The Thunder and Hilltops take part in a coin toss on Sept. 11. |
On Sunday, the Saskatoon Hilltops will travel to Regina to take on the host Thunder in the CJFL’s Prairie Football Conference final at 1 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium.
The Hilltops are 7-2 overall, which includes posting a 6-2 mark in the regular season. Saskatoon has won the CJFL title the last six times it was contested from the 2014 to 2019 and has a CJFL record 21 game winning streak in the post-season.
The 2020 CJFL campaign was lost due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has gripped the world.
The Thunder sport a 9-0 overall record, which includes an 8-0 mark in the regular season. The last time the Hilltops didn’t win the CJFL championship, the Thunder took it in 2013.
Along with all of that, this season marks the first time the Thunder have finished first in the PFC regular season standings, have had an undefeated record at this point in time of a campaign and will host the PFC final for the first time since the club first hit the field in 2000.
Among the football community in Regina, there is a lot of excitement surrounding this game.
Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant, who is the all-time leader in career post-secondary football coaching wins in Canada at 217 victories, said his squad is looking forward to getting to a pumped up atmosphere in “The Queen City.”
“We’re not scared of their environment,” said Sargeant. “We embrace the opportunity that we have been given.
Mason Ochs makes a block for the Hilltops. |
“We need the players to get out there and make it a great one. That is why we are practicing hard and putting everything at them.”
The Thunder won both head-to-head encounters between the two sides in the regular season.
On Sept. 11 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, a 51-yard walk off field goal by Regina kicker Eric Maximuik delivered the Thunder to a 16-13 victory over the host Hilltops.
On Sept. 18 at Mosaic Stadium, Regina defensive back Justin McKerracher made an end zone interception off Hilltops quarterback Damon Dutton to preserve a 30-27 triumph for the Thunder.
Hilltops star left tackle Mason Ochs has helped the Hilltops win four PFC finals from 2016 to 2019, and all of those victories have come at SMF Field. Ochs, who attended the training camp with the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2019, is looking forward to playing this PFC final on the road at the Roughriders home park and the atmosphere that awaits the clash between the Hilltops and Thunder.
“Going in the road for the first time, it is a little different, but I’m pretty pumped to play at Mosaic,” said Ochs. “That is pretty damn cool.
“You go to Regina every time, and you get the home and away crowd roaring. It is always loud. It is a good environment.
“If I was going to go anywhere, that would be it.”
Both sides are loaded up with PFC all-stars and award winners.
For 2021, Ochs is the PFC’s most outstanding offensive lineman and a PFC all-star. He was named a PFC all-star for the fourth consecutive season.
Carter Shewchuk throws a pass downfield for the Thunder. |
Hilltops defensive end Riece Kack made the PFC’s all-rookie team.
The Thunder took seven of the PFC’s major awards.
Rylan Sokul claimed honours as the PFC’s most outstanding receiver, most outstanding offensive player and most valuable player.
Carter Shewchuk was named the PFC’s most outstanding quarterback, Maximuik claimed the PFC’s most outstanding special teams player award and defensive lineman Reece McCormick captured PFC rookie of the year honours.
Thunder head coach Scott MacAulay was named the PFC’s coach of the year.
Sokul, Shewchuk, Maximuik and McCormick were all named to the PFC all-star team.
Also named to the PFC all-star team from the Thunder were a trio of offensive linemen in Riley Schick, Logan Hubick and Connor Klassen. Joining them from the Thunder on the PFC all-star team are receiver Issac Ford, linebacker Ryan Mills and McKerracher.
McCormick made the PFC all-rookie team from the Thunder along with Running back Ryland Leichert, receiver Tristan Bergquist and linebacker Stephen Smith.
Funk, who is in his fourth full season with the Hilltops, said his club always gets excited for the PFC final, and playing the Thunder in Regina adds to the big game feel.
“It is different, but we’re just as excited as if it was at home,” said Funk. “The PFC final always gets guys fired up.
“It is the best game of the year for us, especially playing against Regina just that rivalry. We’re going to be working hard this week getting ready to go for that.”
Hilltops QB Damon Dutton (#19) will look to avoid Thunder pressure. |
The legendary sideline boss believes his team is ready to respond to the ups and downs that are sure to come in the PFC final this Sunday in Regina.
“We’re pretty confident that they are going to respond to any situation that comes their way come Sunday,” said Sargeant. “They proved that last week with a gutsy win in the fourth quarter against the Huskies.”
Morrow gets PFC defensive player of the week
nod
Brant Morrow was the PFC’s defensive player of the week. |
Morrow earned that nod after making two tackles and posting two fourth quarter interceptions in the Hilltops 33-31 PFC semifinal victory this past Sunday at SMF Field. The graduate of Saskatoon’s Bishop James Mahoney High School Saints football team was named a PFC all-star at safety for the 2021 campaign and took a PFC special teams player of the week accolade earlier in the current campaign.
The PFC special teams player of the week for this past week was Huskies kick returner Ben Wilton. In the PFC semifinal setback for his side, Wilton returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown.
During that contest, Wilton returned six kickoffs for 189 yards to go with his one touchdown and four punts for 36 yards.
