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.

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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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Good out of the gate – Derbas vaults to star status with Huskies at age 18

Ramsey Derbas has made an immediate impact with the Huskies.

    Ramsey Derbas is the first to note he wasn’t a starter right from day one for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies football team.

    The 18-year-old rookie linebacker dressed as a defensive substitute that came off the bench and a special teams player, when the Huskies fell in their U Sports regular season opener 43- 19 against the University of Manitoba Bisons in Winnipeg, Man., on Aug. 30. The graduate of Saskatoon’s powerhouse Holy Cross Crusaders football team recorded four tackles in that setback.

    Derbas started the Huskies very next game on Sept. 6, when they dumped the visiting University of British Columbia Thunderbirds 40-7 at Griffiths Stadium. He equalled fifth-year veteran Huskies outside linebacker Ben Whiting for second on the team with six total tackles in that contest.

Ramsey Derbas, right, takes down a Thunderbirds receiver.

    Derbas has remained a starter since that time, and in the Huskies eight regular season games, he topped the squad with 43 total tackles and added in a half sack and an interception.

    “It is just everything I could have asked for,” said Derbas, who stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 210 pounds. “It has been really good.

    “The players have accepted me, and the coaches have given me opportunity to play and make mistakes and learn and grow, so it has been great.”

    On Saturday, Derbas and his Huskies, who are 6-3 overall, will travel to Calgary, Alta., to face the University of Calgary Dinos, who are 7-2 overall, in the Canada West Conference championship game – the Hardy Cup. The two sides met in last year’s Hardy Cup that was also held in Calgary, which the Huskies romped to a 43-18 victory in.

Ramsey Derbas sizes up an opposing offence.

    In his first U Sports playoff game last Saturday, Derbas came through with a big play for the Huskies. He had the second of three interceptions the Huskies had on the Golden Bears first three offensive possessions to start the second half.

    The Huskies scored 10 points off those turnovers to post a 28-23 victory.

    Early in his time with the team, Derbas got a notion from the Huskies coaches that he could have a chance to gain a starting position as a rookie.

    “I knew I would have an opportunity to come in early and play,” said Derbas. “I wasn’t sure if that would be starting or how I would manage my way into playing.

    “I just knew I would be able to play and contribute.”

    He was happy the Huskies coaches had faith in how quickly he could contribute this season.

Ramsey Derbas, in back, sets to hit a U of Regina Rams receiver.

    “It is just everything I could have asked for,” said Derbas. “It has been really good.

    “The players have accepted me, and the coaches have given me opportunity to play and make mistakes and learn and grow, so it has been great.”

    Huskies head coach Scott Flory said the team’s coaching staff was still tinkering with the roster going into the team’s first game, where Derbas didn’t start. Following that first game, Flory said the coaches knew that Derbas had to be on the field playing.

    “We definitely knew he (Derbas) was a talented player that is why he was very high on our priority list to sign as a recruit,” said Flory. “I know how talented he was and how good of a young man he was.

    “When we got a glimpse there in the spring of just what he could do, we knew he could make the transition quickly, and we knew it wouldn’t be long before he was a big contributor. He has adjusted very well.”

Ramsey Derbas, left, celebrates an interception in a Canada West semi.

    Flory said Derbas has a natural feel for the game.

    “He is around the ball,” said Flory. “He has a nose for it

    “He really does. He has a knack, and football players do. He is a football player.

    “He has just got a knack to find the ball.”

    Derbas said he felt a sense of accomplishment, when the Huskies coaches told him he would be starting. He has enjoyed being in the starting linebacker group with brothers Ben and Tom Whiting, who is in his third-year with the team.

    “Obviously, Ben is a fifth-year, and he has so much knowledge,” said Derbas. “He has been great.

    “Tom is awesome. They are an awesome linebacking combo.”

    Derbas said he was able to hit the ground running with the Huskies thanks to the tutelage he received from his high school head coach in Scott Hundseth at Holy Cross. 

Ramsey Derbas led the Huskies in total tackles.

    Hundseth played for the Huskies first Vanier Cup U Sports national championship winner in 1990.

    “It (playing at Holy Cross) definitely helped a lot just with coach (Scott) Hundseth, and how he does things,” said Derbas. “He is the head coach of that program, and he was the linebacker coach.

