Saskatoon eyes up CJFL semifinal clash with
Rams
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| The Hilltops enjoyed a PFC final victory last Sunday. |
In their two post-season games, the Hilltops have won in two different ways. On November 7 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Hilltops pulled out a thrilling 33-31 victory in a PFC semifinal contest against the Edmonton Huskies, who finished at 6-4 overall.
The ’Toppers took to the air in that triumph posting 309 yards in passing. Starting quarterback Damon Dutton completed 21-of-39 passes for 285 yards and one touchdown, while throwing one interception. Dutton hit standout receiver Dillan Heintz for a five-yard touchdown pass that won the game with 21.3 seconds to play.
Backup quarterback Doug Fleming connected on his only pass at a key time on a fake field goal for 24 yards that helped set up a six-yard touchdown run by running back Carter McLean late in the third quarter that tied that contest at 24-24.
In the PFC final this past Sunday at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, the Hilltops piled up 386 yards rushing as a team posting a 29-9 victory over the host Thunder, who finished at 9-1 overall. McLean carried the ball 25 times for 204 yards in that win, while running back teammate Boston Davidsen ran the ball 19 times for 143 yards and scored one touchdown.
“That is how we coach,” said Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant. “We make sure that whatever the situation is that we are ready to take it on and respond to it whether it is run or throw whatever game we have to play.
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| Damon Dutton threw for 285 yards in the PFC semifinal. |
“We’re going to make sure that our players understand.”
The Hilltops ability to pull out wins in different fashions might serve them well, when they face the Langley Rams in a CJFL semifinal on Saturday at McLeod Stadium in Langley, B.C.
Saskatoon heads into that contest with an 8-2 overall record, while Langley has a 9-1 overall mark.
This past Saturday in Langley, the Rams won the British Columbia Football Conference title game 7-4 against the Kelowna based Okanagan Sun in a contest that was played in a steady downpour.
Weather has been chaotic in Western Canada over the past few days. The province of British Columbia had dealt with heavy rains, while Saskatchewan has battled against snow storms and blizzards.
The Hilltops even had to move their Tuesday practice indoors to the Indoor Training Centre on the grounds of the Gordie Howe Sports Complex due to the stormy conditions in Saskatoon.
At the moment, Environment Canada is predicting a high of 6 C with a 30 per cent chance of rain for Saturday CJFL semifinal clash between the Hilltops and Rams.
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| Boston Davidsen ran for 143 yards in the PFC final. |
“We coach against all situations, so that they are prepared, and then they have to get out and be the ones that execute the plans,” said Sargeant, who team has won the last six straight CJFL titles. “As I said, nothing deters us.
“Nothing scares us. We work hard to make sure that we can handle every situation. So far to date, that is why were still practicing and competing, because we’ve done our homework, and we’ve done things right.”
The Hilltops and Rams do have some history, when it comes to facing each other. Before the 2020 CJFL campaign was canceled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has gripped the world, the two sides collided in the CJFL title game – the Canadian Bowl – in 2018 and 2019.
The Hilltops claimed the 2018 clash 58-21 at SMF Field and prevailed 11-6 in the 2019 encounter at McLeod Stadium.
“It is always a challenge when you play someone new for the first time,” said Sargeant. “The film is the film.
“We’ve learned before that sometimes the film lies. You get out there and you play, and they play faster than what you think. It is just figuring it out.”
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| The Hilltops aim to enjoy more big moments in the CJFL semi. |
“The good thing is we did play them two years ago, so we have more than enough tape on their players and have a good sense and understanding of who they are,” said Sargeant. “Now, we just have to remind them who we are and come out and play our best game of the year.
“Going into game 11, it should be our best game of the year.”
McLean named PFC offensive player of the week
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| Carter McLean ran for 204 yards in the PFC final. |
On Tuesday, McLean was named the PFC’s offensive player of the week for his performance in the Hilltops 29-9 victory over the Regina Thunder this past Sunday in the PFC final held at Mosaic Stadium in Regina.
In that contest McLean carried the ball 25 times for 204 yards, which included breaking off a 46-yard run.
“It is a great honor to have,” said McLean. “I couldn’t have done it without the O-line.
“The O-line, they blocked well. They played hard. They played well.
“They are the reason why I was able to get as many rushing yards as I have.”
The Hilltops running game was on fire in that contest. McLean’s star running back teammate in Boston Davidsen had a big game as well carrying the ball 19 times for 143 yards and one touchdown.
Keating gets PFC defensive player of the
week nod
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| Wade Keating, left, returns an interception in the PFC final. |
On Tuesday, Keating was named the PFC’s defensive player of the week for his performance in the Hilltops 29-9 victory over the Regina Thunder in the PFC final last Sunday at Mosaic Stadium in Regina.
Keating had one defensive tackle, two defensive tackle assists, one special teams tackle, two special teams tackle assists, one pass knockdown and one interception. His interception came in the third quarter and it set up a Hilltops field goal.
Keating played both defensive back and linebacker in that win.
Maximuik is PFC special teams player of the
week for third time
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| Eric Maximuik hit three field goals in the PFC final. |
On Tuesday, Maximuik was named the PFC’s special teams player of the week for his performance in the Thunder’s 29-9 setback to the Saskatoon Hilltops in the PFC final held last Sunday at Mosaic Stadium in Regina.
That marked the third time during the 2021 campaign that Maximuik has been named the PFC special teams player of the week.
In the PFC final, Maximuik connected on 3-of-5 field goal attempts connecting from 43, 39 and 27 yards out.
He had a kickoff that traveled 41 yards and punted the ball five times for 196 yards for an average of 39.2 yards per punt.
Maximuik had a stellar personal season in 2021 that saw him claim the PFC’s most outstanding special teams player award and be named a PFC all-star at place kicker.
Hilltops win Canadian Bowl three years ago
today
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| The Hilltops celebrate a CJFL championship win in 2018. |
On November 17, 2018 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Hilltops thumped the visiting Langley Rams 58-21 to win the Canadian Bowl for a third straight year and claim their 21st CJFL championship in team history.
The Hilltops jumped out to a 24-0 lead in the contest and never looked back. They finished the 2018 campaign with a perfect 11-0 record and trailed on the scoreboard for a combined 81 seconds for the whole season.
Saskatoon had eight graduating fifth-year players who were part of all five of those consecutive CJFL championship wins. Those players included star quarterback Jordan Walls, receiver Jason Price, right tackle Kirk Simonsen, receiver Adam Ewanchyna, defensive end Connor Guillet and linebackers Cody Peters, Bobby Ehman and Adam Benkic.
The story about that championship victory 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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