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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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
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| 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.
