Hilltops where they should be in latest CJFL title quest

Trey Reider slings a pass for the Hilltops.

Pegged as the outright favourites to repeat as CJFL champions, the Saskatoon Hilltops are again living up to lofty expectations.

The defending CJFL champions have started the 2024 campaign with a 3-0 record outscoring their opposition 137-33 along the way. They have occupied the top spot in the CJFL’s Top 10 Power Rankings in every week that the rankings have been released.

Every team in the CJFL dreams of knocking the Hilltops off the mountain top. That has been easier said than done when it comes to the venerable and storied squad. The Hilltops have won 23 CJFL titles in their history and claimed 10 of the last 13 CJFL championships that have been contested dating back to 2010.

Legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant and his assistant coaches know what it is like to be the hunted team on the circuit. They know how to help their players deal with the noise that can range from people on the outside putting the team on pedestal or to negative comments coming the Hilltops players’ way via social media trying to tell them they are overrated and not that great.

When the Hilltops come off their bye week, they will travel to Regina to face the 3-0 Thunder at 7 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium on Saturday, September 7. If the Hilltops fall in that contest, they will hear noise predicting that their attempt to win another CJFL title in 2024 won’t pan out.

So far for the Hilltops, their worst game of the campaign has been their regular season opener back on August 11 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. In that contest, they were flat but still beat the visiting Edmonton Huskies 38-13. To be fair, the Huskies and the officials were also flat in that contest creating one of those opening day games that can go all over the map, which does happen quite a bit in football.

The Hilltops have looked strong and exciting in their two road wins since. On August 18 at Maple Grove Rugby Park in Winnipeg, the Hilltops rolled over the Rifles 47-1. Last Sunday at Shouldice Athletic Park in Calgary, the Hilltops crushed the Colts 52-19.

Drake Douglas has made numerous big plays for the Hilltops.

While the Hilltops are once again showing great balance in their passing and running attacks on offence, quarterback Trey Reider has been excellent so far playing out his final campaign of CJFL eligibility. Reider has completed 38-of-60 passes for 521 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions. He has run the ball nine times for 76 yards and two major scores.

Hilltop receiver Drake Douglas, who is also playing out his final CJFL campaign, is making a case that he might be the most exciting player in all of Canadian junior football. He has caught 17 passes for 319 yards and four touchdowns.

Douglas tops the PFC in punt returns (18) and punt return yards (229). He has a 34-yard touchdown pass to his credit coming off a fake field goal in the win over the Colts.

Corbin Ebben is rounding into the power running back the Hilltops hoped the third-year player from Delisle Composite School Rebels nine-a-side Football Team could be. Ebben has carried the ball 51 times for 304 yards and two touchdowns.

While it might sound strange, the Hilltops most memorable “splash” play comes via a couple of first-year players. During mop up time in the win over the Colts, rookie signal caller Charlie Molder hit receiver Hayden Day for a 70-yard pass and run touchdown on a picturesque steak pattern play. Molder was a star with Saskatoon’s Aden Bowman Collegiate Bears Football Team, while Day starred for Balgonie’s Greenall High School Griffins Football Team.

On the other side of the ball, defensive end Kai Kukurudza and defensive tackle Johnathon Stevens have wreaked havoc on opposing offences. Kukurudza has three sacks and an interception, while Stevens has two sacks and a fumble recovery.

Defensive back Nathan Young, who is in his fourth season of CJFL eligibility, has made the highlight reels returning two interceptions for touchdowns to go along with a fumble recovery.

Kai Kukurudza (#73) closes in on a tackle for the Hilltops.

If the Hilltops can beat the Thunder in their upcoming clash, it should set Saskatoon up well going into the second half of the PFC’s regular season schedule. In the Hilltops final four regular season contests, they will play at home on three occasions. Playing frequently like that at SMF Field should aid the Hilltops considerably in big games down the stretch.

With the PFC champion scheduled to host a CJFL semifinal this season, the Hilltops could find themselves playing even more at home when the post-season comes around.

The Hilltops are again living up to their high standards, and at the moment, there is no reason to expect that to change.

Ebben tabbed as PFC Player of the week

Corbin Ebben (#34) was the PFC offensive player of the week.

Saskatoon Hilltops power running back Corbin Ebben did his best impression of Roger Craig, and he was recognized with a weekly CJFL award for his efforts.

On Tuesday, Ebben was named the offensive player of the week of the Prairie Football Conference for his performance in the Hilltops 52-19 victory over the Colts at Shouldice Athletic Park in Calgary last Sunday. Ebben carried the ball 18 times for 140 yards and hauled in four passes for 67 yards and three touchdowns.

On the season, Ebben has carried the ball 51 times for 304 yards and two touchdowns. His rushing yardage total ranks third in the PFC.

Craig gained fame becoming the first play in the history of the NFL to have over 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving in one season coming in 1985 with the San Francisco 49ERS.

Edmonton Huskies defensive back Owen MacNeil claimed honours as the PFC’s defensive player of the week for his performance in his team’s 27-8 victory over the Edmonton Wildcats at Emerald Hills Regional Park in Sherwood Park, Alta. MacNeil had three interceptions to go with five solo defensive tackles and a pass knockdown.

Winnipeg Rifles defensive back Cohen McCluskey captured the PFC’s special teams player of the week nod for his efforts in team’s 30-0 loss to the Thunder at Leibel Field in Regina last Sunday. McCluskey had five special teams solo tackles in that loss.

Hilltops’ director Gould passes away

Jeff Gould, right, talks with Topper in August of 2023.

The sidelines of Saskatoon Hilltops home games won’t be the same for some time with the passing of director Jeff Gould.

Gould passed away on Monday at age 73 due to complications following a recent cancer diagnosis. Gould was serving in his 15^th year as a Hilltops director and was the team’s game day convener and was also a vice-president of the PFC.

