Hilltops record CJFL playoff run comes to an end

Rams claim circuit semifinal in 17-14 defensive slugfest

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Brady Fossen blocked a punt for the Hilltops.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

QB Damon Dutton struggled for the Hilltops on Saturday.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dillan Heintz had a TD catch for the Hilltops.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Riece Kack had six total tackles for the Hilltops.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Enjoy the win Langley!

— Saskatoon Hilltops (@SaskHilltops) November 21, 2021

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Hilltops’ one-two punch at tailback in top post-season gear

McLean, Davidsen may see bigger role as weather worsens

Carter McLean charges downfield for the Hilltops.

Carter McLean and Boston Davidsen won’t back down from the rain, snow, cold, wind or whatever else Mother Nature decides to throw their way.

The Saskatoon Hilltops running back duo was difference in powering their side to a 29-9 victory in the PFC final against the host Regina Thunder at Mosaic Stadium last Sunday. McLean carried the ball 25 times for 204 yards picking up PFC offensive player of the week honours, and Davidsen ran the ball 19 times for 143 yards and one touchdown in that same contest.

The tailback pair played an integral part in helping the Hilltops pile up an eye-popping 386 yards rushing as a team against a previously undefeated provincial rival.

With the win over the Thunder, the Hilltops, who are 8-2 overall, advanced in the CJFL playoffs to face the Langley Rams, who are 9-1 overall, on Saturday in a CJFL semifinal contest at McLeod Stadium in Langley, B.C. (4 p.m. Saskatchewan time, CJFLTV.com).

As this time of year in Canada, the chances of playing a football game in adverse weather conditions goes up substantially. When the weather gets worse, teams are forced to rely more on their running games, and McLean and Davidsen are expecting conditions will dictate that they shoulder an extra load.

“I am expecting it (the running game) to be pretty big, especially if it is super rainy and super snowy,” said McLean, who stands 5-foot-9 and weighs 180 pounds. “The running game is going to be a big part of that game, and we just have to play physical and hard like we did against Regina.”

“We’re thinking about that,” said Davidsen, who stands 5-foot-9 and weighs 188 pounds. “That is in the back of our minds that maybe passing might become more difficult.

“I think it will be really huge on top of the conditioning we’ve always done. Carter (McLean) and I will be able to go back and forth, and we will always have some fresh legs. There won’t be any fatigue maybe if only one of us was in there.

Boston Davidsen runs tough inside for the Hilltops.

“We will be able to keep the run game going strong.”

McLean and Davidsen both had breakout campaigns in 2021 after the 2020 CJFL season was cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has gripped the world. McLean, who is in his third full season with the Hilltops, finished third in the PFC in rushing yards during the eight-game regular season carrying the ball 125 times for 599 yards and four touchdowns.

Davidsen, who is in his second full season with the Hilltops, finished second in the PFC in rushing yards in the regular season carrying the ball 98 times for 634 yards and six touchdowns.

Legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant said it has been outstanding to have McLean and Davidsen develop into a one-two punch this season adding that neither had been a starter in previous CJFL campaigns.

“Carter (McLean) sort of started early and was our hot back,” said Sargeant, who team has won the last six straight CJFL titles. “Then Boston (Davidsen) started gaining confidence getting his touches.

“Now the two of them put together they are a feature pair with the O-line and Damon Dutton certainly got a great movement pattern as a quarterback too. He has allowed us to do some different things and create some flexibility to our offensive plan.

“This running attack is coming on, and it is needed. We plan to run the ball a lot this weekend against Langley as well.”

Sargeant said the Hilltops might be forced to run the ball more depending on the weather situation.

Last Saturday, the Rams won the British Columbia Football Conference final 7-4 over the Kelowna based Okanagan Sun at McLeod Stadium in a contest played in monsoon like conditions.

Carter McLean rushed for 599 yards in eight regular season games.

With the Canadian Bowl slated to be held on December 4 by the winner of Saturday’s Ontario Football Conference final between the St. Clair Fratmen (9-0 overall) and the London Beefeaters (7-2 overall) held in Windsor, it will mark the first time the CJFL campaign has finished past the end of November since 1947. That 1947 campaign marked the first time the current modern day version of the Hilltops hit the field for regular season play.

