“Mac” on the attack as Huskies rock Thunderbirds 40-7

Adam Machart, right, celebrates his second of two touchdown runs on Friday.

    Adam Machart was running as sleek as a Porsche 911.

    The star running back for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies football team hit high gear on Friday night at Griffiths Stadium striking the first shock and awe blow in a U Sports regular season game with the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds.

    With 4:58 remaining in the first quarter, Machart, who stands 5-foot-8 and weighs 185 pounds, broke off a 63-yard touchdown run to give the Huskies a 7-0 lead.

Adam Machart piled up 134 yards rushing for the Huskies.

    He rolled from there piling up 134 yards rushing on 15 carries and adding a second touchdown on a one-yard run early in the fourth quarter, and he caught five passes for 39 yards.

    Machart’s efforts ultimately allowed the Huskies to hammer the Thunderbirds 40-7 in front of 6,278 spectators in what was the homecoming game for the U of S side.

    For Machart, Friday’s win, which allowed the Huskies to improve to 1-1, eased the sting from a 43-19 defeat at the hands of the University of Manitoba Bisons in Winnipeg on Aug. 30, which was the regular season opener for both squads. The drubbing in the Manitoba capital had a lot of self-inflicted elements as the Huskies turned the ball over seven times in that contest, while the Bisons didn’t have a single giveaway.

    “We had a lot to prove tonight, and I think we came out hard, and hit hard and ran hard,” said Machart. “I think we did just that.

Adam Machart (#20) jets home on a 63-yard touchdown run.

    “I think once you start getting success you just start maybe running a little harder and blocking a little harder. It just starts to come.”

    Machart is in his second year with the Huskies and using his third year of U Sports eligibility. He came to the Huskies after playing three seasons with the Saskatoon Hilltops from 2015 to 2017 helping them win the Canadian Junior Football League titles in each of those campaigns.

    With the Huskies, Machart became the team’s starting running back this season taking over from Tyler Chow, who exhausted his U Sports eligibility last season when the Huskies won the Canada West Conference title.

Adam Machart, right, follows his blocking towards the goal-line.

    Coming into this season, Machart believed he had something extra in his game.

    “It is probably the healthiest I have been in a long time,” said Machart. “Being able to put in a full off-season really helps.

    “We have one of the best strength and conditioning coaches in the country in Joel Lipinski, so having that guy around getting us on the right programs and stuff like that really helps as well.”

    While Machart’s long touchdown run to open Friday’s game gave the Huskies some early momentum, they weren’t able to shake the Thunderbirds during the first three quarters of the contest.

    Early in the second quarter, Thunderbirds rookie starting quarterback Tommy Yanchuk hit second-year receiver Jacob Patten with a 12-yard touchdown toss to even the score at 7-7.

Adam Machart (#20) tears out of the hands of a UBC tacklr.

    With 9:32 remaining in the second quarter, Huskies kicker David Solie nailed a 42-yard field goal to put the hosts up 10-7.

    On a third and goal gamble with 1:50 remaining in the second quarter, Huskies quarterback Mason Nyhus hit sure-handed receiver Jesse Kuntz with a two-yard touchdown toss to extend the U of S edge to 17-7.

    That score held up until the 3:56 mark of the fourth quarter, when Machart scored his second touchdown for the Huskies on a one-yard run to increase their advantage to 24-7. Machart’s run came on a third-and-goal gamble and capped a 10-play drive that covered 85 yards.

    Huskies head coach Scott Flory is pleased with how Machart has performed in the early going of the current campaign. 

Huskie LB Ben Whiting, right, nails a Thunderbirds running back.

    The sideline boss said his skilled runner is feeling better physically compared to a year ago.
    “I know he had some lingering kind of knee pain,” said Flory. “He took some time away, and then he has been training so hard.

    “He has found another gear. To compliment that, you put in Chewy (Josh Ewanchyna). They are both really special running backs.”

    Machart’s second scoring run sparked a 23-point surge by the Huskies in the fourth quarter that included a couple of big plays.