    “He helped me out a tonne. It definitely got me prepared to take on new challenges that presented themselves here.”

    On the academic front, Derbas said he regularly maintained an 85 per cent average at Holy Cross. He is in his first year of studies as a business major at U of S and believes he has adapted well to the work required in university.

    “It is definitely an adjustment at first,” said Derbas. “(Special teams) coach (Jerry) Friesen with his study hall, he has great resources for us, so it has definitely helped the transition.”

Ramsey Derbas (#26) aims to enjoy more big plays with the Huskies.

    Of course, Derbas is hoping to make a big impact for the Huskies in the Hardy Cup.

    “I am just super excited,” said Derbas. “There are only eight teams in the country get to be practising right now, so I am just trying to enjoy the moment and do everything I need to do to be ready to play.”

    While he is focusing on the present, Derbas is anticipating hitting bigger heights in the future. He is looking forward to crushing his off-season workouts to hit the field as a sophomore even stronger and faster than he is now.

    “I am definitely eager already for the off-season,” said Derbas. “I think there are a lot of things I need to get better at for next year.

    “I am looking forward to just all that time to being able to get my body to where it needs to be.”

Hilltops sweep player awards in CJFL semifinal win

Connor Graham hit the CJFL record books in the Hilltops last playoff win.

    A lopsided win in a CJFL semifinal contest allowed the Saskatoon Hilltops to take all the individual player awards from that contest.

    Last Saturday, the Hilltops, who are the five-time defending CJFL champions, traveled to London, Ont., and hammered the host Beefeaters 51-1. The Hilltops claimed the player of the game awards on offence, defence and special teams, which the CJFL dubbed as player of the week awards for the game on Tuesday.

    Hilltops fifth-year receiver Connor Graham was named the top offensive player for hauling in four passes for 154 yards and three touchdowns. He averaged 38.5 yards per catch to set a new CJFL interconference playoff game record for highest yards per reception average.

    The old record of 36 yards per catch was held by Rick Price of the now defunct Vancouver Meralomas that was set on Oct. 21, 1973. Price had seven catches for 252 yards in that contest.

Rylan Kleiter (#7) hit three field goals in the CJFL semifinal.

    Graham equalled the record for most touchdown receptions in a CJFL interconference playoff game with his three touchdown catches. 
    The record had been achieved on five previous occasions.

    The last of those occasions came on Oct. 27, 1984, when Geoff Hainstock caught three touchdown passes for the now defunct St. Vital Mustangs, who were based in Winnipeg, Man.

    Hilltops defensive end Tristan Hering was named the top defensive player recording three sacks, three defensive tackles and one special teams tackle.

    Hilltops receiver/kicker Rylan Kleiter took honours as the top special teams player for the game. He made all three of his field goal attempts and all six of his converts in the win. Kleiter kicked off seven times for 322 yards for an average of 46 yards per kick.

    On top of his efforts on special teams, Kleiter caught a pass for 36 yards on offence.

    The Hilltops, who are 11-0 overall, will attempt to win a sixth straight CJFL title, when they travel to Langley, B.C., on Nov. 16 to take on the host Rams, who are 12-0 overall, for the Canadian Bowl.

“Sarge” cracks on to CBC with 209^th win

News of Tom Sargeant’s milestone 209th win is spreading.

    The praise and congratulations seems to be raining down from everywhere for Saskatoon Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant after he recorded his 209^th career win.

    Sargeant picked up the milestone last Saturday, when the Hilltops thumped the London Beefeaters 51-1 in a CJFL semifinal in London, Ont. The total of 209 wins moves Sargeant ahead of retired Regina Rams head coach Frank McCrystal for the most wins in Canada’s amateur post-secondary football ranks.

    Sargeant has a 209-30-2 career record in CJFL regular season and post-season action since becoming the Hilltops head coach before the start of the 1998 campaign.

    McCrystal 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. Over those 31 seasons, McCrystal compiled a 208-104-2 record as head coach in the regular season and post-season in both the CJFL and U Sports.

    The Hilltops, who are 11-0 overall, will attempt to win a sixth straight CJFL title, when they travel to Langley, B.C., on Nov. 16 to take on the host Rams, who are 12-0 overall, for the Canadian Bowl.