As the Hilltops game day convener, Gould was a fixture on the sidelines during Hilltops games. It was common to see him visiting with anyone who roamed the sidelines, and he often visited with Hilltops players on the sidelines who weren’t dressed due to injury. Gould also held roles in the past as the Hilltops manager and team president.

He was a person that lifted the atmosphere of any room he stepped into. Gould had a great sense of humour and good and often off-colour jokes.

Along with his work with the Hilltops, Gould enjoyed being involved in the community and contributed countless hours to the Kinsmen Club of Saskatoon, K-40 and the Saskatchewan Jazz Festival.

Gould was super proud of his family. He is survived by his wife of over 50 years, Hope, daughters Kara (Ralph) Deters and Kelly (Jeret) Bode, grandchildren Hayden, Olivia, Nora and Iris, siblings, nieces, nephews and countless others who had the privilege to know him.

Gould’s celebration of life will be planned for a date in October. His obituary from Saskatoon Funeral Home can be found by clicking right here.

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Kukurudza sealing spot as prime time player on Hilltops’ defence

Saskatoon crushes Colts in Calgary 52-19

Kai Kukurudza (#73) is a mainstay at DE for the Hilltops.

Curiosity started Kai Kukurudza’s path to becoming a key playmaker on the Saskatoon Hilltops defence.

Growing up in Medicine Hat, Alta., Kukurudza first found his love of sport out on the ice surface with hockey. When the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic gripped the world starting in March of 2020, Kukurudza decided to see what life would be like on the football field and suited up for the Monsignor McCoy High School Colts in 2021. 

“I didn’t play until Grade 12,” said Kukurudza, who has become a standout defensive end for the Hilltops. “I played hockey my whole life.

“COVID hit, so I kind of took a break from sports and thought I’d try football out, and it went really well. I sent my film to ‘Sarge,’ and now, I’m here.”

Kukurudza enjoyed his one season of football so much that he didn’t want to give the sport up. He received some positive feedback which encouraged him to try to find a way to continue in the sport.

He knew about the Hilltops and their storied tradition in the CJFL. Kukurudza put together a highlight package of his rookie Grade 12 campaign and sent it off to legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant.

“I just want to go to a good program,” said Kukurudza, who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 225 pounds. “I knew the Hilltops are good, so I’d give it a try.”

Kukurudza remembered how much he enjoyed playing his one season for the Colts, but he was hoping his lack of experience playing the game wouldn’t be a drawback to keep him from playing at the post-secondary level. He said he got into the sport for simple reasons and didn’t think things would grow from there.

“It was mostly just for fun, you know, hang out with my friends,” said Kukurudza. “I really kicked things off.

“I felt really good playing the sport and really comfortable. I had really good film. I remember ‘Sarge’ saying he didn’t know how good my opponents were, so he wanted me to come out and see how good I really was.

Kai Kukurudza (#73) only played one high school football season.

“I guess he liked me.”

Traditionally, the Hilltops haven’t recruited a whole lot outside of the province of Saskatchewan. Sargeant appreciated the initiative Kukurudza showed in emailing off his game film. The longtime Hilltops sideline boss was impressed with the raw ability Kukurudza showed on the footage that an invite was made to bring him to Saskatoon.

“We haven’t had a lot of players from Medicine Hat,” said Sargeant. “He sort of reached out to us, and I went through it (Kukurudza’s game film) and liked what I saw.

“I talked to his high school coach, and then he came out to a couple of our practices. I said, ‘You’ve got a spot on the team.’ I saw potential in him.

“Two and a half years later, he is in his third year now, we’re seeing the fruits of his labour in terms of how hard he’s worked, how well he’s learned from others and the good coaching he’s received from (defensive line) coach (Dave) Fisher. Now the sky is the limit, so let’s keep moving him forward.”

On Sunday at Shouldice Athletic Park in Calgary, the defending CJFL champion Hilltops jumped out to a 24-0 lead at halftime and crushed the host Colts 52-19 in a CJFL regular season clash. The win allows the Hilltops to improve to 3-0, while the Colts fell to 1-2.

When Kukurudza joined the Hilltops in 2022, he said he felt nervous mainly due to being on a team where he was surrounded by older athletes. In limited playing time, he recorded his first career quarterback sack in regular season play and was motivated to get bigger, stronger and faster for his second campaign.

Going into his second season with the Hilltops in 2023, Kukurudza said he had more confidence than he did going into his rookie campaign.

“It was a lot different,” said Kukurudza, who is studying commerce at the University of Saskatchewan. “I put on lots of size, probably 30 pounds or 40 pounds on.

Kai Kukurudza (#73) comes into to finish off a play in 2023.

“I was definitely a lot more comfortable. I think the coaches made me a lot smarter. I really understood the game and their schemes a lot better.

“I was way better.”

On August 27, 2023, Kukurudza had his breakthrough game with the Hilltops recording three sacks and three total tackles in 50-18 victory over the Calgary Colts at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. He finished the 2023 regular season with 13.5 total tackles, four sacks and a pass knockdown playing as part of the team’s defensive line rotation

In the Hilltops 53-2 victory over the Colts in the PFC semifinal on October 15, 2023 at SMF Field, Kukurudza showed he has the skills to be on the Hilltops hands team. When the Colts attempted a high and short onside kick to start the second half of that contest, Kukurudza astutely jumped up and secured the ball for the Hilltops.

“At the end of the day, the growth of Kai (Kukurudza) has been exceptional,” said Sargeant. “He’s worked real hard.

“He’s got himself bigger, stronger and faster. He has learned our systems real well. We’re excited to see him continue to grow and become more explosive with his playmaking.”

