Heintz soaks in final playoff ride with Hilltops

Dillan Heintz, centre, walks on to SMF Field with his parents.

During his first two seasons with the Saskatoon Hilltops, Dillan Heintz never doubted the words of the team’s veteran leaders, but he admits they hit differently now that he is a veteran leader.

The 22-year-old receiver is one of the Hilltops captains. He is set to embark on his final playoff run with the team as he will graduate out of the CJFL ranks whenever the Hilltops post-season run comes to an end.

The Hilltops open the CJFL post-season taking on the Edmonton Huskies in a PFC semifinal on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Both teams sported 5-3 regular season records, but the Hilltops finished second in the PFC and earned the right to host the PFC semifinal due to taking the lone head-to-head regular season encounter with the Huskies 38-10 on August 21 at SMF Field.

Heintz said it was different knowing this will be his last playoff run with the Hilltops.

“Looking back at it now, it went by in a flash,” said Heintz, who is one of 20 players who will graduate from the Hilltops at the conclusion of their 2022 post-season run. “Back in my first and second year, I would listen to the old guys who said to enjoy every moment.

“Now, you look at that, and it means a lot more. I’m just trying to enjoy the guys and take it as far as we can.”

Last year, Heintz had a memorable clutch moment in a PFC semifinal against the Huskies. With the Hilltops trailing 31-27, Heintz caught a pass on a five-yard out pattern from quarterback Damon Dutton with 21.3 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to allow the Hilltops to pull out a 33-31 victory.

Dillan Heintz scores the PFC semifinal winning TD in 2021.

Heintz remembers the offence getting in the zone during the winning two-minute drill drive, and he happened to have the honour of being put in position to catch the winning score.

“It is pretty spectacular honestly,” said Heintz, who stands 5-foot-11 and weighs 185 pounds. “Just as a team, that was such a special moment.

“For us to do the whole two-minute drill and go there with whatever it was a minute and 18 seconds on the clock and win the game, I just had my number called. It was a combination of good plays.

“It wasn’t just one guy. It was all 12 of us on the field, and yeah, it was pretty special.”

Legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant said the team’s coaching staff always has memories of the clutch plays Heintz makes in the back of their collective minds. When the time comes where the team needs a clutch play, Sargeant said Heintz is one of the players the club’s coaches look to.

“He (Heintz) is a prime time player,” said Sargeant. “He has played a lot of games for us – a lot of big games.

“We just have a lot of confidence in him. Dillan is a captain. He is a leader.

“He is one of the top guys on this offence. He is one of the guys we expect to make the tough catch and make the tough block.”

Heintz, who is graduate of Saskatoon’s Centennial Collegiate Chargers Football Team, is versatile too. He is a player the Hilltops will give the ball to on a jet sweep or have him throw a pass on a gadget play. Heintz has a sound understanding of the offence and comes though with the unnoticed task of making key blocks on running plays.

Dillan Heintz motors upfield after making a catch.

When Heintz was unable to play during the team’s third and fourth games of the regular season due to a minor injury which they lost, Sargeant said Heintz’s absence hurt the team way more than people would suspect. When Heintz returned to play, Sargeant said it added an infusion of stability and confidence.

“On our offence, you just know that the spotlight is on him (Heintz),” said Sargeant. “Where he goes a lot of times that is where the ball seems to go.

“We try to take advantage of what defences are trying to do. When they are over playing him, that gives us the hitch pass or the bubble pass those types of things. As I said, he is just always heavily involved in our game plan.

“We always try to scheme for him like we are doing this week to put him in spots. The sooner you get him the ball he is a tough guy to tackle. We love that he is here, and we are enjoying every minute we can with him.”

Heintz was pleased he wasn’t out of the lineup for more than two games due to the fact he is playing his final CJFL season. When he did make his return, he was energized to get on the field.

“I was trying to get back like a week or two earlier than I even did,” said Heintz. “It was kind a collective decision for coaches and trainers.

“It was the right call to sit out a couple of games. When I got back, I was ready to get out there, and I was ready to smash my face into someone else honestly. It was kind of one of those things you are just itching.

“No one likes to be injured, so you’re ready to get back out there as soon as you can.”

Dillan Heintz hold on to an acrobatic catch for the Hilltops.

Due to his injury, the Hilltops early season struggles in the passing game and how spectacular the team’s run game has been, Heintz had modest numbers in the 2022 regular season. 

In six games, he caught 20 passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns and ran the ball once for 23 yards.

Heintz said he has always cared more about wins than personal statistics. With the Hilltops ground game averaging 227.3 yards rushing per contest over the team’s eight regular season games and 309 yards rushing per outing in the club’s three game winning streak heading into playoffs, Heintz is ready to play the hot hand and continue block.

While the run is important, Heintz is staying prepared to make a difference in the passing game.

“As receivers, we take a lot of pride in our blocking,” said Heintz. “We practise that every single day.

“You’re always ready when your number is going to get called. In the game, you’re lucky if you get five to six balls thrown your way. You have to make sure you capitalize on every single one of those chances.

“We’re a heavy run team, so we take pride in our blocking.”

The Hilltops celebrate Dillan Heintz’s PFC semifinal winning TD in 2021.

While the end of the 2022 Hilltops campaign is near, Heintz said he isn’t sure what he is going to do when the post-season wraps up. He has put thoughts about his time coming to an end with the storied CJFL team to the back of his mind.

“I haven’t really thought about it,” said Heintz. “I’m trying to just kind of focus on here and now.

“Right now, we have the Edmonton Huskies this week. I’m trying to enjoy as much time as I can with these guys. They’re my brothers, so coming here every day is a privilege.

“To be here with my brothers and my coaches and trainers and everyone, it is just a special experience, and I’m trying to soak it all in.”

Davidsen gets second PFC player of the week nod

Boston Davidsen rumbles downfield for the Hilltops.

A big game that allowed Saskatoon Hilltops star power running back Boston Davidsen to break the 1000-yard rushing barrier also resulted in his second player of the week nod for the 2022 CJFL campaign.