CBC in Saskatoon picked up on the story of Sargeant’s accomplishment. I was interviewed by Jen Quesnel for CBC Saskatoon’s radio morning show on Tuesday.

    I was also interviewed for a CBC web story by Scott Larson, who has worked in Saskatoon’s media scene for a long time as a savvy sports scribe. As usual, Larson did a great job.

    Larson’s piece 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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Hilltops’ win streak hits 30, Beefeaters fall 51-1 in CJFL semi

“Sarge” picks up milestone 209th career victory

Tyler Hermann threw for 297 yards and three TDs for the Hilltops.

    The milestones piled up almost as fast the points they put up on the scoreboard.
    Saying the venerable Saskatoon Hilltops had a banner Saturday at TD Stadium in London, Ont., might even be a minimal way to describe how the night went.

    The Hilltops, who are the five-time defending CJFL champions, hammered the host London Beefeaters 51-1 in a CJFL semifinal contest. With the win, the ’Toppers advance to the CJFL title game – the Canadian Bowl – for a sixth straight year.

    Saskatoon will travel to Langley, B.C., for the CJFL championship tilt on Nov. 16 against the host Rams.

    The Rams, who are 12-0 overall, downed the Westshore Rebels 35-12 in the British Columbia Football Conference championship game on Saturday in Langley to advance to host the Canadian Bowl. The Rebels, who are based in Langford, B.C., closed the 2019 campaign with a 9-3 overall record.

    In last year’s CJFL title tilt held in Saskatoon, the Hilltops hammered the visiting Rams 58-21.

Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant picked up his 209th career win.

    The Hilltops, who are 11-0 overall this season, are the only team in the history of the CJFL to win five straight league titles, and they have claimed eight of the last nine CJFL championships. Saskatoon will be shooting to win six in a row and claim nine of the last 10 CJFL championships in the upcoming Canadian Bowl.

    On top of moving into position to possibly hit new benchmarks in CJFL championship wins, the Hilltops rolled off their 30^th overall win in a row with their victory over the Beefeaters on Saturday including action in the CJFL’s regular season and playoffs.

    The Hilltops last loss came back in a regular season contest on Sept. 9, 2017, when they fell 29-26 to the Regina Thunder at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

    Along with hitting 30 straight victories in their overall winning streak, the Hilltops have won their last 28 straight games on the road including action in the CJFL regular season and post-season. Due to their current run of consecutive championships, the Hilltops extended their CJFL record for consecutive post-season wins to 19.

Ben Abrook had 110 yards rushing for the Hilltops.

    On a personal front, Saturday’s victory was the 209^th win in the career of legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant. The total moves Sargeant ahead of retired Regina Rams head coach Frank McCrystal for the most wins in Canada’s amateur post-secondary football ranks.

    Sargeant has a 209-30-2 career record in CJFL regular season and post-season action since becoming the Hilltops head coach before the start of the 1998 campaign.

    McCrystal 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. Over those 31 seasons, McCrystal compiled a 208-104-2 record as head coach in the regular season and post-season in both the CJFL and U Sports.

    As for Saturday’s CJFL semifinal game itself, the contest was a big display of Hilltops might. Hilltops rookie defensive back Bailey Taylor intercepted Beefeaters quarterback Jake Pow on London’s first offensive series.

    Saskatoon turned that turnover into a 22-yard field goal from receiver/kicker Rylan Kleiter and a 3-0 lead.
    The Hilltops edge increased to 10-0 on their next offensive series thanks to a four-yard touchdown run by star power back Ben Abrook.

Doug Fleming threw a TD pass on Saturday.

    The Beefeaters proceeded to tally their lone score on a 29-yard missed field goal single by kicker Leo Centeno from 29-yards out to cut the Hilltops edge to 10-1.

    Before the first quarter came to a close, Hilltops fifth-year quarterback Tyler Hermann hit fifth-year receiver Connor Graham with a 75-yard pass-and-run touchdown to increase Saskatoon’s advantage to 17-1.

    In the second quarter, Hermann hit Graham for a 52-yard touchdown pass and then connected with third-year receiver Keegan Dicks for 20-yard touchdown strike to give the Hilltops a 31-1 lead.

Kleiter proceeded to boot a 22-yard field goal to give the Hilltops a 34-1 lead at halftime.