Kukurudza added it was pretty surreal to help the Hilltops win their 23^rd CJFL championship in team history in 2023 and be part of a defence that gave up the team’s lowest points against total for the regular season and overall between the regular season and post-season since 1949.

Kukurudza came into the current campaign as one of the Hilltops starters. Over the team’s first two contests, he has recorded 10.5 total tackles, two quarterback sacks and an interception.

Kai Kukurudza (#73) field a short kickoff in the 2023 PFC semifinal.

The 20-year-old said he was able to collect his statistics thanks to the play of veteran defensive tackles Nahom Menghestab and Johnathon Stevens. Menghestab and Stevens are in their fourth and third seasons respectively with the Hilltops.

“It is so nice, because I know the guys beside me are also working just as hard, and it makes my job a lot easier,” said Kukurudza. “If I mess up, I know guys have my back.

“On that interior line with Nahom (Menghestab) and Johnathon Stevens, they’re pushing quarterbacks right back to me for sacks. Sometimes, I don’t have to work hard. My teammates really, really help me out.”

This season has been a little extra special for Kukurudza, because his younger brother Kash is a rookie defensive lineman with the team. Kash came to the Hilltops after graduating from the Medicine Hat High School Hawks Football Team, who are guided by their local legend head coach Quinn Skelton.

“I can’t be too hard on him (Kash), but I can’t cater to him either,” said Kukurudza. “I have to treat him like everyone else, but it’s good.

“I think he is lucky. He has a guy to learn from like me. I just want him to be as good as me or better.

“I just have to teach him right.”

In Sunday’s clash with the Colts, the Hilltops opened the game’s scoring with a 35-yard field goal from kicker Teijon Abel-Douglas in the first quarter. Before the opening quarter ended, Hilltops went up 17-0 thanks to a touchdown reception from receiver Datiel Fountaine and a receiving major from Corbin Ebben.

Kai Kukurudza (#73) has made big plays for the Hilltops in 2024.

In the second quarter, Ebben added a second pass reception touchdown catching a fake field goal throw from holder Drake Douglas to give the visitors their 24-0 edge at halftime. Ebben added a third receiving touchdown and Fountaine hauled in a second catch for a major to push the Hilltops lead out to 38-0 to start off the third quarter.

The Colts hit a 27-yard field goal before the third quarter ended to make the Hilltops advantage sit at 38-3.

Saskatoon got majors from an interception return touchdown from defensive back Nathan Young and 70-yard touchdown hookup through the air between third string rookie quarterback Charlie Molder and rookie receiver Hayden Day.

Veteran star starter Trey Reider and veteran backup Brexton Elias we well on the sidelines helping Molder out, when the first-year signal caller entered the contest.

Calgary got two touchdowns with a pair of two point conversions to round out their scoring for the contest in the fourth quarter.

The entire Prairie Football Conference that the Hilltops play out of now heads out on a bye week. The Hilltops return to action on Saturday, September 7, when they travel to Regina to face the Thunder (3-0) at 7 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium.

Looking forward to the rest of the campaign, Kukurudza believes his club can make a run to another CJFL title, but noted the Thunder and the Okanagan Sun, who are leading the British Columbia Football Conference with a 5-0 record, are having impressive campaigns.

“I think we have another shot for sure,” said Kukurudza. “Regina is definitely good.

“Okanagan is looking good too, but I think it is nothing we can’t handle. The offence is definitely stepping their game up. I think our defence is solid.

Kai Kukurudza (#73) with the D-line crew and the PFC title trophy in 2023.

“I have no worries. I’m pretty confident.”

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Hilltops see improvement, aim for better against Colts

The Hilltops defence gangs up on a tackle in a 2023 PFC semifinal.

For legendary Saskatoon Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant, Week 2 was better than Week 1, and he is expecting better in Week 3.

In Week 1 on August 11 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Hilltops downed the Edmonton Huskies 38-13 in an opening contest that was flat on seemingly all fronts. 

In Week 2 this past Sunday at Maple Grove Rugby Park in Winnipeg, the Hilltops romped past the host Rifles 47-1 in an outing where Sargeant thought his club played to the level of where they should be at in this point in the campaign.

“I felt I certainly gave some challenges during the week to players and coaches,” said Sargeant. “I felt that at the end of the day the growth that took place is right now we’re more on course to where I feel this team can be playing.

“I still expect more and want more, but I saw some real positive strides that got us excited. Now, we’ve got to build on that.”

Now the Hilltops travel to Calgary to face the Colts (1-1) on Sunday at 1 p.m. local time at Shouldice Athletic Park. The Hilltops are rated first in the CJFL’s Top 10 Power Rankings, while the Colts come in at ninth. Last season, the Hilltops had a couple of their best games in their two meetings with the Colts.

Kai Kukurudza (#73) had three sacks on Aug. 27, 2023 versus the Colts.

In a Week 3 meeting in the 2023 regular season, the Hilltops stampeded over the Colts 50-18 at SMF Field. The two sides went head-to-head in a PFC semifinal, where Saskatoon hammed the Calgary side 53-2 again at SMF Field. The 18 points the Hilltops gave up in the first encounter with the Colts was the most points they would allow in a game in the 2023 campaign.

In the regular season meeting last year, Hilltops defensive end Kai Kukurudza had a breakout game. Kukurudza recorded three sacks to go with three total tackles.

“You always tell yourself you can have big games and like breakthrough games,” said Kukurudza, who is now in his third season with the Hilltops. “When it finally happens, it really feels like that hard work paid off.

“It is euphoric after that. It kind of felt like I belonged, and it felt really good.”

Kukurudza is starting for the Hilltops this season. Over the team’s first two contests, he has recorded 10.5 total tackles, two quarterback sacks and an interception.

A graduate of the Monsignor McCoy High School Colts Football Team in Medicine Hat, Alta., Kukurudza is looking forward to team’s upcoming clash with the Colts for a number of reasons.