The four clubs still alive in the CJFL post-season could encounter more adverse weather conditions.

At the moment for the CJFL semifinal in Langley, B.C., Environment Canada is predicting an overcast day with high of 7 C and a 30 per cent chance of rain.

“What is the old saying?” said Sargeant, whose team is on a CJFL record post-season game winning streak of 22 contests. “The running game will always travel.

“Defence and running game travel. Special teams should travel. Outside conditions are always a little tougher on offence, because you have skill and just different mechanisms.

“The philosophy around here since I’ve been here is we always want to be a 50/50 team, but when in doubt, we are going to run the ball at you and get after you especially at the end of the year in critical situations at playoff time. We just want to let you know that we want a little bit more than you and how you do that is by running the ball ground and pound.”

McLean and Davidsen are more than willing to provide the ground and pound aspect, and they enjoy being able to do that together.

McLean said he gets pumped up on the sidelines watching Davidsen run the ball.

Boston Davidsen rushed for 634 yards in eight regular season games.

“Oh definitely that motivates me,” said McLean. “I’ll be like, ‘OK, he is playing super well today. I have to also play super well.’

“Through all that, we make ourselves play better for each other, and we push each other for sure. That is where all the motivation comes from is always trying to make each other better.”

Davidsen said he gets an extra jolt of energy seeing McLean doing well, and two really try to build on each other’s momentum

“It is some healthy competition,” said Davidsen. “Carter (McLean) would come off to the sideline, and he would give you some advice.

“He’d say this is looking good and this one is good. Then, he takes a break, and I go in and use his advice and make some plays. I come back off and give him my feedback.

“We’re pretty interchangeable, and we are using our knowledge that we are learning on the field to help the other succeed.”

While the Hilltops have had lots of success on the ground, Dutton did have a strong season throwing the ball. During the eight game regular season, he completed 127-of-183 passes for 1,528 yards and 12 touchdowns, while throwing six interceptions.

Receiver Ethan Godson led the Hilltops and was fourth in the PFC in receiving yards hauling in 30 catches for 524 yards and six touchdowns.

Hilltops star left-tackle Mason Ochs was named the PFC’s most outstanding offensive lineman.

On defence, Hilltops outside linebacker Konner Johnson had a massive year finishing second in the PFC in defensive points. 

The Hilltops celebrate a TD from Boston Davidsen (#24).

Over eight regular season games, Johnson recorded 26 defensive tackles, 13 defensive tackle assists, 12 special teams tackles, three special teams tackle assists, one quarterback sack, five pass knockdowns, one fumble recovery and five interceptions.

The Rams had three players capture four major BCFC awards.

Rams defensive back Kyle Clarot was named the BCFC’s most outstanding defensive player of the year and most outstanding defensive back. Rams linebacker Colten Dejong took honours as the BCFC’s most outstanding linebacker.

Rams receiver Daniel Kubongo was named the rookie of the year for the BCFC.

The Hilltops and Rams met in the CJFL’s title game – the Canadian Bowl – in 2018 and 2019.

The Hilltops claimed the 2018 clash 58-21 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field and prevailed 11-6 in the 2019 encounter at McLeod Stadium.

“It is great to have them again,” said McLean. “We have such a good rivalry the last I don’t know over how many years.

“I know three years for sure. All my years of playing Hilltops we play against Langley. They are a good team.

“They are coached well. It will be a good game. It will be a good game to play for sure and a physical game.”

Davidsen joined the Hilltops in 2019, but he wasn’t on the travel roster that went to Langley for the team’s CJFL title win that season. He is looking forward to the trip to Langley to play the Rams on Saturday.

The Hilltops are focused on business in the CJFL semifinal.

“It will be my first experience,” said Davidsen. “I’ve been trying to soak up as much knowledge as I can from these other vets who have made that trip before.

“I’m just going to try and go out there and make sure this isn’t the last game for our fifth years (the Hilltops graduating players).”

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Hilltops find different ways to win in post-season

Saskatoon eyes up CJFL semifinal clash with Rams

The Hilltops enjoyed a PFC final victory last Sunday.