    Early in the third quarter, Kleiter hit a 20-yard field goal and backup quarterback Doug Fleming hit Graham for a touchdown strike to push the Hilltops lead out to 44-1.

    Second-year running back Jordan Tabin rounded out the game’s scoring in the fourth quarter with a nine-yard touchdown run for the Hilltops.
    Hermann completed 11-of-18 passes for 297 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Graham hauled in four passes for 154 yards to go with his three majors.

    Abrook carried the ball 16 times for 110 yards to go with his major score.

    Pow connected on 14-of-28 passes for 155 yards and was intercepted twice guiding the Beefeaters offence.

Connor Graham had four catches for 154 yards and three TDs.

    London was held to 58 yards rushing as a team in the contest.

    Defensive end Tristan Hering had three tackles and three sacks for the Hilltop. Caleb Haight had two sacks for Saskatoon, while Jesse McNabb and Brady Fossen each had a single sack.

    Hering, Haight and McNabb are all playing out their final campaigns of CJFL eligibility.

    Defensive back Jared Giddings had an interception for Saskatoon.

    Defensive back Codey McRoberts led the Beefeaters with seven defensive tackles.

    The Beefeaters, who finished with an 8-3 overall record, turned the ball over eight times including twice on interceptions, once on a fumble and five times on downs.

    Saskatoon didn’t have any giveaways in the contest.

    Now, the Hilltops will try to win their 21^st CJFL title in team history. While the Langley Rams will be playing at home in the Canadian Bowl, they will be hard pressed to stop the momentum this Saskatoon train has built.

WE’RE GOING TO THE ‘SHIP!

The Saskatoon Hilltops are heading back to the Canadian Bowl after a 51-1 win over the London Beefeaters.

Thank you to all the fans who joined us in London and everyone who watched back home. 💙💛#playoffszn pic.twitter.com/yvGG2PBQ5d

— Saskatoon Hilltops (@SaskHilltops) November 3, 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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Hering has signature moment, aims for another in final playoff run with Hilltops

Hilltops DE Tristan Hering, right, sacks Rams QB Duncan Little in 2018.

    Tristan Hering will always be cemented in Saskatoon Hilltops lore, but he still aims to create one last sequel.

    The fifth-year defensive end has helped the Hilltops win the last four of their current run of capturing five straight CJFL championships. In last year’s CJFL title game – the Canadian Bowl, Hering had his signature moment with the team.

    On the second play of the clash with the Langley Rams on Nov. 17, 2018 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, Hering broke through and levelled Rams quarterback Duncan Little. That seemed the set the tone in the contest as the Hilltops proceeded to roll to a 24-0 lead and ultimately claimed a 58-21 victory over the visitors from British Columbia.

Tristan Hering gets set to rush the quarterback.

    Hering, who is a graduate of the Humboldt Collegiate Institute Mohawks nine-man football team, has fond memories of the sack that started the Hilltops romp in last year’s CJFL final.

    “It was good, because it made a big statement against obviously a team we haven’t seen before,” said Hering. “It was a nice way to start the game and let them know where they were.

    “I think it set the tone, because when they came in, they were shivering and cold. We could see they were used to their B.C. weather, and us coming out that hard really scared them.”

    The 22-year-old would like to have another signature moment in helping the Hilltops win an unprecedented sixth straight CJFL championship. Saskatoon is the only team in the history of the CJFL to win five straight national titles.

    The Hilltops (8-0) begin their march through the CJFL post-season on Sunday, when they host the Edmonton Wildcats (2-6) in a Prairie Football Conference semifinal contest at 1 p.m. at SMF Field.

Tristan Hering (#65) gets one of his four sacks this season.

    Saskatoon enters that contest having won its last 27 straight games in a row including action in the regular season and playoffs. Due to winning the last five straight CJFL titles, the Hilltops are looking to extend their CJFL record post-game winning streak that currently sits at 16 straight games.

    Last year’s Canadian Bowl ended with the Hilltops taking a knee to end the game, and the club’s eight fifth-year players that season were on the field for that final snap. Having watched Adam Benkic, Bobby Ehman, Adam Ewanchyna, Connor Guillet, Cody Peters, Jason Price, Kirk Simonsen and Jordan Walls all graduate from the team having each won their fifth CJFL championship ring, Hering would like to have that experience as well.

