Hilltops romp over Rifles, take PFC semifinal 60-26

Charles Sawi (#18) jets home on a 27-yard touchdown run.

The Saskatoon Hilltops put on a running display that would have made the NFL’s famed 1972 Miami Dolphins proud.

On Sunday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Hilltops piled up 380 yards rushing as a team and romped over the visiting Winnipeg Rifles 60-26 in a PFC semifinal contest. Saskatoon jumped out to a 21-7 lead in the first quarter, improved their advantage to 29-12 at halftime and cruised to victory from there before a crowd of 528 spectators, who weren’t scared away by sporadic windy conditions and overcast skies.

For Hilltops fifth-year right tackle Victoire Bikulo, he couldn’t think of a better way to get his final run through the CJFL Playoffs started.

The Hilltops offensive line opened the way for 380 yards rushing.

“It felt amazing,” said Bikulo, who wasn’t able to dress for any post-season games due to a leg injury in 2023 when the Hilltops won their last CJFL championship. “I’ve been waiting for this for about three years.

“It felt pretty great. I am happy to be out here.”

The win allowed the Hilltops, who improved to 7-2 overall, to advance to the PFC final, while the Rifles finished out at 4-5 overall. For the fifth straight year, the PFC final will be contested between the Hilltops and their provincial rivals the Regina Thunder.

David Collins had 16 carries for 207 yards and two touchdowns.

The Thunder thumped the Edmonton Huskies 49-10 in the other PFC semifinal on Sunday that was played at Leibel Field in Regina to improve to 8-1 overall, while the Huskies finished out at 3-6 overall. Regina will host the PFC final this coming Sunday at 1 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium.

In the four previous meetings, the Hilltops picked up wins in 2021 and 2023, while the Thunder claimed victory in 2022 and 2024. For Bikulo, the Thunder are the only foe he has seen in the PFC final during his career with the Hilltops.

“We kind of always expect it to be them,” said Bikulo. “It is great to always play them, because they bring a lot of adversity, a lot of animosity and a lot of great energy that we kind of go against.

Corbin Ebben ran the ball six times for 24 yards and two TDs.

“It is pretty good there. They got a great team going on over there. They have a good running game, and we have a good one as well.

“I’m pretty sure we’ll be running the ball a lot, and it will be very interesting to see what their defence does this time. It will be fun. It will be interesting, and it is definitely something to look out for, for sure.”

In the win over the Rifles, the Hilltops relied on their stellar running back trio of David Collins, Charles Sawi and Corbin Ebben similar to how the 1972 Super Bowl winning 17-0 Dolphins relied on their ball carrying trio of Larry Csonka, Mercury Morris and Jim Kiick.

Collins ran the ball 16 times for 207 yards and two touchdowns, and he caught one pass for 21 yards. Sawi ran the ball three times for 104 yards and two touchdowns, and he returned three punts for 54 yards. Ebben ran the ball six times for 24 yards and two touchdowns, and he caught two passes for 17 yards.

Rifles receiver Cole Davies holds on to this catch for a 79-yard gain.

Bikulo said it was pretty advantageous to be able to block for that trio.

“It is unbelievable,” said Bikulo. “Once you have those three guys in the backfield, it messes up a lot of defences.

“You throw Corbin (Ebben) out at wideout. You throw Charles (Sawi) out there. You throw any of them out there it kind of throws away their defence and really helps us hone in on our ground game.

“We can really do a lot of things out of those formations. We can make a lot of things work, because we have those three guys in our offence in the backfield. You have Brex (Brexton Elias) back there who can throw it anywhere really, and it gets pretty dangerous and pretty awesome.”

Kaiden Banfield ran the ball 24 times for 123 yards and two TDs.

Elias got into the running parade too carrying the ball four times for 37 yards and one touchdown. Due to the fact the running game was rolling, Elias only completed 3-of-5 passes for 40 yards and no interceptions before giving way to backup Griffin Sander with just under five minutes to play in the third quarter with the Hilltops holding a 50-18 advantage.

Sander completed 8-of-9 passes for 87 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions before third stringer Charlie Molder entered the contest late in the fourth quarter.

The Hilltops also benefited from outstanding play from their starting offensive line in left tackle Davin Johnson, left guard Simon Clark, centre Matt Elash, right guard Jack Erlandson and Bikulo. Erlandson and Elash were announced as PFC all-stars before the start of Sunday’s games.

Riley Element had 338 yards passing for the Rifles.

“We have two all-stars there,” said Hilltops legendary head coach Tom Sargeant. “We feel we could have maybe one or two more.

“We’re a team that loves the offensive line. We coach into that and the defensive line. Today, we won the line of scrimmage, and that was the difference in the football game.

“We challenged those players that is what it was going to be, and they answered the bell. That is why we’re moving on to the PFC final next week.”

The Hilltops jumped out to a 14-0 lead early in the first quarter thanks to a five-yard rushing major by Ebben and a 16-yard touchdown run by Elias. The Rifles answered with a one-yard touchdown plunge by star 22-year-old running back Kaiden Banfield to cut the Hilltops lead to 14-7. Collins proceeded to break off a 56-yard touchdown run to push Saskatoon’s advantage out to 21-7.