    Receiver Daniel Perry ran a punt back 75 yards for a touchdown on a spectacular return down the left sideline to put the Huskies up 31-7. 
    Solie booted a 34-yard field goal to push the Huskies lead out to 34-7.

Colton Klassen had 135 yards receiving for the Huskies.

    With 39.5 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, Huskies third-year defensive back Nelson Lokombo intercepted Thunderbird backup quarterback Gabe Olivares and raced 95 yards for the final U of S major. Solie hit the post on the extra point attempt making the final score sit at 40-7 in favour of the Huskies.

    Flory was pleased to see his team rebound with a victory after dropping their opener to the Bisons, but he said his squad still needs to get better.

    “It was clearly a better effort,” said Flory. “We were physical.

    “There are still some mistakes. We have to clean up penalties. There is always stuff to correct.

    “That was more like us than last week was and that is good. It is good to be back at home in front of a great crowd here. It was a good football game.”

    Nyhus completed 26-of-37 passes for 306 yards, one touchdown and one interception in picking up his first U Sports victory as a starting quarterback. The Regina, Sask., product spent the last two campaigns backing up Kyle Siemens, who exhausted his U Sports eligibility last season.

Daniel Perry, left, returns a punt 75 yards for a touchdown for the Huskies.

    During the 2016 campaign, Nyhus redshirted with the Huskies.

    “It is awesome to come out here and get a win,” said Nyhus. “The crowd was amazing out here.

    “It wasn’t a surprise by any means. We have a great atmosphere every time we come play at home. It is a great feeling for sure.”

    Huskies star offensive utility player Colton Klassen led the team in receiving hauling in eight passes for 135 yards.

    Defensive linemen Evan Machibroda and Nicholas Dheilly each had a sack for the Huskies. First year defensive back Logan Bitz topped U of S with eight total tackles, while second-year defensive back Nixen Voll had an interception for the Huskies.

Nelson Lokombo (#25) is congratulated for his major score off a pick.

    Yanchuk completed 16-of-31 passes for 151 yards, one touchdown and one interception as the Thunderbirds fell to 0-2. 
    Linebacker Nick Cross topped the Thunderbirds with 12 total tackles.

    Linebacker Lake Korte-Moore had a sack and an interception for the Thunderbirds, while defensive back Chris Thelasco had a sack for UBC.

    With the win over the Thunderbirds in the books, the Huskies return to action this coming Friday, when they travel to Regina to take on the University of Regina Rams (1-1) at 7 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium. 
   Machart said his squad has to keep improving in practice leading up to that contest.

Yol Piok (#81) lets out a cheer after the Huskies win on Friday.

    “I think we are in a good place, but we definitely have a lot to work on,” said Machart. “We’re going to hit that this week at practice.

    “We know what we have to do.”

    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 delivers first place in PFC to Hilltops

Saskatoon improves to 6-0 downing Huskies 36-16

The Hilltops defence corrals Huskies RB Brandt Burzuk.

    The Saskatoon Hilltops unleashed the beasts on defence.

    On Sunday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Hilltops defence forced 10 turnovers and recorded a pair of sacks powering Saskatoon to a 36-16 victory over the Edmonton Huskies before 762 spectators. The win in the Canadian Junior Football League regular season encounter allowed the Hilltops, who have won the last four straight CJFL titles, to improve to 6-0 to clinch first place in the Prairie Football Conference.

    Saskatoon has won its last 14 games in a row including action in the regular season and playoffs.

    The Huskies fell to 4-2 to remain second in the PFC.

The Hilltops defence takes down Huskies starting QB Tommy Yanchuk.

    With two weeks to play in the regular season, the Huskies would be unable to pass the Hilltops for top spot in the conference due to Sunday’s loss. By winning the only regular season clash between the two sides in 2018, the Hilltops control the standings tiebreaker with the Huskies.

    The first place finish allows the Hilltops to play at home throughout the 2018 CJFL playoffs including the Canadian Bowl league championship game.

    “It is nice knowing that we don’t have to go out on the road for playoffs,” said Hilltops defensive tackle Jesse McNabb. “It is always nice to play in front of our home crowd and give the hometown people a show.”