Tristan Hering (#65) makes a sack on a Winnipeg Rifles quarterback.

    “That is the goal anyway,” said Hering, who stands 6-feet and weighs 220 pounds. “Seeing them do it makes it that much more realistic to get five years and five rings.”

    In helping the Hilltops post an 8-0 record for the second straight regular season, Hering had a solid final regular season for the Saskatoon side piling up a team high four sacks, while adding in 18 total tackles.

    Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant remembers Hering playing well in the club’s spring camp back in 2015 and noted that likely foreshadowed what was to come.

    “To start off, he was our rookie of the camp out of Humboldt right off the bat and was our top player we identified,” said Sargeant. “He’s played a lot of football for the Hilltops.

Tristan Hering springs into action on the defensive line.

    “He’s been a great special teamer. In the last couple of years, he has been our rusher and boundary end player and led our team in sacks this year. Tristan (Hering) is just who he is.

    “He is unsung. He just does his job. He works hard during the day, and he works hard at night. He probably gets more out of a 24-hour day than most players on my team.”

    Sargeant has great memories of Hering’s early sack in last year’s Canadian Bowl during that frigid November day game played in front of 1,465 spectators.

    “It brought great energy,” said Sargeant. “I remember the crowd and the fans and it just turned electric.

    “Look at us last week (in a 48-8 regular season win over the Wildcats last Sunday). We got six sacks, and he (Hering) was part of the sack brigade and that just brings energy to the crowd, to the defence, to the other players and the coaching staff. We’re going to need a lot of sacks moving forward, if we are going to keep moving this team in the right direction.

Tristan Hering (#65) is all pumped up after making a sack.

    “As a fifth-year player, we always expect our fifth-year players to come out and step up and do their best and play their best. That is what we anticipate to happen in each game we play. We expect them to be the best, and if they are, we’re going to be in good shape.”

    Hering has enjoyed playing on the Hilltops defensive line this season along with tackles Jesse McNabb and Jaxon Funk and end Caleb Haight. Hering and McNabb were the two returning starters on that unit.

    “We came along ways,” said Hering. “(Jaxon) Funk is having an unreal year.

Tristan Hering sizes up an offensive formation.

    “(Caleb) Haight has been playing good. Everyone is just coming together. It has been great.”

    Along with the success on the field, Hering was able to experience some special family moments with the Hilltops. He joined the venerable Saskatoon junior club in 2015 due to the fact his older brother, Tyrell, was on the team as a standout defensive lineman.

    Tyrell graduated from the Hilltops following the 2015 CJFL championship campaign.

    This year, Tristan’s younger brother, Dawson, is a rookie linebacker playing on the team’s practice roster.

    Tristan said those opportunities to play alongside his siblings with the Hilltops was something you could never put a price on.

    “It was awesome,” said Hering. “I got to play with my older brother one year in high school, but I never did get to play on the same team with my younger brother.

 

Tristan Hering (#65) enter SMF Field with his parents.

  “It is a good way to finish my last year of football.”

    The Hilltops and Wildcats will meet for the third time in four weeks and will be going at it in their first playoff encounter since 2013. Back in 2013, the Hilltops thumped the Wildcats 41-10 in a PFC semifinal clash.

    Sargeant said this is the time every year the Hilltops look forward to.

    “It is a different season,” said Sargeant. “Here we go.

    “This is why you play the eight games to try and get in a good spot. We’re in first place, so now we have to defend our dirt. At the end of the day, they are coming into our place, so we have to make sure this isn’t a good place; it is an uncomfortable place to play.

    “We need great energy from our fans, and more importantly great energy from our players to give to the fans. As I’ve said, we just need to come out and execute a great game plan, play fast and play physical and get the job done and move on to the next week. That is all it is.”

Hermann takes PFC offensive player of the week nod

Tyler Hermann (#12) was the PFC’s offensive player of the week.

    Tyler Hermann earned a league tip of the cap for surpassing 300 yards passing in a game for the first time in his CJFL career.

    On Wednesday, the fifth-year quarterback for the Saskatoon Hilltops was named the offensive player of the week for the PFC. 
    Last Sunday against the Edmonton Wildcats, Hermann, who is in his first season as the Hilltops starting signal caller, completed 20-of-26 passes for 364 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions.