Winnipeg Rifles quarterback Bryson McNeil was the PFC’s offensive player of the week for his performance this past Sunday in a 45-26 PFC semifinal loss to the Thunder in Regina. In that contest, McNeil completed 22-of-40 passes for 384 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.
He also ran the ball 11 times for 62 yards and one touchdown.
Morrow enjoyed Funk interception
The Hilltops celebrate an interception by Jaxon Funk (#77). |
After the Hilltops took a 33-31 lead over the Edmonton Huskies in a PFC semifinal played this past Sunday at SMF Field with 21.3 seconds to play, Saskatoon’s victory was cemented with an interception from defensive tackle Jaxon Funk.
Funk made his interception after Hilltops defence end Riece Kack forced Huskies quarterback Declan O’Flaherty to send the ball high into the air. That preserved the 33-31 final outcome.
“I loved it,” said Morrow, who had two earlier interceptions in that same contest. “I was happier than when I got mine.
“It is awesome to see the big guys make plays. Another D-lineman tipped it, and he caught it. That is all on the D-line.
“That is an amazing play, and I’m happy to see that.”
Rams claimed last PFC final played in
Regina in 1998
The Rams take home the PFC championship trophy in 1998. |
The last time the PFC final was played in Regina was on Saturday, October 31, 1998 at it featured the then defending CJFL champion Regina Rams taking on the Saskatoon Hilltops. It would be the last time the historic rivals would face each other as the Rams were set to move to the U Sports ranks for the 1999 season.
In that 1998 PFC final played at historic Taylor Field, current Thunder head coach Scott MacAulay was a linebacker for the Rams, and Tom Sargeant was in his first season as the head coach of the Hilltops.
The Rams took a 16-0 lead at halftime thanks to three field goals from kicker Todd Pinkney from 30, 43 and 15 yards out and an electrifying 87-yard punt return touchdown by rookie Neal Hughes, who went on to play 10 seasons for the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders.
The Hilltops cut the Rams lead to 16-10 in the third quarter with a 17-yard field goal by Jody Kerr and an 11-yard touchdown run from Sheldon Duval.
In the fourth quarter, the Rams blew the contest open scoring 32 unanswered points to post a 48-10 victory.
Jason Clermont makes a catch for the Rams in the 1998 PFC final. |
Pinkney followed Briltz’s major with a kickoff single, and linebacker Cory Thacheray returned an interception 55 yards for a major.
Pinkney then hit a 40-yard field goal. The scoring closed when Rams linebacker Doug Hill Jr. blocked a punt and defensive back Corrie McKee returned it to the end zone for the fourth major of the frame for the host side.
“We’re very appreciative of and respectful of having an opportunity to be a part of the Prairie Football Conference and this great rivalry,” said legendary Rams head coach Frank McCrystal after the contest. “I don’t think the score was indicative of the game.”
The Thunder host this year’s against the Hilltops at 1 p.m. on Sunday at Mosaic Stadium.
Huskies praised for saving life, other notes
It's so much more than just football! The @Edm_Huskies training staff spring into action assisting a motorcycle accident victim on the way home from their semi-final. #CJFL https://t.co/EEDwgzfEud pic.twitter.com/RUbmxxkxoP
— CJFL News (@CJFLnews) November 8, 2021
The Edmonton Huskies play gallantly in their 33-31 PFC semifinal loss to the Saskatoon Hilltops this past Sunday at SMF Field, but they made a bigger impact off the field.
During their bus trip home and getting near the town of Borden, which is about 50 kilometres north of Saskatoon, the Huskies came across an accident scene.
A motorcyclist had apparently hit a deer. The Huskies training staff jumped into action to help the first responders, who were on route to the scene.
The quick action by the Huskies training staff helped save the motorcyclist’s life. The training staff included Cassidy Ku, Shawna Crozier and Randy Kuefler along with Luca Cupelli.
Cupelli, who is the team’s equipment manager, was running back and forth getting the trauma kit. Defensive back Sheldon McNabb, who is a paramedic student, also assisted.
“This shows the character of the young women and men that participate in our programs,” said CJFL commissioner Jim Pankovich in a statement last Sunday. “Thank you very much to the Huskies’ training staff that helped going above and beyond expectations in their caring actions regarding this motor vehicle accident victim.
“Their actions made a difference this evening.”
- The British Columbia Football Conference championship game is set for Saturday in Langley, B.C. The host Rams (8-1 overall) face the Kelowna, B.C., based Okanagan Sun (8-1 overall). The winner hosts a CJFL semifinal against the PFC champion.
- The Ontario Football Conference semifinals are set for Saturday. The St. Clair Fratmen (8-0) host the Quinte Skyhawks (2-6), while the London Beefeaters (6-2) host the Hamilton Hurricanes (4-4). The OFC champion will host the CJFL championship game – the Canadian Bowl.
- The Canada West Conference for football in U Sports announced its all-star teams on Wednesday. That list included 10 members of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies and two members of the University of Regina Rams. That announcement can be found by clicking right here.
- I produced a couple of new posts for the Howe Happenings blog that went live on Tuesday. I caught up with professional baseball pitcher and North Battleford, Sask., product Andrew Albers about returning to the AAA and MLB ranks this season. That post can be found by clicking right here. I put together a photo round up that 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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