Hilltops’ Michayluk modest on PFC defensive points title win

Saskatoon hosts PFC semifinal Sunday against Huskies

Isaac Michayluk (#48) topped the PFC in defensive points.

Isaac Michayluk was well aware he was filling big shoes at middle linebacker for the Saskatoon Hilltops, because he looked up to his predecessor.

Matt Wist was the Hilltops star starting middle linebacker during his last three years with the team from 2021 to 2023. On November 11, 2023, Wist closed out his Hilltops career in a blaze of glory at Starlight Stadium in Langford, B.C.

Taking on the host Westshore Rebels in the CJFL championship game – the Canadian Bowl, Wist piled up three interceptions, nine solo defensive tackles, four defensive tackle assists and one pass knockdown in the Hilltops 17-10 victory. He was named the defensive player of the game.

With Wist having exhausted his CJFL eligibility, Michayluk came into the 2024 campaign playing his third season with the Hilltops and first campaign as the starting middle linebacker. 

He remembers Wist’s final big game that helped the Hilltops win their 23^rd CJFL title in 2023 well. Michayluk wanted to live up to what Wist did with the team, but he did feel the butterflies at the start of the campaign.

“Definitely, I was a bit nervous for sure,” said Michayluk. “I looked up to Matt (Wist) quite a bit.

“He is a role model, and I watched him a lot on the practice field and in games. It is an opportunity that I was given, so I’m just kind of taking it and running with it.”

Michayluk said the 2023 was a big learning year as a backup for the Hilltops as the team posted a 12-0 record to take the CJFL title. During the regular season, the Hilltops gave up 51 points for the squad’s lowest points against total dating back to 1949.

Isaac Michayluk (#48) is one of the PFC’s best run stoppers.

Saskatoon proceeded to give up just 25 points over four post-season wins on the way to claiming the CJFL championship. The 76 points the Hilltops gave up overall in the regular season and post-season was again the squad’s lowest total dating back to 1949.

The biggest thing Michayluk observed was Wist and the veterans brought the lunch buckets to ever film meeting, practice and game.

“There are no days off,” said Michayluk, who is the team’s backup long snapper. “If you keep working, you keep grinding, it doesn’t really matter what happens.

“If you put the work in, you’ll get what you want out of it.”

Michayluk, who is a graduate of the Bishop James Mahoney High School Saints Football Team, showed in 2024 he was a good student who was able to apply what he learned. In helping the Hilltops post an 8-0 record in the regular season to top the PFC standings, Michayluk led the conference with a 113 defensive points due to recording 33 defensive solo tackles, 27 defensive tackle assists, five special teams solo tackles, four special teams tackle assists, one pass knockdown and one interception.

He has become one of the top players on the Hilltops defence as they enter the CJFL playoffs hosting a PFC semifinal contest against the Edmonton Huskies (3-5) on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. When it comes to topping the PFC’s defensive points race, Michayluk said the individual accomplishment was a team accomplishment.

“It is pretty cool to have that recognition, but a lot of it is credit to my teammates and the guys up front in the trenches,” said Michayluk, who stands 6-feet and weighs 230 pounds. “Big ‘Nomer’ (Nahom Menghstab) and John Stevens, when they do their job they make it a lot easier for me to do my job.

“A big credit goes out to all my teammates.”

Isaac Michayluk (#48) calls out pre-snap adjustments.

With the Hilltops giving up the fewest points against in the PFC at 106, Michayluk said everyone on the Hilltops defence has had a good year. He can go through the Hilltops defensive unit and note how everyone has done something special. As the middle linebacker, Michayluk said he benefits from the fact everyone around him is playing well.

“It is a lot of fun to play,” said Michayluk. “It is a lot of fun to be around when all the guys are flying around doing their jobs.

“You trust the guy beside you, and you know they’re going to make a play. It is a lot of fun.”

Legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant said the coaching staff is pleased with what Michayluk has been able to do this season. Sargeant said Michayluk put in the work and is getting rewarded for his efforts.

“He is a Hilltop,” said Sargeant. “When Matt (Wist) left, hey, you (Michayluk) are the starting middle linebacker.

“We expect him to play at a high level, and that is exactly what he has done. He had a lot of growing pains, but the good thing last year was we got him in some games too. He got to see himself develop, see himself on film, learn from his mistakes, and that is what he has done.

“He is taking his game to the next level. We are going to need more and more of that, because playoff football is here right now.”

Sargeant said Michayluk has been able to make a lot of plays because the Hilltops defensive line has had a good season. 

Isaac Michayluk (#48) said his teammates make his job easier.

With that said, the sideline boss said it benefitted the first year starter to be a backup behind Wist and pick up nuances of the game from the now graduated star.

“He (Michayluk) had a good role model to follow and learn from,” said Sargeant. “He has stepped right in and played high-end football.

“It is the reason we’ve given up the least amount of points this year as a defence. As a coach, that is always something we look at. Isaac (Michayluk) is a premier run stopper in the PFC.

“We’re very proud of his performance so far, but hey, playoff football is just around the corner. To win in playoff football in my books you have to run the football. We’re going to need him more than ever.”

Michayluk is looking forward to the post-season, and he said his squad was reminded to not take the Huskies lightly when the two sides met last Sunday in Edmonton to close their respective regular season schedules. 

In that contest, the Hilltops prevailed 21-14 holding off a late Huskies fourth quarter drive with an interception by Hilltops rookie defensive lineman Noah Chelsom.

As has been the Hilltops tradition, Michayluk wants to help the squad’s nine graduating players depart their junior careers as CJFL champions.

“That is what this program is built on is winning a championship for the fifth-year guys,” said Michayluk. “That is huge.

Isaac Michayluk (#48) aims to enjoy more big moments with his teammates.

“That is what we’re going to try and duplicate that this year and play for our fifth years.”

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