Horsley at home with Hilltops

Saskatoon ends three game skid with win in Calgary

Lachlan Horsley has made some big catches for the Hilltops.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lachlan Horsley has come up clutch in big situations.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lachlan Horsley and the Hilltops face the Wildcats next.

“It should be exciting soon to watch.”

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Horsley plays to prime time level for Saskatoon

Hilltops look for others to do the same in rematch with Thunder

Lachlan Horsley, left, had a big game last Saturday for the Hilltops.

Lachlan Horsley was in prime time form last Saturday for the Saskatoon Hilltops, and team’s sideline boss wants to see others play up to the same level displayed by the veteran pass catcher.

Horsley, who is playing his final season of CJFL eligibility with the Hilltops, caught nine passes for 122 yards as his squad dropped a 29-21 regular season decision in overtime to their provincial rivals in the Regina Thunder last Saturday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. With the CJFL using the CFL’s shootout format to decide games in extra time, Horsley almost ended up the overtime hero for the Hilltops.

Saskatoon had the first possession of the extra season, and Horsley hauled in a 29-yard pass and was stopped six yards from the end zone. On a third and goal gamble, Horsley came open just inside the end zone, but Hilltops quarterback Damon Dutton threw the ball behind the sure-handed pass catcher.

The Thunder proceeded to post a touchdown and a two point conversion to win the game on their ensuing possession.

The two sides are set to go at it again on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium in Regina. The Thunder sport a perfect 4-0 record, while the Hilltops sit at 2-2 having lost their last two straight outings.

Tom Sargeant, who is the Hilltops legendary head coach, said his team is going to need other players to step up like Horsley did to allow the storied CJFL club to break out of its recent funk. Sargeant said the Hilltops plan to keep targeting Horsley, but the sideline boss expects his skilled receiver will attract increased attention from the Thunder defence.

“The other team is going to know that too,” said Sargeant. “We gave him (Horsley) 10 targets last week, so that is a good number.

“We need some other players to step up too. Other players got to start making plays to make the field even bigger for him. Regina is smart.

Hilltops HC Tom Sargeant, right, is working to end his team’s skid.

“They’ll rally around and make sure to try and take the ball away from him and force some other player to step up. I’m not sure we have enough players ready to do that.”

Horsley returned to the Hilltops lineup last Saturday after missing the team’s previous two games with a minor calf injury. While he drew the start against the Thunder, the 22-year-old wasn’t originally expecting to have a big night until the Thunder started playing a defensive look that gave him an opportunity to make plays.

“It wasn’t really a game plan that I was going to have the opportunities I did,” said Horsley, who stands 5-foot-11 and weighs 185 pounds. “Once we got going and I got a look at the defence, we got the look we wanted.

“It was going to come my way. They played a lot of cut where the half would give me this free space, so I just took it. Damon (Dutton) made the reads.

“He threw the ball to me coincidentally quite a bit, so I just made the plays. It turned out I had a pretty decent game after all.”

Even with having a good outing, the final outcome on the scoreboard still stung for Horsley. The setback hurt even worse for the Hilltops due to the fact they were holding a 21-14 lead inside the final 30 seconds of the fourth quarter and the Thunder were facing a third-and-eight situation from the Saskatoon 31 yard line.

Thunder star quarterback Carter Shewchuk found star receiver Isaiah Woodley with a 31-yard touchdown pass to even the score at 21-21 with 16.8 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and ultimately force overtime. That set the stage for Regina to win the game in the extra session.

Due to that setback, the Hilltops find themselves in an unaccustomed position in the PFC standings. At 2-2, the Hilltops are tied for second to fifth place in the conference standings with the Winnipeg Rifles, Edmonton Huskies and Calgary Colts, who all sport 2-2 marks as well.

Horsley said he thought his team’s offence showed stretches of being able to play at a really high level last Saturday only for things to frustratingly drop off. He believes the Hilltops offensive unit can become a stellar unit like the team is used to seeing.

“Last Saturday, I think there were a lot of exciting things that you see when you watch this offence at times,” said Horsley. “Then, there are other times where you’re kind of scratching your head, and you’re like, ‘What are these guys doing?’

