Kleiter delivers more big plays in playoff win for Hilltops

Saskatoon takes out Wildcats in PFC semifinal

Rylan Kleiter, right, celebrates one of his two TD catches.

    Rylan Kleiter seems to always be at the centre of timely big plays.
    The fourth-year receiver/kicker found himself in key moments for the Saskatoon Hilltops on Sunday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.
    Kleiter made a couple of important touchdown receptions on his only two catches and booted a field goal to allow the Hilltops to down a game Edmonton Wildcats side 31-7 in a PFC semifinal contest.

    The win allowed the Hilltops to advance in the CJFL playoffs to the PFC final for a 13^th straight year.

    When the game ended, Kleiter said the Hilltops, who are the five time defending CJFL champions, were happy to get the first step on the post-season trail out of the way.

    “We didn’t come out how we wanted to,” said Kleiter. “We were able to battle through and figure out what they were doing to overcome and make us a little better too.”

Rylan Kleiter makes a sliding 30-yard TD catch for the Hilltops.

    The Hilltops, who improved to 9-0 overall on the campaign, will host the PFC final this coming Sunday against the Edmonton Huskies, who are 7-2 overall, at 1 p.m. at SMF Field.

    The Huskies traveled to Regina and downed the host Thunder in Sunday’s other PFC semifinal 20-17. The Thunder finished the 2019 campaign with a 6-3 overall record.

    In the PFC semifinal clash in Saskatoon, the Hilltops entered as huge favourites over the Wildcats, who finished the 2019 campaign with a 2-7 overall record.

    The two sides were meeting for the third time in four weeks, and the familiarity between the clubs was apparent.

    The Wildcats defence gave the Hilltops offence difficulties making reads and stopping a number of plays.

Rylan Kleiter makes a 16-yard TD catch for the Hilltops.

    “Any time you play a team three times in four weeks, you know what, there are a lot of things that go against you,” said Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant. “We’re real proud of the effort today, because that is as good of a defence as we’ve seen all year.

    “They’re physical. They’re aggressive. They’re well coached.

    “They put their players in good spots. Ultimately, we had to be real sharp, real physical. We’re able to do that today.”

    The Hilltops broke through on the scoreboard to go ahead 7-0 at the 6:45 mark of the first quarter, when Kleiter hauled in a 16-yard touchdown reception from fifth-year quarterback Tyler Hermann.

    The drive that resulted in Kleiter’s first quarter major was set up by a fumble recovery by Hilltops defensive back Jared Giddings.

    In the second quarter, the Hilltops extended their edge to 14-0, when star power running back Ben Abrook ran home a touchdown from a yard out.

Rylan Kleiter (#7) boots a 25-yard field goal for the Hilltops.

    The Wildcats didn’t go away. With 4:50 remaining in the second quarter, Wildcats quarterback Devin Desormeau hit receiver Tanner Holt with a three-yard touchdown strike to cut the Hilltops lead to 14-7.

    Saskatoon seemed set to extend its lead right before halftime. Wildcats defensive back Tony Savchuk made an interception in his own end zone off Hermann with 10.5 seconds remaining in the second quarter to ensure the Hilltops lead remained 14-7 at halftime.

    “They kind of had our number in the first half,” said Kleiter, who is a standout curling skip when he is not playing football. “We took advantage in the second half.”

Rylan Kleiter averaged 37.4 yards a punt for the Hilltops on Sunday.

    The Hilltops got motoring in the second half, when Kleiter made a baseball sliding grab for a 30-yard touchdown catch just 3:28 into the third quarter. That score gave the host side a 21-7 advantage.

Sargeant said Kleiter’s second touchdown reception was big in allowing the final outcome to unfold in favour of the Hilltops.

    “That was something that we had designed in there,” said Sargeant. “It was just the right situation arose.

    “He is just an outstanding football player and did a lot of high end things. We put him in some man-to-man scenarios, and he executed it.”

    Kleiter was pleased come through with a big play in that moment.

    “It felt pretty good,” said Kleiter, who stands 5-foot-9 and weighs 170 pounds. “It was a good designed play.

    “It is all the other guys around me that are making that play. They are opening me up. It was good.”

Tanner Holt (#3) makes a three-yard TD catch for the Wildcats.

    Shortly after Kleiter’s second touchdown catch, the Hilltops offence hit the field again after safely Brant Morrow recovered a Wildcats fumble. Saskatoon proceeded to turn that into Abrook’s second one-yard touchdown run of the afternoon to go ahead 28-7.

    Abrook finished the game carrying the ball 29 times for 153 yards to go with his two major scores.

    The Wildcats got deep into Saskatoon territory late in the third quarter, but Giddings snuffed out that drive with an end zone interception.

    Kleiter rounded out the game’s scoring in the fourth quarter with a 25-yard field goal.

    With punter John Brown out due to the fact he is undergoing concussion protocol, Kleiter is handling all of the team’s kicking duties along with his duties on offence. 

Ben Abrook ran for 153 yards and two TDs for the Hilltops.

    Kleiter averaged 37.4 yards per punt over eight attempts on Sunday.

    The 21-year-old doesn’t mind being relied upon in multiple situations.
    “It is fun,” said Kleiter. “I am enjoying it out there.

    “I’m always locked into the game that way. I’m just always busy.”

