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

    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 to face rain, hotter temperatures in CJFL title game

Rams won’t be frozen out of Canadian Bowl

Caleb Haight gets a strip sack in last year’s Canadian Bowl.

    Saskatoon Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant knows the Langley Rams won’t be shocked by the elements this time around.
    For the second straight year, the Hilltops (11-0 overall) and the Rams (12-0 overall) will face each other in the CJFL championship game – the Canadian Bowl.

    A year ago in fridge conditions with a high of -7 C at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Hilltops hammered the Rams 58-21 to win an unprecedented fifth straight CJFL title game.

    When the two sides face each other on Saturday at McLeod Stadium in Langley, B.C., Environment Canada is predicting showers with a high of 11 C.

    This time around, Sargeant said the Rams should have a higher comfort level playing out of familiar surroundings.

    “Number one, we are going into their barn,” said Sargeant. “Last year, it was cold, so the conditions played to us.

    “I think this year the conditions are more conducive to what they’re comfortable with. Anytime you go into someone else’s environment, that gives them a bit of an advantage. We’ve been there a few other times.”
    The Hilltops will have practised in temperatures below freezing all week in Saskatoon before departing for The Canadian Bowl early Friday morning.

Keegan Dicks, left, catches a Hilltops TD in last year’s Canadian Bowl.

    Hilltops star middle linebacker Jadyn Pingue believes the only adjustment his side will have to make it getting used to playing at full speed again.

    “I feel like we’re going to come out there, and we’re going to be a lot faster,” said Pingue. “We’re practising on this field.

    “It is kind of icy, so we have to focus on being lower. When we get up there, we are looking forward to being able to be on the turf and being able to get our speed going. It is pretty much the exact opposite.
    “It is minus-10 here. It is supposed to be plus-10 there. I’m just looking forward to going to B.C. and playing a game.”

    Hilltops quarterback Tyler Hermann said the weather won’t have that much effect on the strategies used by his club’s side.

    “It (the weather) is significant in a sense,” said Hermann. “Our game plan doesn’t waiver too much.

Rams’ Nathan Murray (#34) in action in last year’s Canadian Bowl.

    “We’re going to be physical. We are going to be tough, and we’re going to mix in a little bit of deep ball and passing kind of stuff as well. That is pretty much what we are going for at the moment.

    “We’re just going to prepare in the cold for now I guess.”

    Besides meeting in the Canadian Bowl for the second straight year, the Hilltops and Rams will be going at it in the CJFL title game for the fourth time in eight years. 
    The Hilltops claimed the first two encounters, which were both played in Langley.
    In 2012, the Hilltops squeaked past the Rams 23-21. In 2014, the Hilltops posted a convincing 39-14 victory over the Rams, which started Saskatoon’s current run of winning the CJFL championship for five consecutive years.

    “None of my players on this team on this team have ever been out to Langley, so you know as coaches, we have to try and communicate and tell them about the environment and get them ready,” said Sargeant. “You look at the Langley Rams they are super athletic, they are very well coached and they love to make a lot of plays.”

“Sarge” appreciates well wishes from record 209^th win

Tom Sargeant has 209 career wins as Hilltops head coach.

    Tom Sargeant didn’t expect numerous heartwarming messages would pour in after his latest milestone win.

    On Nov. 2 in London, Ont., Sargeant picked up his 209^th career victory as the Saskatoon Hilltops head coach, when squad hammered the host Beefeaters 51-1 in a CJFL semifinal contest. The total put Sargeant one win ahead of retired Regina Rams head coach Frank McCrystal for the most 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.

    After news spread about Sargeant’s latest milestone, the message of congratulations poured in.

    “There have been some very night gestures,” said Sargeant. “If you know me, I am a little embarrassed and humbled by it, because anything that I do as a coach, these are group accomplishments.

    “I can’t do anything alone without the support, the love of my family and then the loyalty and commitment of my coaches. Whatever comes my way I will take it, because I hope that everyone understands that it is filtering down to them too. I’ve had some extremely loyal coaches that are integral to any success that we have.”