    Powered by Hermann’s efforts, the Hilltops thumped the Wildcats 48-8 to finish the CJFL regular season with an 8-0 record for the second straight year.

    On the season, Hermann started all of the Hilltops eight regular season games completing 123-of-192 passes for 1,908 yards, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He had the best completion percentage in the PFC at 64.1 per cent and his 17 touchdown passed equaled Regina Thunder quarterback Blake Scherle for tops in the conference.

McNabb lands PFC defensive player of the week honours

Jesse McNabb was the PFC’s defensive player of the week.

    Jesse McNabb made a loud lasting impression during his final CJFL regular season game resulting in a weekly league honour.

    On Wednesday, the veteran defensive tackle, who is in his final campaign of CJFL eligibility, was named the defensive player of the week for the PFC. Last Sunday against the Edmonton Wildcats, McNabb piled up three sacks and 6.5 total tackles.

    With McNabb anchoring the defence, the Hilltops hammered the Wildcats 48-8 to conclude the CJFL regular season with an 8-0 record for the second straight year.

    On the season, McNabb posted three sacks and 26.5 total tackles.

    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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Mantyka rises quickly up Hilltops ranks - Saskatoon locks up first in PFC in Edmonton

Evan Mantyka, middle, runs an interception back for the Hilltops.

    Evan Mantyka believes family linage helped link him to the Saskatoon Hilltops.

    Long before the second year defensive back joined the Canadian Junior Football League powerhouse squad, Mantyka’s grandfather, Don, was a Hilltops head coach. Don guided the Hilltops in the late 1970s and resigned following the 1980 campaign.

    In hearing stories from his grandfather, Evan Mantyka thought he would fit in quickly with the team.

    “It just seemed like a really good atmosphere around here,” said Mantyka. “My grandpa used to coach for the team, so I already had like a little bit of an idea of what it was like.

    “I came to summer camp a couple of times, and I just loved the atmosphere.”

    Mantyka turned heads last year earning honours as the team’s rookie of the year. He had his biggest highlight game on Oct. 7, 2018 posting a pair of interceptions in a 53-0 road victory over the Edmonton Wildcats.

    On Sunday, Mantyka and the Hilltops were in Edmonton again taking on the Wildcats in a much more competitive CJFL regular season contest. Saskatoon held a slim 15-10 advantage early in the third quarter before rolling to a 38-10 victory.

Evan Mantyka was the Hilltops rookie of the year in 2018.

    With the win, the Hilltops improved to 6-0 and locked up first place in the Prairie Football Conference for a seventh straight year. The Wildcats fell to 2-4 to hold fourth place and the final playoff berth in the PFC.

    Mantyka, who played high school football with Saskatoon’s Evan Hardy Collegiate Souls, said he got a good grasp of the junior game quickly due to the fact the Hilltops coaches are good teachers.

    “It was a pretty big jump at first,” said Mantyka. “The coaches are good at getting everyone adjusted pretty quick, and then it starts coming easy.”

    Working with defensive backs coach Brent Turkington, Mantyka found himself getting increased playing time as his rookie campaign moved on. He is now starting in the defensive secondary in his second season with the team.

    Mantyka said he cherished the time he got on the field.

    “It was good,” said Mantyka, who stands 5-foot-8 and weighs 160 pounds. “It was fun.

    “All that time in practice was starting to play off, when you get on the field more and play with the guys.”

    Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant said Mantyka has earned is playing time with his work in practice and in games.

    “You have to remember at the end of last year he was our rookie of the year, so we identified him as our top rookie though his performance and through his play,” said Sargeant. “He has just continued to build.

    “He has a lot of confidence. He is a motivated kid. He is hungry, and coach (Brent) Turkington has done a good job of developing him.

Evan Mantyka has build a reputation for being a playmaker.

    “He is just a natural playmaker. He has good eyes and good ball sense. What I love about him is he finishes his plays.”

    Mantyka hit the highlight reel, when the Hilltops thumped the Calgary Colts 53-6 on Sept. 22 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The 19-year-old intercepted Colts quarterback Cole Belway and returned the ball 58 yards for a touchdown.

    Besides that moment, Mantyka came up with a huge performance making 11 tackles in the Hilltops 24-22 victory over the Edmonton Huskies in the Alberta capital on Sept. 1.