    Hermann completed 10-of-17 passes for 125 yards, two touchdowns and one interception for Saskatoon. Kleiter led all Hilltops pass catches with 46 yards receiving on his two grabs.

    Desormeau completed 24-of-34 passes for 200 yards, one touchdown and one interception for the Wildcats.

    Receiver Jacob Mihailides caught 11 passes for 74 yards for Edmonton. Running back Dustin Pawliuk topped the Wildcats with 89 yards rushing on 19 carries.

    Defensive back Evan Mantyka led the Hilltops with 8.5 total tackles. Defensive end Tristan Hering and defensive tackle Jesse McNabb shared a sack.

The Hilltops defence closes in on Wildcats RB Dustin Pawliuk (#22).

    Linebacker Ben Davidge topped the Wildcats with 7.5 total tackles. Defensive lineman Rory Bakehe had a big game for the visitors recording 6.5 total tackles and one sack.

    The Hilltops defence forced five turnovers, while the Wildcats defence caused one takeaway.

    With Sunday’s win in the books, the Hilltops extended their overall winning streak including action in the regular season and playoffs to 28 games and their CJFL record for most consecutive post-season wins to 17 games.

    The Hilltops now turn their attention to the Huskies. 

The Hilltops mark their victory over the Wildcats on Sunday.

    The two sides met in last year’s PFC final, where the Hilltops prevailed 28-9.

    “We’ve got a long ways to go, and we’re excited about it,” said Sargeant. “We’re at the point now you just have to live another week, and that is what we are doing.”

    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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Ochs loves being part of lunch-pail crew with Hilltops

Mason Ochs, left, has been a CJFL all-Canadian all-star the last two years.

    Mason Ochs figured he would be a good fit for the Saskatoon Hilltops, and that gut feeling was confirmed when he joined the powerhouse CJFL squad.

    A graduate from Tommy Douglas Collegiate Tigers football program in the Saskatoon high school ranks, Ochs enjoyed getting his nose down and dirty on the offensive line in the physical part of the game.

    Upon joining the Hilltops in 2016, he felt surrounded by teammates who were like minded.

    “I liked the attitude here,” said Ochs. “I heard good things from former players.

    “It is just grab your lunch buckets and go.”

    Since that rookie campaign, Ochs shot to star status at left tackle and named CJFL all-Canadian all-star in each of the past two seasons. Now in his fourth campaign with the team, Ochs is the cornerstone on a mostly veteran Hilltops offensive line.

    On Sunday, he was again opening up the running lanes and protecting his quarterback helping the Hilltops down the Rifles in Winnipeg 34-20 in the CJFL regular season opener for both clubs.

Mason Ochs (#73) protects the blindside of the Hilltops’ quarterbacks.

    The Hilltops have won the last five straight CJFL titles and Ochs was a member of the last three of those championship teams.

    While his team has been successful and he has personally been successful, Ochs said he focuses on staying humble through all the high points. That lesson was engrained in him as a rookie in 2016 playing behind then veteran offensive linemen in Tyler Hoath, Drayke Unger and Cord Ivanco, who have all since graduated from the team.

    Ochs frequently thinks about that veteran trio.

    “I learned a lot,” said Ochs, who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 275 pounds. “I learned how to carry yourself on the team and how to keep your nose down and don’t get out of line or anything like that.”

    Ochs proved to be quick learner, and it vaulted him to the ever important starting left tackle spot on the offensive line, where he protects his quarterback’s blindside.

    His progression was so good the past two seasons that he participated in the training camp of the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders in late May and early June.

Mason Ochs works on techniques at Roughriders training camp.

    Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant said Ochs also had some natural gifts in size and strength that allowed him to be a starter in his second year.

    “He is one of our strongest players,” said Sargeant. “He has natural strength. He has just got it.

    “He just gets it. He knows how to play. He plays with great athleticism, great feet.

    “That was why he was able to go to ‘Rider camp this year was because of those abilities. He is just a high-end player. He looks great in our uniform, and he makes us play good.”

    Sargeant has enjoyed seeing Ochs excel over the years and gave credit to Hilltops offensive line coach Donnie Davidsen for helping the 21-year-old become an elite player.

    “To see his growth as a player and a person has just been awesome his confidence and his aggression,” said Sargeant. “He is such a great kid off the field.

    “You get between the lines he is a physical blocker. His growth and development through coach (Donnie) Davidsen and all his great coaching has really made Mason a high end player. We feel he is one of the top players in the league.

    “A lot of times we are going to be running in behind him. He is what he is. He is a physical and dominant athletic blocker that other teams have to reckon with his abilities.”

Mason Ochs (#73) takes part in a drill at Roughriders training camp.

    Fifth-year quarterback Tyler Hermann, who is in his first season as the Hilltops starter, said he feels fortunate that his blindside is protected by Ochs.

    “It is a piece of mind that is for sure having that guy around,” said Hermann. “The experience he has gotten, and I’ve kind of seen him kind of develop thru the last few years.

    “He is a man among boys out there sometimes. He is keeping me safe, and I am extremely to have guys like him around for sure.”

    Ochs enjoyed the opportunity to go to Roughriders camp, and he added it was an eye-opening experience to see the preparation that goes on in the professional ranks.