When it comes to the CJFL’s post-season, the Saskatoon Hilltops have found some variety when it comes to winning.

In their two post-season games, the Hilltops have won in two different ways. On November 7 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Hilltops pulled out a thrilling 33-31 victory in a PFC semifinal contest against the Edmonton Huskies, who finished at 6-4 overall.

The ’Toppers took to the air in that triumph posting 309 yards in passing. Starting quarterback Damon Dutton completed 21-of-39 passes for 285 yards and one touchdown, while throwing one interception. Dutton hit standout receiver Dillan Heintz for a five-yard touchdown pass that won the game with 21.3 seconds to play.

Backup quarterback Doug Fleming connected on his only pass at a key time on a fake field goal for 24 yards that helped set up a six-yard touchdown run by running back Carter McLean late in the third quarter that tied that contest at 24-24.

In the PFC final this past Sunday at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, the Hilltops piled up 386 yards rushing as a team posting a 29-9 victory over the host Thunder, who finished at 9-1 overall. McLean carried the ball 25 times for 204 yards in that win, while running back teammate Boston Davidsen ran the ball 19 times for 143 yards and scored one touchdown.

“That is how we coach,” said Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant. “We make sure that whatever the situation is that we are ready to take it on and respond to it whether it is run or throw whatever game we have to play.

Damon Dutton threw for 285 yards in the PFC semifinal.

“It is no different on defence. We have to play zone or man to man. We’re going to figure it out.

“We’re going to make sure that our players understand.”

The Hilltops ability to pull out wins in different fashions might serve them well, when they face the Langley Rams in a CJFL semifinal on Saturday at McLeod Stadium in Langley, B.C.

Saskatoon heads into that contest with an 8-2 overall record, while Langley has a 9-1 overall mark.

This past Saturday in Langley, the Rams won the British Columbia Football Conference title game 7-4 against the Kelowna based Okanagan Sun in a contest that was played in a steady downpour.

Weather has been chaotic in Western Canada over the past few days. The province of British Columbia had dealt with heavy rains, while Saskatchewan has battled against snow storms and blizzards.

The Hilltops even had to move their Tuesday practice indoors to the Indoor Training Centre on the grounds of the Gordie Howe Sports Complex due to the stormy conditions in Saskatoon.

At the moment, Environment Canada is predicting a high of 6 C with a 30 per cent chance of rain for Saturday CJFL semifinal clash between the Hilltops and Rams.

Boston Davidsen ran for 143 yards in the PFC final.

Still, the Hilltops could potentially find themselves playing in monsoon like conditions. Sargeant said his squad will adjust to the conditions as they come.

“We coach against all situations, so that they are prepared, and then they have to get out and be the ones that execute the plans,” said Sargeant, who team has won the last six straight CJFL titles. “As I said, nothing deters us.

“Nothing scares us. We work hard to make sure that we can handle every situation. So far to date, that is why were still practicing and competing, because we’ve done our homework, and we’ve done things right.”

The Hilltops and Rams do have some history, when it comes to facing each other. Before the 2020 CJFL campaign was canceled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has gripped the world, the two sides collided in the CJFL title game – the Canadian Bowl – in 2018 and 2019.

The Hilltops claimed the 2018 clash 58-21 at SMF Field and prevailed 11-6 in the 2019 encounter at McLeod Stadium.

“It is always a challenge when you play someone new for the first time,” said Sargeant. “The film is the film.

“We’ve learned before that sometimes the film lies. You get out there and you play, and they play faster than what you think. It is just figuring it out.”

The Hilltops aim to enjoy more big moments in the CJFL semi.

The Hilltops take a CJFL record 22 post-season game winning streak into that clash against a Rams team guided by first year head coach and former CFL star Cory Philpot. While Saturday’s contest will be the first time the two sides meet in 2021, Sargeant said the experience from the 2019 Canadian Bowl clash should help his club.

“The good thing is we did play them two years ago, so we have more than enough tape on their players and have a good sense and understanding of who they are,” said Sargeant. “Now, we just have to remind them who we are and come out and play our best game of the year.

“Going into game 11, it should be our best game of the year.”

