Hilltops capture Canadian Bowl on guts and hard work

A CJFL title win by Saskatoon not a sure thing in 2025

The Hilltops fifth-year players are pictured with the Canadian Bowl.

At times throughout the 2025 season, it seemed like a CJFL championship win wouldn’t be in the cards for the Saskatoon Hilltops.

Throughout the campaign, injuries and adversity seemed to be just around the corner waiting to derail the storied and historic CJFL club. No matter how seemingly bad things got, the Hilltops players and the team’s coaches led by legendary head coach Tom Sargeant believed.

In true Hilltops fashion, the team found a way. A pair of legacy defining victories including a 30-27 overtime win in the Prairie Football Conference final over the host Regina Thunder and a 21-18 triumph over the visiting Okanagan Sun in the CJFL championship game – the Canadian Bowl – saw the Hilltops become CJFL champions for a 24^th time.

The Hilltops D-line groups get a photo with the Canadian Bowl.

Out of all the Hilltops CJFL title winners, the 2025 squad even with a 9-2 overall record could be viewed as the most unlikely of those championship squads. They are definitely the most unlikely of all the club’s CJFL title winners dating back to at least the 1985 squad. In 1985, the Hilltops under then head coach Kevin Scott faced a large number of injuries causing early struggles that saw the team post a 5-3 regular season mark.

The Hilltops got healthy going into the playoffs that year and would move on to win four straight post-season games to claim the CJFL title with a 9-3 overall mark. Sargeant was a receiver on that 1985 squad and that marked the first time he was on CJFL championship team with the Hilltops. He has since won two more CJFL titles as an assistant coach and 15 CJFL championships as a head coach.

The Hilltops raise the Canadian Bowl as CJFL champions.

This past season in 2025, the Hilltops did have some outstanding talent. At the running back position, they had David Collins, Charles Sawi and Corbin Ebben who could all make plays at any time in the game. 

On defence, the stars were defensive tackles Johnathon Stevens and Nahom Menghestab and middle linebacker Isaac Michayluk.

With that noted, the Hilltops in 2025 will be best remembered for their grit. They grinded through the injuries that seemed to constantly pile up for the team.

David Collins had a stellar season for the Hilltops.

Injuries started before training camp began. Star fifth-year safety Dalton Urban went to the training camp of the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders along with Stevens. In a 27-20 pre-season loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Mosaic Stadium in Regina on May 30, Urban was injured playing on the kickoff coverage team tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

While unable to play for the Hilltops, Urban was placed on the club’s injured/inactive list. He still remained with the team all season helping the defensive backs with adjustments. Be it the practice field or game day, Urban was there with a tablet offering advice to the men in the Hilltops secondary.

The Hilltops struggled early to stay healthy at the quarterback position. During the eight game regular season, six different pivots threw passes for the ’Toppers.

Nahom Menghestab, left, and Johnathon Stevens anchor the inside.

Saskatoon had to overcome various injuries in the club’s receivers group. As a result of the combination of quarterback and receiver injuries, the Hilltops passing game was not as crisp and consistent as it traditionally has been in the past, but when key plays needed to be made in the passing game, the Hilltops made them.

The regular season started on August 10 with the Hilltops traveling to Winnipeg and being on the wrong end of a 31-11 drubbing against the host Rifles at Maple Grove Rugby Park. That result caught the attention of everyone around the CJFL.

Brexton Elias returned from injury to start at QB for the Hilltops.

After rebounding with two convincing wins at home, the Hilltops got to hit the field with fifth-year Brexton Elias, who was tabbed as the team’s starting quarterback going into the campaign. Due to injury, he didn’t play or start until the team’s fourth regular season game on Sept. 6, when the Hilltops downed the host Thunder 18-15 at Mosaic Stadium.

The Hilltops would run their winning streak to five games before dropping a 24-21 heartbreaker on their home turf of Saskatoon Minor Football Field on September 27. Sargeant said his players came out with a great effort in that contest and shouldered the blame for that setback.

The players believed they could make the 2025 campaign a special one and went back to work. They were aware they needed to keep grinding and building, so there was no looking too far ahead.

Isaiah Vallderruten jets upfield after making a catch.

The Hilltops concluded the regular season playing in adverse rainy and windy conditions on October 12 at SMF Field downing the visiting Calgary Colts 31-6. That allowed Saskatoon to post a 6-2 record during the regular season and ensure a second place finish in the PFC.

With Ebben experiencing injuries early in the regular season, Collins emerged as the star starting running back. He would record the 11^th individual season where a Hilltops running back broke 1,000-yards rushing for the regular season. Collins finished the regular season with 126 carries for 1,028 yards and 13 touchdowns.

The product of St. Michael, Minn., was one of the first three players the Hilltops ever had on their roster from the United States and all were in their final campaigns of eligibility for the CJFL. CJFL clubs are allowed to have three players born in the U.S. on their rosters.

David Boyd Jr., right, shows off his sure hands for the Hilltops.

The Hilltops’ U.S. contingent included receiver Isaiah Vallderruten from Elizabeth, New Jersey. With Urban out with injury, Vallderruten played both ways for the Hilltops taking on the safety position on defence.

Saskatoon also added receiver David Boyd Jr., who is from St. Cloud, Minn. Boyd Jr. spent the 2024 campaign with the Thunder before electing to move to Saskatoon. He would make some clutch catches as the campaign went on.

The trio of Collins, Vallderruten and Boyd Jr. fit in seamlessly with the Hilltops roster. You would have thought the U.S. born players grew up playing football with the other players on the Saskatoon side.

Charles Sawi made tonnes of exciting plays for the Hilltops.

The post-season began on October 19 at SMF Field with the Hilltops romping over the Rifles 60-26.