    “Film study is no joke there,” said Ochs. “You’re watching tape and studying and writing notes constantly.

    “Practice is just super technical, and they have film on all the time. They are recording practices’ every little detail. If your hands are two inches higher than they should be they will let you know about it.”

    Ochs said it was great to get to know the Roughriders veterans on the offensive line like left guard Brendon LaBatte. Ochs said he had some star struck moments but found it cool to hang out with players like LaBatte as if they had been friends for a long time.

Mason Ochs (#71) hangs with Philip Blake (#53) and Brendon LaBatte (#57)

    “It was incredible,” said Ochs. “It was just these guys are up there.

    “You’ve been watching them your whole life. Next thing you know you are there learning directly from them. You’re just watching them the whole time and copy what they do.”

    Ochs said his experience with the Roughriders helped plant a seed of what might be possible in the future.

    “It is something I could maybe do,” said Ochs. “It definitely showed me what I need to work on and what I need to improve.

    “It just shows you have to carry yourself.”

    As for the present, Ochs was to continue to help the Hilltops accomplish great things.

    “I’m very excited,” said Ochs. “Every year I get a chance to compete for a title.

    “It doesn’t get any better than that.”

    In Sunday’s win over the Rifles, the Hilltops jumped out to a 16-0 early in the second quarter, led 16-7 at halftime, extend their edge to 27-7 in the fourth quarter before finishing out with a 34-20 final.

    Saskatoon scored on a three-play, 75-yard drive on its first offensive series that was capped when Hermann hit fourth-year receiver Rylan Kleiter with a 24-yard TD toss for a 7-0 lead.

Mason Ochs, right, is pumped for the Hilltops new season.

    The Rifles conceded a safety before the first quarter came to a close, and Hilltops second-year running back Carter McLean ran in a touchdown from three-yards out early in the second quarter to give the visitors a 16-0 edge.

    Rifles running back Mathe Mitayango ran in a touchdown from seven yards out before the second quarter ended to cut the Hilltops lead to 16-7.

    Kleiter hit a 32-yard field goal for the Hilltops in the third quarter to give them a 19-7 edge. Early in the fourth quarter, John Brown scored a point off a punt single to give the Hilltops a 20-7 lead.

    Hermann threw two touchdown passes to fifth-year receiver Connor Graham to round out the Hilltops scoring from that point.

    Rifles quarterback Riley Naujoks threw a pair of touchdown passes in the fourth quarter to round out the scoring for his side. He hit receivers Luke McMillan for one scoring toss and Jake Roger for the other scoring strike.
    Naujoks completed 22-of-42 passes for 339 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.

    In his first career start at quarterback for the Hilltops, Hermann completed 14-of-27 passes for 257 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Graham hauled in five passes for 123 yards to go with his two touchdown grabs.

    Running back Ben Abrook carried the ball 31 times for 144 yards.

    Also on Sunday, the Regina Thunder won their regular season opener 34-21 over the Wildcats in Edmonton. On Saturday, the host Edmonton Huskies downed the Calgary Colts 36-13 in the regular season opener for both sides in that contest.

Ben Abrook ran for 144 yards for the Hilltops.

    The Hilltops return to action this coming Sunday, when they travel to Regina to take on the Thunder at 3 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium.

    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 pay the Price and make Rifles hit the Rhode

Receiver Jason Price jets home on an 81-yard touchdown catch.

    Jason Price was happy he could help pull his Saskatoon Hilltops out of some doldrums.

    After the Hilltops stormed out to a 25-3 lead in the first quarter over the visiting Winnipeg Rifles in a Prairie Football Conference semifinal playoff match on Sunday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the host side stalled in the second quarter. 
    In that frame, the Hilltops scored just one point and had to concede a safety due to bad field position to see their lead sit at 26-5.

    Price, who is the club’s star fifth-year receiver, had an 81-yard touchdown reception in his side’s explosive first 15 minutes. At the 3:10 mark of the third quarter, Price hauled in a deep corner route to score a 45-yard touchdown reception to put the Hilltops up 33-5.

    That kick started the venerable Canadian Junior Football League team, and the Hilltops cruised to a 58-5 victory from that point.

Receiver Tanner Rhode reaches into the end zone for a touchdown.

    “We had kind of a rough second quarter,” said Price. “Coming into the next half, we just had to make some kind of play, and it turns out they called on my number.

    “I just had to make it, and it helped carry the team to this kind of victory.”

    Price and third-year receiver Tanner Rhode had monster games in the Hilltops romp. Price hauled in five catches for 191 yards and his two major scores. Rhode hauled in eight catches for game high 193 yards and scored one touchdown burning Rifles defensive back Troy Wilson seemingly all afternoon.

    Thanks to the big games by Price and Rhode, Hilltops fifth-year star quarterback Jordan Walls had the best statistical game of his CJFL career completing 18-of-29 passes for 473 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions.

    “Offensively, Wallsy did a great job of finding his receivers,” said Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant. “Tanner Rhode stepped up and had the best game I’ve seen him in our uniform.

QB Jordan Walls piled up 473 yards passing for the Hilltops.

    “Jason Price was Jason Price. (Running back) Josh Ewanchyna had a couple of big catches and big runs. It was just a great effort.”