Caine Harrison throws a pass for the Colts in a 2023 PFC semifinal.

“I actually have a couple of friends on the Colts too, which is kind of interesting,” said Kukurudza. “I didn’t have to play against them last year, but it’ll be fun.

“I’m excited. I have my friends coming to the game too and lots of family. It is close to home, which is good.

“You just want to perform. It should be good.”

The Colts have some strong talent on offense this season like they did in 2023. They have two capable quarterbacks in Isaiah Klein and Caine Harrison. Tailback Zion Dogbe-Brown has made big plays in the running game, while receivers Blaise Newberry, Sam Duerr and Quinn Fedoroff are all sound target through the air.

Sargeant said he will be looking to Kukurudza and defensive tackle Johnathon Stevens to lead the charge to disrupt the Colts.

“We’re playing the Calgary Colts this weekend, and they’re a team that likes to throw the ball,” said Sargeant. “They’re more of a 60-40 throw team, so he (Kukurudza) is going to get a lot more opportunities, and we need him to step up.

“We need him to get in the way of the quarterback and just sort of get them off their launch pads and throw points. Kai is a big part of that. With John Stevens pressure from the inside, we feel we’ve got two guys that really provide that energy of going to the quarterback, and we’re looking for more.

Johnathon Stevens has been a rock at DT for the Hilltops.

“We want more willing participants stepping up to help us in this sack attack.”

Overall, Sargeant said his Hilltops need to be aware of the Calgary side, and he is looking for his squad to keep their current progression going.

“It is game three,” said Sargeant. “Let’s come out and play a better game against Calgary, because Calgary is a good football team.

“They’ve got a quarterback that can make plays and some skilled guys that certainly got us under great concern. We’re excited for the next challenge. We’re 2-0 and happy to be there.”

Kukurudza tabbed as a PFC player of the week, other notes

Kai Kukurudza (#73) had two sacks last Sunday against the Rifles.

A dominant effort by the Saskatoon Hilltops defence has resulted in another PFC play of the week nod.

On Tuesday, Hilltops third year defensive end Kai Kukurudza was named the defensive player of the week for the PFC. In the Hilltops 47-1 victory over the Rifles at Maple Grove Rugby Park last Sunday in Winnipeg, Kukurudza recorded five solo defensive tackles, two defensive tackle assists, one special teams tackle assist and two quarterback sacks.

Kukurudza played a key part in limiting the Rifles to 68 yards rushing and 123 yards passing as a team. After adding in team losses, the Rifles posted just 123 yards of net offence against Saskatoon.

The Hilltops have collected defensive player of the week honours in both weeks of regular season action held by the PFC in 2024. Last week, Hilltops defensive tackle Johnathon Stevens took the PFC’s defensive player of the week award.

Also on Tuesday, Regina Thunder running back Sadik Sadik claimed honours as the PFC’s offensive player of the week. In the Thunder’s 36-0 victory over the Edmonton Wildcats last Sunday at Emerald Hills Regional Park in Sherwood Park, Alta., Sadik ran the ball 15 times for 194 yards and one touchdown. He also caught two passes for five yards.

Thunder place kicker Shawn Green took honours as the PFC’s special teams player of the week for his efforts in that win over the Wildcats. Green made all five of his field goals with a long kick from 38 yards out along with all three of his one-point converts.

He kicked the ball off four times for 191 yards for an average of 47.8 yards per kick and punted the ball eight times for 286 yards for an average of 35.8 yards per kick.

• Saskatoon Hilltops star receiver Drake Douglas tops the PFC in receptions (14), receiving yards (277) and receiving touchdowns (four) after two games. He also sits first in the PFC with 170 yards on punt returns coming off 14 run backs.
• Edmonton Huskies running back Carson Eddy leads the PFC with 246 yards rushing coming off 45 carries after two games.
• Regina Thunder quarterback Carter Moberg is the only player with over 400 yards passing in the PFC after two games. Moberg has completed 28-of-55 passes for 458 yards and five touchdowns, while throwing three interceptions.
• Winnipeg Rifles linebacker Kyler Banfield leads the PFC with 43 defensive points coming from 17 solo defensive tackles, two defensive tackle assists, one special teams tackle, one special teams tackle assist and one interception after two games.
• Rob Vanstone, who is the senior journalist and team historian of the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders, put together a great story on Saskatoon Hilltops star receiver Drake Douglas. That piece 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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Berries were Saskatoon’s hottest ticket in summer of 2024

First-year club came up win short of WCBL final

The Berries salute their faithful at Cairns Field on August 13.

If you are going through Saskatoon Berries withdrawal, you likely have company.

The Berries season came to an end just eight days ago on August 13 at Cairns Field. In a series deciding Game 3 of the WCBL’s East Division Championship Series, the Berries dropped a 5-3 decision to the Moose Jaw Miller Express.

Saskatoon claimed Game 1 of that series 14-1 at Cairns Field on August 11 and anticipation was high in “The Bridge City” the expansion club could make the best-of-three WCBL Championship Series. One night later in Game 2 of the set at Ross Wells Park in Moose Jaw, the Express rebounded with a runaway win by a 17-6 score. That set the stage for the Express to claim a tightly contested winner take all Game 3.

The crowd at Cairns Field give the Berries a standing ovation.

After the Berries fell 5-3 in Game 3, they waved their hats to the crowd while being saluted by the 1,811 spectators who packed into Cairns Field. For the summer of 2024, the Berries were the hottest ticket in Saskatoon.

Before the Berries came into existence, the last team from Saskatoon to play in the WCBL was the Saskatoon Yellow Jackets, who existed from 2002 to 2014. In their final campaign in 2014, the Yellow Jackets posted a 20-26 record to finish ninth overall in the then 13 team circuit and drew about 200 spectators per game to Cairns Field.