An epic comeback followed at Mosaic Stadium in the PFC final against the Thunder. Regina led 24-9 with 10:51 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Saskatoon rallied to even the score 24-24 to force overtime. After the Thunder got a field goal on their overtime possession to go ahead 27-24, Hilltops backup quarterback Griffin Sander hit Vallderruten with a 24-yard winning, walk-off touchdown pass to pull out a legacy-defining 30-27 victory.

In that triumph, the Hilltops coaches elected to pull Elias for Sander, who is a former University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team reserve quarterback, to spark the offence. Elias proceeded to help out as much as he could from the sidelines, and the fact he was a good teammate created an intangible that contributed to the rally.

HC Tom Sargeant keeps providing stellar guidance for the Hilltops. 

Elias got the start in the Canadian Bowl this past Sunday at SMF Field. He again showed his team-first mindset, when the Hilltops elected to pull him for Sander late in the first quarter when Saskatoon was locked in a 2-2 tie with the British Columbia Football Conference champion Sun from Kelowna.

The Hilltops proceeded to go ahead 16-2 in the second quarter and held a 16-4 lead at halftime. The Sun got a first drive touchdown to start the third quarter, but they later conceded a safety in the frame to make the Hilltops lead sit at 18-11.

With 1:33 remaining in the fourth quarter, Sun quarterback Liam Kroeger ran home an 18-yard touchdown to complete a 108-yard scoring drive to force an 18-18 tie.

MLB Isaac Michayluk had an outstanding season on defence.

The Hilltops weren’t done and put together a gritty ensuing drive with big runs on the ground to get into field goal range. Hilltops fourth-year kicker Ryden Gratton nailed a 37-yard field goal with 28.6 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to give the hosts a 21-18 lead.

On the Sun ensuing series, Hilltops third-year strong side linebacker Zaden Taylor came up with a game sealing interception on Kroeger. Saskatoon killed the rest of the clock with kneel downs to cement a 21-18 victory. The celebration was on for the “blue and gold” at SMF Field.

All of a sudden, the Hilltops had completed arguably their most memorable season in the modern history of the club dating back to 1947. When the team was presented the Canadian Bowl as CJFL champions, it felt like the Hilltops 2025 campaign lived to the game’s most famous quote given the man who has the NFL’s Super Bowl trophy named after him in the iconic Vince Lombardi.

Lombardi’s famous quote goes, “I firmly believe that any man’s finest hour – his greatest fulfillment to all he holds dear – is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle – victorious.”

ackson Dean, centre, enjoys the Canadian Bowl with family and friends.

That quote fittingly describes the 2025 Hilltops after their CJFL title game win. They worked their hearts out and earned everything that came their way.

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Collins soaks in his Canadian adventure with Hilltops

RB one of storied CJFL team’s first three U.S. born players

David Collins completes a 65-yard TD run this past Sunday.

A call to a friend started David Collins on a path to a country and a football team he knew very little about.

After playing the 2023 season for the Central Lakes College Raiders Football Team in Brainerd, Minn., in the National Junior College Athletic Association, Collins, who is a talented running back, took a year off from the game. The St. Michael, Minn., product was looking for a way to return to playing the game, so he called friend and former Raiders teammate David Boyd Jr., who he knew was playing in Canada.

Collins asked Boyd Jr. what team he was going to be playing for in 2025. Boyd Jr. said he was going to play for the CJFL’s Saskatoon Hilltops in 2025, and Collins asked if he could have the phone number for Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant.

“Then I made a highlight tape, and sent it to coach,” said Collins. “Coach said he loved how explosive I was, so he said he’d take a chance on me.”

With that initial contact, Collins arrived in Saskatoon in late July for the start of his one and only CJFL campaign being a 22-year-old. For Collins, leaving the United States and just coming to Canada was a big step.

“Truth be told, it was my first time out of the country, so I didn’t really know much about Canada or like anywhere,” said Collins, who stands 5-foot-10 and weighs 195 pounds. “It was a good experience.

“I’m really glad I’m here. I’m glad I’m learning a different culture other than my own and learning a lot about Canada, actually. I didn’t know this much about it, so it is really good.

“I can go back and tell my family and friends about it.”

David Collins ran fo 1,028 yards in the CJFL regular season.

As far as adjusting to football went, Collins felt welcomed in right away by everyone in the storied and historic Hilltops program, which has won 23 total CJFL championships.

On Sunday, Collins begins his one and only run in the CJFL Playoffs with the Saskatoon side. The Hilltops (6-2) host the Winnipeg Rifles (4-4) in a PFC semifinal contest on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Hilltops were rated fourth in the final CJFL Top 10 Power Rankings released on October 10.

Thanks to an early season injury to star fourth-year running back Corbin Ebben, Collins was thrown into the fire playing a lot out of the gate at the running back spot.

He excelled becoming the team’s leading rusher and the leading touchdown scorer in the CJFL’s Prairie Football Conference. The seamless fit extended to the Hilltops two other United States born players in Boyd Jr., and Isaiah Vallderruten. Body Jr. suits up at receiver, and Vallderruten plays both ways at receiver on offence and at safety on defence.

Collins, Boyd Jr. and Vallderruten are the first three United States born players to ever play for the Hilltops. Collins said it has been cool to see how quickly they have all fit in with the Hilltops.

“It was super neat,” said Collins. “We were just ready for the opportunity and ready to work.

“I feel like we knew what we came here for and knew exactly what we had in store for us, so we just came and did that.”

During the regular season, Collins ran the ball 126 times for 1,028 yards and 13 touchdowns. He put up the 11^th individual 1,000-yard rushing season in team history and his 13 majors led the PFC.