    The Hilltops struck quickly in Sunday’s contest, when Ewanchyna ran home a touchdown from 24 yards out at the 2:04 mark of the first quarter to give the hosts a 7-0 lead.

    Winnipeg answered back with a 27-yard field goal from kicker Barrett Mueller to cut Saskatoon’s edge to 7-3.

    From that point, the Hilltops almost burned out the lights on the scoreboard at SMF Field during the rest of the first quarter.

    Receiver/kicker David Solie booted a 31 yard field goal, and punter John Brown booted a 54-yard punt single to put the Hilltops up 11-4. From there, Price hauled in his 81-yard touchdown reception to increase the Hilltops lead to 18-3.

    On the final play of the first quarter, Walls connected with Rhode on a 25-yard touchdown pass to give the Hilltops a 25-3 edge.

Josh Ewanchyna piled up 157 yards rushing for the Hilltops.

    Brown conceded a safety early in the second quarter to give Winnipeg two points to trim Solie collected a single point off a 27 yard missed field goal with 9.8 seconds remaining before halftime to give the Hilltops a 26-5 advantage.

    While Sargeant was happy with the win, the Hilltops legendary sideline boss saw too many spots - especially in the second quarter - where the Rifles could have gotten back into the game.

    “We had some good lessons to learn,” said Sargeant. “There are lots to improve and get better.

    “There are some things I am not happy about, but ultimately in playoffs, you just want to keep moving to the next week. We’ve done that, so I’m just looking forward to getting back to work next week and making this team even better.”

    Price’s early third quarter score got the Hilltops rolling in the second half.

Fans at SMF Field cheer on the Hilltops.

    Just 13 seconds into the fourth quarter, Ewanchyna took a swing pass from Walls and turned it into a 34-yard touchdown reception to put the Hilltops up 40-5. Ewanchyna carried the ball 18 times for 157 yards and hauled in three passes for 68 yards to go with his one major score on the ground and one through the air.

    Solie hit a field goal from 32 yards out and collected a single from a 31-yard missed field goal to put the Hilltops up 44-5.

    Saskatoon’s defence proceeded to get in on the scoring from that point.

    After the Rifles drove deep into Saskatoon’s end, Hilltops fourth-year defensive back Logan Kelsey-Stern picked off Rifles quarterback Riley Naujoks and ran the ball back 117 yards for a touchdown to give the Hilltops a 51-5 advantage.

DB Logan Bitz, right, defenses a pass for the Hilltops.

    Following that score, Hilltops sophomore defensive back Michael Gerber sacked Naujoks forcing a fumble. Hilltops sophomore defensive end Connor Delahey picked up the loose ball and raced 41 yards for a touchdown to round out the game’s scoring. 
    The major score was the first for Delahey in his post-secondary football career.

    “I was just worried I was going to end up tripping on the ball and falling over it and looking like an idiot,” said Delahey, who had a sack in Sunday’s win. “We were lucky.

Logan Kelsey-Stern returns a pick 117 yards for a touchdown.

    “I scooped it and scored and everyone was blocking for me, so I ended up getting into the end zone. My first touchdown and maybe my last.

    “Hopefully not, but maybe my last with the Hilltops. I have to really cherish the moment, because it might never happen again.”

    Delahey had a breakout campaign with the Hilltops making 21 total tackles and four sacks in six regular season games with the team.

    “For me personally, I think I have improved a lot,” said Delahey. “That is what is the most important to me from the start of the season to the end.

    “My pass rush has gotten better. I’ve been able to read the run. As a whole D-line, we’ve improved.

    “As the whole D-line improves, it is going to open up opportunities for me.”

    Defensive tackle Jesse McNabb had a pair of sacks for the Hilltops, and star fifth-year linebacker Cody Peters had a team-high four total tackles.

Rifles QB Riley Naujoks is sacked by Hilltops DB Michael Gerber.

    Naujoks, the Rifles regular starting quarterback who returned from injury, completed 24-of-49 passes for 341 yards, but his one interception resulted in Kelsey-Stern’s major score. Brendan Naujoks topped the Rifles in receiving hauling in nine passes for 99 yards.

    Winnipeg was held to 25 yards rushing as a team.

    Rifles defensive back Andrew Ricard led his side with eight total tackles and recovered one fumble.

    The Hilltops, who were 8-0 in the regular season, improve their overall record to 9-0. Including action in the regular season and playoffs, they have won their last 17 games in a row.

    The Rifles, who were 3-5 in the regular season, finish the 2018 campaign at 3-6 overall.

DE Connor Delahey returns a fumble 41 yards for a TD.

    In the other PFC semifinal on Sunday, the Edmonton Huskies, who were 6-2 in the regular season, downed the Regina Thunder, who were 5-3 in the regular season, 39-36 in overtime at Commonwealth Stadium in the Alberta capital.

    The Huskies, who are 7-2 overall, will travel to Saskatoon to meet the Hilltops, who have won the last four straight CJFL titles, in the PFC final set for this coming Sunday at 1 p.m. at SMF Field.

    In making his last run through the CJFL playoffs, Price wants to keep advancing and help the Hilltops win an unprecedented fifth-straight CJFL title.

    “You always want to go out on top as a fifth year,” said Price. “We have the right team for it.