Carter Beck emerged as the Berries star player.

Fast forward to March 29, 2023, the Sask Entertainment Group announced it had purchased an expansion WCBL franchise to begin play in May of 2024. The Sask Entertainment Group is the parent company that also owns the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades and the NLL’s Saskatchewan Rush. That meant the new WCBL expansion franchise, which would be officially dubbed the Berries on July 13, 2023, would have a sound business and marketing team behind it.

Even before the Berries hit the field, the club sold a tonne of merchandise, with team hats being a big hit.

The Berries would also have the advantage of playing at a revamped Cairns Field, which is now part of the massive sports park called the Gordie Howe Sports Complex overseen by the Gordie Howe Sports Complex Management Corporation. Cairn Field’s old grandstand was knocked down in April of 2018 to make way for the new facility built in its place.

Nolan Sparks fires a ball in from left field.

The Berries played their inaugural regular season game on the road falling 5-4 to the Red Sox in Regina this past May 25. The home debut for the new WCBL side came on May 28 at Cairns Field as the Berries dropped an 8-4 decision to the Red Sox. The Berries drew 2,200 spectators to that first home date, and despite the loss, most of the fans that came out to the park left feeling like they had a good time.

The spectators had fun with the various in game promotions. They enjoyed the various foods in the concession that contained Saskatoon Berries and also a Saskatoon Berries branded beer brewed locally by 9 Mile Legacy Brewing.

It was expected the Berries would have growing pains on the field, and they did falling in their first five straight games and posting a 3-8 record after 11 contests. Their first win came on May 31, when they blanked the Beavers in Weyburn 5-0. The first home win came one night later with a 16-10 triumph over the Lethbridge Bulls.

Andrew Albers, left, and Joe Carnahan check out play on the field.

After that 3-8 start, the Berries improved rapidly and finished with a 31-26 record, which placed them sixth overall on the 12-team circuit. The ace that allowed the Berries to improve quickly was the squad’s coaching staff.

On July 5, 2023, the Berries hired Joe Carnahan head coach. He built a legacy in the WCBL in Swift Current playing league championship teams in 2001, 2005 and 2006. Carnahan became the team’s head coach and guided them to league titles in 2010, 2016 and 2017.

His staff included for MLB hurler Andrew Albers as the team’s pitching coach and Chance Wheatley and Alex Archuleta as assistant coaches.

Colin Plain sets to unload a pitch for the Berries.

Centre-fielder Carter Beck has emerged as the Berries most recognizable star being one season removed from being named the most valuable player of the under-18 AAA level of the Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League with the South East Twins. Local area products like Nolan Sparks, Oakland Flodell, Cory Wouters and Colin Plain have came through at key times for the Berries.

United States products like Bailyn Sorensen, Jalen Freeman and Ethan Menard have endured themselves to the Saskatoon and area community since arriving in May.

On the attendance front, the Berries are playing in front of an average home crowd of about 1,900 spectators a night.

A group of youngsters meet Berries mascot “Barry the Bear.”

For Berries president Steve Hildebrand, who is still better known as the associate general manager of the Blades, you could tell the Berries and baseball were his passion, and it was cool to see the season work out like it did.

Hildebrand was able to spend the summer working with his son Max Hildebrand before the go off to be WHL rivals again. Max Hildebrand, who was once an accomplished baseball player himself, is the Berries equipment manager but is best known as the star netminder of the WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders.

It was exciting to see the Berries in the post-season, and it was a pleasant surprise to see them win a best-of-three East Division Semifinal 2-1 against the Medicine Hat Mavericks. Berries fans also experience the tough part in being in the post-season.

A member of the “Berry Bunch” performs at the seventh inning stretch.

Due to the WCBL being a summer league for players playing university or college ball mostly in the United States and partially in Canada, some university and college programs start recalling their players when the WCBL playoffs are on. When the Berries post-season run concluded, about half of their roster had returned to the university and college ranks.

The toughest departure was seeing Sparks depart for Northern Kentucky University Norse Baseball Team following the Berries Game 1 win over the Express in the WCBL’s East Division final. In four post-season games with the Berries, Sparks, who is an alumnus of the Saskatoon Cubs Under-18 AAA Team, was 5-for-18 at the plate with two home runs and four runs batted in. He batted .302 in the regular season, and his timely hits were missed after his departure.

Youngsters run the bases after the Berries last game on August 13.

Even with the departures, the Berries and their fans could see how close to seeing the club go all the way.

Last Saturday playing before 6,341 spectators at Seaman Stadium in Okotoks, the Express found themselves locked in a 5-5 tie with the host Dawgs heading to the ninth inning of a series deciding Game 3 of the WCBL final. In the bottom of the ninth, Dawgs first baseman Connor Crowson hit a solo home run to deliver Okotoks to a 6-5 victory, a third straight WCBL title and an eighth WCBL championship overall.

For the Berries, they gave their fans more thrills on and off the field than maybe a first-year should have been able to provide. They made going to a high-level baseball game in Saskatoon the sexy thing to do and here is hoping that becomes a tradition that follows for a long time to come.

A picture memory is made after the Berries last game on August 13.

A “boys of summer” team that connected with the folks in Saskatoon is here.

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Douglas soaking in farewell tour with CJFL’s Hilltops

Saskatoon downs Rifles 47-1, improves to 2-0

Drake Douglas continues to make big plays for the Hilltops.

Drake Douglas won’t let the final moments of his CJFL career pass him by.

The 22-year-old star receiver has gotten out to a strong start playing out his final year of CJFL eligibility with the defending CJFL champion Saskatoon Hilltops. In the Hilltops opening week 38-13 victory over the Edmonton Huskies on August 11 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, Douglas caught seven passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns. On special teams, he returned six punts for 113 yards.