David Collins came to the Hilltops from St. Michael, Minn.

Sargeant, who is the Hilltops legendary head coach, noted that, while his club is deep at running back with Ebben and fourth-year veteran Charles Sawi having great seasons, it was big for the team to have Collins step up coming out of the gate.

“It started from day one when he got here,” said Sargeant. “He certainly had a special skill set.

“When we gave him the ball, we got to see some glimpses of what it could be. When Corbin (Ebben) got hurt, there were some quick realities of we had to put him (Collins) in some different spots, and he responded.”

When it came to bringing in the three players born in the United States, Sargeant said it became something the venerable Saskatoon side had to do.

“In the rest of the league, every other team was doing it,” said Sargeant. “Either, you complain about it, or you do something about it.

“I met with the directors and (Hilltops) president (Greg) Peacock, and we came up with a game plan. Then, I went to work. I had to actively start recruiting.”

Under CJFL rules, each of the clubs on the junior circuit are only allowed to have three United States born players on their respective rosters. When it comes to his first recruiting class from the United States, Sargeant said the trio of Collins, Boyd Jr. and Vallderruten have exceeded his expectations.

“Ultimately, it turned out the way it is right now,” said Sargeant. “The first thing I’d say is all three of them are just great kids.

“They’re great kids to be around. They have absolutely come in and fit our systems well. They’ve handled themselves great, and they’ve made us a better football team.”

David Collins (#10) jets past Edmonton Huskies defenders on Aug. 17.

While Collins made the initial reach out to Sargeant, the shifty ball carrier was happy the long time sideline boss got him running to Saskatoon.

“I’m glad that I was one of the guys that he found truth be told,” said Collins. ““Sarge” (Sargeant) is great, and I’m glad that he picked the other two Americans that came along.

“We’ve been working super hard to try to make a difference on this team.”

On the field, Collins said it has been a joy to play with the rules of the Canadian game.

“I kind of like the Canadian rules better,” said Collins. “The only thing I wish the Canadian football game had was fourth down, but I love the bigger end zone.

“I love the longer field. It gives more opportunity for the offence to make more plays. I guess it is harder for the defence, but defence in general is always going to be hard.

“You just got to get used to it for the defence.”

Collins loves the 65-yard width of the Canadian field, and he said it allows him to make more plays running to the outside compared to the United States field that has a width of 53.3 yards.

“If I’m running laterally like I’m running a stretch play, I’ll be able to pick my own time to pick when I want to puncture the line of scrimmage,” said Collins. “It won’t be just because I’m running out of real estate or running out of yards to run.”

With the regular season having come to a completion, Collins is looking forward to playing in the CJFL Playoffs. He believes it is great the CJFL has a post-season single elimination bracket style tournament that mirrors what is traditionally seen in the NFL.

David Collins, left, walks with his mom Sadia VaPond.

Collins wants to experience the feeling of getting a win to move on to the next round making it possible to keep playing the game in the process.

“I’m going to try to elongate it as long as possible,” said Collins, who said he is looking forward to snow games having played in those growing up in Minnesota. “(I will be) trying to win as many games, try to make as many sacrifices in order for us to be ready as a team.

“I’m just really excited for what the team has in store, what I have in store, what the weather has in store for us and all that. We have to stay warm. We have to stay bonded up and just make sure that we’re mentally ready, mentally strong and we’re physical.”

Zimmer cracks into play of week awards, other notes

Colton Zimmer (#7) was named the PFC special teams player of the week.

The Saskatoon Hilltops downplay individual accolades, but this one likely got a big cheer somewhere during this past week.

On Tuesday, fifth-year long snapper Colton Zimmer was named the PFC’s special teams player of the week. The long-time veteran from Langham, Sask., has been a favourite inside the Hilltops dressing room pretty much since he arrived with the venerable club as a rookie.

In last Sunday’s 31-6 victory over the Calgary Colts concluding regular season play for both sides, Zimmer was perfect on his long snaps in fairly dreadful weather conditions. The Hilltops’ clash with the Colts started in rainy weather which turned into snowy weather by game’s end.

He also had 3.5 total special teams tackles and recovered a fumble on a missed field goal return. Zimmer received big cheers from the Hilltops bench after his special teams tackles and his fumble recovery.

The PFC offensive players of the week went to the entire Regina Thunder starting offensive line for their performance in their team’s 56-3 victory over the Edmonton Wildcats last Sunday at Leibel Field. The Thunder piled up a CJFL record 632 yards rushing as a team for one game running behind left tackle Caleb Barajas, left guard Tristen Rapchalk, centre James Lucio, right guard Nolan Finn and right tackle Ethan Kreutzer.

The old CJFL record for most rushing yards posted by one team in one game was held by the Edmonton Huskies, who put up 588 yards rushing in one contest back in 2002.

Thanks to the work of Barajas, Rapchalk, Lucio, Finn and Kreutzer, Thunder star running back Peter Boersch ran for 218 yards on 18 carries and scored one touchdown. Carter Ashman, who is having a breakout season at running back, put up 205 yards rushing on 10 carries and scored one touchdown.

Barajas, who is a 22-year-old veteran, got to run the ball once for 11 yards scoring a touchdown.

Winnipeg Rifles outside linebacker Cohen McCluskey was the PFC defensive player of the week for his efforts in his team’s 47-11 victory over the host Edmonton Huskies last Sunday at Jasper Place Bowl. McCluskey piled up 9.5 total defensive tackles and one pass knockdown in his team’s victory.

The Thunder, who topped the PFC standings with a 7-1 record, host the Huskies (3-5) in one PFC semifinal set for 1 p.m. this coming Sunday at Leibel Field. Regina is rated third in the final CJFL Top 10 Power Rankings released on October 10.