On Wednesday, Davidsen was named the PFC’s player-of-the-week for efforts in the Hilltops 43-14 victory over the Calgary Colts this past Sunday. In that contest, Davidsen carried the ball 16 times for 146 yards and two touchdowns by the halftime break.

Those became his final game totals as the Hilltops held a 26-0 lead at halftime and rotated in their talented and deep stable of running backs in the second half. During the eight game regular season, Davidsen carried the ball 149 times for 1,037 yards and scored seven touchdowns.

Regina Thunder linebacker Stephen Smith took home honours as the PFC’s defensive player of the week on Wednesday. In the Thunder’s 42-14 victory over the Edmonton Huskies last Sunday at Leibel Field in Regina, Smith had four defensive tackles, two defensive tackle assists, 1.5 quarterback sacks, a pass knockdown, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and one interception.

Thunder linebacker Devin Baumann took the nod as the PFC’s special teams player of the week Wednesday for his efforts in the Thunder’s win over the Huskies this past Sunday. Baumann made a CJFL record five special teams solo tackles helping the Thunder improve to 8-0 on the campaign.

Title matches set in BCFC and OFC

This coming Saturday will be championship Saturday for the CJFL’s BCFC and OFC conferences.

The BCFC championship will see the Okanagan Sun host the Westshore Rebels at the Apple Bowl in Kelowna, B.C., on Saturday. The Sun posted a perfect 10-0 record in regular season play and dumped the defending CJFL champion Langley Rams 44-20 in one BCFC semifinal last Saturday at the Apple Bowl. The Rams posted a 5-5 record in regular season play.

In the other BCFC semifinal played this past Sunday, the Rebels blanked the Valley Huskers 34-0 at Starlight Stadium in Langford, which is a suburb of Victoria, B.C. Both clubs had 7-3 regular season records and split their two game regular season series 1-1, but the Rebels hosted the BCFC semifinal having outscored the Huskers 48-35 in their two head-to-head regular season meetings.

The OFC championship will see the St. Clair Saints host the London Beefeaters at Acumen Stadium in Windsor, Ont., on Saturday. The Saints posted a perfect 8-0 record in regular season play and blanked the Hamilton Hurricanes 44-0 in one OFC semifinal played last Saturday at Acumen Stadium. The Hurricanes had a 3-5 regular season record.

In the other OFC semifinal played last Saturday, the Beefeaters downed the Ottawa Sooners 38-14 at City Wide Sports Park in London, Ont. The Beefeaters were 6-2 in regular season play, while the Sooners had a 5-3 mark.

The OFC champion will host the BCFC champion in a CJFL semifinal slated for Saturday, October 29.

WWCFL stars Chan, Zuck break into CJFL coaching ranks

Ehjae Chan, left, hangs with Adrienne Zuck. (Photo courtesy Ehjae Chan) 

The 2022 season has been a special one for the CJFL as two stars from the WWCFL broke into the junior circuit’s coaching ranks.

From the start of the current campaign, Ehjae Chan has been working as an assistant defensive backs coach with the Edmonton Huskies and Adrienne Zuck has been a toiling as a defensive backs coach with the Regina Thunder. Both have had long playing careers in the WWCFL, and it is believed they are the first two female coaches to work in the CJFL.

Chan starred at linebacker and defensive back for the Saskatoon Valkyries for six seasons from 2014 to 2019 helping them win three WWCFL titles in 2014, 2016 and 2019. She moved to Edmonton following the 2019 campaign and suited up for the Edmonton Storm this past season after the 2020 and 2021 WWCFL seasons were cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has gripped the world.

Chan has helped coach minor football in the Alberta capital along with returning to action and playing for the Storm this season. She was a member of Team Alberta’s Under-18 Women’s Team coaching staff that saw Alberta win Football Canada’s Women’s Under-18 Championship tournament downing Saskatchewan 36-12 in the title game on July 9 at Mosaic Stadium in Regina.

Zuck is an original member of the Regina Riot suiting up for that club in the inaugural WWCFL season in 2011. From the start, Zuck was a star at linebacker for the Riot, and she played with the team through the end of the 2019 campaign. She helped the Riot win three WWCFL titles in 2015, 2017 and 2018.

Internationally, Zuck suited up for Canada as a defensive back for the International Federation of American Football’s Senior Women’s World Championship in 2013 and 2017 helping Canada win silver at both events.

Zuck has coach in Regina Minor Football and the Regina high school ranks with Thom Collegiate, Winston Knoll Collegiate and Campbell Collegiate. She joined the Riot coaching staff this past season as a defensive backs coach.

Chan and Zuck were teammates helping Team Saskatchewan win Football Canada’s Senior Women’s National Championship tournament in 2016 at historic Taylor Field in Regina, Sask. Saskatchewan took the gold medal game over that event on July 31 of that year with a 34-22 victory over Quebec.

Both entered the CJFL on the heels of Emmarae Dale becoming the first female to play regular season games in the CJFL during the 2021 campaign, when she suited up at linebacker for the Saskatoon Hilltops.

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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Reider making good on first starts at QB for Hilltops

Trey Reider, left, fires a pass downfield for the Hilltops.

Trey Reider is now the starter at quarterback for the Saskatoon Hilltops, but he is still acting like there is an open competition for that spot.

When the Hilltops saw their record fall to 2-3 after three straight losses, the club’s coaching staff elected to pull 22-year-old Damon Dutton from the starting quarterback spot in favour of the 20-year-old Reider before the team’s road game on Sept. 25 in Calgary against the Colts. In that contest at Shouldice Athletic Park, Reider completed 16-of-24 passes for 191 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in a 35-17 victory in his first career CJFL start.

Reider followed up that performance on Oct. 2 completing 16-of-20 passes for 207 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in 64-7 romp over the Edmonton Wildcats at Emerald Hills Regional Park in Sherwood Park, Alta.

Heading into the Sept. 25 contest against the Colts, Reider said the coaches informed him that he would be in a competition in practice that week for the starting quarterback role with Dutton.

“We were just competing all week me and Damon (Dutton),” said Reider. “It was just a friendly competition just to see who could play.