On Sunday, Douglas accounted for a pair of touchdowns as the Hilltops improved to 2-0 romping past the Rifles 47-1 at Maple Grove Rugby Park in Winnipeg. The Rifles fell to 0-2 with the loss to Saskatoon.

While Douglas is trying to cherish all his final experiences as a Hilltops player, he adds that it feels like time is passing by at warp speed.

“Time flies fast,” said Douglas. “It feels like we just ended last season almost.

“It feels like the whole off-season went by really fast, and it’s crazy that we’re already back here. I know I feel ready, but it’s just time flies so fast.”

Douglas’s stature in the CJFL is a lot different at that start of this season compared to the beginning of the 2023 campaign. Going into the 2023 season, Douglas wasn’t really well-known around the CJFL, but he did have a reputation in Saskatchewan that he could be a quality player at the post-secondary level.

Drake Douglas had a breakout season for the Hilltops in 2023.

After playing his final campaign with Regina’s Balfour Collegiate Bears Football Team in 2019, Douglas originally committed to play with the Regina Thunder on June 1, 2020. With shutdowns in affect due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that had gripped the world, Douglas practiced with the Thunder in the fall of 2020, but never played a down with the Regina CJFL side.

As there was no certainty when the sports world would resume action, Douglas elected to move to Saskatoon for an opportunity in the working world. His brother and his two sisters were already living in “The Bridge City.” Douglas got a call from legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant and joined the storied CJFL club for their fourth game of the 2022 campaign. Sargeant’s call came after he received Douglas’s football highlight package from the pass catcher’s brother, Braydan.

Douglas finished that season making some big plays as the Hilltops fell 39-21 to the Thunder in Regina in that year’s PFC final. The Hilltops coaches believed bigger things were ahead for Douglas in 2023.

Douglas proved the faith of the Hilltops sideline bosses to be correct coming thru with a breakout campaign in 2023. He hauled in 56 passes for 591 yards and four touchdowns for the Hilltops on the way to being named a first team CJFL all-Canadian all-star. Douglas became a major part of a Hilltops club that went 12-0 overall and won their 23^rd CJFL title in team history downing the Westshore Rebels 17-10 in Langford, B.C., in the CJFL championship game – the Canadian Bowl.

Coming into the 2024 campaign, Douglas, who stands 5-foot-9 and weighs 185 pounds, is now the star receiver all other CJFL teams are game planning for. A Hilltops offensive team captain, Douglas was rated fifth among the CJFL’s Top 50 players list for the start of the season.

“I think a lot of the younger players my age spend a lot of time on Instagram and stuff, so that’s where they get most of their information from,” said Douglas, who holds for field goals for the Hilltops too. “It puts a little bit of a target on your back.

Drake Douglas can make exciting plays returning kicks.

“You get a little bit more words thrown your way, but I don’t think it changes much about how the actual game goes or how the coaches game plan. I think most coaches in the league know who they’re looking for and who they’re planning against regardless of what the CJFL posts on Instagram and what not. As a leader, I just try to set the tone, and I think there are a lot of guys who have stepped up due to injuries.

“I think on this team everybody has to lead in their own way, and I think a lot of guys have done that really, really well by just doing their job and staying in their lane.”

Sargeant believes Douglas has done a great job leading by example at the start of the campaign.

“Well, that’s what a captain does,” said Sargeant. “That’s what an all-Canadian does, and that’s what a fifth-year does.

“When you’re in dire straits and you need someone to make plays, it’s a 22-year-old who steps up, and that is the Hilltop way. Coach (Shane) Reider and his staff did a good job figuring out how to get him the ball, and (quarterback) Trey (Reider) made the throws, and he (Douglas) made the plays. At the end of the day, we want to be more balanced and be more multiple in our offensive look.”

While Douglas had an outstanding game in the season opener against the Huskies, he still felt he had room for improvement.

“In terms of my individual performance, I feel solid,” said Douglas. “I feel like I did my job, but definitely, there were a couple of plays like a couple dropped balls and a couple like mishaps on communication and stuff that definitely could have been better.

“I’m also happy with the return game. That’s probably one of my better return games I’ve had. That just goes to show the work that the coaches have been putting in.

Drake Douglas has become the Hilltops biggest offensive playmaker.

“‘Sarge’ has been putting a lot of pressure on (special teams coordinator) Andre (Lalonde) to get the special teams together, and that was a good way to start it for punt return at least. Andre was calling us out saying we need some more big returns this year, so I was happy to be a part of that, and the boys blocked great for me. It made my job easy.”

As for the rest of the 2024 campaign, Douglas hopes it doesn’t go by too fast. 

He said he is pretty good at staying in the moment but noted to recognize how special it was to be in each moment as a player for the final time.

“Essentially like every now and then, I just kind of look around and pretty much every day I’m like this is the last,” said Douglas. “It is the last this.

“It is one of the last days. I’ll be here like this will be my last trip to Winnipeg. That’ll probably be my last home game against Edmonton that kind of thing.

“I’m trying to appreciate every moment. I’m trying to just soak it all in the best I can essentially.”

In Sunday’s clash with the Rifles, the Hilltops led 7-0 after the first quarter, 20-0 at halftime and 33-1 after three quarters. The Hilltops received majors from running backs Corbin Ebben and Charles Sawi, defensive lineman Ryan Adamko and defensive back Nathan Young. Kicker Ryden Gratton connected on a pair of field goals for the Saskatoon side.

Drake Douglas, right, is piling some final memories with the Hilltops.

The Hilltops, who have won 14 straight overall, return to action this coming Sunday when they travel to Calgary to take on the 1-1 Colts (1 p.m. local time, Shouldice Athletic Park).

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Hilltops focus on being better day to day

Saskatoon hits road to face Rifles in Winnipeg

Hilltops HC Tom Sargeant checks out play on the field last Sunday.