The Rifles (4-4) travel to Saskatoon to face the host Hilltops (6-2) in the other PFC semifinal set for 1 p.m. this coming Sunday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Hilltops are rated fourth in the final CJFL Top 10 Power Rankings.

·         The Okanagan Sun (11-0) host the Westshore Rebels (8-3) on Saturday in the BCFC championship game set for 1 p.m. local time at the Apple Bowl in Kelowna, B.C. The Rebels are based out of Langford, B.C., which is a suburb of Victoria. In the battle for the Cullen Cup, the Sun were rated second in the final CJFL Top 10 Power Rankings, while the Rebels were placed at fifth.

·         The St. Clair Saints (9-0) will host the London Beefeaters (7-2) on Saturday in the OFC title contest set for 7:30 p.m. local time at Acumen Stadium in Windsor, Ont. The contest is dubbed the Ontario Conference Teddy Morris Championship Game. The defending CJFL champion Saints topped the final CJFL Top 10 Power Rankings, while Beefeaters placed seventh.

·          The BCFC champion will host the OFC champion in this year’s CJFL national semifinal set to be held on October 25.

·         Winnipeg Rifles middle linebacker Kyler Banfield topped the PFC with 129 defensive points. He tallied up that total recording 37 defensive solo tackles, 26 defensive tackle assists, three special teams solo tackles, one special team tackle assist, two quarterback sacks, four pass knockdowns, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Saskatoon Hilltops middle linebacker Isaac Michayluk was second in the PFC with 116 defensive points. He collected that total recording 32 defensive solo tackles, 22 defensive tackle assists, one special teams solo tackle, four special teams tackle assists, three pass knockdowns, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and three interceptions.

·         Winnipeg Rifles receiver Jarome Penner caught 40 passes for 794 yards and three touchdowns this season. His receiving yardage total topped the PFC.

·         Saskatoon Hilltops running back Charles Sawi led the PFC in punt returns (50) and punt return yards (451).

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“Sarge” shoulders blame in Hilltops loss to Thunder

Regina prevails 24-21 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field

The Thunder celebrate a pick-six by Jake Mayo (#9).

Legendary Saskatoon Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant is falling on the sword.

On Saturday night before 1,766 spectators at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, Sargeant saw his Hilltops drop a heartbreaking 24-21 decision to their provincial rivals the Regina Thunder in a CJFL regular season clash. The Hilltops trailed 17-7 at halftime and after three quarters until furiously trying to mount a comeback in the fourth quarter.

The win saw the Thunder improve to 6-1 and move alone into first place in the CJFL’s Prairie Football Conference. The Hilltops saw their five game winning streak come to an end as they fell to 5-2.

“You know at the end of the day we got out coached,” said Sargeant. “It is as simple as that.

Hilltops QB Brexton Elias threw four interceptions on Saturday.

“My player sure played hard today. I thought they competed. They grinded right to the very end.

“At the end of the day, I didn’t put my players in the best spots to be successful, so I own that. Obviously, I’ve got to do a better job of coaching this football team. That is pretty obvious today.”

While the victory moved the Thunder to the top of the PFC standings, they were not able to clinch top spot in the conference. That is because the Thunder and Hilltops split their two head-to-head games in their regular season series playing to a tie 39-39 score in those two contests.

At the moment, the Hilltops hold the head-to-head standings tiebreaker holding a 121 differential in points for and against in the regular season. Regina has a 104 differential in points for and against.

Jake Mayo had two interceptions for the Thunder.

The Thunder can lock up top spot in the PFC by winning their final regular season contest against the visiting Edmonton Wildcats on Sunday, October 12 at 1 p.m. at Leibel Field. If the Wildcats pull off an upset, the Hilltops would be able to move back into first place in the PFC by winning their final regular season contest against the visiting Calgary Colts on Sunday, October 12 at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

The team that finishes first in the PFC will have home field advantage through the entire CJFL playoffs, because the PFC champion will host the CJFL championship game – The Canadian Bowl.

Both the Thunder and the Hilltops are guaranteed to finish in the top two of the PFC standings and will host PFC semifinal games.

Hilltops HC Tom Sargeant said he got out coached.

In Saturday’s clash, the turnover battle proved to be the undoing of the Hilltops. Saskatoon turned the ball over five times, while Regina committed two turnovers.

Hilltops quarterback Brexton Elias would take his first loss as the team’s starter. He completed 16-of-29 passes for 240 yard and one touchdown, while throwing four interceptions. Elias also ran the ball four times for 26 yards.

Sargeant said coaching errors resulting in Elias having a tough day in the turnover department.

“I love how Brexton (Elias) rallied up, and he put is in the position (to win),” said Sargeant. “He is a playmaker.

Jackson Harnett had a 72-yard TD run for the Thunder.

“He is trying to grind at the end and make plays. That is what we coach him to do. He did everything we needed him to do.

“He gave is a chance, and we just didn’t finish it at the end.”

Elias was appreciative that Sargeant wanted to shoulder the blame, but the signal caller said he had to cut down on his mistakes and same goes for all the players on the team.

“The coaches coached their ass off, and they gave us a good game plan,” said Elias, who is in his fifth and final season of CJFL eligibility. “We had to come out and execute, and we made a few mistakes and a few too many.

“A good team like that is going to take advantage when a team like us makes mistakes. They (the Hilltops coaches) will keep coaching us up, and we’ll keep executing plays. We’ll try to beat them (The Thunder) next time.”

David Collins ran the ball 19 times for 106 yards and two TDs.