“Then I got my shot against Calgary, and we did quite well. We’re still competing every day in practice just testing each other and making each other better.”

Reider will get his third start on Sunday, when the Hilltops (4-3) host the Colts (2-5) at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The clash will close the CJFL regular season schedules for both sides and the 2022 campaign for the Colts, who have been eliminated from post-season contention.

Trey Reider (#3) calls signals in a short-yardage situation.

The Hilltops are locked in to play the Edmonton Huskies (5-2) in a PFC semifinal match, but where that contest will be played is still up in the air. The Huskies close their regular season schedule on Sunday when they travel to Regina to face the Thunder (7-0) at Leibel Field.

The’ Toppers hold the standings tiebreaker with the Huskies due to winning the lone head-to-head encounter between the two clubs 38-10 on August 21 at SMF Field. If the Hilltops win their final regular season game and the Huskies fall in their final regular season outing, the Hilltops would vault to second place in the PFC and host a PFC semifinal against the Huskies.

The Huskies would lock up second place in the PFC if they win their final regular season game or the Hilltops fall in their last regular season clash.

Reider admits he is pumped to make his first start at home.

“It is a bit exciting,” said Reider. “I haven’t played at home yet.

“At the same time, I just have to take care of business this weekend.”

During his first two starts, Reider said his offensive line did a great job pass blocking giving him lots of time to complete passes. He also gave a nod to his receivers for their great work noting that veterans Dillan Heintz and Noah Flaman came down with some clutch catches.

The Hilltops need Damon Dutton to remain sharp as a backup.

Reider added that the biggest thing that allowed the passing game to work the past two games was the fact the Hilltops ground game has been outstanding anchored by star power running back Boston Davidsen, who needs 109 yard rushing on Sunday to hit the 1,000-yard plateau for the season.

In the Sept. 25 win over the Colts, the Hilltops piled up 269 yards rushing as a team. Saskatoon rolled off 303 yards rushing as a squad in the Oct. 2 victory over the Wildcats.

“It helps out so much when your run game is just as good as it is right now,” said Reider. “It just opens up the pass game for us, because they have to put so many more guys on the line to stop Boston (Davidsen).

“Just a shout out to our O-line and Boston (Davidsen) for getting those yards every game. It makes me look better.”

Legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant said Reider has played well in his first two starts.

“We’re very pleased with Trey’s performance,” said Sargeant. “At the end of the day, he has shown a lot of growth within the offence we are running.

“He is starting to grasp it. Each rep, each play, each day he practises, you see him getting better and more confident. We have a lot of faith in him.

“We’re going to continue to expand the playbook and put him in good situations. He has been doing the right thing by making a lot of plays, so as I said, it has been good. It has helped to make us better, and we’re looking forward to the stretch run now.”

Sargeant said it wasn’t easy to make the change at the starting quarterback spot, because you get invested in the players.

Boston Davidsen and Hilltops have piled up the rushing yards.

“At the end of the day, I blame myself for not making this be what it needs to be,” said Sargeant. “At the end of the day, Damon (Dutton) is a champion, he is a leader and he is out here doing the right things.”

The sideline boss said the Hilltops need all their quarterbacks to be ready with the post-season just around the corner, and someone like Dutton could find himself pressed into action.

“The great thing about the quarterback position is you are one play away from having to be ready,” said Sargeant. “We know Damon (Dutton) is ready and waiting for his opportunity.

“He (Dutton) is practising hard and asking good questions and still doing the right things. We feel we are in a good situation. We feel we have two outstanding quarterbacks that if need be either one we can count on to go out there and do the job and make the plays.”

Hilltops to salute “Sarge” for 25^th year as HC, other notes

Tom Sargeant has been the Hilltops head coach since Dec. 1997.

The Saskatoon Hilltops will be saluting the best who has ever guided the venerable CJFL club as head coach and is Canada’s all-time wins leader in post-secondary football.

When the Hilltops close their regular season schedule on Sunday at 1 p.m. hosting the Calgary Colts at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Hilltops will honour Tom Sargeant for the 25 years he has served with the team as head coach. Sargeant officially became the Hilltops head coach in early December of 1997.

Before becoming a head coach, Sargeant served as a Hilltops assistant coach from 1991 through to becoming head coach in December of 1997. He played slotback for the team from 1983 to 1985.

As Hilltops head coach, Sargeant has posted a career record of 222-36-2 including a 165-26-2 mark in regular season action and a 57-10 mark in post-season play. Sargeant has guided the Hilltops to 13 CJFL championships as head coach coming in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

He also celebrated CJFL championship wins as an assistant coach in 1991 and 1996 and his first CJFL title victory came as a player in 1985.

The 57-year-old was named CJFL coach of the year twice coming in 2000 and 2003.

Matt Turple is one of 15 players who will graduate from the Hilltops.

As Sunday’s contest is the Hilltops last regular season home game for the 2022 campaign, the team will salute the 20 players who will graduate from the club following the completion of the squad’s post-season run. The graduating players will make a traditional walk out of the tunnel with their parents.

The Hilltops will also be offering free admission to the contest to all first responders and salute them during Sunday’s game. The YXE First Responders Fitness Festival is slated to be held at the Indoor Training Centre on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds.