    Sargeant has always said he isn’t a guy that keeps track of numbers. When he does achieve a milestone, he does worry that those around him might not get the credit they deserve as well.

    “Anything that comes my way, I hope I do a good enough job of spreading it,” said Sargeant. “A lot of times, I don’t do anything about it.

    “It doesn’t affect me. I just know I have to work harder the next day and get this team more better and more ready for the next task at hand. I’m certainly thankful for all of that.

    “As I said, it is a reflection of everyone around me way more so than me myself.”

Hilltops trio named CJFL defensive all-Canadians

Jadyn Pingue was named a CJFL all-Canadian all-star.

    Knowing the fact they will play for an unprecedented sixth straight CJFL championship, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Saskatoon Hilltops led the way in CJFL all-Canadian all-star selections on the defensive side of the ball.

    The CJFL announced its defensive all-Canadian all-stars on Wednesday, and the Hilltops had the most selections at three.

    Middle linebacker Jadyn Pingue was named an all-Canadian all-star after an outstanding campaign that saw him post 33.5 total tackles, one pass knockdown, one fumble recovery and one interception in seven regular season games.

    The fifth-year veteran was named the most outstanding defensive player and most outstanding linebacker for the Prairie Football Conference earlier in the post-season.

    Defensive tackle Jesse McNabb took home honours as an all-Canadian all-star for the second straight season. Playing out his final campaign of CJFL eligibility, McNabb posted 26.5 total tackles and three sacks appearing in all eight of the Hilltops regular season games.

    The CJFL showed major respect to Hilltops defensive back Colton Holmes naming him an all-Canadian all-star. Holmes played in only four of the Hilltops eight regular season games due to injury posting 17.5 total tackles, two pass knockdowns, one fumble recovery and one interception.

    Earlier in the post-season, Holmes was named the most outstanding defensive back for the PFC. He has yet to suit up for the Hilltops in the current post-season.

    Holmes attended the training camp of the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders and was on the team’s practice roster until rejoining the Hilltops.

    The Hilltops will face the Langley Rams in the CJFL championship game – the Canadian Bowl – on Saturday in Langley, B.C.

    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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“Sarge,” Pingue highlight Hilltops major award winners for PFC

HC Tom Sargeant, right, give a play to Rylan Kleiter (#7)

    The fearless leader on the sidelines and a linebacker who had a career year were among four members of the Saskatoon Hilltops who claimed major awards for the CJFL’s Prairie Football Conference on Friday.

    Legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant was coach of the year for the PFC for a second straight year, and Hilltops fifth-year middle linebacker Jadyn Pingue was named the conference’s most outstanding defensive player and most outstanding linebacker.

    The Hilltops, who are 9-0 overall, are set to host the PFC final on Sunday at 1 p.m. against the Edmonton Huskies, who are 7-2 overall, at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

    Sargeant and his coaching staff arguably did some of their best work this season guiding the Hilltops to an 8-0 record in the regular season for the second straight year. The Hilltops 8-0 regular season finish in the 2019 campaign was unexpected as the team turned over a high volume of starters from last season and had a number of players adjusting to new roles.

    Along the way, Sargeant collected his 200^th career win, when the Hilltops, who are the five time defending CJFL champions, downed the Thunder in Regina 34-16 on Aug. 25 in Week 2 of the CJFL campaign. Currently, the 54-year-old has a 207-30-2 career coaching record in both the CJFL regular season and playoffs.

    Under the guidance of Sargeant and his staff, the Hilltops have won their last 28 games in a row overall, a CJFL record 17 in a row in the post-season, and 27 straight games on the road including three appearances in the CJFL title game – the Canadian Bowl.

Jadyn Pingue (#45) leads the Hilltops on to the field.

    Pingue was a regular starter for the first time this season in his five campaigns with the Hilltops, and he made the most of his opportunity being named the PFC’s most outstanding defensive player and most outstanding linebacker.