Near the start of Saturday’s contest, it appeared the Hilltops would be the big beneficiaries in the turnover department. Early in the first quarter, Hilltops fourth-year defensive end Noah Chelsom recovered a fumble on the Thunder 19 yard line.

On the very next play, Elias connected with fifth-year receiver Isaiah Vallderruten on a 19-yard touchdown pass coming off a corner pattern to give the hosts a 7-0 lead.

A short time later, Hilltops kicker Ryden Gratton tried to hit a 40-yard field coach to increase Saskatoon’s lead. He was wide, and Carter Ashman ran the ball out of the end zone for the Thunder.

On the ensuing offensive series, receiver Jackson Harnett ran home a touchdown from 72 yards out taking the ball at the quarterback position on a sweep play to the left. Harnett’s major evened the score at 7-7 at the 8:50 mark of the fourth quarter.

The Hilltop Cheerleading Team performs at halftime.

The contest would remain tied until Thunder kicker Shawn Green nailed a 35-yard field goal with 50.7 seconds remaining in the second quarter to give the visitors a 10-7 edge.

On the Hilltops ensuing possession, Elias was intercepted by Thunder cornerback Jake Mayo to set the Regina side up at the Saskatoon 36. Thunder starting quarterback Adam Mosher capped a short scoring drive hitting receiver Andrew Sweeney with a 17-yard touchdown pass to push the visitor’s lead out to 17-7 with 25.5 seconds remaining in the second quarter.

“It was just a mistake on my part,” said Elias. “I’ve got to make better decisions in the pocket.”

After a scoreless third quarter, the Hilltops attempted to rally. Just past the midway point of the fourth quarter, Hilltops star running back David Collins ran in a major from four yards out to cut the Thunder lead to 17-14.

Peter Boersch ran the ball 24 times for 129 yards on Saturday.

Saskatoon would proceed to stop Regina defensively and get the ball back. With 2:44 remaining in the fourth quarter, Mayo would intercept Elias for the second time on the night, but Mayo ran this pick back 34 yards for a touchdown to push the Thunder lead out to 24-14.

The Hilltops answered with a quick scoring drive that was capped by a one-yard touchdown run by Collins with 1:46 remaining in the fourth quarter to cut Regina’s lead to 24-21.

With two timeouts at their disposal, the Hilltops proceeded to kick off deep and forced the Thunder to punt the ball away one last time. Saskatoon’s attempt at a rally finally came to an end when Thunder defensive halfback Jackson Ashman came up with a game-sealing interception.

Isaiah Vallderruten caught five passes for 97 yards and one TD.

“Obviously, you want to get the comeback,” said Elias. “The boys were rallying together and just couldn’t make it happen in the last fourth quarter.

“Obviously, we want to get a comeback and win that game.”

Collins ran the ball 19 times for 106 yards to go with his two rushing majors for the Hilltops. Vallderruten had five catches for 97 yards to go with his receiving touchdown.

Mosher completed 9-of-17 passes for 117 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions for the Thunder.

Thunder star running back Peter Boersch ran the ball 24 times for 129 yards break the 1000-yard rushing barrier for the season. On the campaign, Boersch has carried the ball 156 times for 1,117 yards and three touchdowns leading the PFC in carries and rushing yards.

A Thunder receiver and a Hilltops defensive back collide.

Middle linebacker Isaac Michayluk topped the Hilltops with 7.5 total tackles. Outside linebacker Zaden Taylor has six total tackles, one quarterback sack and one pass knockdown for Saskatoon.

Defensive end Kohl Thomson had six total tackles and one quarterback sack for the Thunder. Joey Palagian, who is also a defensive end, also had one quarterback sack for Regina. Middle linebacker Kenten Effa had six-and-a-half total tackles for the Thunder.

Mayo had four solo defensive tackles and a pass knockdown to go with his two interceptions for the Thunder. Defensive halfback Marcus Butz also had an interception for the Thunder.

While Saturday’s loss was a tough one, Sargeant said his squad will be focused on making corrections as the 2025 campaign hits its final stretch.

Hilltops R Khyler Kok, right, eludes a Thunder defensive back.

“We get back in the lab,” said Sargeant. “We look at the game tape.

“We look at how we can coach better, and maybe there are a few things that they can do to play better. Then in the long run, we just keep growing this football team. This is game seven.

“We’ve got one more regular season game, and then here comes the playoffs. Hopefully, we all learn from the process, and we get excited and engaged in the process, and we figure out how we can make this team a better football team.”

The Thunder and Hilltops were co-winners of the Shrine Bowl.

NOTE – The Shrine Bowl is awarded annually to the team that wins the head-to-head season series between the Hilltops and Thunder. With the total score of the two head-to-head games between the two sides coming out as a 39-39 tie, both clubs will be listed as co-winner of the trophy in 2025.

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Hilltops take CFL rule changes as it is what it is

Hilltops HC Tom Sargeant studies play in a CJFL game on Aug. 17.

The Saskatoon Hilltops will deal with the trickle down effects of the CFL’s rule changes as they come.

On Monday, Canada’s professional circuit announced some major rule changes. Starting in 2026, the famous rouge has been altered.

No points will be awarded for missed field goals, punts and kickoffs that go through the end zone via either through the air or a bounce. If a returner fields any of those types of kicks in the end zone and is tackled in the end zone or kneels down in the end zone, a single point rouge will be scored.

A 35-second play clock will replace the 20-second play clock in 2026. Next year once a play is blown dead, a 35-second play clock begins. Also in 2026, team benches at all CFL stadiums will be on opposite sides of the field.

In 2027, the field of play will change. The field of play between the goal-lines will be 100 yards instead of 110 yards. The depth of the end zones will shrink from 20 yards to 15 yards.