The Hilltops want more players to have big performances.

“We’re back out here, and we’re going to be putting in the work. We’re going to clean some things up. As bad as it looks right now at 2-2, I think there should be some excitement around our offence once we clean a few things up.”

While the Saskatoon side is looking to clean a few things up, Sargeant said the Hilltops are looking for Horsley to come through with another clutch game in the rematch with the Thunder this coming Saturday, which will close a home-and-home series between the two sides.

“He (Horsley) was one of the best players for us on Saturday, so we are expecting to run the same type of game plan this weekend, which means he will be heavily involved,” said Sargeant. “We’re excited to see how he performs.”

Johnson tabbed with third player of the week nod

The Hilltops celebrate a Konner Johnson (#42) interception.

Another big statistical game has resulted in another weekly award for Saskatoon Hilltops star outside linebacker Konner Johnson.

On Tuesday, Johnson was named the PFC’s player of the week for the third time this season. The Melfort, Sask., product picked up his latest weekly honour thanks to his performance in the Hilltops regular season game this past Saturday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field against the Regina Thunder.

In that contest, Johnson posted eight total tackles, two pass knockdowns and an interception. On special teams, he also threw a key final block to clear the way for 17-year-old running back Charles Sawi to score a touchdown on a 125-yard missed field goal return.

On the season, Johnson leads the PFC in defensive points with 70 coming on 19 solo defensive tackles, four defensive tackle assists, two special teams tackles, one special teams tackle assist, one quarterback sack, four pass knockdowns and three interceptions.

The Thunder ultimately prevailed in that clash 29-21 in overtime.

Rookie Sawi named special teams player of the week

Charles Sawi romps to a 125-yard missed field goal TD return.

Charles Sawi took home his first player of the week honour thanks to one electrifying play.

On Tuesday, the Saskatoon Hilltops 17-year-old rookie running back was named the PFC’s special teams player of the week. This was the first time Sawi was named a player of the week in his young CJFL career.

Sawi claimed the award after returning a missed field 125 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter in the Hilltops 29-21 overtime setback to the Regina Thunder at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. After Thunder kicker Eric Maximuik missed a 45-yard field goal attempt, Sawi caught the ball deep in his own end zone, came first up the middle, then burst down the left sideline and cut back up the middle in returning the rock all the way the other way for a major.

The graduate of Saskatoon’s Holy Cross High School Crusaders Football Team had one other touch on special teams returning a punt for 11 yards. He also ran the ball on offence once for three yards.

So far this season, Sawi has returned four missed field goals for 239 yards including his long touchdown jaunt.

Edmonton Huskies coach passes away, other notes

A tweet from the Huskies about Neil MacLean.

On Wednesday, the Edmonton Huskies announced that their special teams coach Neil MacLean passed away suddenly on Tuesday evening.

MacLean suffered a brain aneurysm on Monday night. He passed away the next evening with his family by his side.

The 64-year-old had been a fixture in the Edmonton football community, and he had been the Huskies special teams coach for a lengthy amount of years.

The Huskies gathered on Tuesday night to reflect and celebrate the impact MacLean had on their lives.

MacLean is survived by his wife, Wilma, and sons, Iain and Andrew. Iain served as the Huskies head coach from November of 2011 to November of 2020.

·         On Tuesday, Winnipeg Rifles quarterback Bryson McNeil was named the PFC’s offensive player of the week for his work in his team’s 31-28 victory over the Calgary Colts last Sunday at East Side Eagles Field in Winnipeg. In that contest, McNeil completed 18-of-28 passes for 314 yards and two touchdowns, while throwing one interception. He also ran the ball four times for 39 yards as the Rifles won their second straight game to improve to 2-2. On the season, McNeil has completed 91-of-144 passes for 1,254 yards and five touchdowns, while throwing five interceptions. He has passed for the second most yards in the PFC this season.

·         On Wednesday at their annual general meeting, the WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders announced a profit of $151,191 for the 2021-22 fiscal year. The Raiders posted a profit of $25,891 for the 2020-21 fiscal year, where they played a 24-game regular season in a bubble environment in Regina due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has gripped the world. That profit came due to $1,081,179 in government grants including $600,000 from Saskatchewan’s provincial government. The Raiders lost $331,895 in 2019-20 in a campaign that was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic. In their WHL championship season in 2018-19, the Raiders posted a profit of $633,314.

