Hilltops’ Davidsen on cusp of 1,000 yards rushing for season

Boston Davidsen has rushed for 891 yards this season.

Boston Davidsen will always be a team first guy, even when he is close to a big personal milestone.

Through seven games of the CJFL regular season, the Saskatoon Hilltops star power running back has carried the ball 133 times for 891 yards and five touchdowns. He needs to run for 109 yards in the Hilltops final regular season game to achieve the milestone of rushing for 1000 yards in one season.

The Hilltops, who are 4-3, also need to win their last game of the regular season to keep the possibility of hosting a PFC semifinal playoff game alive. They close the regular season hosting the Calgary Colts (2-5) on Sunday, October 16 at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

At the same time when the Hilltops are facing the Colts, the Edmonton Huskies (5-2) travel to Regina to take on the Thunder (7-0) at Leibel Field. A Hilltops victory combined with a Huskies loss will see both club sport 5-3 records and give Saskatoon second place in the PFC and the right to host a PFC semifinal against the Huskies.

The ’Toppers hold the head-to-head standings tiebreaker with the Huskies having won the lone regular season encounter between the two sides 38-10 back on August 21 at SMF Field.

Davidsen is aware how close he is to 1,000-yards rushing, but he said his mind is focused on helping the Hilltops secure a win against the Colts.

“It is far from a guarantee that we will get there (to 1,000-yards rushing),” said Davidsen, who leads the PFC in rushing. “I think more importantly we have a game (against the Calgary Colts) that we have to win.

Boston Davidsen (#24) hits a hole created by his offensive line.

“If we win and things go our way, we’ll get a home playoff game in the first round. That is what we are focused on. If I can contribute to that win by running the ball, then I am all for it.

“If I need to block, I’ll do whatever it takes. That win comes first.”

As Saskatoon leads the PFC in rushing with 1,463 yards, Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant knows his team’s path to victory calls for being strong on the ground. The legendary sideline boss said his team will be trying to get Davidsen to 1,000 yards rushing for the season, because his success along the ground gives the Hilltops a better chance to win.

While Davidsen has had a good season, Sargeant believes his standout has found another gear in recent weeks.

“The last couple of games we’ve played better, and one of the reasons is because Boston (Davidsen) and the O-line are playing better,” said Sargeant. “He (Davidsen) is doing a heck of a job reading his holes and making good decisions.

“You look at his performance he did last year he is a heck of a runner there. We know what he is all about. We’ll rally around that, and that will be one of our goals as we head into our last game of the year of trying to get Boston (Davidsen) over that mountaintop, because he deserves it, the O-line deserves it and the offence deserves it and the team deserves it.”

Last season, Davidsen had a breakout campaign finishing second in the PFC with 634 yards rushing coming on 98 carries, where he scored six touchdowns. The graduate of the Bishop James Mahoney High School Saints football program is aware that the players on the offensive line would be pretty pumped, if they could say they blocked for a 1,000-yard rusher.

Boston Davidsen can pile up the yards in traffic.

“It might even show more success on their part than it does on mine,” said Davidsen, whose father, Donnie, is the Hilltops offensive line coach. “Without a successful O-line, you’re not going anywhere.

“They’re the ones creating the lanes for you allowing you to get your yards. They’re the ones that take a lot of pride in it too. They’ve been keeping me I guess updated with the stats even maybe more than myself just trying to I guess motivate me to hit that mark.”

The last Hilltops player to hit the 1000-yard plateau in rushing was Ben Abrook, who accomplished the feat in 2019 when Saskatoon capped a run of winning the CJFL title in six straight years. That season, Abrook ran the ball 199 times for 1,215 yards and eight touchdowns.

During the Hilltops 2018 CJFL championship season, Josh Ewanchyna hit the 1,000-yard plateau. Suiting up in seven regular season games, Ewanchyna carried the ball 134 times for 1,007 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Wayndel Lewis is currently the third last player to hit 1,000-yards rushing in a season. During the Hilltops 2014 CJFL championship season, Lewis carried the ball 130 times for 1,063 yards and nine touchdowns while being named the CJFL’s offensive player of the year.

Current Hilltops running backs coach Andre Lalonde holds the Hilltops team record for most rushing yards in one season set in his final campaign as a player in 2013. In that season, Lalonde carried the ball 182 times for 1,367 yards and seven touchdowns while being named the CJFL’s offensive player of the year.

Boston Davidsen can power his way through attempted tacklers.

Davidsen said one of his biggest influences on his career is Lalonde.

“I owe a tonne of my success to him,” said Davidsen. “He’s led the way.

“He has been a good leader for me, a good coach and a good example to follow. All of the technique and stuff we use, it is taught by him. He is a major part of our team’s success and the running backs’ success.”

Looking towards the Hilltops final regular season game, Sargeant said it is special when a running back can reach 1,000 yards rushing in a season. With the PFC traditionally being the CJFL’s toughest conference, Sargeant said that makes getting to 1,000-yards rushing that much more impressive a milestone on top of the fact the Hilltops have had their struggles this season.