• Heading into the last weekend of regular season games for the PFC, Hilltops outside linebacker Konner Johnson leads the conference in defensive points with 108 points coming on 28 solo defensive tackles, 12 defensive tackle assists, three solo special teams tackles, two special teams tackle assists, two quarterback sacks, five pass deflections and four interceptions. Johnson is trying to top the PFC in defensive points for two consecutive seasons.
• On Sunday, the Winnipeg Rifles (3-4) host the Edmonton Wildcats (0-7) at IG Field in the Manitoba capital to close the respective regular season schedules for both of those clubs. The Wildcats have been eliminated from CJFL playoff contention, while the Rifles know they will travel to Regina to face the Thunder in a PFC semifinal with the date and location of that contest still to be announced.
• The University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team will host the University of Regina Rams in a huge U Sports regular season game on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Griffiths Stadium. The Huskies sit in first place in the Canada West Conference at 5-0, while the Rams sit second at 4-1. The two side met on Sept. 17 at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, where the Huskies pulled out an 11-10 victory with kicker/punter David Solie hitting a winning 32-yard field goal with two seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
• On Monday, Saskatoon Blades 19-year-old left-winger Conner Roulette was named the WHL player of the week for the week ending on October 9. Roulette collected five goals and three assists in four contests from October 3-9 as the Blades posted a 2-2 record. The Blades are 5-2 in the early going of the WHL regular season. Moose Jaw Warriors overage netminder Connor Ungar was the WHL goaltender of the week for the week ending on October 9. In three appearances from October 3 to 9, Ungar posted a 2-0 record, a 0.80 goals against average and a .979 save percentage.
• Last Sunday, I had new content appear on the Howe Happenings blog that supports the Gordie Howe Sports Complex. I put together a feature on track and field star Kendra Farmer embarking her final season with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Women’s Team. Farmer is a regular at the Track and Field Track on the Complex grounds training as an elite athlete while helping coach with Running Wild Athletics Club. The piece on Farmer can found by clicking right here. I also created a photo round up that shows the fall season in full sprint, and that piece can be found by clicking right here.

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Horsley at home with Hilltops

Saskatoon ends three game skid with win in Calgary

Lachlan Horsley has made some big catches for the Hilltops.

Lachlan Horsley found a new sense of belonging when he joined the Saskatoon Hilltops.

Looking back on his entire football career from when he first started playing the game, the 22-year-old receiver said the best experiences he has had in the game have come from being a member of the storied CJFL club.

“I always played flag when I was young,” said Horsley, who stands 5-foot-11 and weighs 185 pounds. “It was just natural that I was going to play tackle in peewee six-a-side.

“I think I’ve played ever since I was seven and just kept going. After high school, I had the opportunity to go play post-secondary with the (University of Saskatchewan) Huskies and now here. I’ve been playing my whole life and really found a home here with the Saskatoon Hilltops.”

On Sunday, Horsley and the Hilltops ended a three game losing streak posting a 35-17 victory in a CJFL regular season contest over the Colts at Shouldice Athletic Park in Calgary. The Hilltops improved to 3-3 and moved into third place in the PFC after the Winnipeg Rifles fell at home 29-23 at IG Field Sunday to the visiting Regina Thunder.

While both the Hilltops and Rifles have identical 3-3 regular season records and they split their two head-to-head regular season games, Saskatoon holds the standing tiebreaker having outscored Winnipeg 35-29 head-to-head. The Rifles sit fourth in the PFC, and the Colts fell to 2-4 with their loss to the Hilltops to occupy fifth in the PFC.

The Thunder sit first in the PFC with a 6-0 mark and need to win one of their last two games to lock up top spot in the conference. On Saturday, the Edmonton Huskies thumped the Edmonton Wildcats 48-14 in Sherwood Park, Alta.

The Huskies have won three straight and improved to 4-2 to sit second in the PFC. The Wildcats fell to 0-6 and were officially eliminated from contention for a post-season berth.

As for Horsley, he graduated from Warman High School in June of 2018, and he first joined the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team in the U Sports ranks. 

Lachlan Horsley had a big day in a PFC semifinal win last year.

The skill pass catcher was a red shirt for the 2018 as the Huskies would win the Hardy Cup as the Canada West Conference champions and bow out of the post-season falling 47-24 to the University of Western Ontario Mustangs in the Mitchell Bowl U Sports semifinal contest.

While going through that campaign just practicing with the Huskies, Horsley found he was jumping to get back into game action. He thought that in his personal situation joining the Hilltops would allow him to get on the field in game situations quicker than if he remained with the Huskies.

“I was originally just OK to red shirt and have like this long played out career there,” said Horsley, who is playing through his final campaign of CJFL eligibility. “Then, I was pretty eager to start playing again and to actually start.

“I was climbing the depth chart quite a bit, but I made the decision to come over to the Hilltops here. Then, I was kind of a scout team guy the first year, but I took the time to develop and kind of flourish a bit.”

Horsley joined the Hilltops for the 2019 CJFL campaign. He got to see the field for limited game action that season catching two passes for 10 yards and returning two kicks for 14 yards in regular season play.

During what was a learning campaign for Horsley, the Hilltops posted a perfect 12-0 record in 2019 winning the Canadian Bowl as CJFL champions for a sixth straight year. He made enough progress that the coaches were tabbing him for a starting role in 2020.

The 2020 CJFL campaign was ultimately cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that gripped the world. The Hilltops did practise as team for six weeks in September and October of that year.

Last season, Horsley’s hard work and perseverance paid off as he hit the field as a starter. During the Hilltops eight regular season games, he hauled in 24 passes for 365 yards and scored two touchdowns.

Lachlan Horsley, left, had a big game versus the Thunder on Sept. 10.

Horsley had another 10 catches for 152 yards in the Hilltops three outings in the 2021 postseason.

“Finally last year, I got my first real taste of the starting life,” said Horsley. “I got two years now here.

“I love it. I feel like I fell in love with football when I came here.”

Horsley’s growth has been noticed by the Saskatoon coaching staff too. Hilltops legendary head coach Tom Sargeant said Horsley is a prime time player who is getting rewarded for the hard work he has put in over the years.

“He was a quality player coming out of high school,” said Sargeant. “He was a quality player when he got here.

“He paid his dues. He waited his time, and he is taking advantage of his situation.”

Sargeant said he wishes Horsley could have had a better opportunity to make a key play in the Hilltops 29-21 overtime loss to their provincial rivals the Regina Thunder on September 10, 2022. In that contest, Horsley caught nine passes for 122 yards.

The Hilltops had the first possession in the extra session played under the CFL’s shootout rules format. They gambled on a third and goal situation from the Regina six yard line and Horsley came open in the end zone, but the pass that came his way was thrown behind him.

“He’s got a lot of gifts, so that is why we threw him the ball a lot, and he made his plays,” said Sargeant. “It is too bad we didn’t get him the ball in a better spot for him to make that play at the end of the game, because I believe if it was a good throw he makes the play and maybe the outcome is a little different.”