Tom Sargeant knows well the long road to get to and win the Canadian Bowl, and that road has to be traveled by taking your best step forward in the present day.

The legendary head coach of the defending CJFL champion Saskatoon Hilltops saw his team open the regular season this past Sunday downing the visiting Edmonton Huskies 38-13 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. While the final outcome would indicate a sound win by the Hilltops, Sargeant knows that score flattered his team.

The team was focused this week and cleaning up errors that were made in that win and improving leading up to this Sunday’s game against the Rifles in Winnipeg (1 p.m. local time, Maple Grove Rugby Park).

“We’re in the process right now,” said Sargeant. “We’re in the grind.

“We’re worried about today. We’re worried about making sure that we come out and play better than what we did, so it’s all about pride. We don’t look ahead or look behind.

“We live for today, and my challenge to this whole football team is I need everyone to get one per cent better today and then one per cent more tomorrow. As we climb that mountain and that journey towards another national championship, as long as we can keep getting better and moving forward, then we’re going to be better for it.”

The Rifles had a rough outing in their regular season opener this past Sunday dropping a 61-14 decision at home to the Regina Thunder. The Thunder romp was aided by the fact the Rifles turned the ball over 10 times.

As for the Hilltops, they seemed flat in their win over the Huskies, where the Huskies and the officials also seemed flat too. The Hilltops defensive unit played strong, but the offence was plagued by a number of dropped passes, missed throws, fumbles and missed blocks.

Drake Douglas had a big outing in the Hilltops opening game.

Saskatoon returned 11 of 12 starters from a season ago, and star fifth-year receiver Drake Douglas did have a banner outing this past Sunday against the Huskies. He caught seven passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns. On special teams, Douglas returned six punts for 113 yards.

Douglas, who was named a first team CJFL all-Canadian all-star last season, believes the offence has great potential to do special things in 2024, and the Hilltops players will work to make what happened this past Sunday look like a hiccup.

“That is what ‘Sarge’ said in our big meeting (before practice on Tuesday),” said Douglas. “If that’s the worst game that we have this season, he’ll be happy with it.

“I think that’s kind of our standard is that you know, although that didn’t go great, that’s our building point. That’s the foundation we’re going to build this season on, and I think everybody can get better from there. There are definitely a lot of positives to look at.

“You could maybe say the O-line underperformed, but I don’t think they’ve had a better pass blocking game. I thought (Hilltops star quarterback) Trey (Reider) was protected very well back there, so that’s something I think they’ve improved a lot from last year. We definitely still had some kinks to work out and some spots to be worked on for sure out there.”

The Hilltops are still rated first in the CJFL’s Top 10 Power Rankings. They are also beginning a stretch where they don’t play at SMF Field for a while.

Sunday’s clash with the Rifles starts a stretch for the Hilltops where they play three times on the road with a bye week thrown into the mix. The Hilltops won’t play again at home until they host the Rifles at 1 p.m. on Sunday, September 15 at SMF Field.

For the moment, Sargeant doesn’t want his team to come out flat for their next game like they did against the Huskies.

“It’s not sitting well,” said Sargeant. “As I said, that’s why I want to get out here (to the practice field).

The Hilltops aim to enjoy more big plays in Winnipeg on Sunday.

“That’s why we’re out here, practicing hard and focusing on what we need to do to improve and make sure that the next time we send out game film that it looks a lot different than what it did (last) Sunday. That’s incumbent on all of us to, as I said, put our heads down, just get on the field and work hard, challenge each other and push each other to do better. If we’re able to do that, then routinely and ideally you are going to improve.

“We’re not home for a while, but as we’re going to Winnipeg, we’re going to know they’re 0-1. We want to keep moving this thing forward.”

Sargeant believes his team is moving forward in a composed manner.

“The good thing about everything that took place last week is we won the football game,” said Sargeant. “So you know what?

“There is no panic button here. We’re 1-0, and we’re the defending national champs, and we’ll take on all comers every chance we get.”

Reider, Stevens get player of the week nods

Trey Reider runs into the end zone for a Hilltops TD last Sunday.

The Saskatoon Hilltops might not have had their best outing in their regular season opener, but it was good enough to allow a couple of their players to earn PFC player of the week nods.

On Tuesday, Hilltops star quarterback Trey Reider was named the offensive player of the week for the PFC for his performance this past Sunday in his team’s 38-13 victory over the Edmonton Huskies at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Reider completed 14-of-26 passes for 168 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. He ran the ball six times for 47 yards and two major scores.

During the Hilltops eight regular season games in 2023, Reider completed 108-of-167 passes for 1,571 yards and 16 touchdowns, while throwing five interceptions. He topped the PFC with a 114.6 quarterback efficiency rating, was named a PFC all-star and took honours as the PFC’s Most Outstanding Quarterback.

Johnathon Stevens had two sacks last Sunday.

Hilltops star defensive tackle Johnathon Stevens took honours as the PFC’s defensive player of the week. In the win over the Huskies, Stevens recorded six total tackles and two quarterback sacks. He helped the Hilltops defence limit the Huskies offence to 204 total yards.

Last season, Stevens was named a CJFL first team all-Canadian all-star. In the Hilltops eight regular season games, Stevens recorded 20 solo defensive tackles, four defensive tackle assists, three quarterback sacks, one pass knockdown, two forced fumble and two interceptions.

Calgary Colts defensive back Yve Saintus captured the PFC’s special teams player of the week award. In the Colts 36-10 home win over the Edmonton Wildcats this past Sunday, Saintus blocked two kicks and had one special teams solo tackle.

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Second half surge powers Hilltops on “Opening Day”

Saskatoon claims 38-13 victory in lackluster game

Drake Douglas returned six punts for 113 yards.

It was a great afternoon to look upon Saskatoon Minor Football Field in a stunned fashion.