    It seemed like everyone on the Hilltops defence was stepping up to make plays in the win over the Huskies. Still, the Hilltops were only able to slowly pull away in the contest due to the fact the Huskies defence forced four turnovers of their own.

Huskies backup QB Brendan Guy, left, is sacked by Hilltops DB Logan Bitz.

    Early in the first quarter, a blocked punt by Hilltops linebacker and ace special teamer Riley Keating allowed Saskatoon’s offence to start on Edmonton’s 22 yard-line. A short touchdown drive ensued with Hilltops star quarterback Jordan Walls hitting receiver John Brown with a 10-yard touchdown catch to give the hosts a 7-0 lead.

    An interception by Hilltops middle linebacker Bobby Ehman would turn into a 41-yard field goal from kicker David Solie to give the Toppers a 10-0 edge.

    Edmonton forced Saskatoon to concede a safety right before the first quarter expired, and Saskatoon returned that favour in the second quarter to see the hosts hold a 12-2 edge.

    Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant said his defensive unit’s success was due to an outstanding game by the defensive line. Star defensive tackle Jesse McNabb had six tackles, defensive tackle and captain Garth Knittig had three tackles, three assisted tackles and one sack and defensive end Connor Guillet had one tackle, three assisted tackles and two fumble recoveries.

 

MLB Bobby Ehman knocks down a pass for the Hilltops.

  “The D-line, we really challenged them all week,” said Sargeant. “It was great to see them come out and perform up to the level of standard that we expect.

    “They were the difference makers today no question. They just controlled the line of scrimmage, so it was awesome to see. I couldn’t be more proud.”

    While the Hilltops defence had the big highlights of the day, the Hilltops offence still delivered a critical play right before halftime. After forcing the Huskies to turn the ball over on downs, Walls hit receiver Keegan Dicks for a 70-yard pass-and-run touchdown with 23.9 seconds to play in the first half to give the Hilltops a 19-2 lead.

DB Jared Giddings intercepts a pass for the Hilltops.

    Dicks finished the contest hauling in three passes for 112 yards including his one catch for a major score.

    “That was massive,” said Sargeant. “Any time with less than a minute you get something over the top like that, you don’t anticipate that.

    “Keegan is a special player. He has got lots of growing and learning to do. He certainly has that gift of making some big time plays.”

    In the third quarter, the Huskies cut the Hilltops lead to 19-9 scoring a kickoff single from kicker Cole Sabourin and seven-yard rushing touchdown from running back Brandt Burzuk. Edmonton failed to score on a two-point conversion attempt after Burzuk’s touchdown.

    Solie hit a 35-yard field goal for the Hilltops to extend their lead to 22-9 by the end of the third quarter.

RB Brandt Burzuk scores a touchdown for the Huskies.

    Early in the fourth quarter, Hilltops star outside linebacker Cody Peters came up with an interception. Saskatoon proceeded to drive down for another major score as Walls hit fifth-year star receiver Jason Price for a nine-yard touchdown toss to give the hosts a 29-9 lead.

    “I felt like we played unreal out there,” said Peters. “We overcame adversity.

    “They brought it to us, but we answered back with a good response.”

    Burzuk scored on a one-yard plunge for Edmonton to cut Saskatoon’s lead to 29-16 with 6:47 to play in the fourth quarter.

    The Huskies forced the Hilltops offence to go two-and-out to get the ball back. Edmonton’s offensive drive came to an end when starting quarterback Tommy Yanchuk tried to run for a first down on a third-and-seven gamble in his own end only to get drilled short of the first down marker by McNabb.

    After that turnover on downs, the Hilltops scored their final major on an 11-yard run from star running back Joshua Ewanchyna to cement the final at 36-16.

RB Josh Ewanchyna piled up 201 yards rushing for the Hilltops.

    “It was pretty physical,” said Peters of Sunday’s game. “They a little dirty out there to be honest with you, and they like to hit a little bit.

    “It is OK. We answered back out there. I like a team that likes to get a little dirty.”