·         The U Sports football regular season provides an intriguing gem of a game this coming Saturday. In a battle of 2-0 teams, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies face the University of Regina Rams at 7 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium. The Huskies and Rams are the last two remaining undefeated teams in the Canada West Conference. The Huskies are rated second in the U Sports Top 10 rankings, while the Rams are listed in sixth. The clash will see Huskies fifth-year star veteran quarterback Mason Nyhus go up against Rams rookie quarterback Noah Pelletier. Nyhus has completed 54-of-73 passes for 70 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions. Pelletier has completed 32-of-57 passes for 488 yards and two touchdowns, while throwing one interception.

·         On Thursday, tennis all-time great Roger Federer announced he will be retiring from the ATP Tour and grand slams following the Laver Cup, which runs Sept. 23 to 25 in London, England. The 41-year-old has won 20 singles grand slam titles in his career.

·         Last Friday, I had new content appear on the Howe Happenings blog that supports the Gordie Howe Sports Complex. I put together a feature about how high school football has been a tradition at Saskatoon Minor Football Field since 1960. That piece can found by clicking right here. I also created a photo round up that had a mix of pictures from the summer and fall sports seasons that can be found by clicking right here.

If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.

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Thunder snatch victory away from Hilltops

Regina pulls out 29-21 OT win in miraculous fashion

Ryland Leichert (#32) scores the OT winning TD for the Thunder.

The Regina Thunder pulled a game that was seemingly lost out of the fire leaving the Saskatoon Hilltops to wonder what might have been.

On Saturday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Hilltops saw a 21-14 advantage disappear right before the end of the fourth quarter as the Thunder scored to force overtime and proceeded to pull out the CJFL regular season clash in the extra session 29-21 before 1,477 spectators.

Thunder star running back Ryland Leichert ran home the winning touchdown from 15 yards out in overtime, and Regina star quarterback Carter Shewchuk hit star receiver Isaac Foord with a pass for a two-point convert to round out the final outcome.

Ryland Leichert (#32) had 139 yards rushing for the Thunder.

“Shoutout to the O-linemen,” said Leichert. “They had great blocks.

“They made a hole for me. I just hit it. A lot of that goes to them.

“It just feels good to get the win.”

With less than two minutes to play in the fourth quarter, Hilltops defensive back Dylan Cook recovered a Thunder fumble to set Saskatoon up with an offensive possession just inside Regina’s side of midfield. The host Hilltops led the Thunder 21-14 and were looking to run out the clock.

The Hilltops offence went two and out. After a punt by Saskatoon kicker Connor Green, the Thunder had the ball with just over a minute to play deep in their end with no timeouts.

Carter Shewchuk threw for 319 yards for the Thunder.

Very quickly, Shewchuk connected on a number of intermediate routes to move the ball downfield. The visitors would then find themselves facing a third-and-eight situation from the Saskatoon 31 yard line.

Shewchuk proceed to throw a duck pass that seemed destined to fall incomplete on the Saskatoon five yard line on the right side of the field. Thunder star receiver Isaiah Woodley, who was running a go route down the right sideline, broke to the middle, and he hauled in the underthrown and wobbly pass.

Woodley then zipped in to the end zone for the touchdown that evened the score at 21-21 with 16.8 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and ultimately forced overtime.

Isaiah Woodley celebrates his late fourth quarter TD catch.

In overtime, the CJFL plays CFL shootout rules, where offences scrimmage from the opposing 35 yard line attempting to drive the short distance for a score and teams have to go for two-point conversions after major scores. The Hilltops got the first possession in overtime and got down to the Regina six yard line after quarterback Damon Dutton hit Lachlan Horsley with a 29-yard pass.

The Hilltops drive stalled and a third down gamble pass to Horsley in the end zone fell incomplete.

That set the stage for Leichert to put up the winning points on the Thunder’s ensuing possession.

“We got a little too high,” said legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant, whose team will face the Thunder again this coming Saturday at 1 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium in Regina. “We still struggle in moments and situations, and that seems to be the flavor of this team right now.

