Hilltops’ Johnson, Sawi pick up major PFC awards

Konner Johnson (#42) walks on to SMF Field with his parents.

Even as a major award winner, Konner Johnson evaluates even plays that were successful to determine if he could have done things better.

Last Sunday, the Hilltops announced that Johnson, the team’s star 22-year-old weak side linebacker, captured the PFC’s conference awards for most outstanding linebacker and most outstanding defensive player along with being a PFC all-star for the second straight year. While Johnson makes big plays on defence, he reflects on a big play he made on special teams that could have accidentally taken away a highlight touchdown from a young rookie.

On September 10, the Hilltops were playing host to their provincial rivals the Regina Thunder. Early in the fourth quarter, the Hilltops were holding a 14-11 lead and Thunder star kicker Eric Maximuik was attempting a 45-yard field goal to try and tie the contest.

Maximuik’s kick sailed wide of the upright, and Hilltops 17-year-old rookie running back Charles Sawi ran the ball back 125 yards for a touchdown. On the tail end of the play, Johnson blocked out the last Thunder pursuer to ensure Sawi got a major.

While Johnson’s play was a good one, he wasn’t as certain when watching it back on video.

“I don’t know if I should have hit that guy or not,” said Johnson, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 220 pounds. “I didn’t get flagged luckily, but I could have.

Charles Sawi was named the PFC’s offensive rookie of the year.

“I didn’t want to take that touchdown away from him.”

Looking back on the play, Johnson thought Sawi was far enough in the clear that any blocks made on the play at that point could have been flagged for a penalty. 

Johnson believed there were better options in handling the final Thunder pursuer in either letting the pursuer go as it would be unlikely he would catch Sawi or run in front of the pursuer to edge him away from Sawi.

Sawi’s major put the Hilltops in front 21-11 in that contest the Saskatoon side would ultimately drop in overtime 29-21. That was the second game of a three-game losing streak that saw the ’Toppers record fall to 2-3.

Saskatoon rebounded closing the CJFL regular season with three straight wins to finish second in the PFC with a 5-3 mark. Last Sunday, the Hilltops won their fourth straight downing the Edmonton Huskies 20-15 in a PFC semifinal at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

The Thunder finished the regular season with an 8-0 mark to finish first in the PFC and claimed their PFC semifinal 23-14 against the visiting Winnipeg Rifles at Leibel Field in Regina last Sunday.

The Hilltops and Thunder will go at it in the PFC final this coming Sunday at 1 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium in Regina. It marks the second straight year the two sides have met in the conference title game with the Hilltops taking last year’s encounter 29-9 also at Mosaic Stadium.

Defensive end Riece Kack (#47) was named a PFC all-star.

While the Hilltops are deep into preparing to try and win the PFC title for an eighth consecutive season, they took time for some positive reflection on players getting recognized for individual awards.

Sawi took home the PFC’s award for offensive rookie of the year and was named to the rookie all-star team at running back. During the regular season, he carried the ball 30 times for 342 yards and scored two touchdowns.

On special teams, Sawi returned seven kickoffs for 168 yards and one touchdown, and five missed field goals for 271 yards that included the 125 yard touchdown return. Johnson was pleased to see the Holy Cross High School Crusaders Football Team graduate get honoured for the work he put in.

“He (Sawi) is an electric player,” said Johnson. “It is awesome to see.

“It is always fun to watch. He definitely deserved that. He’ll have a lot more coming in the future I am sure.”

As for Johnson, he finished second in the PFC in defensive points at 117 after collecting 31 solo defensive tackles, 13 defensive tackle assists, four special teams solo tackles, two special teams tackle assists, two quarterback sacks, five pass knockdowns and four interceptions.

Luciano Jolly (#58) was named a PFC all-star at centre.

Johnson said he reflects on his individual awards as team awards. The graduate of the Melfort and Unit Comprehensive Collegiate Comets nine-man football team said he was able to have individual success on the field due to the fact Hilltops middle linebacker Matt Wist and strong side linebacker Wade Keating had great seasons.

“All three of our linebackers this year we all played pretty good,” said Johnson. “We did our jobs for most of the season.

“It is definitely a team effort. It always is.”

Legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant proud to see Johnson and Sawi pick up major PFC awards.

“You always want to see players get recognized by their peers,” said Sargeant. “Konner (Johnson) has certainly put in five great years of working with the Hilltops.

“It took him two or three years to get bigger, stronger and apply his craft. Then, he has been an all-star the last two years. He has taken advantage of his work ethic and some great coaching from coach (in Hilltops defensive coordinator Jeff) Yausie.

“He (Johnson) has put it together into a great Hilltop career. With Charles (Sawi), we knew he was a high end recruit coming out of Holy Cross, and he has certainly provided a lot of energy and splash plays. It has been fun to coach him and see him develop.”

Boden Marley, left, was tabbed a PFC all-star at receiver.

Hilltops defensive end Riece Kack was also named to the PFC all-star team. Kack topped the PFC with 7.5 sacks. He also had 20 solo defensive tackles, five defensive tackle assists, three special teams solo tackles, one fumble recovery and one interception.

On offence, centre Luciano Jolly and left tackle Jayson Kehler, who have both been with the Hilltops since 2017, captured PFC all-star honours for the first time at their respective positions. Receiver Boden Marley, who has two seasons of CJFL eligibility remaining, was also named a PFC all-star for the first time.

Marley led the Hilltops in receiving making 33 catches for 349 yards and one touchdown. On special teams, Marley returned 32 punts for 278 yards and nine kickoffs for 161 yards.

“We had some other all-stars as well in two O-lineman who have never had it before in Jayson Kehler and Luciano Jolly,” said Sargeant. “I’m proud and pleased for that.

“Boden Marley gets one as a receiver, and then you have Riece Kack, who led the league in sacks this year. We feel good about all of that, but saying all that, we know it is a team game. It is the ultimate team game.

“We don’t get too caught up in accolades or awards. We just focus on wins.”

Johnson echoes those sentiments. While awards are nice, he is focused on taking on the Thunder in the PFC final.

Jayson Kehler (#50) was named a PFC all-star at left tackle.

“It is cool to be recognized, but we’re just worried about winning our games as a team,” said Johnson. “We have a big opponent this week, and that is what we are looking forward to right now.”

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