    The 22-year-old appeared in seven regular season games with the Hilltops in the 2019 campaign collecting 29 defensive tackles, seven assisted defensive tackles, one special teams tackle, one pass knockdown, one fumble recovery and one interception.

    Hilltops veteran Colton Holmes, who is in his final year of CJFL eligibility, came away as a major award winner taking the nod as the PFC’s most outstanding defensive back despite missing four games in the regular season due to a leg injury. In the four regular season games Holmes appeared in, he posted 12 defensive tackles, five defensive tackle assists, three special teams tackles, two pass knockdowns, one fumble recovery and one interception.

    Holmes attended the training camp of the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders and was on the team’s practice roster until rejoining the Hilltops.

    Rylan Kleiter, who is a four-year veteran receiver/kicker with the Hilltops, captured honours as the PFC’s most outstanding special teams player. Kleiter hit 18-of-22 field goals for a success rate of 81.8 per cent with a long of 42 yards.

Colton Holmes, left, visits with supporters after a win in Regina.

    He kicked off 46 times for an average of 51.1 yards. Kleiter punted the ball seven times for an average of 36 yards per kick.

    As a receiver, Kleiter caught 22 passes for 283 yards and two touchdowns.
    Hilltops fifth-year defensive end Caleb Haight took the PFC’s Al Park Community Service Award. He had 10 defensive tackles, five defensive tackle assists, one special teams tackle and two sacks in Saskatoon’s eight regular season games. 

    In the PFC final, the Hilltops will be facing one of the Huskies stars who captured three major PFC awards. Running back Brandt Burzuk was named the PFC’s most valuable player, most outstanding offensive player and most outstanding running back.

    Burzuk carried the ball 129 times for 824 yards and six touchdowns appearing in all of the Huskies eight regular season games.

    Sargeant expects to be in a tough battle with the Huskies.

    “They are very well coached, they are very physical and they love to make plays,” said Sargeant. “They had the most sacks this year.

    “They had lots of turnovers. Their defence played at a very high level. Then you look at (Brandt) Burzuk who was the unanimous running back (as a PFC all-star), a good quarterback, a good receive corps, they just have good athletes all across the board.”
    Saskatoon downed the Huskies 28-9 in last year’s PFC final. The Hilltops took the lone regular season meeting in 2019 between the two sides 24-22 on Sept. 1 in Edmonton.

    Sargeant said the this year’s PFC final is a game where his side needs to be error free.

    “We have to play smart,” said Sargeant. “We have to be in right spots, and we have to play great Hilltops football.

Rylan Kleiter (#7) hit 81.8 per cent of his field goals in the regular season.

    “It is not an easy task in front of us, but we’re excited for the challenge. The coaches have been working extra hard to come up with great game plans, and now we have to figure out how to execute them and put our players in some critical spots and then expect them to make the plays, when the plays come their way.”

    Players from the Regina Thunder took the other five major PFC awards.

    Thunder left-tackle Logan Ferland was named the conference’s most outstanding offensive lineman. Ferland is on the practice roster of the Roughriders.

    Isaac Foord was named the PFC’s most outstanding receiver hauling in 31 passes for 605 yards and scoring two touchdowns.

    Blake Scherle took home honours as the PFC’s most outstanding quarterback. He completed 144-of-247 passes for 2,196 yards, 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

    Carson Bell was named the most outstanding defensive lineman posting 11 defensive tackles, 13 defensive tackle assists, 2.5 sacks and one fumble recovery.

    Defensive back Justin McKerracher captured the PFC’s rookie of the year award recording seven defensive tackles, four defensive tackle assists, two interceptions and two pass knockdowns.

Brandt Burzuk in action in last year’s PFC final.

    The Regina players compiled their statistics over seven regular season games due to claiming a home victory over the Winnipeg Rifles 1-0 by forfeit on Oct. 13. The Rifles were unable to make that contest due to snowstorm conditions in Manitoba.

    The Thunder were 6-2 in the regular season and 6-3 overall.

    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 get 10 PFC all-star nods

Ben Abrook was named a PFC all-star for the first time.