The width of the field will still be 65 yards. The uprights will be moved from the goal-line to the back of the end zone.

Legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant had up and down feelings about the changes.

“I understand and respect the reason why they want to move the goalpost,” said Sargeant, who has guided the Hilltops to 14 CJFL title wins as head coach. “I think that is a safety element.

“Everything we’ve done when you look at the game of football with literature is trying to make the game a safer place. I think they’re trying to make it more Americanized. Do I agree with all the things, no I don’t, but you know right now that is professional sport.

“I coach amateur football. Hopefully, it doesn’t affect us and we can keep doing what we’re doing, because obviously for the blue and gold, it has worked out pretty well.”

Hilltops star fifth year defensive tackle Johnathon Stevens went to training camp with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and was on their practice roster until the time arrived for him to be assigned back to the Hilltops. The Eatonia, Sask., product has a fondness for how the game is now, but he believes CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston is trying his best to move the game forward.

“It is a little tough for me,” said Stevens. “All the respect to the commissioner there.

“He is trying to improve the league and do what he can do to help out there and help grow the game and make it more exciting for the fans, obviously. I have mixed feelings, but ultimately, it is not up to me with what happens. I do know no matter what the Canadian game is going to be great no matter what happens.”

As for the change in the field size, Stevens said you just have to adjust to it. He said the three players currently on the Hilltops roster that were born in the United States in receiver/safety Isaiah Vallderruten, running back David Collins and receiver David Boyd Jr. have all adapted to playing the larger Canadian sized field, so that adaptation can work going the other way.

“I’ve only ever played on one size of field there, obviously,” said Stevens. “If it came down to it, what else can you do.

“You’d have to adapt to it, and obviously, get used to new things as the Americans here. They had to get used to our field, so we’ll see how it goes.”

CFL rule changes gave Yausie new work

Jeff Yausie works the sidelines as the Hilltops DC on Aug. 17.

The CFL’s incoming rule changes created some unexpected homework for Jeff Yausie.

Yausie had been focusing on his role as the defensive coordinator for the CJFL’s storied Saskatoon Hilltops reviewing video of their 52-26 victory over the Edmonton Wildcats at Emerald Hills Regional Park in Sherwood Park, Alta. That all changed on Monday morning when the CFL announced some major rule changes, and Yausie had to jump into action as the CEO of Football Saskatchewan in gathering information and having meetings about the changes.

Yausie said the staff at Football Saskatchewan didn’t have any idea the CFL rule changes were coming on Monday. One of the meetings included talking with Saskatchewan Roughriders president and CEO Craig Reynolds.

“I had meetings with Craig (Reynolds) from the ’Riders, and they were told to keep it top secret until the announcement, which totally makes sense,” said Yausie. “It was a complete surprise for us.

“Even Football Canada had received word like the night before at the last second, so there was not a lot of consultation across the players association and the amateur football. Obviously, it was a really well-organized announcement. They did their homework.

“They had some real good graphics and stuff to explain the changes and the differences.”

While the new rules will see the CFL change to a field that is 100 yards in length between the end zones as opposed to the current 110 yards, Yausie doesn’t think the CFL is moving to a version of the sport that more resembles what is played in the United States.

“I really don’t,” said Yausie. “To me, the only changes to make it more American football are 100-yard field and goalposts to the back of the end zone.

“I like goalposts to the back of the end zone, and I like 100-yard field. I think it’ll turn into more scoring, which is what their analytics told them. For us and the rest of the changes, I think you have to change and grow to get better and to keep up with the times.

“We’re excited about that. The concern is the change to the field sizes and how that affects amateur football. That is going to take time for that to figure out.”

Yausie said he was happy the changes that are coming in are staggered for 2026 and 2027. He added it would take more time in the amateur football world to change facilities and believes those changes could take five to 10 years before everyone adjusts. For teams that play in CFL stadiums, Yausie said they would be affected the most.

He believes it is possible that Football Canada might follow the CFL as far as rule changes go.

“I think they could,” said Yausie. “We’ll certainly analyze it as far as the rule changes that were made, not the field sized ones, but the rule changes to start.

“The good thing is the CFL is a professional league. We can analyze what they’re doing, and we can see if it works, if it doesn’t work. If it is great, then we’ll adopt and change.

“I think some of that will happen.”

Yausie admits it is also a challenge to secure money for sports facilities in Canada, so that exists as a hurdle when it comes to changing fields.

“For sure, dollars for sports is a huge concern,” said Yausie. “The cool part is in Saskatchewan we love our six-a-side football, our nine-a –side football and our 12-a-side football.

“Football is football. I don’t care what the field size is. They didn’t touch the 65-yard width, which is huge.

“They didn’t touch the downs like three-down football we are. They didn’t touch a yard off the ball. To me, it is really not Americanizing Canadian football.”

Reaction to CFL rule changes more mixed than I thought

Andrew Harris in action for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2017.

The CFL rule changes avoided the deal breaker.

As a result, the reaction I’ve seen to the incoming rule changes is more mixed than I thought. To me, the reaction has been about 55 per cent negative and 45 per cent understanding. In my subjective view, it has been way more even than I expected.

I think the deal breaker would have been had the CFL elected to become a four-down game as opposed to sticking to three downs. Having three downs to gain 10 yards is the most defining characteristic of the Canadian game of football.

Had there been a change to four downs, I could envision the two CFL stronghold franchises in the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers losing half of their season ticket holders going into the 2026 campaign.

The CFL approached the rule changes with great skill. They highlighted the changes to the rouge. I think half of the fans of the Canadian game did not want any points to be given for balls that were kicked through the end zone – especially for missed field goals.

