Saturday 26 August 2017

Storied Hilltops are always worth supporting

Running back Adam Machart powers upfield for the Hilltops.
    You have to love Saskatoon Hilltops game day.
    Since 1947, the Hilltops have been a huge source of pride for “the Bridge City.” They have had a run of success that is unmatched anyway capturing 19 Canadian Junior Football League championships in their history.
    They have always prided themselves in winning the right way. Besides succeeding on the field, they want their players to graduate from the program as first rate people, who are very community minded.
    Playing in their 71st season of existence, the Hilltops have again fielded a team of first-rate individuals who are worth getting behind. They have opened the 2017 campaign winning their first two regular season games, which were both on the road.
    They already made one really cool memory opening the campaign on Aug. 12 downing the host Thunder in Regina 37-20 in the first game both sides played at new Mosaic Stadium. About 800 to 900 fans from Saskatoon followed the Toppers down to “the Queen City,” and the players appreciated the site of their supporters.
    When the contest finished, the players and coaches met the fans, who lined the front row of the facility’s West side, to pass on appreciation and enjoy that moment.
    Another cool memory was made when the Hilltops traveled to Winnipeg last Sunday to blank the host Rifles 44-0. The long trips to the Manitoba capital always provide a great chance to bond.
Ryan Turple gains yards after the catch for the Hilltops.
    Tonight, the blue and gold open their home regular season schedule hosting the Ottawa Sooners (0-2) of the Ontario Football Conference at 7 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Hilltops are still that good old neighbour that brings a smile to your face, and when they succeed, you feel extremely proud of them.
    As always, there are always tonnes of cool storylines to watch with the Hilltops. One is watching fourth-year quarterback Jordan Walls take over the starting reins from Jared Andreychuk, who graduated after winning a third straight CJFL title as the top signal caller.
    Walls, who is a graduate from Saskatoon’s Tommy Douglas Collegiate, was more than prepared to take on this opportunity. He has been stellar in his first two career starts completing 35-of-57 passes for 475 yards, four touchdowns and one interception.
    Fifth-year star running back Logan Fischer entered his final season with the Hilltops after participating in this year’s training camp of the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders. He has already piled up 251 yards rushing on 40 carries and scored three touchdowns.
    Third-year running back Adam Machart is earning a bigger role with the offence as each game passes. He has carried the ball 31 times for 171 yards and scored one touchdown.
    At receiver, veterans Sam Mike, Ryan Turple and Jason Price continue to make big plays. Joe Trumpy and Adam Ewanchyna are striving to get increasingly in the mix.
Hilltops QB Jordan Walls fires a pass downfield.
    The offensive line is filled with newcomers to starting spots, but it is steadied with Patrick Arno calling the signals starting at centre for a second straight campaign. Fourth-year veteran Kirk Simonsen anchors the unit at right tackle.
    Defensive lineman Tom Schnitzler came into his final season with the team after spending time on the Roughriders practice roster. He might possibly earn a longer CFL look in the future.
    Cameron Schnitzler, Cody Peters, Riley Pickett and Adam Benkic have been lights out at linebacker. Defensive backs Leif Larson and Logan Kelsey-Stern both have interceptions in the early going and safety James Vause has been the model of consistency on the field and class off the field.
    You also wonder what other roles Rylan Kleiter will take on in addition to his receiving and kicking duties. 
    Besides performing those duties admirably, he stars and wins lots of trophies on the ice curling, when he isn’t on the football field.
    Of course on the sidelines, everyone loves watching the passion and fire of head coach Tom Sargeant.
    The Hilltops always symbolize Saskatoon at its best. If you find are wavering about going to tonight’s game, just get out to SMF field. 
    You will likely see something special.

Back in the Express with Dmytryshyn

Duane Dmytryshyn’s names is on the CFL’s diversity T-shirt.
    I was back in the pages of the Saskatoon Express this week with a little bit of a different story with Duane Dmytryshyn, who is the receivers coach with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies football team.
    Dmytryshyn, who played slotback in the CFL from 1993 to 2000 with the Calgary Stampeders, Toronto Argonauts and Saskatchewan Roughriders, was surprised and proud to have his name included on a T-shirt the league put out to stand for diversity and inclusion. Dmytryshyn’s background is Ukrainian.
    The Huskies opened their 2017 campaign dropping an exhibition tilt 22-10 on Friday night in Hamilton, Ont., against the host McMaster University Marauders.
    Fourth-year starting quarterback Kyle Siemens completed 11-of-19 passes for 113 yards and one interception in two quarters of work. Backup Mason Nyhus, who was a redshirt last season, completed 12-of-25 passes for 143 yards and three interceptions.
    Running back Colton Klassen ran the ball 11 times for 115 yards for the Huskies.
    The Huskies open the regular season on Sept. 1, when they travel to Winnipeg to face the U of Manitoba Bisons.
    The Express story on Dmytryshyn can be found 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.