The sideline boss said it would be a memorable moment, if the Hilltops could get Davidsen to 1,000-yards rushing.

“When you break this league down, it is not easy, especially with the way we’ve been playing,” said Sargeant. “It is credit to everybody that he is in this situation, but most importantly him.

“He has put in the time. He does everything right, and as I said, everyone is going to rally around him.

Boston Davidsen, left, is focused on helping the Hilltops win games.

“He’d be embarrassed if we’re talking like this behind him with these accolades. That is just who he is. At the end of the day, he is one heck of a football player, and he makes the Saskatoon Hilltops better.”

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Defence, Kleiter deliver sixth straight CJFL title to Hilltops

The Hilltops won the Canadian Bowl for a sixth straight year.

    The Saskatoon Hilltops lived the old cliché “defence wins championships.”

    On Saturday in Langley, B.C., the Hilltops relied on their unsung heroes on their defensive unit and receiver/kicker Rylan Kleiter. Thanks to clutch performances on both fronts, the Hilltops downed the host Langley Rams 11-6 at McLeod Stadium to win an unprecedented sixth straight CJFL and keep possession of the league’s championship trophy – the Canadian Bowl.

    The Hilltops have won the Canadian Bowl an incredible nine times in the last 10 years. They have faced the Rams four times in the last eight years in the CJFL title game and have claimed victory in all of their encounters.

    Out of the current run of six straight victories, Saturday’s 11-6 triumph was the Hilltops closest margin of victory in their current run of six straight titles. It was their closest Canadian Bowl victory since downing the Rams in Langley 23-21 in 2012.

    The Hilltops were trying to live up to memory of their late alum linebacker Justin Filteau, who tragically passed away in a plane crash in June. Filteau was an all-Canadian all-star, so it might have been fitting the overshadowed aspects of the Hilltops defensive unit and Kleiter’s kicking took over the spotlight.

Rylan Kleiter hit three critical field goals on Saturday.

    Against the Rams on Saturday, the Hilltops showed they can win in different ways, and legendary head coach Tom Sargeant showed faith in his team that they could win in different ways.

    Sargeant is a big fan of the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers, and his Hilltops put on a performance that flashed back to efforts put on by the Steelers in their Super Bowl winning dynasty of the 1970s under stoic late Pro Football Hall of Fame head coach Chuck Noll.

    The Hilltops have always had a great defence under defensive coordinator Jeff Yausie. With that said, the Hilltops defensive is traditionally known under Yausie as the ultimate bend don’t break unit.

    The Hilltops defence will give up yards, create a huge number of turnovers and allow the opposition to score very few points.

    Playing under overcast, damp and off and on rainy conditions on Saturday, the Hilltops defensive cranked things up to another gear. The ’Toppers played tough, aggressive and physical defence that grudgingly gave up yards.

    It was the type of performance you rarely see in today’s era of pass happy football. The Hilltops finished with 230 yards of total net offence, while the Rams had 209 yards of total net offence.

Jesse McNabb had 1.5 sacks for the Hilltops on Saturday.

    While often overshadowed by the Hilltops offensive unit, the 112^th CJFL title game was the Hilltops defence’s day.

    Defensive end Tristan Hering and defensive tackle Jesse McNabb, who are both in their fifth years of eligibility, arguably had their finest hours with all the sacks and tackles they made. Hering finished with 2.5 sacks and McNabb had 1.5 sacks.

    The linebacking corps of Riley Keating, CJFL defensive player of the year Jadyn Pingue and Brady Fossen delivered countless big plays. Keating and Pingue are both in their final years of CJFL eligibility. Pingue had nine total tackles and a fumble recovery.

    In the secondary, safety Brant Morrow came up with key plays and defensive back Colton Holmes returned from injury to have one last final big moment in his final contest with the Hilltops. Holmes missed four regular season games and the Hilltops three previous post-season games before dressing for the Canadian Bowl.

    Another often overlooked part of the Hilltops team is the kicking game. Kleiter was named a CJFL all-Canadian all-star as a place kicker on Thursday after a stellar campaign.

    In the Hilltops eight regular season games, Kleiter connected on 18-of-22 field goal attempts for an 81.8 per cent success rate with a long of 42 yards.

Jadyn Pingue came up with late big third and one stop.

    On top of the success in the field goal department, Kleiter kicked 33 conversion attempts, recorded one rouge and hauled in two touchdown receptions as a receiver to lead the Prairie Football Conference in regular season scoring with 100 points.

    While Kleiter had a great season as a place kicker, it seemed like the Hilltops would never need to rely on him to win a game. On a day when the Hilltops didn’t find the end zone for a major score, Kleiter, who is a star skip on his own curling team, made 3-of-4 field goals, and his kicks were crucial in allowing Saskatoon to win on Saturday.