The Saskatoon Hilltops and Edmonton Huskies have played many classic games, but Sunday’s CJFL regular season opener for both clubs played in perfect weather conditions wasn’t one of them. The defending CJFL champion Hilltops piled up 28 second half points to claim a 38-13 victory.

When one looks at the final score, you would think it was a dominating victory by the storied Saskatoon side. The final score covered up how lackluster the contest actually was.

For a lot of the game and especially the first half where the hosts held a 10-5 edge, the Hilltops felt flat. The Huskies felt flat and officiating crew on the field felt flat. With respect to the officials, they were likely the least flat out of the three groups on the field.

Isaac Michayluk had seven total tackles and an interception.

Sunday’s game was the mixed bag of what can happen on an “Open Day” in football. On “Opening Day,” it seems like every crazy thing that can occur does occur.

In the turnover department, the Hilltops gave away the ball twice on fumbles. The Huskies also had possessions end twice on fumbles, and they were also intercepted twice and turned the ball over on downs once.

Even more prevailing was the significant number of dropped passes by both teams and missed blocking assignments. Both teams also took penalties at inopportune times, and it seemed at times the officials had moments where they were as haphazard as the players.

Hilltops DE Kai Kukurudza chases Huskies QB Kieran Beeler.

Still, most of the 1,003 in attendance at SMF Field came away happy with seeing the Hilltops win. For the fans, how the game unfolded was likely lost to a certain extent due to the outcome being soundly in favour of the host side.

The Hilltops defensive unit has to be given credit for being the exception on Sunday for not having an off day. Even with the graduation of a number of key veterans last season, the Hilltops defence only allowed only four points.

The Huskies got the first score of the game going up 2-0, when the Hilltops conceded a safety on the final play of the first quarter due to bad field position. With 6:25 remaining in the third quarter, the Huskies got their only touchdown of the contest when safety Tanner Berezowski returned a fumble 24 yards for a major to make the score of the contest at that point in time 24-12 in favour of the Hilltops.

Hilltops CB Justin Adamko (#12) defends against Huskies receiver.

Veteran Hilltops defensive tackle Johnathon Stevens was a beast recording two quarterback sacks and six total tackles. Middle linebacker Isaac Michayluk recorded 6.5 total tackles and an interception. Defensive end Kai Kukurudza posted four total tackles, one quarterback sack and one interception.

Linebackers Noah Gedir and Rudolph Osborne each had one fumble recovery for Saskatoon. The Hilltops limited the Huskies to 138 yards on the ground and 66 yards through the air.

After an opening quarter where the offences of both teams were stuck in quicksand, the Hilltops looked to have broken through on the scoreboard early in the second quarter. Star quarterback Trey Reider hit star receiver Drake Douglas with a 31-yard pass for a touchdown on a go route, but the score was nullified by a holding penalty.

Trey Reider runs into the end zone for a second quarter TD.

On the very next play, Reider took off with the ball on a scramble and ran to pay dirt from 41 yards out to put the Hilltops in front 7-2.

The Huskies responded a short time later with a 41-yard field goal from veteran kicker Laine Santos to trim the Hilltops edge to 7-5. The hosts proceeded to push their lead out to 10-5 at halftime forcing the Huskies to concede a safety due to bad field position and getting a rouge from a 31-yard missed field goal from kicker Ryden Gratton.

Saskatoon came out on fire in the second half going up 24-5 at the 4:35 mark of the third quarter on a one-yard rushing touchdown by power running back Corbin Ebben and a six-yard run by Reider.

Drake Douglas had seven catchers for 122 yards and two TDs.

The Huskies responded with Berezowski’s fumble return for a touchdown. Santos added a single from a 39 yard missed field goal to further cut the Hilltops lead to 24-13 with 4:36 remaining in the third quarter.

Just before the third quarter ended, Reider connected with Douglas on a 20-yard touchdown toss to push the Hilltops advantage out to 31-13. The Huskies weren’t able to continue with a comeback push after that score.

Fourth-year quarterback Brexton Elias entered the contest near the end of the fourth quarter for mop up action. He hit Douglas for a seven-yard touchdown pass with 2:27 remaining in the fourth quarter to round out the 38-13 final in favour of the Hilltops.

Carson Eddy ran the ball 23 times for 92 yards for the Huskies.

Douglas, who is playing out his final season of CJFL eligibility, was on and had a huge game for the Hilltops. He caught seven passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns. On special teams, Douglas returned six punts for 113 yards.

Reider completed 14-of-26 passes for 168 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. Ebben led the Hilltops with 60 yards on 13 carries to go with his major score on the ground.

Veteran Jackson Harnett started the game at quarterback for the Huskies completing 5-of-9 passes for 45 yards. He was replaced by Kieran Beeler in the second quarter. Beeler completed 4-of-15 passes for 21 yards while throwing two interceptions.

Part of the crowd of 1,003 that came to see Sunday’s game.

Running back Carson Eddy, who is playing out his final campaign of CJFL eligibility, carried the ball 23 times for 92 yards.

Linebacker Matthew Alloway led the Huskies with 7.5 total tackles. Defensive back Camden Collett had a fumble recovery for Edmonton.

While the Hilltops improved their overall winning streak to 13 games, Sunday’s outing gave legendary head coach Tom Sargeant, his staff and players plenty of things to work on. The Hilltops get back at it this coming Sunday when they travel to Winnipeg to face the Rifles (0-1) at 1 p.m. local time at Maple Grove Rugby Park.

HC Tom Sargeant, centre, knows his Hilltops need to keep improving.

As the 2024 campaign goes on, you can expect the flat effort in the win over the Huskies to be an abnormality, because the Hilltops will do everything they can to play to their expected high standard. Still, how the win over the Huskies played out will ensure the Hilltops stay humble as they get refocused.

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