The alterations that were made to the rouge were something that most to all CFL fans could agree to. From there, the CFL eased into the other changes like adjusting the play clock and field dimensions.

The CFL approached the rule changes like skilled politicians. You make a change in the law or a program everyone pretty much can agree to and you proceed to add changes to other laws and programs people might be wary of after that.

With that approach, the CFL got a sizable number of people who felt OK with the rule changes.

As far as bringing in a 35-second play clock is concerned, I’ve had football people tell me there are consistency issues with the 20-second play clock regarding how officials allow teams to substitute in players. Those issues aren’t major ones and were something that was being dealt with in organizational meetings in the sport.

For myself, I still don’t like the rule changes, but they are not deal breakers that will make me decide to stop going to games. I will still go to CFL games.

Had they made it even more like the game in the United States, I wouldn’t like the changes, but I would still go for the curiosity factor. I also find I like football in all its forms including the flag and touch games.

I think the changes that were made open doors for the CFL to possibly get a television contract or streaming service contract in the United States and possibly expand again to the United States. I think the changes will help sell the league to legal gambling partners and possibly make it easier to get a video game done.

I haven’t gambled on any type of sports in years. With that noted, I realize the sports industry makes big money on gambling, and I think it is likely way more money than I originally thought.

I know in Canada the notion is there about expanding the CFL to Quebec City or Halifax, N.S.

However, I can see the CFL looking to the United States, because it is easier to do business there. To build any sort of sports facilities in Canada including potential stadiums in Quebec City and Halifax, those looking to build often rely on getting grants from the Government of Canada. Currently, the Government of Canada ties those grants to promises of the new facilities that are powered by green energy to a certain extent and are environment friendly.

Actually to be realistic, the Government of Canada makes the sports industry jump through various hoops in ways that parallel most other industries in the country.

In the United States, sports are a major industry. To use a metaphor, sports in the United States is a big-boss table that includes kings and queens, while Canada’s sports industry is a baby in a high-chair.

I think the CFL could use expansion to the United States as a way to leverage better business environments for its franchises in Canada.

I know almost all professional football circuits that have operated in the United States not named the NFL have failed. Still, I can see why the business people in the CFL would look in that direction. The current rule changes still keep the essence of the Canadian game, and I can see the business crew in the CFL thinking that could still be a great selling point there.

I also note that while I hate the CFL rule changes I don’t get overly emotional about it, and I don’t let it affect my life. I don’t own a team, so I have no control over what happens to that circuit.

It is an entertainment option. One day I might decide it doesn’t work for me anymore, and at that point, I will no longer be someone that buys tickets to games or merchandise.

I won’t pout or get upset or act like a bratty baby. I will just leave and go on to something else.

At this point, the CFL still works for me as an entertainment option.

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 focus on football, not online haters

Saskatoon romps to 46-6 win in home opener

Isaac Michayluk runs back an interception for the Hilltops on Sunday.

Let the haters be who they are going to be.

The Saskatoon Hilltops are just focusing on football.

On Sunday, August 10, the Hilltops opened the CJFL regular season getting hammered 31-11 by the host Rifles at Maple Grove Rugby Park in Winnipeg, Man. The lopsided road loss in Winnipeg was a shocker for the storied Hilltops.

Outside of games against their provincial rivals the Regina Thunder, the Hilltops rarely drop contests to other Prairie Football Conference foes outside of falling 19-16 to the Rifles in Winnipeg on August 28, 2022.

Hayden McMahon picked up his first win as CJFL starting QB.

After the loss to the Rifles on August 10, there were social media accounts on Instagram that run updates and opinions on the CJFL posted the score of that contest. Those accounts are run independently from the CJFL. 

The comments section of those posts saw people share their glee that the Hilltops had lost in convincing fashion and stated their dislike for the Saskatoon club. A similar development happened when the score first appeared on the CJFL main Instagram account.

From the comments, the dislike came from the fact the Hilltops have had a successful history that has included winning 23 CJFL championships.

On Sunday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Hilltops righted the ship for one afternoon in their home opener romping over the Edmonton Huskies 46-6 dropping the Alberta side to 0-2. The Hilltops improved to 1-1 and will host the Rifles (2-0) this coming Sunday at 1 p.m. at SMF Field.

David Collins led the Hilltops with 157 yards rushing on Sunday.

As for the social media comments that proclaimed happiness over the fact the Hilltops lost bad to the Rifles, the Hilltops themselves elected to block out the noise. Hilltops third-year quarterback Hayden McMahon started his first career CJFL game in Sunday’s win over the Huskies.

Slotted in as the third stringer at the start of the campaign on the team’s depth chart, McMahon found himself taking on the starting spot after fifth-year starter Brexton Elias and second-year backup Charlie Molder went down with injuries that are expected to keep them off the field for a longer term.

McMahon said he followed social media accounts that produce content on the CJFL. After the loss to the Rifles, he said the comments he saw were usually negative things that were said about professional athletes after they lose. It resulted in McMahon taking a new approach to his relationship with social media.

HC Tom Sargeant works the sidelines for the Hilltops.

“You know what, I give it to the professional athletes in the world,” said McMahon expressing empathy for those in pro-sports. “After that game in Winnipeg, I made the decision to delete everything off my phone that had anything to do with the team and the CJFL just so I didn’t have that negative feedback.

“I didn’t want to read anything. I just wanted to have a clean slate going into the week. It was very beneficial for me to get that off my phone and not read those bad comments.”

For Hilltops star middle linebacker Isaac Michayluk, he said it was easy for him to avoid seeing posts or reading comments on social media.

Part of the crowd of 856 spectators that came to see Hilltops.

“Personally, I have a flip phone,” said Michayluk. “I don’t have social media.