    Some of the Saskatoon Hilltops biggest stars highlighted the all-star nods handed out by the CJFL’s Prairie Football Conference on Tuesday.

    The Hilltops, who finished the regular season with an 8-0 record for the second straight year, received 10 all-star selections ahead of hosting the PFC final this coming Sunday at 1 p.m. against the Edmonton Huskies at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

    Tuesday’s PFC all-star selections included power running back Ben Abrook, left tackle Mason Ochs, defensive back Colton Holmes and veteran defensive tackle Jesse McNabb.

    On offence, Abrook, who is in his third year with the Hilltops and first year as the club’s full-time starter at running back, had a sensational campaign leading the PFC in rushing with 1,215 yards coming off 199 carries and scoring eight touchdowns.

    Two of the men who opened huge holes for Abrook on the Hilltops offensive line also found their way on to the all-star squad. Ochs, who attended the training camp of the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders, was a unanimous selection and was named an all-star for the third consecutive year.

Mason Ochs (#73) was a PFC all-star for the third straight year.

    Fifth-year left guard Ryder Klisowsky earned his first PFC all-star nod.

    Pass catchers Connor Graham and Keegan Dicks made the all-star team for the first time. Graham, who is in his fifth season, hauled in 28 receptions for 599 yards and scored six touchdowns. Dicks, who is in his third season, caught 31 passes for 494 yards and scored four touchdowns.

    McNabb, who is in his final campaign of CJFL eligibility, was named an all-star on the defensive side of the ball for a second consecutive season recording 26.5 total tackles and three sacks.

    Holmes, who also attended Roughriders training camp and was on the CFL club’s practice roster, was a unanimous selection at defensive back and took all-star honours for a second straight year. 

Jesse McNabb was a PFC all-star for the second straight year.

    He posted 17.5 total tackles, two pass knockdowns, one fumble recovery and one interception.

    Fifth-year linebacker Jadyn Pingue was named an all-star for the first time. He collected 33.5 total tackles, one pass knockdown, one fumble recovery and one interception.

    Third-year safety Brant Morrow made the all-star team as well. Morrow posted 18.5 total tackles, three interceptions, two pass knockdowns, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He returned one of his interceptions 113 yards for a touchdown in a 34-16 victory over the Thunder in Regina on Aug. 25.

Rylan Kleiter (#7) was named a PFC all-star as a place kicker.

    Rylan Kleiter made the 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.

    Kleiter kicked 33 conversion attempts, recorded one rouge and hauled in two touchdown receptions as a receiver to lead the PFC in scoring with 100 points.

    The Hilltops, who are currently 9-0 overall, advanced to the PFC final downing the Edmonton Wildcats 31-7 in a PFC semifinal contest last Sunday at SMF Field. The Huskies, who are 7-2 overall, took the other PFC semifinal last Sunday in Regina downing the host Thunder 20-17.

    That clash likely could be the game of the year in the CJFL.

Bear’s rise to the Oilers uplifting, other notes

Ethan Bear raised the Ed Chynoweth Cup in 2017.

    One of the best stories at the start of the NHL season has to be the fact Ethan Bear is a full-time member of the Edmonton Oilers.

    The skilled defenceman has a huge backing from the Saskatchewan’s Ochapowace First Nation, where he is from. During his time in the WHL from 2013 to 2017, Bear starred with the Seattle Thunderbirds appearing in 264 regular season games piling up 66 goals and 126 assists for 192 points and a plus-50 rating.

    When the Thunderbirds would play road games in the Eastern Conference, a huge contingent of Bear’s family and friends followed the team over the course of the trip.

    When Seattle won the best-of-seven WHL Championship series 4-2 against the Regina Pats in 2017, it was estimated Bear had 500 supporters at each of the three games held in the Saskatchewan capital.

    The Thunderbirds clinched the series with a 4-3 overtime victory in Game 6 at the Brandt Centre in Regina, and Bear got to take a skate with the Ed Chynoweth Cup in front of his supporters.