    The defence and Kleiter had their biggest shining moments late in the fourth quarter, with the Hilltops holding an 8-6 advantage.

    The Rams had the ball and were gambling on a third-and-one at their own 31 yard line with less than 3:34 to play in the fourth quarter. Rams backup quarterback Colby Peters tried to gain a first down on a quarterback sneak, but he was stopped by Pingue forcing a turnover on downs.

    The Hilltops were only able to drive the ball seven yards to the Rams 24 yard line. The Saskatoon coaches were thinking about gambling on a third and three, but Sargeant elected allow Kleiter to extend the lead and leave the issue in the hands of his defence.

    Kleiter connected on a clutch 31-yard field goal to put the Hilltops up 11-6 with 2:15 to play.

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For the SIXTH consecutive year, your Saskatoon Hilltops are @cjflfootball Canadian Bowl Champions!! The Toppers defeated the Langley Rams 11-6 to take home the cup. . . . ‪ Congratulations to DL Tristan Hering and RB Ben Abrook for being named the Canadian Bowl Defensive and Offensive Players of the Game! ‬

A post shared by Saskatoon Hilltops (@saskatoon_hilltops) on Nov 16, 2019 at 4:05pm PST

    The Rams needing a touchdown to win elected to take the ball on their own 35 yard line. They got down to the Hilltops 38 yard line and faced a third-and-11 situation.

    The hosts called their second and final timeout, and with 40 seconds remaining on the clock, needed to make a first down. Peters tried to hit receiver Jarryd Taylor at the Hilltops 15 yard line, but Holmes defended the play to cause an incompletion to give the ball to the Hilltops.

Ben Abrook, left, ran the ball 27 times for 130 yards.

    Hilltops fifth-year starting quarterback Tyler Hermann was able to then run out the clock with knee down plays.

    Saturday’s game was such a defensive slugfest that the Hilltops posted 166 yards of net offence in the first half, while the Rams had 43 yards of net offence.

    After a scoreless first quarter, the Hilltops took an 8-0 lead at halftime. Kleiter hit a 21-yard field goal on the first play of the second quarter, Rams punter Kyle Clarot conceded a safety and Kleiter completed the first half scoring with a 23-yard field goal.

    After the Hilltops went up 8-0, the Rams pulled starting quarterback Tristen Secord-Yanciw in favour of Peters. Rams starting quarterback wasn’t able to play due to a knee injury suffered in a regular season game on Oct. 5.

    Around the midpoint of the third quarter, the Rams put together their best offensive series of the contest that concluded with a one-yard touchdown run by backup running back Maximilian Joseph on an option toss from Peters.

    The Rams tried to go for a two-point conversion, but Peters was sacked by Hering to allow the Hilltops to still hold an 8-6 lead.

    That set stage for the dramatics late in the fourth quarter.

Tristan Hering had 2.5 sacks on Saturday.

    Hering was named the defensive player of the game, while Hilltops star power running back Ben Abrook was named the offensive player of the game. Abrook carried the ball 27 times for 130 yards.

Rams star running back Andrew Pocrnic ran the ball 16 times for 74 yards.

    In last year’s CJFL title tilt held in Saskatoon, the Hilltops hammered the visiting Rams 58-21 in frigid conditions at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

    The Hilltops won in a totally different style on Saturday to claim their 22^nd CJFL championship in team history.

    On top of that, the Hilltops rolled off their 31^st overall win in a row with including action in the CJFL’s regular season and playoffs.

    The Hilltops have won their last 29 straight games on the road including action in the CJFL regular season and post-season. Due to their current run of six consecutive CJFL championships, the Hilltops extended their CJFL record of consecutive post-season wins to 20.

    It is highly likely the Hilltops current overall and road winning streaks are also CJFL records.

    Sargeant has a 210-30-2 career record in CJFL regular season and post-season action since becoming the Hilltops head coach before the start of the 1998 campaign. He has the record for all-time head coaching victories in Canada’s amateur post-secondary football ranks.

    “Sarge” has won 13 CJFL titles as a head coach, two as an assistant coach with the team and one as a player. His first championship as a player was earned way back in 1985.

Tom Sargeant has guided the Hilltops to 13 CJFL titles as head coach.

    After Saturday’s game, the Hilltops players raised Sargeant on top of their shoulders as he lifted the Canadian Bowl.

    The Hilltops completed their second straight perfect season posting a 12-0 record in the 2019 campaign. It was their fifth perfect season in team history. They were 11-0 in last year’s perfect season.

    Saskatoon’s first perfect season came in 1958 at 11-0, the second in 1978 at 12-0 and the third in 2003 at 12-0.

    With the turnover the Hilltops had amongst their starters, this year’s perfect season was arguably the most unexpected one of the five. They graduate 15 players this season who were part of the back-to-back perfect campaigns in 2018 and 2019.

    The Rams were in pursuit of perfection in 2019 and settled with a 12-1 overall mark.