Lachlan Horsley has come up clutch in big situations.

To date, Horsley’s most memorable game came in the Hilltops 33-31 PFC semifinal win on November 7, 2021 against the Edmonton Huskies at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. In an all-time CJFL classic, Horsley caught six passes for 106 yards.

After the Huskies scored to go ahead 27-24 with 1:18 remaining in the fourth quarter, Horsley made three key catches on the Hilltops final drive to set up quarterback Damon Dutton hitting veteran receiver Dillan Heintz with a five-yard touchdown toss to win the game by two points with 21.3 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

“To be honest, the stadium energy was low,” said Horsley. “Our sideline energy was low.

“As much as we went out there and, ‘Yeah, we’re going to win this game,’ I didn’t feel like the expectations were that high. Then a couple of guys made a play or two and that switch just flipped, and it was like, ‘Hey, we’re going to do this.’ I got a couple of balls thrown my way and made all my catches.

“We’re matching the field, and then, it became a reality you know what we were actually going to do this. We finished it off. That is probably my favourite football moment of my life so far.”

While the Hilltops hit a rough stretch losing three in a row after starting out 2-0, Horsley believes his squad has the players to end the campaign on a high note. He is focused on doing his part to write a good end to his final CJFL season.

“I suppose I am a fifth year, but regardless of what year you are in when you play for the Saskatoon Hilltops, you’re expected to win the Canadian championship for the fifth years regardless,” said Horsley, who travel to Edmonton next weekend to face the Wildcats. “It is my last year.

“It would be terrific to win, but right now, we have our work cut out for us. I’m excited, because I am a workaholic if you ask any of our coaches. We’re going to get to work, and we’ll get this thing figured out.

Lachlan Horsley and the Hilltops face the Wildcats next.

“It should be exciting soon to watch.”

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Football all about brains and brawn for Hilltops’ Hartz

Daylen Hartz has rounded into top form for the Hilltops.

Daylen Hartz said you need to have both brains and brawn, when it comes to playing football.

The defensive end has become a force on the defensive line with the Saskatoon Hilltops. While Hartz enjoys slugging it out in the trenches against offensive linemen and hitting quarterbacks and running backs, he is mindful of tactics and game plans used in the sport.

That includes figuring out ways to beat blocking schemes that are used against him in line play to overall defensive schemes that are used to stop various plays and looks opposing offences comes up with.

“It is not always about contact,” said Hartz, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 245 pounds. “It is the strategy behind everything too.

“It is almost like the chess of sports. Every move has strategy behind it. You’re trying to like counteract each other with what they are doing, but also hitting is fun too.”

Strategy could play a part in the Hilltops (1-0) upcoming game when they host the Edmonton Huskies (1-0) on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

The last time these two clubs played was in a PFC semifinal last season that saw the Hilltops pull out a 33-31 victory in an all-time classic at SMF Field on November 7, 2021. Saskatoon claimed victory when quarterback Damon Dutton hit receiver Dillan Heintz with a five yard game winning touchdown toss with 21.3 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

Daylen Hartz, right, had two sacks for the Hilltops last Sunday.

Last season marked the first time Hartz hit the field in a starting role for the ’Toppers. He led the team with four sacks during the eight game regular season, while collecting five solo tackles, six tackle assists and a forced fumble.

In the Hilltops three playoff games, Hartz had one sack, nine solo tackles and one tackle assist. His sack came in the CJFL semifinal, which the Hilltops fell to the Rams in Langley 17-14. The Rams advanced from that contest to win the Canadian Bowl to become CJFL champions.

Hartz was pumped to get on the field as a starter.

“It was awesome,” said Hartz, who is a graduate of Saskatoon’s Holy Cross High School Crusaders Football Team. “I loved having the opportunity to start after being on the sideline for a while.

“It was exciting to get in there. Obviously, I did a lot of bad plays. I had a couple of good plays.

“I had a lot to learn still, and I’m happy with how it went.  It didn’t end the way we wanted it to, but we learned a lot.”

Hartz got the 2022 campaign and his final CJFL season off to a hot start picking up a couple of sacks in the Hilltops 19-10 regular season opening victory this past Sunday at SMF Field over the Winnipeg Rifles. Legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant said Hartz has grown a tonne since first coming on board with the team in 2018.

Daylen Hartz, right, can stop the run and rush the quarterback.

“Coming out of Holy Cross, I think he was their top defensive player, and he is a player that has evolved here,” said Sargeant. “For the first couple of years, we weren’t sure where he was going to fit in.

“We knew he has some ability and some talent. He did his part in getting bigger, stronger and faster. Last year, he was our top sack leader, and he is an excellent run stopper.

“He doesn’t get enough credit for his ability to stop the run. He’s been very, very productive last year and the beginning of this year. We’re excited for what the rest of the season looks like.”

Hartz remembered he got a reality check that he had to work on strategy and technique when he first joined the Hilltops. During his rookie season in 2018, Hartz had an eye opening experience the first time he went up against star fifth-year right tackle Kirk Simonsen in practice.

“He (Simonsen) picked me up with one arm and just threw me to the ground,” said Hartz. “I wasn’t even 200 pounds back then, so I knew that it was just a massive reality check.

“I’m not that good. I have to get better.”

Hartz worked to get better and learned from the veterans as the Hilltops posted undefeated seasons in their 2018 and 2019 CJFL championship winning campaigns. He was looking forward to big things in his third season until the 2020 CJFL season was wiped out by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has gripped the world.

Daylen Hartz topped the Hilltops with four sacks last season.

While the Hilltops practised together for six weeks as a team in September and October of 2020, Hartz kept his focus the best he could on training, but he admitted you reach the point you need to play a game.

“I had so much time to like prepare and get stronger, but it felt weird like having that summer where there was nothing really going on,” said Hartz, who will turn 22-years-old in December. “You have to keep the mentality of training.

“You always have to remember that you still have to like work on technique, because that is one thing a lot of people I think would have neglected. You always have to have a technique day, because I know even I neglected a lot of technique. I got back in my fourth year there, and my footwork was bad.