    “We just have to keep playing as that Hilltop team and keep playing Hilltop football.”

    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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Kleiter refines identity with Hilltops, stands out in curling

Rylan Kleiter dashes home on a 50-yard touchdown reception.

    Rylan Kleiter knew he would go through a feeling out process playing for the Saskatoon Hilltops in 2018.

    Last season as a 19-year-old sophomore, Kleiter started the campaign handling all the Hilltops punting and kickoff duties and had a regular role as a receiver. His campaign came to an almost literal crashing halt after he suffered a major knee injury in a 29-26 loss to the Regina Thunder on Sept. 9, 2017 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

    After missing four regular season games and three playoff contests, Kleiter managed to heal up enough to play in the Canadian Junior Football League championship game – the Canadian Bowl – on Nov. 11, 2017. He hit a 37-yard field goal in the Hilltops 56-11 thrashing of the host Windsor AKO Fratmen as the venerable Saskatoon side won a fourth straight CJFL title.

    Entering this season, Kleiter was still bothered by some lingering effects from his knee injury causing him to miss the Hilltops first three regular season games.

    “It has been a long journey, and a lot of hard work just in the gym making sure my strength is back up and keeping that knee strong and also mentally getting comfortable with using my knee again,” said Kleiter. “I was itching to get back out there.

    “As soon as the football equipment came out, I was ready to go on and get back out there.”

    He returned to action on Sept. 15, when the Hilltops romped over the Colts in Calgary 79-7. In his return, Kleiter caught three passes for 46 yards, returned two punts for 25 yards and kicked four punts for a 35.2 yard average.

    The 20-year-old was ecstatic to be on the field.

    “It was pretty exciting,” said Kleiter, whose Hilltops (8-0) host a Prairie Football Conference semifinal playoff contest against the Winnipeg Rifles (3-5) on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. “At first, it was a little edgy kind of.

    “I wanted to get into the hitting. Once I got that first hit, then I was ready to go.”

Rylan Kleiter boots a punt downfield for the Hilltops.

    While Kleiter was ready to go, he wasn’t sure what his identity would be with the team. Due to the fact he missed a total of 10 regular season and post-season games due to injury over the past two years, receiver John Brown emerged to cement himself as the Hilltops main punter.

    David Solie, who has been kicker for Football Canada’s national team program, joined the Hilltops this season and assumed the kickoff duties Kleiter used to handle. The Toppers also cycled through a number of receivers on offence, so Kleiter wasn’t sure what his role would be there.

    He was determined to get on the field and was open to pursuing every avenue to make that possible, which included playing multiple positions.

    “It took some time,” said Kleiter, who stands 5-foot-9 and weighs 165 pounds. “I’m still just practising making sure I am ready to go if coach ever needs me to fill in.

    “Other than that, I just kind of keep on grinding to get back in there.”

    Last Sunday in the Hilltops 48-7 regular season ending victory over the Rifles at SFM Field, Kleiter had arguably his most memorable game of the season. The graduate of Saskatoon’s St. Joseph High School Guardians football team hauled in a 50-yard catch and run touchdown reception from star quarterback Jordan Walls, ran back two punts for 21 yards and punted the ball four times for a 32.5 yard average.

    The touchdown catch was the obvious highlight of the day.

    “It was pretty exciting,” said Kleiter. “I got the blocks up front with my receivers, which left a wide open lane for me.”

    Away from football, Kleiter has built another big identity as a star curler. He skips a junior team out of Saskatoon’s Sutherland Curling Club that includes third, Trevor Johnson, second Joshua Mattern and lead Matthieu Taillon.

Rylan Kleiter, left, returns a punt for the Hilltops.

    Together, Kleiter’s team has won the last two Saskatchewan junior men’s provincial curling championships.

    “It has been busy between curling, football and school,” said Kleiter, who is a business student at the University of Saskatchewan. “My first few months are real busy.

    “Curling kind of sits to the back the first few months and then picks up later on after football season is over.”

    Last weekend, Kleiter’s foursome played in the Saskatchewan Curling Tour’s men’s bonspiel at Saskatoon’s Nutana Curling Club. This weekend, they are playing in the Curl Saskatoon Junior Classic, which started Friday and runs through to Sunday at the Granite and CN Curling Clubs in Saskatoon.

    Kleiter loves the busy weekends when he plays with his curling team in bonspiels and with the Hilltops in football.

    “It is fun,” said Kleiter. “I’m not usually at home very much.

    “I just take whatever down time I can get, rest up and be ready mentally as well.”

    Of course, football and curling are quite different, but he said the two sports complement each other when it comes to building mental toughness.

    “I’d say for sure mentally both ways,” said Kleiter. “Out here on the field when you are not making plays, you have to be able to get yourself out of that groove.

    “Both sports kind of combine with that to help me learn how to face that.”

Rylan Kleiter is set to make more good memories in the playoffs.

    On the football field, Kleiter is pumped the CJFL playoffs have rolled around. As a rookie in 2016, Kleiter had a huge highlight moment with the Hilltops catching two touchdown passes in the team’s 43-31 victory over the Colts in the PFC final played at SFM Field.

    He wants to help create some more memorable moments in this year’s playoff run and noticed things have hit a higher gear at the team’s practices this week.