Hilltops R Lachlan Horsley, left, had nine catches for 122 yards.

“At the end of the day, that falls directly on me. Preparation is half the battle. At the end of the day, we didn’t close the game, which has been a theme.

“Regina wanted it more than we did at the end. That was pretty simple. Good for Regina, and we’ll see them next week.”

The Hilltops opened the game’s scoring in the first quarter going up 3-0 with a 12-yard field goal from Green. Just 61 seconds into the second quarter, the Thunder evened things up at 3-3 with a 32-yard field goal from star kicker Eric Maximuik.

At the 5:06 mark of the second quarter, Dutton hit Hilltops backup running back Tanner Szakacs with a nine-yard touchdown pass to give the hosts a 10-3 advantage heading into halftime.

Charles Sawi, left, returns a missed field goal 125 yards for a TD.

Green booted the second half kickoff into the Thunder end zone, where it was downed for a single point to increase the Hilltops lead to 11-3. 

At the 5:30 mark of the third quarter, Green hit a 39-yard field goal to increase the Hilltops advantage to 14-3.

With 1:40 remaining in the third quarter, Thunder running back Keane Szabo dove into the Saskatoon end zone from a yard out for a touchdown. Following Szabo’s major score, Shewchuk hit Leichert with a five yard pass for a two-point conversion that trimmed Saskatoon’s lead to 14-11.

Boston Davidsen (#24) had 128 yards rushing for the Hilltops.

Early in the fourth quarter, Maximuik attempted a 45 yard field goal to pull the Thunder even on the scoreboard. His kick sailed wide, and Hilltops 17-year-old rookie running back Charles Sawi ran the ball back 125 yards the other way for a touchdown to give Saskatoon a 21-11 edge.

With 6:21 remaining in the fourth quarter, Maximuik connected on a field goal from 31 yards out that cut the Hilltops lead to 21-14. That set the stage for the dramatics inside the final two minutes of the fourth quarter and overtime.

“It didn’t end the way we want it to,” said Hilltops defensive end Daylen Hartz, who had a sack and three total tackles on Saturday. “The fun thing is that we get to play them again next week too.”

The Hilltops celebrate an interception from Konner Johnson.

Hartz said the Hilltops missed a lot of opportunities in key situations that would have helped them win the game. The veteran, who is in his final season of CJFL eligibility, said his will continue to work on getting better in practice to cash in on those missed opportunities.

“There were a lot of things everyone could have done a bit better,” said Hartz. “That is what this next week is for.

“A chip on the shoulder helps with working a bit harder, and I think we’re definitely going to be working a bit harder this week.”

During Saturday’s game, Dutton completed 19-of-32 passes for 221 yards and one touchdown, while throwing one interception. Horsley caught nine passes for 122 yards to lead the Hilltops in receiving.

Damon Dutton (#19) threw for 268 yards for the Hilltops.

Star power running back Boston Davidsen led the Hilltops on the ground carrying the ball 24 times for 128 yards.

Shewchuk completed 27-of-42 passes for 328 yards and one touchdown, while throwing two interceptions for the Thunder. Foord led the Thunder in receiving with eight catches for 127 yards.

Leichert paced the Thunder’s ground game carrying the ball 19 times for 91 yards to go with his game-winning major score. He said Saturday’s win improved his team’s confidence about pulling out games in desperate situations.

“I think that just goes to show our confidence and our effort,” said Leichert. “That is how we play all season.

“There is not going to be a game where it is not over. We’re going to be playing hard until the whistle blows. That is our mentality.”

Isaac Foord (#8) had eight catches for 127 yards for the Thunder.

Defensively, Hilltops star outside linebacker Konner Johnson had eight total tackles, two pass knockdowns and an interception. Defensive end Riece Kack had eight total tackles and one sack for the Hilltops, while defensive back Justin Adamko had an interception.

Thunder defensive back Adam King led his team with nine total tackles. Linebacker Kenten Effa had 7.5 total tackles and a sack for the Thunder, while defensive back Justin McKerracher had four total tackles and an interception for the Regina side.