“I was way too high, so it was a big adjustment there.”

Still, Hartz kept playing better as the 2021 season motored along, and he started his final campaign in 2022 with a head turning performance. Sargeant believes Hartz has the potential to have a special season.

“You could look at the game film on Sunday, and he was determined that no one could block him,” said Sargeant. “At times, he was dominant.

“We need more of that. Hopefully, he builds on the confidence that he created for himself last weekend and the whole defence did. This team will never be satisfied.

Daylen Hartz got extra motivation after a CJFL semifinal loss in 2021.

“We’ll always want more. We’ll always have extremely high expectations for anyone who is in a starting role. Daylen Hartz is starting to certainly become an impact player in the PFC.”

Hartz said the CJFL semifinal loss to the Rams last year has provided extra motivation to become an even better play. He has put in a lot of time studying the game film of that setback to figure out how he can improve and drive forward into the 2022 campaign.

“I’ve watched that game a few times now, and I’ve rewatched a bunch of the plays,” said Hartz. “I see what we did well.

“I see what we did wrong. I want to get better, and I know we can be better specifically like me too. There were some plays that I blew, and I want to get better at that.”

Johnson named PFC defensive player of the week

Konner Johnson was the PFC’s defensive player of the week.

Konner Johnson’s all-star form from 2021 has carried over into 2022 resulting in a weekly award honour.

On Wednesday, the Saskatoon Hilltops veteran outside linebacker was named the PFC’s defensive player of the week for his work in his team’s 19-10 regular season opening home victory this past Sunday over the Winnipeg Rifles. In that contest, Johnson recorded 4.5 total tackles, one quarterback sack, one interception and two pass knockdowns.

Johnson and the Hilltops defence shutout the Rifles in the second half of last Sunday’s contest.

Last season during the Hilltops eight regular season games, Johnson recorded 26 defensive tackles, 13 defensive tackle assists, 12 special teams tackles, three special teams tackle assists, one quarterback sack, five pass knockdowns, one fumble recovery and five interceptions in being named a PFC all-star.

Before joining the Hilltops this season, Johnson attended training camp with the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Green takes PFC’s weekly special teams player honour

Connor Green (#4) was the PFC’s top special teams player for the week.

Connor Green’s impressive debut handling all the kicking duties for the Saskatoon Hilltops helped land him the honour of capturing a weekly award.

On Wednesday, Green, who is playing his first year with the Hilltops, was named the PFC’s special teams player of the week for his work in the Hilltops 19-10 regular season opening home victory this past Sunday over the Winnipeg Rifles. Green hit on 4-of-5 field goal attempts connecting from 46, 20, 45 and 37 yards out.

He made his one conversion attempt, kicked off twice for 111 yards and punted four times for 123 yards for an average of 30.8 yards per punt.

Green accounted for 13 of the 19 points the Hilltops scored in their victory over the Rifles.

Regina Thunder receiver Isaac Foord claimed PFC offensive player of the week award honours on Wednesday for his work in his team’s 57-15 romp over the Edmonton Wildcats at Leibel Field in Regina. Foord hauled in nine passes for 179 yards and scored three touchdowns in that contest, which was played one day after his mother passed away.

Roughriders alum Hughes to speak at End Zone Dinner

A Roughriders promo picture of Neal Hughes.

Saskatchewan Roughriders alum Neal Hughes will be the special guest speaker at this year’s Saskatoon Hilltops End Zone Dinner.

The End Zone Dinner will be held on Saturday, September 10 at the Gordie Howe Sports Centre building on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds. Doors open for the dinner at 4:15 p.m. with food to be served at 5:15 p.m. The funds raised at the dinner go towards the Hilltops scholarship fund.

Hughes, who is from Regina, played 11 CFL seasons at fullback for the Roughriders from 2004 to 2014 helping the team to Grey Cup wins in 2007 and 2013. The 2013 championship was won at the Roughriders historic home park in Taylor Field.

During his time with the Roughriders, Hughes mainly focused on blocking duties as a fullback or from a tight end position and covered kicks on special teams. He also showed his versatility in being able to make big plays running the football, catching it out of the backfield or punting it when required.

Before joining the Roughriders, Hughes played six seasons with the Regina Rams as their star running back. He suited up for the Rams as a rookie in 1998, when they played their final season in the CJFL capturing their 15^th and final CJFL championship.

Hughes played with the Rams during their first five seasons in the U Sports ranks as the University of Regina Rams helping them advance to the U Sports championship game – the Vanier Cup – in 2000. The Rams fell 42-39 in that contest to the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees.

Following the End Zone Dinner, the Hilltops will face their provincial rivals in the Regina Thunder at 7 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, which is right next to the Gordie Howe Sports Centre on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds.

Single tickets for the dinner are $100 or a table of eight can be bought for $725.

Tickets can be purchased online by clicking on a link 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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Hilltops’ Dutton unquestioned starter, captain in final season

Damon Dutton set to throw the ball for the Hilltops.

Damon Dutton has two titles he didn’t have a year ago with the Saskatoon Hilltops – starter and captain.

The 22-year-old quarterback went into last season as the backup to Doug Fleming. After Fleming had struggles early in the season, Dutton was inserted as the starter in the team’s fourth game and held that position for the rest of the campaign.

Throughout the off-season, Dutton was slated in as the starting quarterback going into the 2022 campaign, and he’s been named one of the team’s captains. He has taken on the responsibilities with a calm and businesslike demeanour in playing through his final season with the team.

“It puts a little bit of a different perspective on the start of the season having that spot and being able to begin the season in that position,” said Dutton, whose Hilltops opening their CJFL regular season schedule hosting the Winnipeg Rifles on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. “It is exciting.

“I think it will be good.”

Last season, Dutton helped the Hilltops finish second in the PFC with a 6-2 record. During those eight regular season games, the North Battleford, Sask., product put up solid numbers completing 127-of-183 passes for 1,528 yards and 12 touchdowns, while throwing six interceptions.

