Shumanski returns to game, solidifies Hilltops O-line

Saskatoon downs Thunder 29-15 in Regina to improve to 4-0

Cody Shumanski anchors at right tackle for the Hilltops. 

When it came to playing football, Cody Shumanski almost had that door locked shut.

The Hafford, Sask., product is thankful legendary Saskatoon Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant was persistent in getting that door opened back up again. Shumanski graduated from Hafford Central School in June of 2020 when the shutdowns due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic were in strong force.

The young offensive lineman practiced with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team in 2020 and played for them in 2021, when they advanced to the U Sports championship game – the Vanier Cup. The Huskies fell 27-21 in that contest to the University of Western Ontario Mustangs at Stade Telus – Universite Laval in Quebec City, Quebec.

With the Huskies loaded with veteran players on the offensive line, Shumanski decided to go into the working world in farming and agriculture, which is his passion away from the game. While sitting out the 2022 season, Sargeant got in touch with Shumanski on a number of occasions and talked him into coming out for the Hilltops.

“I heard that it was a good team to play for, and I’ve always heard good reviews about them,” said Shumanski. “I didn’t mind I was here.

“I didn’t really get much playing time at Huskies there, so I came over here.”

Shumanski started right away at right tackle and helped the Hilltops post a 12-0 record and win their 23^rd CJFL title in team history in 2023. 

Cody Shumanski clears the way on a running play.

The Hilltops captured the Canadian Bowl to become CJFL champions downing the Westshore Rebels 17-10 at Starlight Stadium in Langford, B.C., on November 11 of that year. Along the way, Shumanski was named a first team CJFL all-Canadian.

On Saturday night at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, the Hilltops downed their provincial rivals in the Regina Thunder 29-15 to improve to 4-0 in the 2024 campaign. The Thunder fell to 3-1 with the setback.

Looking at how everything has played out, Shumanski is thankful that he decided to join the Hilltops.

“I think it is just a big brotherhood,” said Shumanski, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 300 pounds. “We’re all one family, get along and have some fun together.

“I love playing football. Getting to play with these guys, it is good. I’m glad I came back.”

After Shumanski elected to leave the Huskies, Sargeant thought his roster would be given a boost, if the athletic O-lineman joined his venerable squad. The sideline boss didn’t realize how deep the young player’s attachment to the agricultural world went.

“It wasn’t easy getting Cody (Shumanski) back,” said Sargeant. “We sort of went back and forth for a while, and he wasn’t too interested.

“Once we got him in here and he started putting on the helmet and shoulder pads on and started doing some skills and drills with us in the off-season, it is like, ‘Hey, I think I want to do this.’ We couldn’t have been more happy. He walked right in and became our right tackle, and we were better for it.”

Cody Shumanski came to the Hilltops after a year away from football

Shumanski developed his athletic ability during his high school years. During the spring, he played the 12-a-side game with Saskatoon Minor Football’s North Sask Academy program and with Football Saskatchewan’s provincial program during the summer.

During the fall, Shumanski suited up for the Hafford Central School Vikings six-a-side team. In the six-a-side game, Shumanski got to be an eligible receiver from his offensive lineman spot and helped the Vikings win the 1A six-a-side Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association provincial title in 2018.

Sargeant knew the Hilltops were getting a special talent when Shumanski joined the team.

“Cody’s been, hey, an all-Canadian came in right away and earned the respect of his teammates with just how hard he plays and how hard he works,” said Sargeant. “He is a no-nonsense guy.

“He lines up and plays physical football, and as I said, he is a great Hilltop. He is a great guy, and we love being around him. For a big man, he has a great movement pattern.

“He is very physical, understands his assignments, and as I said, he is the leader of the offensive line. He is one of the top players in the PFC, and we need him to continue (to be one of the PFC’s best).”

On Shumanski’s Hudl account that shares videos for recruiters to check out when he was in high school, he was listed as being a tight end. Shumanski tried to keep things low key about his pass catching abilities until his position listing on his Hudl account was brought out.

Cody Shumanski, left, takes part in a TD celebration.

“Six man, I did catch quite a bit of touchdowns,” said Shumanski, who is 22-years-old. “I can’t remember how many I had in my last year there, but I think it was roughly around nine or so.”

Currently, Shumanski is playing through his final campaign of CJFL eligibility. Odds are high he will get some opportunities to continue playing football after the 2024 campaign wraps up. 

With that noted, he is uncertain where life will take him once the current season concludes.

“I guess we’ll see if anyone talks to me,” said Shumanski. “Other than that, I’ll probably just go back to farming.”

Sargeant is well aware the pull to get back into farming in a big way is there for Shumanski. 

If Shumanski decides to continue playing football beyond his time with the Hilltops, Sargeant believes the O-lineman star can have a lengthy career in the game.

“As I said, he is a high-end player,” said Sargeant. “He is an all-Canadian, so that tells you he is one of the top best five O-linemen in Canada in junior football right now.

“From what we’ve seen, the sky is the limit for him. It just comes down to what he wants to do.”

In Saturday’s clash with the Thunder, the Hilltops jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter. They held a 13-8 edge at halftime, stretched their advantage to 20-8 in the third quarter before sealing the contest away in the fourth quarter.

Cody Shumanski is playing his final CJFL season.

The Hilltops got field goals from 29 and 24 yards out from kicker Teijon Abel-Douglas. Star quarterback Trey Reider ran in a major score from five yards out. He hit star receiver Drake Douglas with a 47-yard touchdown pass and second-year pass catcher Datiel Fountaine with a 31-yard touchdown toss.

Saskatoon also got two points from a conceded safety by the Thunder.

Thunder kicker Shawn Green hit field goals from 44 and 19 yards out. The Thunder also tackled Hilltops power running back Corbin Ebben in his own end zone for a safety. Thunder star quarterback Carter Moberg hit receiver Zak Woidyla for an eight-yard touchdown toss for a major score.

The Hilltops return to action when they host the Winnipeg Rifles on Sunday, September 15 at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

Clark to appear at End Zone Scholarship Dinner

Dan Clark calls signals for the Roughriders in 2019.

Dan Clark will be the special guest at the Annual Hilltops End Zone Scholarship Dinner set for September 28.

Clark was a star centre for the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders from 2009 to 2022. He was on the Roughriders practice roster in 2009 and 2010 and was on the main roster from 2011 to 2022 appearing in 131 games. During his years on the Roughriders practice roster, Clark was playing for the CJFL’s Regina Thunder.

Clark gained fame catching an eight-yard touchdown pass from legendary Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant in a 37-0 romp over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in a game played at historic Taylor Field on July 21, 2013. Following that contest, Clark and the Roughriders would later win the Grey Cup with a 45-23 victory over the Tigers-Cats on November 24, 2013 at Taylor Field.

In 2019, Clark was the unanimous selection as the Saskatchewan Roughriders Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman. He was also named a CFL all-star.

The Annual Hilltops End Zone Scholarship Dinner will be held in the main hall of the Gordie Howe Sports Centre building located at the south end of Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The doors for the dinner will open at 4:15 p.m. and dinner will be served at 5 p.m.

The presenting sponsors of the event are TCU Financial and SaskTel. It is hosted in conjunction with the Hilltops community partners in the Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation. The official beverage sponsor is the Crossmount Cider Company.

All proceeds of the event go towards the Saskatoon Hilltop Scholarship Fund.

Single tickets for the event are $100, and a table of eight goes for $725. Ticket purchases include admission to that night’s CJFL regular season contest between the Hilltops and the Regina Thunder set for 7 p.m. at SMF Field. Tickets for the End Zone Dinner can be purchased 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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