McLean named PFC offensive player of the week

Carter McLean ran for 204 yards in the PFC final.

Saskatoon Hilltops star running back Carter McLean’s big game resulted in a sweet weekly accolade.

On Tuesday, McLean was named the PFC’s offensive player of the week for his performance in the Hilltops 29-9 victory over the Regina Thunder this past Sunday in the PFC final held at Mosaic Stadium in Regina.

In that contest McLean carried the ball 25 times for 204 yards, which included breaking off a 46-yard run.

“It is a great honor to have,” said McLean. “I couldn’t have done it without the O-line.

“The O-line, they blocked well. They played hard. They played well.

“They are the reason why I was able to get as many rushing yards as I have.”

The Hilltops running game was on fire in that contest. McLean’s star running back teammate in Boston Davidsen had a big game as well carrying the ball 19 times for 143 yards and one touchdown.

Keating gets PFC defensive player of the week nod

Wade Keating, left, returns an interception in the PFC final.

Saskatoon Hilltops defensive back Wade Keating’s big interception helped his capture a cool weekly nod.

On Tuesday, Keating was named the PFC’s defensive player of the week for his performance in the Hilltops 29-9 victory over the Regina Thunder in the PFC final last Sunday at Mosaic Stadium in Regina.

Keating had one defensive tackle, two defensive tackle assists, one special teams tackle, two special teams tackle assists, one pass knockdown and one interception. His interception came in the third quarter and it set up a Hilltops field goal.

Keating played both defensive back and linebacker in that win.

Maximuik is PFC special teams player of the week for third time

Eric Maximuik hit three field goals in the PFC final.

Regina Thunder kicker Eric Maximuik scored a hat trick in capturing a player of the week nod.

On Tuesday, Maximuik was named the PFC’s special teams player of the week for his performance in the Thunder’s 29-9 setback to the Saskatoon Hilltops in the PFC final held last Sunday at Mosaic Stadium in Regina.

That marked the third time during the 2021 campaign that Maximuik has been named the PFC special teams player of the week.

In the PFC final, Maximuik connected on 3-of-5 field goal attempts connecting from 43, 39 and 27 yards out.

He had a kickoff that traveled 41 yards and punted the ball five times for 196 yards for an average of 39.2 yards per punt.

Maximuik had a stellar personal season in 2021 that saw him claim the PFC’s most outstanding special teams player award and be named a PFC all-star at place kicker.

Hilltops win Canadian Bowl three years ago today

The Hilltops celebrate a CJFL championship win in 2018.

On this day three years ago, the Saskatoon Hilltops won the Canadian Bowl at home in impressive fashion.

On November 17, 2018 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Hilltops thumped the visiting Langley Rams 58-21 to win the Canadian Bowl for a third straight year and claim their 21^st CJFL championship in team history.

The Hilltops jumped out to a 24-0 lead in the contest and never looked back. They finished the 2018 campaign with a perfect 11-0 record and trailed on the scoreboard for a combined 81 seconds for the whole season.

Saskatoon had eight graduating fifth-year players who were part of all five of those consecutive CJFL championship wins. Those players included star quarterback Jordan Walls, receiver Jason Price, right tackle Kirk Simonsen, receiver Adam Ewanchyna, defensive end Connor Guillet and linebackers Cody Peters, Bobby Ehman and Adam Benkic.

The story about that championship victory can be found by clicking right here.

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Hilltops show it is possible to do things in the right way

Hilltops’ Jesse McNabb shares the Canadian Bowl at the Santa Claus Parade. 

    For people of Saskatoon, the venerable Saskatoon Hilltops provide a security blanket.

    No matter how messed up things seem to get in the world – all you have to do is check social media feeds on Twitter or Facebook to see that – the Hilltops are still that one local institution that has the image where good things can come to good people when they do things right.

    On Saturday at McLeod Stadium in Langley, B.C., the Hilltops claimed an 11-6 victory in a defensive slugfest over the host Rams in the CJFL championship game – the Canadian Bowl. For the Rams, that was their only loss of the 2019 campaign as they finished with a 12-1 overall mark.

    For the Hilltops, that marked the sixth straight time they have won the CJFL title, and they claimed the league crown for the ninth time in the last 10 years.