In the playoffs with Dutton at the controls, the Hilltops downed the Edmonton Huskies 33-31 in an all-time classic in the PFC semifinal. In the PFC final, the Hilltops romped past the Thunder in Regina 29-9 for a seventh consecutive conference title.

Damon Dutton was named Hilltops starting QB four games into last season.

The Hilltops 2021 playoff run came to an end with a 17-14 CJFL semifinal loss to the Rams in Langley, B.C. The Rams proceeded to win the Canadian Bowl to become CJFL champions.

The loss to the Rams was a tough one for the Hilltops, who entered the fourth quarter holding a 14-7 lead before falling by three points. The Hilltops turned the ball over an unimaginable 12 times, while the Rams turned the ball over seven times themselves.

Dutton said sting of that loss was not forgotten through the off-season.

“It is definitely something that motivates us to get out and even play harder this year and work towards achieving the ultimate goal of winning the Canadian Bowl,” said Dutton, who stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 195 pounds. “It kind of just lit a fire under us for the beginning of this year.”

Going into the 2022 campaign, Dutton believes the Hilltops offence has the potential to do some really good things. He really likes the group of returning receivers he has in Dillan Heintz, Lachlan Horsley, Presley Peterson, Boden Marley, Matthew Turple and Noah Flaman.

Star running backs Boston Davidsen and Carter McLean are back in 2022 and that position got even stronger with the addition of dynamic 17-year-old Holy Cross High School Crusaders football team grad Charles Sawi.

Damon Dutton gained experience under pressure last season.

The offensive line is anchored by returning starters in centre Luciano Jolly, left guard Jayson Kehler and right guard Ethan Paslowski.

“We have the chemistry, but it is not just receivers,” said Dutton, who is a graduate of the North Battleford Comprehensive High School Vikings football team. “I remember at the beginning of last season I think there were 17 new starters coming into positions.

“This year we’ve retained a lot of those guys. We have a lot of guys who played a significant starting role last year who are going back into that role this year. We’re going to come out as a more mature team with less nerves and more drive.”

Legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant really likes seeing how Dutton has matured from the start of last season going into the start of the current campaign.

“It is night and day,” said Sargeant, whose 218 career wins are the most for Canadian amateur football in the post-secondary ranks. “Number one, he has come back, and he is about 15 pounds bigger and stronger.

“He is a captain of the football team. He has had the number one title all off-season, and that didn’t happen last year. He was taking backup reps all last year until about game four.

Damon Dutton likes the receivers group the Hilltops have.

“The maturation and the growth has been excellent. It is like anything. Hey, 2022 his first start as a captain at home, and we’re expecting him to have an unbelievable game. We’re expecting this team to have an unbelievable game, and he needs to be a big piece of that.”

Sargeant believes Dutton is going to get even better as the 2022 campaign moves along.

“It is still evolving,” said Sargeant. “I think he (Dutton) will be starting his ninth game.

“He still has lots to go, and he knows that. He is asking different questions when we are in film study. He is understanding what we are seeing and what we need to do to improve.

“It is just those great conversations, and you can tell that he is getting it more and more. As I said, he is excited as I am to play on Sunday against Winnipeg.”

The Hilltops defence is expected to be strong again too in 2022. Their entire starting defensive line returns from 2021 including inside tackles Jaxon Funk and Dylan McNutt along with defensive ends Riece Kack and Daylen Hartz.

The linebacker core is anchored by Konner Johnson on the outside and Matt Wist on the inside. The defensive secondary will be steadied by Evan Mantyka and Steven Gilewicz.

Damon Dutton has taken a calm and businesslike approach as a starter.

Sargeant said he is looking forward to Sunday’s game with the Rifles in order to take a firm step in moving past the memory of the CJFL semifinal loss to the Rams.

“Any time you lose in a marquee game it is just awful,” said Sargeant. “The thing of it is you have to live with it for eight months.

“It is still in my mind until we play on Sunday. When we play the Rifles, that is when the 2022 season truly starts. We have to create a new identity, a better identity.

“We know what bad looks like. Now, let’s see what great looks like, and that is our challenge. We just have to come out and be a dominant football team.”

The Hilltops will be opening their regular season at home for the first time since 2016. In the 2016 home and season opener, the Hilltops downed the Rifles 40-13 at SMF Field.

On top of the home and regular season opener, the Hilltops are hosting a number of alumni events to celebrate the 75^th anniversary of the modern version of the club that first took the field in 1947. The team’s alums will be saluted at halftime of Sunday’s game.

Dutton believes Sunday will be a special day for the storied and historic team.

Damon Dutton (#19) hopes to enjoy lots of big plays in 2022.

“I’m definitely looking forward to it, and the fact that it is the 75^th anniversary I think it will be special to get out there and have a lot of fans watching and to be able to put on a good show for them,” said Dutton.

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Hilltops record CJFL playoff run comes to an end

Rams claim circuit semifinal in 17-14 defensive slugfest

The Rams celebrate their CJFL semifinal win. (Photo courtesy BCFCTV)

The Saskatoon Hilltops played tough and aggressive defence, but the defence of the Langley Rams might have unbelievably been a step better.

When the dust settled in a CJFL semifinal battle between the two sides Saturday at McLeod Stadium in Langley, B.C., the host Rams prevailed 17-14 in a defensive slugfest. The 14 points the Hilltops scored were actually the most points the Rams had given up in any game this season.

The Hilltops, who are the PFC champions, entered the fourth quarter holding a 14-7 lead, but the Rams, who are the BCFC champions, pulled out a fourth-quarter comeback to claim the three-point victory.

The result ended the Hilltops CJFL record post-season game winning streak at 22 contests and the ’Toppers run of winning six consecutive CJFL championships, which was also a CJFL record. Saskatoon won six straight CJFL championships from 2014 to 2019.

The 2020 CJFL campaign was cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has gripped the world.

The Hilltops conclude the 2021 campaign with an 8-3 overall record, which includes a 6-2 mark in regular season play. The Rams improved to 10-1 overall, which includes a 7-1 mark in regular season play.