    Now as a third-year in the professional ranks, Bear has cracked the Oilers main roster. In the Oilers first 10 games, Bear has two goals, an assist and a minus-one rating helping the Edmonton club post a 7-2-1 record.

    His supporters from Ochapowace can be noticed at Rogers Place. If Bear elevates to star status, you can expect his Oilers jersey will become one of the biggest sellers in the league.

• The University of Saskatchewan Huskies men’s hockey teams that won three straight Canada West Conference titles from 1981 to 1983 and the U Sports title in 1983 were announced as inductees to the Canada West Hall of Fame. Those Huskies squads were guided by legendary head coach Dave King and featured high-scoring star forward Willie Desjardins, who was the captain of the U Sports national title winner.
• In the U Sports Top 10 rankings that were released on Tuesday, the U of S Huskies men’s hockey team were rated eighth with a 2-3-1 regular season record. The Huskies have battled injuries on defence, which has hampered the squad’s performance on the ice. The ranking shows the respect the Huskies program has nationally.
• The U of S Huskies football team was rated seventh in the U Sports Top 10 rankings that were released on Tuesday. The Huskies (4-3) will face the U of Alberta Golden Bears (4-3) on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Griffiths Stadium. The winner will be guaranteed at least a second place finish in Canada West and host a conference semifinal playoff game.
• U of S Huskies women’s hockey team star netminder Jessica Vance is two wins away from becoming the third player in program history to record 30 career wins in regular season play. Vance has appeared in 44 career games with the Huskies posting a 28-11-4 record, a 1.09 goals against average, a .953 save percentage and 16 shutouts.
• In eight overall games with the defending NCAA champion U of Wisconsin Badgers women’s hockey team so far this season, star forward and Saskatoon product Sophie Shirley has eight goals and 11 assists for 19 points. Shirley is an alumna of the Saskatoon Stars female midget AAA team.
• The new Joker movie was really good. It is a definite movie that should be seen in theatres. I have to warn you in my opinion it was messed up too in a disturbing way. You have to expect a dark script for a movie involving The Joker as a character. This one was dark but still done in an artistic way. It is the type of movie you will likely only watch once. My cousin, Justin Chomitzky, did a great review of the movie that can be found right here.
• It was super sad to hear Aly Jenkins, who was the lead on Sherry Anderson’s curling team, died during childbirth on Sunday. A GoFundMe page has been started to help Jenkins husband, Scott, and the couple’s three children Brady, Avery and Sydney. The GoFundMe page 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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Win 200 for “Sarge” a special moment in Hilltops’ lore

Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant, right, contemplates a play call.

    REGINA, Sask. - Tom Sargeant’s 200^th career win as head coach will always be a top “Mosaic Moment” in Saskatoon Hilltops lore.

    On Sunday, Sargeant picked up his 200^th career victory including action in the regular season and playoffs as the Hilltops downed the host Regina Thunder 34-16 before 1,495 spectators at Mosaic Stadium. Sargeant has a 200-30-2 career record that includes a 149-21-2 mark in the regular season and a 51-9 mark in the post-season.

    Road trips to Regina are always special for the Hilltops. They always look forward to clashes with their provincial rivals in the Thunder, and there is always excitement over playing a game at the facility that is home to the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Tyler Hermann hit a key long pass that started a 109-yard touchdown drive.

    The Hilltops Cheerleading team makes it down to the event as does a large following of family and friends.

    News that a Hilltops victory would give Sargeant his 200^th win made this trip extra special.

    Veteran Saskatoon StarPhoenix sports scribe Kevin Mitchell broke the story last Wednesday stating Sargeant was a win away from 200. Mitchell researched Sargeant’s record since he became Hilltops head coach in 1998 and did the math on the career record.

    If it wasn’t for Mitchell’s work, no one would have been aware that milestone was near.

    I was as close to certain as you can get that Mitchell had everything bang on. I still decided to perform due diligence and double check the numbers. I confirmed that everything Mitchell put together on this front was accurate.

Ben Abrook charges downfield for the Hilltops.

