McLean, Davidsen may see bigger role as
weather worsens
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| Carter McLean charges downfield for the Hilltops. |
The Saskatoon Hilltops running back duo was difference in powering their side to a 29-9 victory in the PFC final against the host Regina Thunder at Mosaic Stadium last Sunday. McLean carried the ball 25 times for 204 yards picking up PFC offensive player of the week honours, and Davidsen ran the ball 19 times for 143 yards and one touchdown in that same contest.
The tailback pair played an integral part in helping the Hilltops pile up an eye-popping 386 yards rushing as a team against a previously undefeated provincial rival.
With the win over the Thunder, the Hilltops, who are 8-2 overall, advanced in the CJFL playoffs to face the Langley Rams, who are 9-1 overall, on Saturday in a CJFL semifinal contest at McLeod Stadium in Langley, B.C. (4 p.m. Saskatchewan time, CJFLTV.com).
As this time of year in Canada, the chances of playing a football game in adverse weather conditions goes up substantially. When the weather gets worse, teams are forced to rely more on their running games, and McLean and Davidsen are expecting conditions will dictate that they shoulder an extra load.
“I am expecting it (the running game) to be pretty big, especially if it is super rainy and super snowy,” said McLean, who stands 5-foot-9 and weighs 180 pounds. “The running game is going to be a big part of that game, and we just have to play physical and hard like we did against Regina.”
“We’re thinking about that,” said Davidsen, who stands 5-foot-9 and weighs 188 pounds. “That is in the back of our minds that maybe passing might become more difficult.
“I think it will be really huge on top of the conditioning we’ve always done. Carter (McLean) and I will be able to go back and forth, and we will always have some fresh legs. There won’t be any fatigue maybe if only one of us was in there.
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| Boston Davidsen runs tough inside for the Hilltops. |
McLean and Davidsen both had breakout campaigns in 2021 after the 2020 CJFL season was cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has gripped the world. McLean, who is in his third full season with the Hilltops, finished third in the PFC in rushing yards during the eight-game regular season carrying the ball 125 times for 599 yards and four touchdowns.
Davidsen, who is in his second full season with the Hilltops, finished second in the PFC in rushing yards in the regular season carrying the ball 98 times for 634 yards and six touchdowns.
Legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant said it has been outstanding to have McLean and Davidsen develop into a one-two punch this season adding that neither had been a starter in previous CJFL campaigns.
“Carter (McLean) sort of started early and was our hot back,” said Sargeant, who team has won the last six straight CJFL titles. “Then Boston (Davidsen) started gaining confidence getting his touches.
“Now the two of them put together they are a feature pair with the O-line and Damon Dutton certainly got a great movement pattern as a quarterback too. He has allowed us to do some different things and create some flexibility to our offensive plan.
“This running attack is coming on, and it is needed. We plan to run the ball a lot this weekend against Langley as well.”
Sargeant said the Hilltops might be forced to run the ball more depending on the weather situation.
Last Saturday, the Rams won the British Columbia Football Conference final 7-4 over the Kelowna based Okanagan Sun at McLeod Stadium in a contest played in monsoon like conditions.
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| Carter McLean rushed for 599 yards in eight regular season games. |
The four clubs still alive in the CJFL post-season could encounter more adverse weather conditions.
At the moment for the CJFL semifinal in Langley, B.C., Environment Canada is predicting an overcast day with high of 7 C and a 30 per cent chance of rain.
“What is the old saying?” said Sargeant, whose team is on a CJFL record post-season game winning streak of 22 contests. “The running game will always travel.
“Defence and running game travel. Special teams should travel. Outside conditions are always a little tougher on offence, because you have skill and just different mechanisms.
“The philosophy around here since I’ve been here is we always want to be a 50/50 team, but when in doubt, we are going to run the ball at you and get after you especially at the end of the year in critical situations at playoff time. We just want to let you know that we want a little bit more than you and how you do that is by running the ball ground and pound.”
McLean and Davidsen are more than willing to provide the ground and pound aspect, and they enjoy being able to do that together.
McLean said he gets pumped up on the sidelines watching Davidsen run the ball.
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| Boston Davidsen rushed for 634 yards in eight regular season games. |
“Through all that, we make ourselves play better for each other, and we push each other for sure. That is where all the motivation comes from is always trying to make each other better.”
Davidsen said he gets an extra jolt of energy seeing McLean doing well, and two really try to build on each other’s momentum
“It is some healthy competition,” said Davidsen. “Carter (McLean) would come off to the sideline, and he would give you some advice.
“He’d say this is looking good and this one is good. Then, he takes a break, and I go in and use his advice and make some plays. I come back off and give him my feedback.
“We’re pretty interchangeable, and we are using our knowledge that we are learning on the field to help the other succeed.”
While the Hilltops have had lots of success on the ground, Dutton did have a strong season throwing the ball. During the eight game regular season, he completed 127-of-183 passes for 1,528 yards and 12 touchdowns, while throwing six interceptions.
Receiver Ethan Godson led the Hilltops and was fourth in the PFC in receiving yards hauling in 30 catches for 524 yards and six touchdowns.
Hilltops star left-tackle Mason Ochs was named the PFC’s most outstanding offensive lineman.
On defence, Hilltops outside linebacker Konner Johnson had a massive year finishing second in the PFC in defensive points.
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| The Hilltops celebrate a TD from Boston Davidsen (#24). |
The Rams had three players capture four major BCFC awards.
Rams defensive back Kyle Clarot was named the BCFC’s most outstanding defensive player of the year and most outstanding defensive back. Rams linebacker Colten Dejong took honours as the BCFC’s most outstanding linebacker.
Rams receiver Daniel Kubongo was named the rookie of the year for the BCFC.
The Hilltops and Rams met in the CJFL’s title game – the Canadian Bowl – in 2018 and 2019.
The Hilltops claimed the 2018 clash 58-21 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field and prevailed 11-6 in the 2019 encounter at McLeod Stadium.
“It is great to have them again,” said McLean. “We have such a good rivalry the last I don’t know over how many years.
“I know three years for sure. All my years of playing Hilltops we play against Langley. They are a good team.
“They are coached well. It will be a good game. It will be a good game to play for sure and a physical game.”
Davidsen joined the Hilltops in 2019, but he wasn’t on the travel roster that went to Langley for the team’s CJFL title win that season. He is looking forward to the trip to Langley to play the Rams on Saturday.
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| The Hilltops are focused on business in the CJFL semifinal. |
“I’m just going to try and go out there and make sure this isn’t the last game for our fifth years (the Hilltops graduating players).”
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