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| Hilltops LB Cody Peters was a unanimous PFC all-star selection. |
In what will be
conference champion final Sunday for the Canadian Junior Football League, the
Hilltops host the Edmonton Huskies in the Prairie Football Conference final at
1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Hilltops enter the PFC final
sporting a 9-0 overall record and riding a 17 game winning streak including
action in the regular season and playoffs.
The Huskies are 7-2
overall and have won their last three straight including action in the regular season
and playoffs.
This will be a
heavyweight tilt and the winner will host the CJFL’s national championship game
– the Canadian Bowl – on November 17.
The Hilltops have won
the last four straight CJFL titles and have claimed the Canadian Bowl in seven
out of the last eight years.
Peters is pumped to
get things going against the Huskies on Sunday.
“We’re beyond
excited,” said Peters. “I cannot wait for this.
“I’m just looking
forward to flying around and seeing what they want to bring to the table this
time.”
The two sides met
once in the regular season with the Hilltops posting a 36-16 victory at SMF
Field. That win allowed the Hilltops to clinch first in the PFC.
The Hilltops defence
was flying around in that encounter forcing the Huskies to turn the ball over
10 times on three interceptions, two fumbles and five times on downs.
During the
eight-game regular season, the Hilltops gave up the fewest points against in
the PFC at 70. On Thursday, they had five players named as PFC all-stars on
defence.
Peters and defensive
tackles Garth Knittig and Jesse McNabb were named unanimous selections. Defensive
backs Jared Giddings and Colton Holmes were also named PFC all-stars.
Receiver Adam
Ewanchyna was named a PFC all-star as a return specialist.
Huskies linebacker
Oshane Samuels and defensive back Justin Hodinsky were selected as PFC
all-stars on defence. Edmonton’s Cole Sabourin was named the PFC’s all-star
punter.
“I guess we had the
most all-stars, so that is great,” said Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant. “I
think that is just a credit to the scheme we have.
“It has stood the
test of time. Whatever players we put in seem to make plays. The top defence is
the one that allows the least points, and that is what we did.”
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| Hilltops DT Garth Knittig (#59) was a unanimous PFC all-star selection. |
Peters was humbled
to be an all-star selection and was quick to add everyone on Saskatoon’s defensive
unit has come up with big plays this season.
“I’m grateful that I
was named that, and that people have recognized what I have been doing on the
field,” said Peters, who had 26 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles
and one interception during the regular season. “I just want to keep pushing
forward and keep getting better.
“I feel right now we
are solid, and we are all working together. We are all just waiting for our
moment to make a play on the field, so when it comes up, we are just ready to
go. Everyone on our defence, I feel like they all should be recognized, because
they all deserve like an award like that.”
Offensively, both
the Hilltops and Huskies are loaded with playmakers, who will test each sides’
respective defences.
Saskatoon’s fifth-year
star quarterback Jordan Walls had an outstanding campaign completing 122-of-197
passes for 2,010 yards, 18 touchdowns and four interceptions in the regular
season. He topped the PFC in passing yardage.
Hilltops star running
back Josh Ewanchyna appeared in seven regular season games carrying the ball
134 times for 1,007 yards and 14 touchdowns. He led the PFC in rushing yards
and rushing touchdowns and was named the PFC’s offensive player of the week on
four occasions.
Saskatoon’s fifth-year
star receiver Jason Price was by far the PFC’s most productive pass catcher. During the regular season, Price hauled in 31 passes for 709 yards and scored
four touchdowns. He collected the most receiving yards in the PFC.
Huskies starting
quarterback Tommy Yanchuk completed 108-of-192 passes for 1,523 yards, nine
touchdowns and nine interception during the regular season.
Edmonton running
back Brandt Burzuk finished second in the PFC’s regular season rushing yardage
race carrying the ball 102 times for 722 yards and eight touchdowns.
Receiver Sam Clayton
was the Huskies top pass catcher hauling in 26 passes for 406 yards and four
touchdowns during the regular season.
Sargeant is
expecting his side to give an effort that lives up to the Hilltops storied
past.
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| Hilltops DT Jesse McNabb was a unanimous PFC all-star selection. |
“This program
traditionally signs up for that game, so I’m expecting to see them come out and
play their best game of the year. Edmonton, they are a formidable opponent,
they are well coached, and they have some good players on their end. Coming
into our home, we worked hard to finish first, so now we need to take advantage
of it.
Sunday’s British Columbia
Football Conference final sees the Langley Rams (8-3 overall) travel to Kelowna
to face the Okanagan Sun (8-2-1 overall), and the Ontario Football Conference
final features the Windsor AKO Fratmen (7-2 overall) traveling to Hamilton to
take on the Hurricanes (9-0 overall).
The OFC champion
will travel to face the BCFC champion in a CJFL semifinal game slated for Nov.
3.
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to stankssports@gmail.com.
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