    This run of title wins is the byproduct of the Hilltops always doing things right. The same goes with the other impressive feats that this team has on the go.

Tyler Hermann (#12) have a big final campaign for the Hilltops.

    Those feats include winning an impressive 22 CJFL championships in team history, winning 31 straight games in a row, winning 29 straight games in a row on the road and claiming victory in a CJFL record 20 straight post-season games.

    It is highly likely the Hilltops current overall and road winning streaks are CJFL records too.

    The Hilltops finished the 2019 campaign with a 12-0 overall record and have posted perfect seasons in back-to-back campaigns.

    The perfect season in 2019 is particularly impressive on the coaching front, as the Hilltops dealt with a high turnover in starters from the previous season. They had contests where they looked vulnerable over their first four regular season games, but they still found a way to win.

    That included downing the Huskies in Edmonton 24-22 on Sept. 1 and getting past the Regina Thunder 28-21 on Sept. 7 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Hilltops entered the fourth quarter trailing on the scoreboard in both contests before pulling out victory.

Riley Keating led the Hilltops in tackles.

    Legendary head coach Tom Sargeant added a pair of incredible milestones. He picked up his 200^th career win and has compiled a 210-30-2 career record in the CJFL’s regular season and post-season to become the all-time leader in head coaching victories in Canada’s amateur post-secondary football ranks.

    He surpassed retired Regina Rams head coach Frank McCrystal for that distinction.

    McCrystal had a 208-104-2 record in the regular season and post-season in both the CJFL and U Sports. He was the head coach of the Rams from 1984 to 2014, and they played 15 seasons in the CJFL and 16 campaigns in U Sports over that time as the University of Regina Rams.

    On why the Hilltops succeed, you earn your spot on the field through hard work and respect is given to the veterans that have put in their time. As a result, the Hilltops under Sargeant always talk about playing for their fifth-year players and helping them graduate from the CJFL as league champions.

    The fifth-year veterans also go out of their way to make the newcomers feel like part of the team/family and pass down lessons they learned.

    The Hilltops know that how they act on and off the field is important, and they always do their best to carry themselves with dignity, humility and respect. The individual discipline in the world away from football always seems to carry itself on the field.

    The team and individual players set goals and work their hardest to achieve those goals. The coaches always seem to provide a great road map to help the team and individual players get to their goals.

Hilltops HC Tom Sargeant upped his career wins total to 210.

    The Hilltops have always lived up to all these intangibles.

    That is why it becomes extra sweet when someone like fifth-year quarterback Tyler Hermann takes over the starting role in his final year with the team and has a solid campaign. He had to work off some rust when it came to being a regular since his Grade 12 year with Saskatoon’s Holy Cross High School Crusaders football program.

    After the Hilltops eight regular season games, Hermann posted solid numbers completing 123-of-192 passes for 1,908 yards, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He graduates from the Hilltops sporting a 12-0 overall record as the team’s starting quarterback, with all of those starts coming in 2019.

    The same goes for middle linebacker Jadyn Pingue and outside linebacker Riley Keating, who both played out their respective fifth years of eligibility. Both played special teams and substituted in on defence during their first four seasons with the club.

    They both had incredible fifth years in their only full campaigns as starters. Pingue was the CJFL’s most outstanding defensive player and Keating topped the Hilltops with 46 total tackles during the regular season.

Jadyn Pingue was named the CJFL’s most outstanding defensive player.

    The Hilltops are conscious when it comes to passing on their tradition. When former linebacker Justin Filteau passed away tragically in a plane crash in early June, the coaches ensured they would teach the current team why Filteau was the quintessential Hilltops player.

    Filteau’s final season with the Hilltops was in the CJFL championship campaign in 2014 that started the current run is six straight title wins. He was a CJFL all-Canadian all-star that year.

    Since none of the current Hilltops ever played with Filteau, the coaches had to explain to the current generation of players how much Filteau, who played with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies football team as well, meant to the provincial football scene and how much time he put in giving back to it.

    Noting how the enthusiastically and loudly the current Hilltops did Filteau’s Ric Flair cheer after their final home practice before going to the Canadian Bowl, it was obvious the lessons about Filteau’s impact were successfully passed on.