    “It is pretty exciting,” said Kleiter. “I am just excited to get out there.

    “It is a little bit different feel even at practice. It is a little more higher tempo and just be ready to go.”

    NOTES – Hilltops playoff game tickets can be purchased at all Mac’s and Circle K convenience stores in Saskatoon and the team’s web site at www.saskatoonhilltops.com. Sunday’s other PFC semifinal sees the Regina Thunder (5-3) travel to Edmonton to face the Huskies (6-2).

    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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Ewanchyna hits 1,000-yard mark in Hilltops’ regular season finale

Josh Ewanchyna surpasses 1,000 rushing on this carry.

    Josh Ewanchyna obtained what seemed like the unachievable milestone.

    On Sunday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the third-year Saskatoon Hilltops running back piled up 177 yards rushing on 24 carries and scored four touchdowns as the Hilltops romped to a 48-7 victory over the Winnipeg Rifles in the CJFL regular season finale for both sides. Thanks to that effort, Ewanchyna eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in rushing for the season.

    The graduate of Saskatoon’s Holy Cross High School Crusaders football team carried the ball 134 times for 1,007 yards and scored 14 touchdowns appearing in seven of the Hilltops eight regular season games. He missed the Toppers first regular season game with a minor injury.

    After eclipsing 1,000 yards rushing near the midway point of the fourth quarter, Ewanchyna was taken out of the game to polite applause, and he received an embrace from Hilltops receiver, former Holy Cross teammate and good friend David Solie.

    “I didn’t think it was a realistic at the start of the season,” said Ewanchyna, who stands 5-foot-10 and weighs 195 pounds. “With our O-line up front, they made it happen for me, so it was awesome.”

David Solie (#2) embraces Josh Ewanchyna.

    Having missed the Hilltops regular season opener, Ewanchyna’s odds of rushing for over 1,000 yards were long, but could be accomplished with some big outings. He made the big games happen being named the offensive player of the week three times in the Prairie Football Conference.

    With those efforts, the 20-year-old still needed to gain 170 yards rushing on Sunday to hit the 1,000 yard rushing mark. 
    After hitting that accomplishment, Ewanchyna was pumped about that development and the fact the team’s coaches let him go after that milestone.

    “It feels unreal,” said Ewanchyna, who led the PFC in rushing yards. “I expected it to happen a little sooner.

    “I wanted to get off as soon as possible. We ended up getting it. It was a great feeling.

    “My O-line stayed out there with me to help us get to that milestone. I can’t thank those guys enough for doing that, and even the coaches putting enough trust in me just to get those yards and get out of there without any injuries or anything extra done to me.”

Josh Ewanchyna ran for 177 yards and four TDs on Sunday.

    Ewanchyna became the first Hilltops running back to surpass 1,000 yards rushing in a season since Wayndel Lewis in 2014. Lewis was in his fifth and final season with the Hilltops in that campaign, and he carried the ball 130 times for 1063 yards and scored nine touchdowns. He was named the offensive player of the year for the CJFL in 2014.

    Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant said it isn’t easy to surpass 1,000 yards rushing in a season.

    “It is real special in the fact that he didn’t play in the first game,” said Sargeant. “He got hurt in the alumni game, so he has been battling an injury all year.

    “The look in his eye he really wanted it. It is my job as a coach when players want things you coach into it.

    “The offensive line wanted it just as bad for Josh (Ewanchyna). It is a team accomplishment. It is something that people can put on the mantle.”

    The Hilltops piled up a number of milestones with Sunday’s victory. With the win, they finish the regular season with a perfect 8-0 record having outscored the opposition 402-70 in those contests.

QB Jordan Walls (#19) surpassed 2,000 yards passing.

    In 2018, Saskatoon has trailed on the scoreboard for just a total of 81 seconds.

    Star quarterback Jordan Walls completed 15-of-20 passes for 277 yards, three touchdowns and one interception on Sunday. On the season, Walls surpassed 2,000 yards in passing completing 122-of-197 passes for 2,010 yards, 18 touchdowns and four interceptions.

    Solie, who is the Hilltops kicker, surpassed 100 points in scoring piling up 107 points coming off two touchdowns for 12 points, 16 field goals for 48 points, 46 converts worth one point and one rouge.

    Fifth-year star receiver Jason Price hauled in five passes for 123 yards. He topped the PFC in receiving yards at 709 coming off 31 catches, and he scored four touchdowns.

    On the defensive side of the ball, defensive tackle Garth Knittig had a pair of sacks on Sunday, while defensive tackle Jesse McNabb, and defensive ends Tristan Hering, Connor Guillet and Connor Delahey each had one sack.

    Knittig, who has been dubbed “the Delisle Destroyer” by Hilltops play-by-play voice Drew Wilson, has 3.5 sacks this season to go with 19 solo tackles, and he has enjoyed the fact he has made those contributions to the team.

DT Garth Knittig, left, tracks down a sack for the Hilltops on Sunday.

    “It was fun,” said Knittig. “I have to give thanks to my partner inside there Jesse (McNabb).

    “We take turns flushing each other to the quarterback. It just works out.”

    McNabb lead the Hilltops with 4.5 sacks this season.