    Sargeant said the team loves it when young players like Mantyka step up and make plays.

    “It is always great,” said Sargeant. “That is why we were so excited after the Calgary Colts game.

    “Our young players played unbelievable. The level didn’t drop, so the coaches are feeling good because what you see is what you want to coach. We’re seeing that.

    “As long as Evan (Mantyka) keeps doing what coach (Brent) Turkington is telling him to do, he is going to be a high end player. No one develops his football players as good as coach (Brent) Turkington, and all my coaches have that ability to keep making players get better and improve. When they think they are there and they’ve arrived, we expect more than that.”

    Looking back at helping the Hilltops win a fifth consecutive CJFL title last season, Mantyka wasn’t expecting to be named the team’s rookie of the year.

    “It was just fantastic getting recognized like that,” said Mantyka. “It makes you feel good.”

Evan Mantyka listens to a play call coming from the sidelines.

    Mantyka said he enjoyed getting into the end zone against the Colts noting it had been some time since he scored a touchdown. As the season keeps going, he wants ensure he keeps the trust of the Hilltops coaches.

    “I was just hoping to keep playing and get more playing time,” said Mantyka. “It has worked out so far, so I am just looking to keep that going.”

    When it comes to winning another CJFL title, Mantyka said he hasn’t thought that far ahead. He said he is focused on the present.

    “We just have to keep rolling through the rest of our regular season here,” said Mantyka. “We have a couple of games left, so just keep winning.”

    Against the Wildcats on Sunday at Clarke Park, the Hilltops held a 15-9 lead at halftime, and the Wildcats drove deep into the Saskatoon end early in the third quarter.

    The Hilltops defence caused the Wildcats drive to stall forcing the Edmonton side to try a short 16-yard field goal. Wildcats kicker Sebastien Fritsen missed the attempt, but the kick resulted in a single cut the Hilltops edge to 15-10.

    The Hilltops took the ball on their own 35 yard line and drove 75 yards the other way concluding with a 33-yard touchdown toss from quarterback Tyler Hermann to receiver Keegan Dicks. The point after attempt by Hilltops kicker Rylan Kleiter was blocked, but the Hilltops advantage on the scoreboard stood at 21-10.
    Saskatoon rolled off 17 points in the fourth quarter to seal the 38-10 romp.

Evan Mantyka (#15) had a big game in a win over the Edmonton Huskies.

    Hermann completed 12-of-18 passes for 210 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Hilltops backup quarterback Doug Fleming completed both of his pass attempts for 39 yards and one touchdown.

    Dicks topped the Hilltops with 87 yards receiving on four catches, with two of those grabs going for major scores.

    Fifth-year receiver Connor Graham made three catches for 70 yards and one touchdown for the Hilltops.

    Hilltops star power running back Ben Abrook ran the ball 22 times for 114 yards and scored one touchdown. On the season, Abrook has carried the ball 162 times for 908 yards and five touchdowns.

    Kleiter hit field goals from 42, 32 and 21 yards out and caught three passes for 51 yards for the Hilltops.

    The Hilltops received two points, when the Wildcats conceded a safety in the second quarter.

    Dante Tabacu completed 17-of-27 passes for 222 yards, one touchdown and one interception for the Wildcats.

    Veteran receiver Lucas Howe caught six passes for 108 yards and one touchdown for the Wildcats. Wildcats running back Ramone English topped his side in rushing with 74 yards on 19 carries.
    The Wildcats received two points, when the Hilltops conceded a safety in the first quarter.

    On defence, Hilltops defensive end Tristan Hering had 6.5 total tackles and one sack. Linebacker Jadyn Pingue had an interception.

    Wildcats linebacker Chopper Hippe had 10.5 total tackles.

Evan Mantyka (#15) and the Hilltops aim to enjoy more big plays.

    The Hilltops ran their overall winning streak including action in the CJFL regular season and playoffs to 25 games and their road winning streak to 27 games. The road winning streak includes three victories in the CJFL title game – the Canadian Bowl.

    Due to locking up first in the PFC, the Hilltops could potential host home games every Sunday during the month of October.

    The Hilltops return to action this coming Sunday when they host the Winnipeg Rifles (1-5) at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

    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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