    While the Hilltops have been who they are for decades, it is reassuring in today’s world to see how their great traits haven’t changed.

Rylan Kleiter (#7) made a number of clutch kicks for the Hilltops.

    In today’s world, it is easy to be dragged down by the bad. To note, the Hilltops completed their perfect season during a time when a very toxic federal election campaign went down that created the term #Wexit and arguments that Western Canada - specifically Alberta and Saskatchewan - needs to form its own independent state and separate from the country.

    In the last 10 days, you had the fallout from Hockey Night In Canada’s split with Don Cherry, and the messages that hit social media or any type of media were arguably way more toxic than those that came from the federal election.

    When it comes time for the Hilltops to get to work on football, Sargeant refers to any outside distraction like that as “noise.”

    Still, society as a whole seems to get dragged into these stories like the federal election and Cherry. It is naïve to think these things don’t affect young men in their late teens and early 20s who play football and are starting out in the working world.

    If things like this are really affecting the players, the coaches often fill the role of one-on-one sounding board, when that time comes.

Ben Abrook piled up the rushing yards as a workhorse power back.

    In today’s world, the biggest lessons the Hilltops program can pass on to the current players are perseverance and learning how to figure things out as you go.

    Hilltops offensive line coach Donnie Davidsen might be the best at figuring things out as you go. He can host seminars on why you need to teach the 6-foot tall offensive lineman different techniques than the 6-foot-5 offensive lineman in order to allow both to be successful.

    If you talk to Davidsen on that front, you can tell he self-learned from a lot of different areas and put together a course of action to make his players better.

    When the current Hilltops players graduate, they will face a working world or real life world in the current day where it seems honour no longer exists and you could be fired on any day for actually doing your job. You saw that right. In today’s world, you could be fired on any day for actually doing your job.

    If you think about that point, you can see why there are so many breakdowns in the current world on a work or personal front.
    It is common in today’s world to do everything right on a work and personal front and still fail. Those are moments where the lessons of perseverance come through.

The Hilltops are celebrated in Saskatoon for doing things the right way.

    That is why in Saskatoon it always feels reassuring when the Hilltops once again go on a run to win another CJFL title, because you know they are doing things the right way.

    Even if you don’t follow the team in an ultra-passionate way, it still feels good knowing they had another successful season that resulted in a league title.

    It is also way more fun to have messages and pictures of those moments fill our social media feed.

    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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Defence, Kleiter deliver sixth straight CJFL title to Hilltops

The Hilltops won the Canadian Bowl for a sixth straight year.

    The Saskatoon Hilltops lived the old cliché “defence wins championships.”

    On Saturday in Langley, B.C., the Hilltops relied on their unsung heroes on their defensive unit and receiver/kicker Rylan Kleiter. Thanks to clutch performances on both fronts, the Hilltops downed the host Langley Rams 11-6 at McLeod Stadium to win an unprecedented sixth straight CJFL and keep possession of the league’s championship trophy – the Canadian Bowl.

    The Hilltops have won the Canadian Bowl an incredible nine times in the last 10 years. They have faced the Rams four times in the last eight years in the CJFL title game and have claimed victory in all of their encounters.

    Out of the current run of six straight victories, Saturday’s 11-6 triumph was the Hilltops closest margin of victory in their current run of six straight titles. It was their closest Canadian Bowl victory since downing the Rams in Langley 23-21 in 2012.

    The Hilltops were trying to live up to memory of their late alum linebacker Justin Filteau, who tragically passed away in a plane crash in June. Filteau was an all-Canadian all-star, so it might have been fitting the overshadowed aspects of the Hilltops defensive unit and Kleiter’s kicking took over the spotlight.

Rylan Kleiter hit three critical field goals on Saturday.

    Against the Rams on Saturday, the Hilltops showed they can win in different ways, and legendary head coach Tom Sargeant showed faith in his team that they could win in different ways.

    Sargeant is a big fan of the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers, and his Hilltops put on a performance that flashed back to efforts put on by the Steelers in their Super Bowl winning dynasty of the 1970s under stoic late Pro Football Hall of Fame head coach Chuck Noll.