    The Hilltops led Sunday’s game 27-0 at halftime and 48-0 by the end of the third quarter. Ewanchyna ran in touchdowns from three, 24, 16 and one yards out. Walls hit Solie with a three-yard touchdown pass, John Brown with a 14-yard touchdown toss and Rylan Kleiter with a 50-yard touchdown strike.

    The Rifles got on the board when fifth string quarterback and regular receiver Gabriel Grenier broke a run 91 yards for a touchdown with 74 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. 

Rylan Kleiter (#7) tears downfield on a 50-yard TD reception.

    Due to injuries at the quarterback position, the Rifles started Grenier and substituted defensive back Troy Wilson in a quarterback.

    Grenier completed 12-of-27 passes for 145 yards and ran the ball eight times for 118 yards including his long touchdown scamper.

    The Rifles finished fourth in the PFC with a 3-5 record.

    The Hilltops, who topped the PFC, and Rifles will go at it again in a conference semifinal playoff game this coming Sunday at SFM Field at 1 p.m.

    Also on Sunday, the Hilltops honoured fifth-year players Adam Benkic, Adam Ewanchyna, Bobby Ehman, Cody Peters, Guillet, Price, Walls and Kirk Simonsen with the team’s traditional walk out of the tunnel with their parents.

OL Kirk Simonsen (#51) walks out of the tunnel with his parents.

    In the two other PFC games on Sunday, the Regina Thunder traveled to Calgary and dumped the Colts 70-6, and the Huskies downed the Wildcats 42-17 in an all-Edmonton clash in the Alberta capital.

    The Huskies (6-2) finish second in the PFC and will host the Thunder (5-3) in the other conference semifinal this coming Sunday.

    The Wildcats (2-6) and Colts (0-8) finish out of the playoff picture at fifth and sixth in the conference respectively.

    The Hilltops are trying to win the CJFL title for an unprecedented fifth straight year and for the seventh time in the last eight years. Knittig can’t wait to start playing in the single elimination post-season games.

The Hilltops celebrate finishing the regular season 8-0.

    “It definitely amps it up a little bit,” said Knittig. “You get a little more nervous for games, but we’ve been in these situations before. We’re ready to go.”

    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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The Hilltops most dynamic player

Ewanchyna has delivered big plays since rookie year

Josh Ewanchyna has been a play maker for the Hilltops since day one.

    During a big championship game moment as a rookie, Josh Ewanchyna gained a new appreciation for what it was like to be part of the Saskatoon Hilltops family.

    Back on Nov. 12, 2016, the Hilltops were trying to win their 19^th Canadian Junior Football League title and third Canadian Bowl league championship game in a row. The Canadian Bowl was being played at Westhills Stadium in Langford, B.C., and the visiting Hilltops found themselves down 19-16 to the host Westshore Rebels with just under five minutes expired in the third quarter.

    Rebels quarterback Ashton Mackinnon has just scored a major on a one-yard sneak to give his side a three-point lead.

    At that moment, Ewanchyna stepped up to the forefront as the Hilltops X-factor. He took the kickoff following Mackinnon’s major score back 105 yards for a Hilltops touchdown to put Saskatoon up 23-19. The Hilltops proceeded to expand their edge to 37-19 and ultimately claimed the contest 37-25.

    Ewanchyna had a rushing touchdown in the first half of that contest, but the second half kickoff return touchdown was the highlight of his rookie year.

    “Having been my first year and to have such a big impact on a game like that, I wasn’t happy (just) for myself,” said Ewanchyna, who stands 5-foot-10 and weighs 195 pounds. “I was happy for everyone that was happy for me and just having all that joy and people just like appreciating that.

    “It gave me that feeling that it is not just about me making big plays. It is about playing for the team and playing for everyone around you especially the fifth years when you are here.”

    Ewanchyna continued to be an X-factor as a sophomore for the Hilltops last season playing behind Logan Fischer and Adam Machart at the running back position.

Josh Ewanchyna, right, breaks away from a Regina Thunder tackler.

    Following the Hilltops fourth straight Canadian Bowl victory in 2017, Fischer, who was the team’s established star at running back, graduated from the club having exhausted his CJFL eligibility. Machart moved on to play for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies in the U Sports ranks.

    Now in his third CJFL season, Ewanchyna has risen to a star role at the running back position. The 20-year-old has won a pair of offensive player-of-the-week awards for the Prairie Football Conference this season.

    On Sunday at Clarke Stadium in Edmonton, the graduate of Saskatoon’s Holy Cross High School carried the ball 22 times for 187 yards and scored three touchdowns as the Hilltops blanked the host Wildcats 53-0 in a CJFL regular season clash.

    On the campaign, Ewanchyna has carried the ball 107 times for 830 yards and scored 10 touchdown playing six out of the Hilltops seven regular season games to date having missed the first contest with a minor injury. He strives to emulate what Fischer and Machart did with club and said it was eye-opening learning from those two players.

    “I wanted to kind of sit back and you know just like watch those guys, see what they did at practice, see what they did for film (and) how their body language was,” said Ewanchyna. “You want to be like those guys.

    “You kind of realize those guys weren’t playing for themselves. They were playing for the team, the Hilltops, the ‘H’ on their helmets.

    “I just want to do the same and kind of follow in the footsteps as those guys did. I don’t know if I will ever get to those high standards, but it is definitely worth a try.”