Regina remained undefeated with the win improving to 4-0, while the Hilltops fell to 2-2 having lost two straight.

The Thunder celebrate their game-winning score on Saturday.

“At the end of the day, we have to get back to drawing board, and we have to figure out how to become more effective as a football team in all three phases,” said Sargeant. “At the end of the day, third and eight the defence could have won the game right there too.

“We didn’t. They made more plays. They were a better football team tonight.”

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Family feeling brings Chisholm back to Hilltops

Saskatoon closes regular season with 32-17 win in Winnipeg

Jonathan Chisholm (#71) walks out of the tunnel with his parents.

About a year ago, Jonathan Chisholm was in the working world and uncertain if he would play his fifth and final season for the Saskatoon Hilltops.

When the 2020 CJFL campaign was cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that had gripped the world, the Hilltops were able to practice for six weeks in September and October, but Chisholm wasn’t there.

“This past year, I was actually back in Swift (Current) like in my hometown,” said Chisholm. “I went back to work.

“I didn’t really workout. I went on the oil rigs and just made some money to kind of get my life back on track.”

While the veteran right tackle was away from the team, an avenue existed for Chisholm to return. The Hilltops still had him on their roster in 2020.

Due to the fact the 2020 season was lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the CJFL allowed players who were on team rosters as 22-year-old in 2020 to return this season as 23-year-olds in 2021. Once the 2021 campaign was given the green light to go, Chisholm had his heart set on rejoining the Hilltops, and he returned to Saskatoon.

Going into training camp, he admitted to being scared due to the fact he wasn’t sure what the season was going to be like.

“I hadn’t practised in a while, especially with COVID and everything,” said Chisholm, who stands 6-foot-7 and weighs 295 pounds. “After the first week of practice, I felt really good.

“The boys were there. We were all rallying up together. I felt it was electric.”

On Sunday, the Hilltops closed their CJFL regular season schedule downing Rifles 32-17 at Maple Grove Rugby Park in Winnipeg, Man.

Chisholm had a highlight moment that offensive lineman rarely get to obtain in that contest. With the Hilltops trailing the Rifles 3-0 in the first quarter, Chisholm caught a three-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Damon Dutton on a lineman eligible trick play to give the Hilltops a 7-3 lead.

Saskatoon never trailed again in that contest winning a fourth straight game to finish the regular season with a 6-2 record. The Rifles fell to 2-6 to wrap up their regular season schedule.

Jonathan Chisholm, right, is a standout at right tackle.

When Chisholm returned to the Hilltops, the 23-year-old found himself in a leadership role more than any point he was with the team. He wasn’t trying to project being the leader.

Chisholm found his role evolved that way when numerous newcomers were coming up to him with queries or just wanting to talk to get an extra feel of comfort.

He said the other two members of the Hilltops who are playing their fifth full season with the club in star left tackle Mason Ochs and standout boundary cornerback Jared Giddings have experienced the same thing too.

Chisholm added that linebacker Emmarae Dale, who is also in her graduating year with the team, is also being looked upon in that same way. Dale is playing out her first and only full season with the Hilltops after being recruited to join the storied CJFL squad after having a lot of success with the Saskatoon Valkyries of the Western Women’s Canadian Football League.

While Dale is a newcomer with the Hilltops, she is well known by the team for her time with the Valkyries and the University of Saskatchewan Huskies women’s track and field team.

“It is pretty awesome,” said Chisholm. “There are four of us graduating, and these guys just look up to us.

“They think we are their parents, and it feels good. They are guys I like talking to. This year, they were very nervous.

“I was very vocal about if you needed to say something or ask questions please do so. We want you guys to like being here and feel welcome and make sure you guys like playing the game. That is what matters most.”

Unfortunately, events on the field didn’t unfold as planned. In the Hilltops second game of the season on August 29, Chisholm suffered a knee injury in his team’s 35-18 victory over the Colts in Calgary.

Thanks to the fact the Hilltops had two bye weeks, Chisholm was able to take six weeks to make another comeback to the field. The bye weeks cut down the games he missed to four contests.

Chisholm was pumped to see Jayson Kehler play well as the Hilltops starting right tackle position during that time. Kehler is in his fourth full season with the Hilltops.