McNabb appreciated the physical approach of the Huskies as well.

    “It was pretty good,” said McNabb. “There was always lots of good contact in there.

    “You are always playing hard to the whistle, no dirty stuff after. You can’t ask for anything else than that.”

    Walls completed 15-of-25 passes for 243 yards, three touchdowns and zero interception for the Hilltops. Ewanchyna ran the ball 27 times for 201 yards and one touchdown.

    Defensive back Logan Bitz had four tackles, three assisted tackles, one sack and a forced fumble for the Hilltops. Fellow defensive back Jared Giddings had an interception for the Toppers. Saskatoon’s defence forced Edmonton to turn the ball over on downs on five occasions in the contest.

Jordan Walls (#19) threw three touchdown passes for the Hilltops.

    Yanchuk completed 17-of-26 passes for 213 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions. Burzuk ran the ball 23 times for 144 yards and two touchdowns.

    Huskies linebacker Jassen Brown had six tackles and a fumble recovery.

    “At the end of the day, this was a big game, a key, critical scenario, and we are able to execute the mission,” said Sargeant referring to his club’s first place finish in the PFC. “That feels pretty good.

    “It is not very often you do that after six games. They are a worthy opponent. They are a good football team.

The Hilltops celebrate a 70-yard TD catch from Keegan Dicks, left.

    “It was a good, physical aggressive game. Ultimately, we were able to get the two points (in the standings) that were extremely needed.”

    The Hilltops return to action this coming Sunday, when they travel to Edmonton to take on the Wildcats (2-4). That will be the Toppers final road trip of the 2018 campaign.

    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, Huskies to battle in first place showdown

Expect the Hilltops to come out fired up for a first place showdown.

    In the 2018 season to date, it will be the biggest game in the Prairie Football Conference and arguably the biggest game in the Canadian Junior Football League.

    On Sunday at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Saskatoon Hilltops will take on the Edmonton Huskies for first place in the PFC in what will be the only regular season meeting between the two sides. The Hilltops currently hold top spot in the PFC with a 5-0 mark, while the Huskies sit second at 4-1.

    If the Hilltops win this contest, they will lock up first place in the PFC. If the Huskies win, they will sit in first place due to holding the standings tiebreaker with the Hilltops.

    Edmonton’s schedule gets quite a bit easier after facing Saskatoon over the final two weeks of the regular season. The Huskies close their regular season slate hosting the Calgary Colts (0-5) on Oct. 6 and the Edmonton Wildcats (2-3) on Oct. 14.

    The squad that finishes first in the PFC locks up home field advantage though the entire CJFL playoffs including the Canadian Bowl national title game.

    “This is really our first playoff game at the end of the day, because it is major ramifications for what takes place,” said Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant. “Every team wants home field advantage.

    “That is certainly a goal we have set, so we’re going to do everything in our power to come up with a great game plan, make sure the players come out and execute it well and see where it takes us. Film study tells us the Edmonton Huskies are a well-coached, physical football team.”

    The Hilltops and Huskies had a major rivalry in the 2000s with the two sides combining to win the CJFL title in five straight seasons. The Hilltops claimed three straight national titles from 2001 to 2003, while the Huskies won back-to-back national titles in 2004 and 2005.
    The Huskies hit a downturn, but they have returned to their powerhouse form from the past in recent years finishing 6-3 in 2016 and 7-1 last season. Their recent clashes with the Hilltops have been hard fought.

    In the only meeting between the two sides in 2016, the Hilltops pulled out a 29-20 win in Edmonton in Week 2.

Joshua Ewanchyna, right, has been piling up yards for the Hilltops.

    Last season, the two clubs met in the final week of the regular season in Edmonton with first place on the line. The Huskies held a 14-10 lead at halftime before the Hilltops stormed back for a 38-28 victory.
    “We’ve been looking forward to this especially after the game we had against them last year,” said Hilltops star fifth-year receiver Jason Price. “That game was so intense trying to get that first place last year too.