“I live under a rock a bit. That is good. I just keep my focus on the task at hand and what it needs to be.”

When it comes to anything that is posted on social media, Michayluk said he hears about it second hand, and that information goes in one ear and out the other.

“I try not to focus on that,” said Michayluk. “If you focus on that, then you get distracted from the task at hand which is working for now.

Two Hilltops offensive linemen engage on a double team block. 

“We’ve got Winnipeg coming in here next week, so that is the task at hand. If we focus on all that social media stuff, we get distracted. We’ve got to focus up and get that mindset right.”

McMahon and Michayluk follow the lead of their legendary head coach Tom Sargeant when it comes to dealing with social media. Sargeant doesn’t follow anything on social media unless there is something his wife, Kris, shows him. As far as negative Instagram comments went following the loss to the Rifles, Sargeant was oblivious to what was said.

“I could care less no offence,” said Sargeant. “I don’t do a lot of reading.

Members of the Hilltop Cheerleaders perform on Sunday.

“I do a lot of coaching. We worry about us, and we don’t worry about anybody else. That is the Hilltop way.”

Sargeant said he doesn’t spend time reflecting on why people would write the comments that they do on social media. He concerns himself with what the Hilltops have to do that day to become a better football team.

“We’re very insular,” said Sargeant. “We just focus on us.

“I have a lot of work to do. This football team had a better performance today. You weren’t there last week, and it was just awful.

Charles Sawi ran the ball 12 times for 77 yards for the Hilltops.

“We have taken a few steps forward, but we got a long ways to go, if we’re going to be the team (to beat). Hey, we have Winnipeg coming in who absolutely laid it to us last week. We’re not resting.”

Looking in from the outside, McMahon said it was unfortunate negative comments come the Hilltops way, but he believes the players, who range in age from 18 to 22, grow up quickly by making responsible decisions on how to deal with comments. During his high school days, McMahon played six-a-side football with the Biggar Central School Blazers in Biggar, Sask., and he said one of his coaches advised to ignore the noise and listen to the message the coaches were delivering.

McMahon said he always has that advice in his head, and that is how he goes ahead with approaching social media. He believes the Hilltops have been really good at not worrying about what is said on social media.

Isaiah Vallderruten secures a 29-yard TD catch for the Hilltops.

“We’ve got really good leaders on this team,” said McMahon. “Our fifth years do a really good job and often a lot of times the phones don’t come out.

“We’re boys, and we have fun in the locker room. Whatever happens outside of the football field, we have no control on. All we can do is bring our best on the football field and play between the lines and the whistles and have a lot of fun.”

The Hilltops had a fair amount of fun on Sunday sending a crowd of 856 spectators that came out to SMF Field home happy. They jumped out to a 12-0 lead in the first quarter thanks to a safety conceded by the Huskies, a 34-yard field goal from kicker Ryden Gratton and a 12-yard touchdown run by star running back Corbin Ebben. Ebben left the game early in the second quarter due to injury to which he will undergo further evaluations.

Huskies receiver Dustin Campbell is hit by a Hilltops DB.

Edmonton got on the scoreboard in the second quarter with a 23-yard missed field goal single from kicker Boaz Comeau.

Saskatoon responded with a pair of touchdowns from 22-year-old running back David Collins, who scored on runs from 75 yards and one yard out to hold a 26-1 lead at halftime.

In the third quarter, the Hilltops pushed their lead out to 36-1. McMahon hit receiver Isaiah Vallderruten with a 29-yard touchdown pass, and Gratton booted a field goal from 33 yards out.

Second-year running back Brody Komarnicki ran in a major from four yards out and Gratton hit a 30-yard field goal to make the Hilltops lead stand at 46-1.

Aiden Rosa (#26) steals an interception for the Hilltops.

The Huskies closed out the game’s scoring with a 38-yard field goal from Comeau and a conceded safety by the Hilltops as time expired.

McMahon completed 7-of-15 passes for 122 yards and one touchdown, while throwing one interception for the Hilltops. Collins topped the Hilltops with 157 yards rushing on 11 carries to go with his two major scores. 

Charles Sawi ran the ball 12 times for 77 yards for Saskatoon. Vallderruten caught three passes for 57 yards to go with his touchdown reception.

Jackson Harnett started at quarterback for the Huskies completing 10-of-15 passes for 95 yards. Wesley Neitz played a sizable chunk of the contest in relief connecting on 9-of-15 passes for 77 yards, while throwing two interceptions. Receiver William Campbell led the Huskies with seven receptions for 64 yards.

Ryden Gratton boots a 33-yard field goal for the Hilltops.

Michayluk led the Hilltops with seven total tackles, and he intercepted one pass. Second-year defensive back Aiden Rosa also came up with an interception for the Hilltops, while star defensive tackle Johnathon Stevens had a fumble recovery.

Middle linebacker Kaige Houle led the Huskies with 8.5 total tackles and had one interception. Defensive back Juven St. Hilaire had an interception for the Huskies. Linebacker Mateo Muir had a fumble recovery for Edmonton.

“At the end of the day, we’re certainly happy with the result,” said Sargeant. “It has been a tough week, and it is nice to see the players respond.

The Hilltops celebrate a TD from Brody Komarnicki (#20).

“We’ve been hard, we’re coaching hard, and we expect them to play hard. It wasn’t an easy day to play, and we have a lot of respect for the Edmonton Huskies. They have a lot of tradition, and we knew it was going to be a physical game.

“For me, the best thing I saw is how our offensive line stepped up today, and they just absolutely controlled the line of scrimmage and made life easier. It was nice to see Hayden McMahon execute the game plan and find the right guys and the defence was on point. We did well enough to win the game, and I am very thankful for that.”

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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