    For Sargeant, this was season where he won his 200^th career game and earned his 209^th career win to become Canada’s all-time leader amateur post-secondary football head coaching wins.

    He always says those numbers don’t mean much to him, but winning the championship trophies to allow his fifth-year players to leave on the ultimate high does.

    As a head coach, Sargeant has watched that moment unfold 13 times.

    This year, it was the Hilltops often overlooked defensive unit and Kleiter’s clutch kicking that made an ultimate sixth straight CJFL championship moment happen.

This feeling never gets old 💙💛 pic.twitter.com/TLEKWshWVC

— Saskatoon Hilltops (@SaskHilltops) November 16, 2019

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Round 2 – Hilltops ready to rumble with Rams

Jadyn Pingue, left, makes a tackle in last year’s Canadian Bowl.

    In a rare CJFL championship battle of unbeatens, Saskatoon Hilltops linebacker Jadyn Pingue said the Langley Rams are the real deal with their 12-0 mark.

    The battle for the Canadian Bowl and CJFL national title features the Hilltops, who are 11-0 overall, taking on the host Rams, who are 12-0 overall, on Saturday in Langley, B.C., at McLeod Stadium (3 p.m. Saskatchewan time, 92.9 The Bull).

    The last time two undefeated teams squared off for the CJFL title came back in 2006 in Nanaimo, B.C.

    In that year’s Canadian Bowl, the Edmonton Wildcats entered the title tilt sporting an 11-0 overall record, and they took on the Vancouver Island Raiders, who were 12-0 overall going into that contest. The Raiders pulled out a thrilling 27-26 victory to take the CJFL title.

    In this year’s battle of unbeatens, the Hilltops go into the game placing a number of streaks on the line. 

Ben Abrook charges upfield in last year’s Canadian Bowl.

    They are the five time defending CJFL champions, have won their last 30 games overall including action in the regular season and post-season, won their last 28 games in a row on the road including action in the regular season and playoffs and have won a CJFL record 19 post season games in a row.

    The Hilltops are trying to finish with back-to-back perfect seasons. They were 11-0 last year after hammering the Rams 58-21 in the Canadian Bowl held at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

    The Rams, who finished last season with a 10-4 overall record, would like to finish at 13-0 this season, which would in the process derail all the Hilltops impressive streaks.

    Pingue believes the Rams put in the work to get a lot better to try and avoid a repeat result from last year’s Canadian Bowl.

    “These guys are different,” said Pingue. “They are good.

    “They are very good. Their record speaks for itself. You can look at their scores.

    “They’ve been blowing everyone out. They’ve been doing everything that need to do in their conference to able to be in this spot. They have talent all across the board.”

Tyler Hermann (#12) throw a pass in last year’s Canadian Bowl.

    Offensively, the Hilltops head into Saturday’s game led by fifth-year quarterback Tyler Hermann, who wants to complete a dream season as a first-year starter. He improved steadily throughout the 2019 campaign completing 123-of-192 passes for 1,908 yards, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions appearing in all of his club’s eight regular season games.

    His two top receivers have been fifth-year clutch pass catcher Connor Graham and third-year playmaker Keegan Dicks.

    Graham caught 28 passes for 599 yards and six touchdowns during the regular season. Dicks hauled in 31 passes for 494 yards and four touchdowns in the regular campaign.

Duncan Little (#10) in action in last year’s Canadian Bowl.

    The main cog in the Hilltops offence is star power running back Ben Abrook, who led the PFC in rushing yards in the regular season carrying the ball 199 times for 1,215 yards and eight touchdowns.

    The Hilltops offence is powered by a veteran and elite starting offensive line that includes right tackle Jonathan Chisholm, right guard Taylon Elderkin, centre Patrick Arno, left guard Ryder Klisowsky and left tackle Mason Ochs.

    “We’re really excited honestly, because we definitely built up to a higher level here,” said Hermann. “The first game we had a little bit of a slow start, and we kind of had to grind through our first four games.

    “We feel it has really come together for us offensively. I think it couldn’t be a better time for us, so we’re excited to showcase what we have. We have a couple of new things in store.

Tato Ferreyro (#24) of the Rams in action in last year’s Canadian Bowl.

    “It should be a fun one.”

    The biggest question regarding the Rams on offence circles around the availability of star quarterback Duncan Little. Little hasn’t played since injuring his knee in a 66-0 romp over the Valley Huskers on Oct. 5 in Chilliwack, B.C., in what was the ninth regular season game for both clubs.

    In nine games for the Rams this season, Little completed 100-of-168 passes for 1,866 yards and 20 touchdowns. Colby Peters paced the Rams at quarterback through the post-season.

    Star running back Andrew Pocrnic had a stellar year for the Rams in his final campaign of CJFL eligibility. 
    The graduate of the Marion Graham Collegiate Falcons program in the Saskatoon high school football ranks carried the ball 163 times for 1,199 yards and 26 touchdowns.

Rylan Kleiter (#7) in action in last year’s Canadian Bowl.