    “This one we’re amped up. We’re ready. We’re going to throw the ball around and fire it up and hopefully take it to them.”

    The Hilltops, who have claimed the last four straight CJFL titles, enter the contest having won their last 13 straight games including action in the regular season and playoffs. Saskatoon has been impressive so far in 2018 having trailed on the scoreboard for just a total of 81 seconds through five outings.

    Fifth-year star quarterback Jordan Walls leads the PFC with 1,270 yards passing having completed 78-of-126 throws for 10 touchdowns and two interceptions.
    Price leads the PFC with 422 yards receiving on 19 catches scoring two touchdowns.

    Hilltops third-year running back Joshua Ewanchyna sits second in the PFC with 442 yards rushing coming off 58 carries and scoring six touchdowns.

    Defensively, sophomore defensive end Connor Delahey leads the Hilltops with three sacks, while defensive tackle Jesse McNabb and linebacker Cody Peters each have two-and-a-half sacks.

    Huskies second-year quarterback Tommy Yanchuk has completed 80-of-148 passes for 1,108 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions. Yanchuk’s yardage total ranks third in the PFC.

    Edmonton’s second-year running back in Brandt Burzuk leads the PFC in rushing having run the ball 67 times for 488 yards and scoring five touchdowns.

    Sam Clayton leads the Huskies in receiving hauling in 21 passes for 301 yards and scoring four touchdowns.

    Defensive lineman Kolton Densmore leads the Huskies with three sacks. Defensive back Oshane Samuels has been outstanding making 32 total tackles and one interception.

    Sargeant has a lot of respect for the Huskies.

Cody Peters, left, and Tristan Hering get set to rush the passer.

    “They’re good,” said Sargeant. “Trust me, that is what the film tells you.

    “They do everything proper. They’ve got good plans, and they work hard to execute them.

    “Their defence has always given us fits. They run a thirty-four, a different look than what we are used to, so we have lots of things to sort out and figure out compared to how we played in earlier parts of the year.”

    The Huskies last visited SFM Field way back on Sept. 20, 2015 in a campaign where they failed to make the CJFL playoffs. The Hilltops cruised to a 49-17 blowout victory in that encounter.

    That contest in 2015 seems like a distant memory now.

    In Sunday’s upcoming encounter, Price believes his side will rise to the occasion with a big performance again, because the Hilltops coaching staff prepares their players like they are going to play a powerhouse squad every week.

    “We feel like our team is big enough and strong enough to take it to them,” said Price. “We’re just going to have to play the game that we know we can play and just let our play do the talking.”

    The Hilltops will be powered by some extra emotion in Sunday’s game. Last Friday, legendary Hilltops executive and Canadian Football Hall of Fame member Don McDonald passed away at age 86. McDonald first joined the Hilltops as a player in 1951 and 1952.

    The majority of members on the team found out about his passing right before facing the Regina Thunder at SMF Field last Saturday posting a 48-24 victory. The Hilltops found themselves down 17-16 for a short time before surging to the win.

    A celebration of life for McDonald is set for Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at the Saskatoon Inn, and the Hilltops will take the field against the Huskies the following day.

    “We’re going to play with him (McDonald) in our hearts,” said Price. “We’re going to come out there and play hard for him.

    “(He is) an alumni, director and like a big deal in this community. We’re going to go out there with him in our hearts and play Hilltop football the way he would want us to play it.”

    Sargeant said it is hard to find the words to describe what McDonald meant to the team.

Don McDonald, left, with Lyle Hislop in 2016.

    “There will be a lot of emotion through that, because he has been such an impactful and key leader for the Saskatoon Hilltops,” said Sargeant. “As I said, there is a lot of pride and blessing knowing and working with him. 

    “He is one of the big reasons the Saskatoon Hilltops are on the map. We appreciate what all he has done for us. It was good enough to get him into the (Canadian Football) Hall of Fame.

    “That certainly makes all of us feel pretty prideful about that. We also know that we have a job to do. (There is) a little more incentive to keep honouring his name and doing the right things the way the Saskatoon Hilltops are supposed to be doing them.”

    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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