Langley advances to play in the CJFL championship game – the Canadian Bowl. The Rams will travel to London, Ontario, to face the Ontario Football Conference champion London Beefeaters in the Canadian Bowl on Saturday, December 4.

Brady Fossen blocked a punt for the Hilltops.

The Beefeaters, who are 8-2 overall and 6-2 in regular season play, upset the St. Clair Fratmen 15-14 in the OFC championship game held Saturday in Windsor. The Fratmen finish the 2021 campaign with a 9-1 overall record, which included an 8-0 mark in regular season play.

In Saturday’s battle between the Hilltops and Rams, the contest got off to an auspicious start for the visitors.

Hilltops receiver Lachlan Horsley fumbled away the opening kickoff, and it was recovered by Rams defensive back Beko Wande. Wande would make numerous big plays for the Rams in the contest.

Langley was only able to turn that turnover into a long 60-yard punt single from punter Darian Pritchard to go ahead 1-0.

Rams kicker Tato Ferreyro Araya had a shot at a 40-yard field goal later in the opening quarter, but he sailed his kick wide, and the Hilltops ran the ball out of the end zone to avoid giving up any points.

Early in the second quarter, Ferreyro Araya hit a field goal from 27 yards out to increase the Rams advantage to 4-0.

Shortly after Ferreyro Araya hit his field goal, the Hilltops got in position to attempt a field goal from 28 yards out, but the kick attempt was never made after holder Doug Fleming covered up a bad snap.

On the ensuing Rams possession, they were stopped on a third-and-inches attempt at their own 36 yard line.

The Hilltops promptly drove down that short field for a major score, where quarterback Damon Dutton hit receiver Dillan Heintz with a seven-yard touchdown pass on an out pattern. That score put the visitors in front 7-4.

QB Damon Dutton struggled for the Hilltops on Saturday.

On the final possession of the second quarter, the Rams got in position to attempt a 25-yard field goal on the last play of the frame. Ferreyro Araya’s kicked was blocked by the Hilltops defensive line to allow Saskatoon to head into the halftime break with a 7-4 edge.

Early in the third quarter, the Rams drove down to the Hilltops one yard line. The Hilltops defence came up with a goal-line stand stopping the Rams three times from the one yard line to force a turnover on downs.

The Rams were set up on the Hilltops one yard line, when linebacker Colten Dejong made an interception and returned it to that spot.

With just over seven minutes expired in the third quarter, the Rams found themselves on the Hilltops one yard line again facing a third and goal decision. This time, the Rams elected to have Ferreyro Araya hit a field goal from eight yards out to even the score at 7-7.

That field goal was set up off an interception by Rams defensive back Nathan Murray.

The Hilltops jumped back out in front with a minute to play in the third quarter. On a fake field goal, Fleming threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to receiver Presley Peterson to put the visitors in front 14-7.

Early in the fourth quarter, the Hilltops got the ball with great field position, when outside linebacker Brady Fossen blocked a punt from Pritchard.

The Hilltops got down to the Rams 25 yard line and elected to gamble on a third and five. Rams defensive lineman Jesse Goedman sacked Dutton on the third down play to allow the hosts to take over the ball on their own 30 yard line.

Dillan Heintz had a TD catch for the Hilltops.

Later in the fourth quarter with 5:01 remaining in the frame, Rams quarterback Michael Calvert hit running back Derek Best with a 29-yard touchdown toss to even the score at 14-14.

With 2:16 remaining in the fourth quarter, Balucos hit a field goal from eight yards out to give the Rams a 17-14 lead. The field goal was set up by a fumble by Dutton that was recovered by Rams defensive lineman Tyler Eckert.

On the ensuing series, the Hilltops elected to pull Dutton for backup quarterback Trey Reider. Dutton had struggled for a lot of the contest completing 9-of-14 passes for 92 yards and the one touchdown toss, while throwing three interceptions and fumbling once.

Reider got two offensive series to try and move the team and was unable to complete any of his four pass attempts, while throwing one interception. On his second series, Reider was intercepted by Wande, which sealed the win for the Rams. The interception was Wande’s second of the contest.

After that Wande interception off Reider, the Rams offence ended the contest taking two knees.

While the teams didn’t have to battle any adverse weather conditions, the CJFL semifinal clash was far from a classic. The Rams turned the ball over seven times, while the Hilltops committed an unimaginable 12 turnovers.

The Hilltops got sound production from their two star running backs in Carter McLean and Boston Davidsen. McLean ran the ball 14 times for 64 yards. Teammate Boston Davidsen carried the ball 12 times for 64 yards.

Ethan Godson led all Saskatoon receivers with five catches for 45 yards.

Riece Kack had six total tackles for the Hilltops.

Calvert completed 18-of-25 passes for 216 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions for the Rams. He also ran the ball eight times for 26 yards.

Best led the Rams in rushing carrying the ball 14 times for 67 yards to go with his 29-yard touchdown reception.

Defensive lineman Craig Torgerson had a sack for the Hilltops. Middle linebacker Matt Wist had a team high eight solo tackles and five total tackle assists for Saskatoon.

Defensive end Riece Kack had five total tackles and a tackle assist for the Hilltops.

Eckert had a pair of sacks for the Rams. Defensive back Kyle Clarot led Langley with six total tackles.

The Hilltops and Rams met in the Canadian Bowl in 2019, which also turned into a defensive slugfest at McLeod Stadium. Saskatoon pulled out an 11-6 victory in that encounter.

Before Saturday’s CJFL semifinal contest, the last time the Hilltops lost a post-season game came in the 2013 PFC final, when they fell 21-16 against the Regina Thunder at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon on October 27 of that year.

The Hilltops run of six consecutive CJFL championships and 22 straight post-season victories were CJFL records no one could ever seriously imagine could happen. While those streaks came to an end, they were truly remarkable accomplishments.

Ultimately, it took arguably the craziest of post-season games to bring those streaks to an end.

Congratulations to the @LangleyRams - who are heading to the Canadian Bowl.

A truly worthy opponent and our pick for Canadian Bowl champions based on their defence alone.

Enjoy the win Langley!

— Saskatoon Hilltops (@SaskHilltops) November 21, 2021

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