    He had a receiving touchdown to post a total of 27 majors for the campaign.

    His rushing and total touchdown totals were new CJFL records for one regular season. The old records were held by Edmonton Wildcats running back Tristan Jones, who ran for 25 major scores and 26 total touchdowns in the 2006 CJFL campaign.

    Khalik Johnson topped the Rams in receiving with 32 catches for 569 yards and nine touchdowns.

    Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant said his side is working on being ready for whoever plays quarterback for the Rams.
    “We’re preparing for all scenarios,” said Sargeant. “At the end day, we got to play against him (Little) last year and seen him play some this year.
    “Compared to last year, they run the ball way more. Last year, they threw the ball more. They had (Jevon) Cottoy and some special players.

John Brown, right, in action in last year’s Canadian Bowl.

    “I don’t think (Rams head) coach (Howie) Zaron is too concerned about who plays quarterback, because he has a bit of a different game plan and sort of matches us. We love to run the football, so our game plan is to get out there and try and run at anybody. I think they are trying to start to do that too.”

    On defence, Pingue was named the most outstanding defensive player and most outstanding linebacker for the Prairie Football Conference. 
    He collected 33.5 total tackles, one pass knockdown, one fumble recovery and one interception during the regular season.

    Defensive tackle Jesse McNabb, who is in his final campaign of CJFL eligibility, recorded 26.5 total tackles and three sacks for the Hilltops in the regular campaign.
    Third-year safety Brant Morrow collected 18.5 total tackles, three interceptions, two pass knockdowns, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in the regular season for Saskatoon.

Tristan Hering, right, makes a sack in last year’s Canadian Bowl.

    Riley Keating, who is a fifth-year weak side linebacker, topped the Hilltops with 46 total tackles in the regular season.

    Linebacker Cole Barron led the Rams with 28 tackles in the regular season.

    “We know how the result turned out last year, so we know they are going to be hungrier this time around,” said Hermann. “I think they are going to do a little bit different to kind of control the game in more of a sense.

    “We are preparing as though we are playing ourselves, and we are kind of trying to make sure that we are at our top level regardless of what they decide they want to do.”

    Sargeant is expecting his Hilltops will see an inspired effort from the Rams side.

    “They’ve made a lot of significant plays all throughout the year,” said Sargeant. “We have to be sharp, we have to ready.

    “They know what we are about now, so there will be no surprises.”

Ochs, Kleiter named CJFL all-Canadians

Mason Ochs (#73) was named a CJFL all-Canadian all-star.

    It was a familiar honour for Mason Ochs but a new one for Rylan Kleiter.

    On Thursday, the CJFL announced its all-Canadian all-stars on the offensive side of the ball as well as the place kicker on special teams. The two members of the five time defending CJFL champion Saskatoon Hilltops both picked up all-star nods.

    For the third straight year, Ochs was named an all-Canadian all-star manning the Hilltops left tackle position in each of those campaigns.

    Ochs and the Hilltops starting offensive line played a huge part in allowing star power running back Ben Abrook carry the ball 199 times for 1,215 yards and eight touchdowns in the club’s eight regular season games.

Rylan Kleiter (#7) was named CJFL all-Canadian all-star at place kicker.

    The protection by Ochs and the offensive line allowed starting quarterback Tyler Hermann to complete 123-of-192 passes for 1,908 yards, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions in the regular campaign.

    Kleiter was named to the CJFL all-Canadian all-star team at place kicker. He connected on 18-of-22 field goal attempts for an 81.8 per cent success rate with a long of 42 yards.

    On top of the success in the field goal department, Kleiter kicked 33 conversion attempts, recorded one rouge and hauled in two touchdown receptions as a receiver to lead the Prairie Football Conference in regular season scoring with 100 points.

    The Hilltops will try to win an unprecedented sixth straight CJFL title when they face the Langley Rams on Saturday at McLeod Stadium in Langley, B.C., at the Canadian Bowl.

    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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Hilltops’ win streak hits 30, Beefeaters fall 51-1 in CJFL semi

“Sarge” picks up milestone 209th career victory

Tyler Hermann threw for 297 yards and three TDs for the Hilltops.

    The milestones piled up almost as fast the points they put up on the scoreboard.
    Saying the venerable Saskatoon Hilltops had a banner Saturday at TD Stadium in London, Ont., might even be a minimal way to describe how the night went.

    The Hilltops, who are the five-time defending CJFL champions, hammered the host London Beefeaters 51-1 in a CJFL semifinal contest. With the win, the ’Toppers advance to the CJFL title game – the Canadian Bowl – for a sixth straight year.

    Saskatoon will travel to Langley, B.C., for the CJFL championship tilt on Nov. 16 against the host Rams.

    The Rams, who are 12-0 overall, downed the Westshore Rebels 35-12 in the British Columbia Football Conference championship game on Saturday in Langley to advance to host the Canadian Bowl. The Rebels, who are based in Langford, B.C., closed the 2019 campaign with a 9-3 overall record.

