad back in the day.

“There is a father-son combination, so that is pretty cool. He just walks around and brings confidence and poise to this group. He has high expectations on everybody, and it starts with himself.”

Last season in the Hilltops eight regular season games, Noah recorded 17 solo defensive tackles, 14 defensive tackle assists, nine special teams solo tackles, one quarterback sack, one pass knockdown, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in being named a PFC all-star. After the Hilltops first seven games this season, Noah has posted 19 solo defensive tackles, 15 defensive tackle assists, four special teams solo tackles, one special teams tackle assist, five pass knock downs and two fumble recoveries.

The quick-reaction linebacker’s 76 defensive points ranked 10^th in the PFC heading into the final week of regular season play for the conference.

“He (Noah) has played a lot of football,” said Sargeant. “The ‘Will’ linebacker in the Hilltops defence is one of the more storied positions.

“We groomed him in that spot, and so when his opportunity came, he just took advantage of it. I think he is in the top 10 of defensive points in the PFC. He was around the ball flying around and leading his guys.

Noah Gedir (#36) has 76 defensive points in seven games in 2024.

“It is just a lot of fun to see that growth and development. The fifth years, the expectations on them are high. We’re expecting him to continue to lead us as we march in the playoffs.”

After graduating from Holy Cross, Noah said it wasn’t a “no doubt” decision when it came to joining the Hilltops due to his family’s links to the team. 

With that said, his family ties did help weigh his choice towards the Hilltops when it came time to make a selection of where he would play football after high school.

“I wouldn’t say it was a given,” said Gedir, who had five total tackles, one interception and one pass knockdown in Sunday’s win. “It was definitely on my mind that is for sure.

“I’ve always wanted to play for the Hilltops. I love the culture they have and the great coaching staff they have. Obviously my dad playing here back in the day, that was definitely in the back of my mind.

“I’m so happy to be here. It is my last year. I’m enjoying every minute I can with the guys that I have here.”

So far, Noah’s best memory playing for the Hilltops was the CJFL title win last season, where he played on a defence that hit some impressive milestones. During the regular season, the Hilltops gave up 51 points for the squad’s lowest points against total dating back to 1949.

Saskatoon proceeded to give up just 25 points over four post-season wins on the way to claiming the CJFL championship. The 76 points the Hilltops gave up overall in the regular season and post-season was again the squad’s lowest total dating back to 1949.

Noah Gedir is playing his final CJFL season with the Hilltops.

“I mean definitely raising that trophy last year was a pretty special feeling and having that amazing defence, that historic defence that we had last year,” said Noah. “We’re just trying to replicate that this year.

“Hopefully at the end of this year, we have that same exact feeling, so I can say it wasn’t 2023 that was the best time of my life with the Hilltops. It was 2024 in my last year when we won. That is the goal.

“Hopefully, we can get that job done.”

In Sunday’s regular season finale against the Huskies, the Hilltops built a 15-0 lead at halftime off two field goals by kicker Teijon Abel-Douglas, a five-yard touchdown reception from receiver Datiel Fountaine on a throw from star quarterback Trey Reider and one safety.

Abel-Douglas hit a 36-yard field goal in the third quarter to push Saskatoon’s advantage out to 18-0. 

Huskies backup quarterback Wyatt Matson hit receiver Cameron Coyne for a five-yard receiving major with 22.2 seconds remaining in the third quarter to cut the Hilltops lead to 18-7.

In the fourth quarter, Abel-Douglas hit his fourth field goal to push the Hilltops advantage out to 21-7. Matson then hit receiver William Campbell for an eight-yard touchdown toss for the Huskies with 8:20 remaining in the fourth quarter to cut Saskatoon’s lead to 21-14. The Hilltops held on from there.

With the post-season set to start, Noah said the finality that he is playing his final season for the Hilltops is hitting home as the 2024 campaign enters its final weeks. He wants to soak in every moment as it comes.

 “I wasn’t really looking at how many weeks we had left,” said Noah. “I was just kind of enjoying each day while I could be here and practise and be in the film room and be with the guys.

Noah Gedir signs autographs for some youngsters.

“I am just enjoying each moment I have with the team and being in the facility and a part of this great organization.”

NOTES – The Regina Thunder beat the visiting Calgary Colts 40-21 on Sunday at Leibel Field. The Thunder (6-2) and Colts (4-4) will go at it in a PFC semifinal this coming Sunday in Regina. Also on Sunday at Emerald Hills Regional Park in Sherwood Park, Alta., the host Edmonton Wildcats edged the Winnipeg Rifles 32-21. The Wildcats concluded their 2024 campaign with a 2-6 record, while the Rifles finished with a 1-7 mark.

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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