    The Hilltops have always had a great defence under defensive coordinator Jeff Yausie. With that said, the Hilltops defensive is traditionally known under Yausie as the ultimate bend don’t break unit.

    The Hilltops defence will give up yards, create a huge number of turnovers and allow the opposition to score very few points.

    Playing under overcast, damp and off and on rainy conditions on Saturday, the Hilltops defensive cranked things up to another gear. The ’Toppers played tough, aggressive and physical defence that grudgingly gave up yards.

    It was the type of performance you rarely see in today’s era of pass happy football. The Hilltops finished with 230 yards of total net offence, while the Rams had 209 yards of total net offence.

Jesse McNabb had 1.5 sacks for the Hilltops on Saturday.

    While often overshadowed by the Hilltops offensive unit, the 112^th CJFL title game was the Hilltops defence’s day.

    Defensive end Tristan Hering and defensive tackle Jesse McNabb, who are both in their fifth years of eligibility, arguably had their finest hours with all the sacks and tackles they made. Hering finished with 2.5 sacks and McNabb had 1.5 sacks.

    The linebacking corps of Riley Keating, CJFL defensive player of the year Jadyn Pingue and Brady Fossen delivered countless big plays. Keating and Pingue are both in their final years of CJFL eligibility. Pingue had nine total tackles and a fumble recovery.

    In the secondary, safety Brant Morrow came up with key plays and defensive back Colton Holmes returned from injury to have one last final big moment in his final contest with the Hilltops. Holmes missed four regular season games and the Hilltops three previous post-season games before dressing for the Canadian Bowl.

    Another often overlooked part of the Hilltops team is the kicking game. Kleiter was named a CJFL all-Canadian all-star as a place kicker on Thursday after a stellar campaign.

    In the Hilltops eight regular season games, Kleiter connected on 18-of-22 field goal attempts for an 81.8 per cent success rate with a long of 42 yards.

Jadyn Pingue came up with late big third and one stop.

    On top of the success in the field goal department, Kleiter kicked 33 conversion attempts, recorded one rouge and hauled in two touchdown receptions as a receiver to lead the Prairie Football Conference in regular season scoring with 100 points.

    While Kleiter had a great season as a place kicker, it seemed like the Hilltops would never need to rely on him to win a game. On a day when the Hilltops didn’t find the end zone for a major score, Kleiter, who is a star skip on his own curling team, made 3-of-4 field goals, and his kicks were crucial in allowing Saskatoon to win on Saturday.

    The defence and Kleiter had their biggest shining moments late in the fourth quarter, with the Hilltops holding an 8-6 advantage.

    The Rams had the ball and were gambling on a third-and-one at their own 31 yard line with less than 3:34 to play in the fourth quarter. Rams backup quarterback Colby Peters tried to gain a first down on a quarterback sneak, but he was stopped by Pingue forcing a turnover on downs.

    The Hilltops were only able to drive the ball seven yards to the Rams 24 yard line. The Saskatoon coaches were thinking about gambling on a third and three, but Sargeant elected allow Kleiter to extend the lead and leave the issue in the hands of his defence.

    Kleiter connected on a clutch 31-yard field goal to put the Hilltops up 11-6 with 2:15 to play.

View this post on Instagram

For the SIXTH consecutive year, your Saskatoon Hilltops are @cjflfootball Canadian Bowl Champions!! The Toppers defeated the Langley Rams 11-6 to take home the cup. . . . ‪ Congratulations to DL Tristan Hering and RB Ben Abrook for being named the Canadian Bowl Defensive and Offensive Players of the Game! ‬

A post shared by Saskatoon Hilltops (@saskatoon_hilltops) on Nov 16, 2019 at 4:05pm PST

    The Rams needing a touchdown to win elected to take the ball on their own 35 yard line. They got down to the Hilltops 38 yard line and faced a third-and-11 situation.

    The hosts called their second and final timeout, and with 40 seconds remaining on the clock, needed to make a first down. Peters tried to hit receiver Jarryd Taylor at the Hilltops 15 yard line, but Holmes defended the play to cause an incompletion to give the ball to the Hilltops.