    In last year’s CJFL title tilt held in Saskatoon, the Hilltops hammered the visiting Rams 58-21.

Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant picked up his 209th career win.

    The Hilltops, who are 11-0 overall this season, are the only team in the history of the CJFL to win five straight league titles, and they have claimed eight of the last nine CJFL championships. Saskatoon will be shooting to win six in a row and claim nine of the last 10 CJFL championships in the upcoming Canadian Bowl.

    On top of moving into position to possibly hit new benchmarks in CJFL championship wins, the Hilltops rolled off their 30^th overall win in a row with their victory over the Beefeaters on Saturday including action in the CJFL’s regular season and playoffs.

    The Hilltops last loss came back in a regular season contest on Sept. 9, 2017, when they fell 29-26 to the Regina Thunder at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

    Along with hitting 30 straight victories in their overall winning streak, the Hilltops have won their last 28 straight games on the road including action in the CJFL regular season and post-season. Due to their current run of consecutive championships, the Hilltops extended their CJFL record for consecutive post-season wins to 19.

Ben Abrook had 110 yards rushing for the Hilltops.

    On a personal front, Saturday’s victory was the 209^th win in the career of legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant. The total moves Sargeant ahead of retired Regina Rams head coach Frank McCrystal for the most wins in Canada’s amateur post-secondary football ranks.

    Sargeant has a 209-30-2 career record in CJFL regular season and post-season action since becoming the Hilltops head coach before the start of the 1998 campaign.

    McCrystal was the head coach of the Rams from 1984 to 2014, and they played 15 seasons in the CJFL and 16 campaigns in U Sports over that time as the University of Regina Rams. Over those 31 seasons, McCrystal compiled a 208-104-2 record as head coach in the regular season and post-season in both the CJFL and U Sports.

    As for Saturday’s CJFL semifinal game itself, the contest was a big display of Hilltops might. Hilltops rookie defensive back Bailey Taylor intercepted Beefeaters quarterback Jake Pow on London’s first offensive series.

    Saskatoon turned that turnover into a 22-yard field goal from receiver/kicker Rylan Kleiter and a 3-0 lead.
    The Hilltops edge increased to 10-0 on their next offensive series thanks to a four-yard touchdown run by star power back Ben Abrook.

Doug Fleming threw a TD pass on Saturday.

    The Beefeaters proceeded to tally their lone score on a 29-yard missed field goal single by kicker Leo Centeno from 29-yards out to cut the Hilltops edge to 10-1.

    Before the first quarter came to a close, Hilltops fifth-year quarterback Tyler Hermann hit fifth-year receiver Connor Graham with a 75-yard pass-and-run touchdown to increase Saskatoon’s advantage to 17-1.

    In the second quarter, Hermann hit Graham for a 52-yard touchdown pass and then connected with third-year receiver Keegan Dicks for 20-yard touchdown strike to give the Hilltops a 31-1 lead.

Kleiter proceeded to boot a 22-yard field goal to give the Hilltops a 34-1 lead at halftime.

    Early in the third quarter, Kleiter hit a 20-yard field goal and backup quarterback Doug Fleming hit Graham for a touchdown strike to push the Hilltops lead out to 44-1.

    Second-year running back Jordan Tabin rounded out the game’s scoring in the fourth quarter with a nine-yard touchdown run for the Hilltops.
    Hermann completed 11-of-18 passes for 297 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Graham hauled in four passes for 154 yards to go with his three majors.

    Abrook carried the ball 16 times for 110 yards to go with his major score.

    Pow connected on 14-of-28 passes for 155 yards and was intercepted twice guiding the Beefeaters offence.

Connor Graham had four catches for 154 yards and three TDs.

    London was held to 58 yards rushing as a team in the contest.

    Defensive end Tristan Hering had three tackles and three sacks for the Hilltop. Caleb Haight had two sacks for Saskatoon, while Jesse McNabb and Brady Fossen each had a single sack.

    Hering, Haight and McNabb are all playing out their final campaigns of CJFL eligibility.

    Defensive back Jared Giddings had an interception for Saskatoon.

    Defensive back Codey McRoberts led the Beefeaters with seven defensive tackles.

    The Beefeaters, who finished with an 8-3 overall record, turned the ball over eight times including twice on interceptions, once on a fumble and five times on downs.

    Saskatoon didn’t have any giveaways in the contest.

    Now, the Hilltops will try to win their 21^st CJFL title in team history. While the Langley Rams will be playing at home in the Canadian Bowl, they will be hard pressed to stop the momentum this Saskatoon train has built.

WE’RE GOING TO THE ‘SHIP!

The Saskatoon Hilltops are heading back to the Canadian Bowl after a 51-1 win over the London Beefeaters.