Josh Ewanchyna has piled up the rushing yards for the Hilltops this season.

    Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant said Ewanchyna has been an impact player with the Hilltops since arriving with the team. The sideline boss was proud of how his talented tailback handled playing behind Fischer and Machart in 2016 and 2017.
    Sargeant said Ewanchyna is able to be a dynamic player on the field due to a number of characteristics.

    “Number one, he is the second fastest player on our team, and he is just so physical,” said Sargeant. “He is tough.

    “He bounces off blocks. He knows how to put his body in good positions. He has great balance and really good vision.

    “He is just getting better and better at understanding what he needs to do and jelling with that offensive line. It is always a mechanism that needs to work with each other. He is doing a real good job of blending into that.”

    With the Hilltops having one regular season game remaining before they embark on the post-season, Sargeant expects Ewanchyna to play a sizable role in the team’s quest to win a fifth straight CJFL championship.

    “The Hilltops love to run the ball in the playoffs, so we’re going to pound that rock,” said Sargeant. “Josh is a big part of that.

    “He is a natural playmaker. We’re going to need him to stay healthy and make those type of plays.

    “If he does that, that puts us in great spots to be the team that we want and expect ourselves to be in this championship run for 2018.”

    While Ewanchyna has a big family with the players and staff on the Hilltops, he has relished the chance to play alongside a blood family member in older brother and 22-year-old fifth-year receiver Adam. Adam opened the scoring of Sunday’s game hauling in an eight-yard touchdown pass early in the first quarter.
    Josh said he always looked up to Adam as they grew up together and followed Adam up through football.

Josh Ewanchyna can get downfield with great speed.

    When Adam was a Grade 12 star with Holy Cross’s football team, Josh was the Grade 10 youngster that wanted to be in Adam’s position.
    With the Hilltops, Josh became the bigger name player, but he found it huge to have Adam in the dressing room to help with the various ups and downs of a season.

    “I’ve been real close to my brother kind of coming up playing Hilltops,” said Josh Ewanchyna. “He is going out on his final one, so it is a little bit bittersweet this year playing my last year with him seeing him there in the locker room.

    “I’m going to have to get used to that next year not seeing him. He was always the one kind of pushing me to do better things with where I am today. It is awesome.”

    Going forward, Josh Ewanchyna said the Hilltops can’t overlook any opponent, especially with single-elimination playoff games sitting around the corner. While there are parts of the season that can be a grind, Ewanchyna admits the campaign does seem to go by too quickly, so it is important to enjoy the moment.

    “Four months out of the year, you have to kind of commit your life to it,” said Ewanchyna. “Next thing you know, you’re almost done it.

    “Every week, every game, every time you have practice, instead of sitting there kind of pouting about being there, you just have to enjoy the little things and be outside with your friends. You know happy you’re there. When you are on the field, you just have to work.

    “It is crazy how fast time flies. You don’t really realize it until it is gone. Definitely enjoying those wins and those times after with the guys celebrating is definitely what you have to take into account and enjoy the most.”

    With Sunday’s win in the books, the Hilltops improve to 7-0 on the season, extend their overall winning streak to 15 games including the regular season and playoffs and extend their road winning streak to 23 contests including the regular season and post-season.

    The Wildcats fell to 2-5 and were eliminated from CJFL playoff contention.

Josh Ewanchyna will see more touches as Hilltops head to the playoffs.

    In Sunday’s runaway win, Hilltops star quarterback Jordan Walls completed 14-of-26 passes for 220 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Fifth-year star receiver Jason Price hauled in four passes for 103 yards and scored one touchdown.
    David Solie booted field goals from 31, 23 and 10 yards out for the Toppers.

    Backup quarterback Tyler Hermann hit receiver John Brown for a touchdown pass, and the Hilltops forced the Wildcats to concede a safety in the contest.

    Saskatoon led 10-0 after the first quarter and 29-0 at halftime.

    Defensive end Connor Delahey had seven total tackles for the Hilltops, while rookie safety Evan Mantyka had a pair of interceptions.

    The Hilltops, who have first place in the PFC locked up, close the regular season this coming Sunday hosting the Winnipeg Rifles (3-4) at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Rifles are locked into finishing fourth in the PFC, which means the two sides will meet in a PFC semifinal contest in the CJFL playoffs.

Back in the Express with Hilltops assistant coaches

Donnie Davidsen, left, is one of many key assistant coaches for the Hilltops.

    I was back in the pages of the Saskatoon Express this week with the cover story focused on the Saskatoon Hilltops assistant coaches.

    The piece focuses on how offensive line coach Donnie Davidsen became involved with the team and his journey with the club that is now into its 13^th season. Davidsen spent a number of years in Saskatoon’s high school ranks before joining the Hilltops.

    Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant goes into detail about how important the assistant coaches are to the team.

    The club’s assistant coaches this season include defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Jeff Yausie, quarterbacks coach Shane Reider, defensive backs coach Brent Turkington, defensive line coach Dave Fisher, running backs coach Andre Lalonde and receivers coach Barclay Schlosser.

    Ben Hodson was added as another offensive line coach and Evan Turkington was added as another receivers coach as the season went on. They ultimately returned for a second campaign in those roles.

    The piece on the Hilltops assistant coaches can be found by clicking 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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