    I checked in with Harvey Kehler, who is the new statistician for the CJFL. He was outstanding to deal with on this front in further confirming the numbers.

    After helping out with a clarification on one question he had, Kehler confirmed the numbers Mitchell put together, and everything was officially in line when the Hilltops and Thunder hit the field on Sunday.

    Over the years, the Hilltops and Thunder engaged in some epic clashes. In all honesty, Saskatoon’s victory on Sunday wasn’t one of those epic clashes.

    Both teams played a spotty game, where they made great plays at times and didn’t look very good at other times. The two sides combined for eight turnovers with the Thunder, who fell to 1-1, giving the ball away five times and the Hilltops, who improved to 2-0, giving it up three times.

    After the contest, Sargeant said he didn’t coach a very good game and couldn’t wait for his team to return to practice on Tuesday to get better.

Hilltops DB Kirk Morrow disrupts a Thunder pass play.

    With that said, Sargeant and his coaching staff were doing everything they could to motivate, encourage and most importantly correct errors. Saskatoon’s coaches were highly active due to the fact the Hilltops experience a lot of turnover amongst their starters resulting in a lot of new faces in new roles.

    While Sargeant said he didn’t have one of his best games, he likely did a lot better of a job than he gives himself credit for.

    Late in the first quarter, the Hilltops go the ball on their own one yard line, after defensive back Colton Holmes ripped the ball away from Thunder short yardage quarterback Carter Shewchuk.

    Sargeant, who is also Saskatoon’s offensive coordinator, called for a deep pass down the right sideline on the Hilltops ensuing offensive play. Hilltops starting quarterback Tyler Hermann completed a 37-yard pass to receiver Keegan Dicks, who had a Thunder defensive back draped all over him.

    That started an 11-play, 109-yard touchdown drive that was capped by a three-yard run by power running back Ben Abrook in the second quarter to give Saskatoon a 7-0.

Backup QB Doug Fleming, left, takes off on a 33-yard touchdown run.

    Later in the second quarter, Sargeant grilled backup running back Carter McLean for missing a block on a quarterback draw and pulled the second-year player off the field. Just seconds later, Sargeant was talking off to the side with McLean and sent him back into the game.

    Sargeant proceeded to call the same quarterback draw play with backup signal caller Doug Fleming taking the snaps. McLean made his block and Fleming raced 33 yards for the Hilltops second touchdown of the contest and a 14-2 lead.

    The Hilltops don’t usually do the ice bucket shower tradition for the head coach unless they win a CJFL championship, and Sargeant has 12 of those to his credit as a head coach to go along with two CJFL title wins as a Hilltops assistant coach and one as a Hilltops player.

The Hilltops celebrate a TD run from QB Doug Fleming (#4).

    After the clock expired on Sunday, Sargeant received the ice bucket shower fourth-year defensive tackle Jesse McNabb and fifth-year defensive back Logan Kelsey-Stern. Sargeant immediately hugged McNabb as McNabb was the nearest to him and the rest of the players piled around for a short celebration.

    Hilltops president Terry Postey collected game ball and there was glee from the Hilltops players, coaches and staffers in helping Sargeant, who is by far the CJFL’s all-time leader in career wins, obtain this special milestone.

    That added something extra to celebrating the win with the friend and family that lined the front row of the west side stands to meet the team.

Running back Carter McLean piles up some yards for the Hilltops.

    Sargeant became the second head coach to hit the 200-win barrier in Canadian amateur post-secondary football joining retired Regina Rams head coach Frank McCrystal, who piled up 208 wins from 1984 to 2014 including action in the regular season and post-season in the CJFL and U Sports ranks. The Rams joined the U Sports ranks in 1999.

    The Hilltops were formed in 1947, appeared in their first CJFL title game in 1948 and captured their first CJFL crown in 1953.

    Since that time, they have become an institution in Saskatoon winning 21 CJFL championships. In building their storied history, the Hilltops have done things the right way and with class in developing young men to have a positive impact on their communities.