Ben Abrook, left, ran the ball 27 times for 130 yards.

    Hilltops fifth-year starting quarterback Tyler Hermann was able to then run out the clock with knee down plays.

    Saturday’s game was such a defensive slugfest that the Hilltops posted 166 yards of net offence in the first half, while the Rams had 43 yards of net offence.

    After a scoreless first quarter, the Hilltops took an 8-0 lead at halftime. Kleiter hit a 21-yard field goal on the first play of the second quarter, Rams punter Kyle Clarot conceded a safety and Kleiter completed the first half scoring with a 23-yard field goal.

    After the Hilltops went up 8-0, the Rams pulled starting quarterback Tristen Secord-Yanciw in favour of Peters. Rams starting quarterback wasn’t able to play due to a knee injury suffered in a regular season game on Oct. 5.

    Around the midpoint of the third quarter, the Rams put together their best offensive series of the contest that concluded with a one-yard touchdown run by backup running back Maximilian Joseph on an option toss from Peters.

    The Rams tried to go for a two-point conversion, but Peters was sacked by Hering to allow the Hilltops to still hold an 8-6 lead.

    That set stage for the dramatics late in the fourth quarter.

Tristan Hering had 2.5 sacks on Saturday.

    Hering was named the defensive player of the game, while Hilltops star power running back Ben Abrook was named the offensive player of the game. Abrook carried the ball 27 times for 130 yards.

Rams star running back Andrew Pocrnic ran the ball 16 times for 74 yards.

    In last year’s CJFL title tilt held in Saskatoon, the Hilltops hammered the visiting Rams 58-21 in frigid conditions at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

    The Hilltops won in a totally different style on Saturday to claim their 22^nd CJFL championship in team history.

    On top of that, the Hilltops rolled off their 31^st overall win in a row with including action in the CJFL’s regular season and playoffs.

    The Hilltops have won their last 29 straight games on the road including action in the CJFL regular season and post-season. Due to their current run of six consecutive CJFL championships, the Hilltops extended their CJFL record of consecutive post-season wins to 20.

    It is highly likely the Hilltops current overall and road winning streaks are also CJFL records.

    Sargeant has a 210-30-2 career record in CJFL regular season and post-season action since becoming the Hilltops head coach before the start of the 1998 campaign. He has the record for all-time head coaching victories in Canada’s amateur post-secondary football ranks.

    “Sarge” has won 13 CJFL titles as a head coach, two as an assistant coach with the team and one as a player. His first championship as a player was earned way back in 1985.

Tom Sargeant has guided the Hilltops to 13 CJFL titles as head coach.

    After Saturday’s game, the Hilltops players raised Sargeant on top of their shoulders as he lifted the Canadian Bowl.

    The Hilltops completed their second straight perfect season posting a 12-0 record in the 2019 campaign. It was their fifth perfect season in team history. They were 11-0 in last year’s perfect season.

    Saskatoon’s first perfect season came in 1958 at 11-0, the second in 1978 at 12-0 and the third in 2003 at 12-0.

    With the turnover the Hilltops had amongst their starters, this year’s perfect season was arguably the most unexpected one of the five. They graduate 15 players this season who were part of the back-to-back perfect campaigns in 2018 and 2019.

    The Rams were in pursuit of perfection in 2019 and settled with a 12-1 overall mark.

    For Sargeant, this was season where he won his 200^th career game and earned his 209^th career win to become Canada’s all-time leader amateur post-secondary football head coaching wins.

    He always says those numbers don’t mean much to him, but winning the championship trophies to allow his fifth-year players to leave on the ultimate high does.

    As a head coach, Sargeant has watched that moment unfold 13 times.

    This year, it was the Hilltops often overlooked defensive unit and Kleiter’s clutch kicking that made an ultimate sixth straight CJFL championship moment happen.

This feeling never gets old 💙💛 pic.twitter.com/TLEKWshWVC

— Saskatoon Hilltops (@SaskHilltops) November 16, 2019

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

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    If you like what you see here, you might want to donate to the cause to keep independent media like this blog going. Should you choose to help out, feel free to click on the DONATE button in the upper right corner. Thank you for stopping in.