Thank you to all the fans who joined us in London and everyone who watched back home. 💙💛#playoffszn pic.twitter.com/yvGG2PBQ5d

— Saskatoon Hilltops (@SaskHilltops) November 3, 2019

    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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Haight family tradition nearing a close on field with Hilltops

Caleb Haight has been a great Hilltops ambassador on and off the field.

    Caleb Haight believes his mom, Lana, might go through the toughest Saskatoon Hilltops withdrawl, when his career with the team comes to a close.

    Caleb is playing out his final campaign of CJFL eligibility with the Hilltops, and he has just two possible games remaining with the five-time defending CJFL champions.

    On Saturday, the Hilltops (10-0 overall) travel to London, Ont., to face the London Beefeaters (8-2 overall) in a CJFL semifinal contest. The winner advances to the CJFL national championship game – the Canadian Bowl – to be played Nov. 16 at the winner of the British Columbia Football Conference championship game.

    The BCFC title game will be held Saturday, when the Langley Rams (11-0 overall) face the Langford based Westshore Rebels (9-2 overall) in Langley.

    Caleb has suited up at defensive end for the Hilltops since the beginning of the 2017 campaign. He followed his three older brothers to the club, who suited up for the Hilltops at different times from 2009 to 2014.

Caleb Haight (#53) runs down a Huskies receiver.

    Caleb’s oldest brother, Aaron, was the first to come to the ’Toppers playing slotback for three seasons. Jared and Joel followed Aaron to the venerable junior club.

Jared played four seasons on the defensive line and Joel suited up for four campaigns as a defensive back.

    “It has been a family tradition,” said Caleb. “To play for another team would certainly feel weird.

    “You talk about being in the last few games, it is going to feel weird for my mom, because we have no more home games. That is the end of Haight’s playing at Gordie Howe Bowl (which is now Saskatoon Minor Football Field). Coming out of high school, it was really the only option.

    “It was the only team I thought I wanted to play for. They wanted me, because I knew some coaches. It has been a good experience.”

    Caleb Haight was a graduate of the Clavet School Cougars six-man high school football team in Clavet, Sask. After graduating from high school, he took a year off to travel and spent a following year rehabbing an injury.

    Along with healing up an injury, Haight worked out and believes he came to the Hilltops physically stronger than he would have been right out of high school.

Caleb Haight (#53) runs down an Edmonton Wildcats ball carrier.

    “It ended up being a blessing,” said Haight, who stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 260 pounds. “Coming a little bit later, it meant that I’ve traveled or dressed for every single game except one in my rookie year.

    “That is a unique blessing that a lot of guys I guess don’t get.”

    Helping the Hilltops win CJFL titles in each of the past two years, Haight said his time with the team has flown by.

    “It is crazy,” said the 22-year-old. “I don’t know how long I have been playing organized football.

    “I think (Hilltops defensive coordinator) Jeff Yausie coached me when I was probably eight or nine. I’ve thrown the ball with my brothers as soon as I could walk. To think that I might not be playing football again after this weekend or in three weeks, it is emotional.

    “Obviously, I will miss it, but there is a time for everything, so I just want to embrace the last few games and make the most of it.”

    Haight had a huge outing in the Hilltops PFC final win on Sunday over the Huskies recording three defensive tackles, two defensive tackle assists, one special teams tackle and one quarterback sack. 

Caleb Haight (#53) had a big performance in the PFC final.

    Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant was pumped about Haight’s performance.

    “I said in front of the team he had his best game in the uniform and played inspired football and helped to motivate our team,” said Sargeant. “It is great to see a guy in his fifth year on limited time come out and play with such energy and passion.

    “He just played smart. He red the scenarios and got himself in all the right spots and made his plays. As I said, that Edmonton Huskies offence is certainly a good offence.

    “Caleb (Haight) was a massive part in helping us shut them down.”

    Away from the football field, Haight engages in numerous community initiatives with the club. He claimed the PFC’s Al Park Community Service awards this season.

    Sargeant said all the members of the Haight family who have played for the Hilltops have been high character persons.

    “Number one, Caleb he comes from such a great family,” said Sargeant. “We had all the other boys in our program, so the Haight family has certainly been a big part of the fabric of the Saskatoon Hilltops.

Caleb Haight (#53) walks to the field with parent Lana and Jeff.

    “Great parents (in Jeff and Lana) who do a great job of modeling, and they teach them the proper things about service. He (Caleb Haight) certainly gives back, and as I said, those are the players that we look for within our roster.

    “As I said, he deserves a lot of credit for who he is and what he has been doing.”

    The community work has become such a lifestyle thing with Haight that he can’t really put a finger on how many things he has been involved with.

    “It is hard to number,” said Haight, who usually is supported by a huge contingent of family and friends at each Hilltops game. “Obviously with the Hilltops, there have been a lot of things whether it has been the punt, pass or kick (or) a couple of high school camps.

    “In the community, I’ve been involved with a lot of church related stuff whether it is youth groups or chaperoning high school students on trips. I guess my family in general has always been big into volunteering and everything.”