    If Saskatoon as a city is going through a rough stretch, the Hilltops are seen as that reassuring positive light of what can happen when you do everything right.

The Hilltops players visit family and friends after Sunday’s win.

    In today’s world where there are challenges seemingly in every walk of life, it is reassuring for those in Saskatoon to know the Hilltops are that one team and one organization you can count on to do things the right way.

    When Sargeant picked up his 200^th win, it added an ultimate moment of what can happen when things are done the right way.

    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’ Holmes gets a short taste of Roughriders dream

Colton Holmes meets some 

    Colton Holmes didn’t want to bow out early this time from Saskatchewan Roughriders training camp.

    The Saskatoon Hilltops star defensive attended the Roughriders CFL training camp a year ago, but he was sent home early after injuring his knee during the first week. After having a strong campaign last season with the Hilltops, Holmes was hopeful he would get a chance to attend this year’s Roughriders camp.

    The graduate of Saskatoon’s Aden Bowman Collegiate was told by Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant a Roughriders camp invite might be coming.

    Holmes officially received his invite about nine days before Roughriders camp started.

    “It was a just a great opportunity to be able to go back and put everything that I got into it,” said Holmes, who helped the Hilltops win a fifth consecutive Canadian Junior Football League championship last season.

Colton Holmes gets set for a drill at Roughriders camp.

    Holmes made good on the opportunity he was given hanging around for the entirety of Roughriders camp that ran from late May to early June. After camp activities wrapped up, the Roughriders added Holmes to their practice roster.

    He remained with the Roughriders until rejoining the Hilltops last Thursday.

    “It was awesome,” said Holmes, who stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 200 pounds. “Growing up in Saskatchewan, it has kind of been the Saskatchewan dream.

    “To get to do that was pretty cool.”

    Last season, the Hilltops had a dominating campaign posting an 11-0 overall record, while trailing on the scoreboard for just a combined time span of 81 seconds.

    Holmes did his part to contribute to the success posting 29.5 total tackles, two interceptions, one fumble recovery and one sack in 11 overall appearances.

    Stepping on the field with the Roughriders, Holmes said the biggest initial adjustment is getting used to the increased speed of the game. He also looked forward to the challenge of covering the team’s receivers that were born in the United States.

Colton Holmes guards his zone at Roughriders camp.

    “It was a little bit different, but at the end of the day, I grew from it and learned a lot from it,” said Holmes. “It was pretty cool getting to line up against them.

    “Some of those guys got to play in the NFL.”

    Holmes said there were times in training camp things were a bit of a grind, but he didn’t mind. Overall, he cherished the opportunities that came his way with the Roughriders.

    “Once I got adjusted, it was really good,” said Holmes. “Just the whole experience there to play at that level and that speed and with the coaching, I really learned a lot, so it was a great experience.”

    Sargeant was pleased and proud Holmes hug around with the Roughriders for as long as he did before rejoining the Hilltops.

    “What a great experience number one for Colton (Holmes),” said Sargeant. “He’s earned it.

    “He has been a great Hilltop for the last few years. He is going to bring a lot of savvy and moxy. I had a good visit with him, and it was very impactful for him. It will be impactful for us.”

Colton Holmes in action for the Hilltops last season.

    The Hilltops sideline boss always appreciates seeing his players get an opportunity to try and prove themselves at the professional level.

    “We were able to send two players there this year with him (Holmes) and (left-tackle) Mason Ochs,” said Sargeant. “I think that is a pretty good deal.

    “It sort of shows you the type of calibre of players we have when Colton (Holmes) can stay there for two months. That is pretty good.”

    Holmes is entering his fourth-year with the Hilltops, but will be using the final year of his CJFL eligibility. He turned 22-years-old in September.

    A Prairie Football Conference all-star last year, Holmes has been thinking about his chances of playing football, when this season is done. He would like another opportunity to crack a CFL roster one day and notes he has to do his part on the effort front.

    “Just keep working and stay healthy,” said Holmes. “The biggest thing is to just keep working at it.

    “I’m still young. I have lots of football left.”