Chisholm made it back for the Hilltops final regular season home game on October 17, when they romped over the Edmonton Wildcats 44-7 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

Jonathan Chisholm spent 2020 in the working world.

He participated in the traditional last walk out of the tunnel the Hilltops do with their graduation players, where they take a walk out of the tunnel to the field with their parents. He made that walk with his mother, Donna, and father, John.

“I know my parents were really happy to come out on the field,” said Jonathan Chisholm. “I was happy for them, especially when I gave my mom flowers. She was really excited and really happy.

“It just felt really special, especially with all the players just being there and just supporting you.”

Legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant was happy to see Chisholm make it back for a final stretch from his injury.

“Number one, we love running the ball,” said Sargeant. “We love having big physical offensive linemen.

“It just helps to bring an identity back to our team that he played a big part in creating. He is an aggressive player. He loves to get after you.

“Him and Mason Ochs are a great combination. We feel we have the two best tackles around, and we’ll take that against anybody. As I said, we’re excited for them to finish off their fifth years in grand style.”

Chisholm said he still isn’t 100 per cent physically, but he is enjoying the present. There is nowhere else he would want to be than with the Hilltops.

“I come to films, and I am still learning,” said Chisholm. “Being here is the most important part than just being at home.

“It is just absolutely crazy. It honestly feels like Week 3 for me right now. It is really like playoffs are right around the corner.

“The weather is really good too. I can’t even complain right now. I’m pretty happy.”

When he does finally depart the Hilltops as a player, Chisholm said he will carry a tonne of memories with him and will always cherish his relationships with everyone connected with the team.

“Just being around the fans, the whole fanbase like the parents and the club and the trainers,” said Chisholm. “Everything just coming together.

“It feels like one big family. Going into that locker room and you see that sign, ‘It starts with you and ends with us.’ It means a lot to me just seeing that.”

Jonathan Chisholm caught a touchdown pass on Sunday.

In Sunday’s clash with the Rifles, Winnipeg took a 3-0 lead in the first quarter thanks to a 17-yard field goal from kicker Matt Kennedy.

The Hilltops responded with Chisholm’s touchdown catch to go ahead 7-3.

Before the first quarter ended, Dutton hit receiver Lachlan Horsley with a 10-yard touchdown pass to increase the Hilltops advantage to 14-3.

At the start of the second quarter, Rifles receiver Everrett Findley made an eight-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Bryson McNeil to cut the Hilltops lead to 14-10.

The Rifles had to concede a safety due to bad field position to increase the Saskatoon lead to 16-10.

The Hilltops put up another score when Dutton hit speedy pass catcher Ethan Godson with a 25-yard touchdown pass to increase the edge for the visitors to 23-10.

Before the second quarter ended, the Rifles got a one-yard rushing touchdown from Sekina Scheibler to trim Saskatoon’s lead to 23-17.

The Hilltops accounted for all the scoring in the second half. In the third quarter, kicker Teijon Abel-Douglas hit a field goal from 11 yards out to give the Hilltops a 26-17 advantage.

Early in the fourth quarter, star running back Carter McLean scored a touchdown on a four yard run. When the ensuing convert attempt hit the upright, the Hilltops lead sat as the game’s final outcome at 32-17.

The Hilltops finished second in the Prairie Football Conference and will have a bye to host a PFC semifinal game. That game is slated to be held on Sunday, November 7 at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

The Regina Thunder topped the PFC standings with a perfect 8-0 record, and they will host the other PFC semifinal also on Sunday, November 7.

The Edmonton Huskies finished third in the PFC with a 5-3 mark and they will host the sixth place Calgary Colts (1-7) in a PFC quarter-final on Sunday, October 31.

The Rifles placed fourth in the PFC and will host the Edmonton Wildcats (2-6) in the other PFC quarter-final contest on Sunday, October 31. The Rifles finished ahead of the Wildcats in the standings thanks to winning the one head-to-head game between the two sides.

Jonathan Chisholm, centre, is going to miss the Hilltops family feeling.

After the 2020 CJFL season was lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was decided all six of the PFC’s teams would participate in the post-season in 2021.

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