Haight family gatherings are a common site at Hilltops games.

    Haight said he encountered a high from his community work this season, and it didn’t involve him getting the PFC’s community service award.

    “It has always meant a lot to volunteer,” said Haight. “Actually, a really cool moment is I helped lead a youth group two years ago to church.

    “This year one of the guys that I had in my youth group (linebacker Abe Fimbo) won the rookie of the year out in the B.C. Conference. That was actually a really cool moment is seeing a guy that I mentored and watching him grow in football and having him play really well in Kamloops (with the Broncos).

    “That is a pretty cool thing that came with that award.”

    Haight is looking forward to Saturday’s clash with the Beefeaters. He adds film study can only tell you so much and there is always an element of mystery, when the Hilltops play clubs from the other conferences in the CJFL.

Caleb Haight won the community service award for the PFC.

    “In that first quarter, that is really going to tell us a lot in terms of how physical they are,” said Haight. “They have a lot of really good athletes.

    “They have a running back specifically where I’ve seen some plays and been very impressed. They have an O-lineman who came down from the college ranks where he was a really dominant player. We give them a lot of respect.

    “It should be a good battle on Saturday.”

    The Hilltops have a number of milestones on the line too. They have won their last 29 overall games in a row including action in the regular season and playoffs, claimed victory in a CJFL record 18 straight post-season games and have won their last 27 contests in a row on the road including action in the regular season and post-season.

    Saskatoon is trying to extend its current run of winning five straight CJFL titles. Sargeant needs one more win to pass retired Regina Rams head coach Frank McCrystal for the most career head coach victories in Canada’s amateur post-secondary football ranks.

    Sargeant has a career 208-30-2 record in the regular season and playoffs since becoming the Hilltops head coach before the start of the 1998 campaign. McCrystal compiled a 208-104-2 record in the regular season and playoffs guiding the Rams as head coach from 1984 to 2014 including 15 campaigns in the CJFL and 16 seasons in U Sports as the University of Regina Rams.

Caleb Haight (#53) pictured with the Hilltops D-line after the PFC final.

    Once again, Sargeant said he is not a guy that tracks numbers.
    “I’m just one piece of any puzzle,” said Sargeant. “It is just the Hilltops.

    “Every one of my coaches has a job to do. Every one of my players has a job to do. We have to go out there and do the best job that we possibly can to make sure our fifth-year players leave as champions that is what it is all about.

    “As I said, I’m blessed to be the head coach of the Saskatoon Hilltops. That provides me with a lot of pride and adds a lot of confidence with what I am doing with the men I am doing it with. As I said, I just can’t wait to play Saturday night and go out and play our best game of the year.”

Abrook gets weekly award in record game

Ben Abrook (#32) follows the block of Taylon Elderkin, centre.

    Saskatoon Hilltops running back Ben Abrook gained a player of the week tip of the cap after breaking a long standing playoff record.

    On Sunday, Abrook carried the ball 44 times for 246 yards and two touchdowns as the Saskatoon Hilltops downed the Edmonton Huskies 30-14 in the PFC final at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Abrook’s 44 carried set a new record for most carries in one CJFL playoff game.

    The old mark was held by Chris Curran of the Regina Rams, who carried the ball 38 times for 225 yards on October 12, 1991 in a 22-14 victory over the Calgary Colts.

    Thanks to Abrook’s big performance on Sunday, he was named the PFC’s player of the week for a fourth time this season, when the CJFL announced its weekly awards on Wednesday.

    During the eight-game regular season, Abrook topped the PFC in rushing carrying the ball 199 times for 1,215 yards and eight touchdowns. Abrook was named a PFC all-star.

Kleiter captures fifth weekly special teams award

Rylan Kleiter boots a 34 yard field goal for the Hilltops.

    Saskatoon Hilltops receiver/kicker Rylan Kleiter can pretty much keep the PFC’s weekly special teams award.
    Kleiter was named the PFC special teams player of the week for the fifth time in the last six weeks, when the CJFL announced its player of the week awards on Wednesday. The honour came due to Kleiter’s performance in the Hilltops 30-14 victory in the PFC final on Sunday against the Edmonton Huskies at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

    In that win, Kleiter made all three of his field goal attempts connecting form 27, 34 and 14 yards. He also connected on all three of his conversion attempts.

    Kleiter, who is a star curling skip, punted the ball twice for an average of 31.5 yards per kick. He kicked off six times for 275 yards for an average of 45.8 yards per kick.

    Offensively, Kleiter led the Hilltops in receiving catching three passes for 47 yards.

    During the regular season, Kleiter led the PFC in scoring with two touchdowns, 18 field goals, 33 converts and one single. He was a PFC all-star at the place kicker position and was named the PFC’s most outstanding special teams player.

    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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    If you like what you see here, you might want to donate to the cause to keep independent media like this blog going. Should you choose to help out, feel free to click on the DONATE button in the upper right corner. Thank you for stopping in.