Colton Holmes (#9) enjoys the Hilltops CJFL title win last November.

    In the present, Holmes plans to soak in every moment in his final campaign with the Hilltops, who got going with training camp activities on Aug. 5. Saskatoon opens its regular season schedule this coming Sunday by traveling to Winnipeg to take on the Rifles.

    Holmes is looking forward to getting back in the groove with Sargeant and defensive backs coach Brent Turkington.

    “I’m actually grateful to come back here to play my final year and work with an amazing coaching staff,” said Holmes. “I love coach Sarge (Sargeant).

    “I love coach Turk (Turkington). I just want to pass on the knowledge that I learned over there (with the Roughriders) and bring it back to the Hilltops and embrace the Hilltop tradition.”

“Sarge” pumped Hardy is Huskies’ top dog

Tom Sargeant, right, is happy Dave Hardy is the Huskies’ CAO.

    Tom Sargeant had the biggest grin, when he was asked about an old friend that isn’t slowing any time soon.

    Last Thursday, the University of Saskatchewan announced that Dave Hardy would become the new chief athletics officer for Huskie Athletics. Hardy officially assumed his new job on Monday.

    At age 71, Hardy takes over the top job with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies program, which plays out of the U Sports ranks, from Shawn Burt, who recently stepped down to be closer to family in Ontario.

    Hardy has a storied career in the Saskatoon school system as a teacher, principal and school superintendant. He is a former president of Vancouver College, and he led that institution to new heights in academic and athletic excellence.

    That included facilitating a capital fundraising campaign that exceeded $20-million.

    In Saskatoon, he is widely remembered for guiding the Saskatoon Hilltops as head coach for 10 seasons from 1988 to 1997. The Hilltops won two Canadian Junior Football League titles in 1991 and 1996 under Hardy’s guidance.

    Hardy brought Sargeant to the Hilltops coaching staff before the start of the 1991 campaign to be the club’s special teams coordinator and defensive line coach. The two coached together for seven seasons.

    Sargeant was pumped to see Hardy will take over as the Huskies top boss.

    “That is fantastic,” said Sargeant. “Dave, the guy is just a proven winner wherever he goes.

    “He is a difference maker. He is going to make the University of Saskatchewan a better place. He is ageless.”

    Hardy posted a 70-18-1 regular season record guiding the Hilltops as head coach. In 1995, Hardy was named the coach of the year for the entire CJFL.

    When he departed from the Hilltops, Hardy was at that time the team’s longest serving head coach.

    He is an alumnus of the Huskies men’s basketball team and coached basketball for extended stints during his time in the Saskatoon school system.

    Hardy and Sargeant coached against each other in a junior high school boys’ basketball game during the 1990-91 campaign, and Hardy came away impressed with Sargeant from that encounter. That helped lead to Hardy bringing Sargeant on board with the Hilltops coaching staff.

    In 1998, Sargeant succeeded Hardy as the Hilltops head coach. In his 21 complete seasons as Hilltops head coach, Sargeant is the all-time leader in career CJFL regular season wins at 147 and has guided the Hilltops to 12 CJFL titles.

    Under Sargeant’s guidance, the Hilltops have won the last five straight CJFL championships and have claimed the CJFL crown eight out of the last nine years.

    At age 54, Sargeant is embarking on his 22^nd season as head coach of the Hilltops. He is grateful for Hardy bringing him on to the team’s coaching staff in 1991 and for the influence Hardy provided in the seven campaigns they worked together.

    “He (Hardy) has always got tremendous passion and energy for life and for situations,” said Sargeant, who was the CJFL coach of the year in 2000 and 2003. “I am very proud of him and know that he is going to walk in there (with the Huskies) and do a fantastic job.”

Excited to welcome Dave Hardy, who is set to take over as Chief Athletics Officer of Huskie Athletics🗣

📰 https://t.co/wMfgn8Aksu | #HuskiePride pic.twitter.com/OBwrKTH7qz

— Huskie Athletics (@HuskieAthletics) August 7, 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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