The Hilltops defence deflects a Rifles pass into the air.

Right before the end of the first quarter, the Rifles elected to gamble on a third and goal situation from the Hilltops two yard line. Rifles star quarterback Riley Element threw a pass to star receiver Jarome Penner in the end zone. Penner stretched out attempting to make a diving catch where the ball hit his hands but he couldn’t haul it in.

The Hilltops would concede a safety due to the bad field position early in the second quarter to cut their own lead to 21-9. Saskatoon would proceed to get a 49-yard punt single from Molder and a 27-yard rushing major from Sawi on a reverse to allow the hosts to have a 29-9 lead.

Johnson, who is in his fourth year with the Hilltops, said it is fun to be able to block for Collins, Sawi and Ebben.

Nate Gallant had two interceptions for the Hilltops.

“It is nice having those three guys,” said Johnson. “They each have their own style, and they each can make big plays.

“As long as we stay or just catch someone and make sure that we’re getting a body on someone, they will make a big play out of it.”

Before the second quarter ended, Rifles kicker Gabriel Yaipen hit a 30-yard field goal to shave the Hilltops lead to 29-12.

The Hilltops started the third quarter rolling off 21 unanswered points to push their advantage out to 50-12. Sawi ripped off an 80-yard rushing touchdown on another reverse, Collins ran home a score from 55 yards out, and Ebben added a nine-yard rushing touchdown.

Winnipeg replied with Element connecting with Penner on a 30-yard touchdown pass. After a failed two-point conversion, the Hilltops lead sat at 50-18.

Brexton Elias jets to the end zone on a 16-yard TD run.

Right before the third quarter came to an end, Sander hit fifth-year receiver David Boyd Jr. with a 29-yard touchdown pass to push the Hilltops advantage out to 57-18.

In the fourth quarter, Hilltops kicker Ryden Gratton hit a 35-yard field goal to make his team’s lead sit at 60-18.

Banfield ran home a major from two yards out for the Rifles. After another failed two-point conversion attempt, Saskatoon’s lead sat at 60-24. The Hilltops would concede a safety late in the fourth quarter to round out the 60-26 final score in their favour.

When the game ended, Johnson admitted the Hilltops offensive line does take pride in helping the squad put up a big rushing yardage total.

The Hilltop Cheerleaders perform at halftime on Sunday.

“It is always exciting,” said Johnson. “It shows that everybody is working hard, (and) everybody is coming together.

“We’re making good blocks. The running backs, they’re always doing their job. They are making good runs.

“It is good to see.”

The Rifles did put up some good offensive numbers in defeat. Element completed 24-of-45 passes for 338 yards and one touchdown, while throwing two interceptions. He also had one carry for 12 yards.

Hilltops RT Victoire Bikulo blocks out a Rifles defensive lineman.

Penner caught eight passes for 119 yards to go with his major through the air. Receiver Cole Davies hauled in seven passes for 116 yards including a monster 79-yard reception that set up Winnipeg’s first major.

Banfield ran the ball 24 times for 123 yards to go with his two majors along the ground. He also hauled in one pass for three yards.

Hilltops second-year safety Nate Gallant led his squad with 6.5 total tackles and two interceptions. He almost had a third interception on Sunday too. Defensive end Noah Chelsom had a forced fumble and a fumble recovery for Saskatoon.

The Hilltops were without the services of fifth-year defensive tackle Nahom Menghestab and receiver/safety Isaiah Vallderruten due to injury.

Jarome Penner caught eight passes for 119 yards and one TD.

Middle linebacker Derek Gumieny recorded 6.5 total tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery for the Rifles. Outside linebacker Kyler Banfield and defensive back Gage Richey each had 6.5 total tackles for Winnipeg. Defensive end Brock Beauchemin had one quarterback sack for the visitors.

“For three quarters, that is as good as we played all year,” said Sargeant. “The coaches did a great job of defining and setting what the game plans need to be, and the players did a heck of a job executing it.

“For 45 minutes, I was very happy with who and what we are, and then hey, our young guys got in and got to see that is a good football team there. You just have to look at the stats and see what they’ve accomplished this year. We need to be on point.

Charles Sawi (#18) rockets downfield on an 80-yard TD run.

“We got to jump to that early lead, and then boom, they came right back and hit us with a big shot up the middle. We learned a lot about ourselves. As a coach, I was very proud of the effort that I saw on this field today.”

Now, the Hilltops turn their attention towards the Thunder. The provincial rivals split their two head-to-head encounters in the regular season. Johnson expects the PFC final to be a physical contest and wasn’t surprised the Saskatoon versus Regina matchup materialized.

“That is what we expect when we come into the season,” said Johnson. “We know it is going to be them.

Griffin Sander completed 8-of-9 passes for 87 yards and one TD.

“They are a tough team. We’ve just got to be tougher, and it really comes down to the little things.”

NOTES – On Saturday, the Okanagan Sun downed visiting the Westshore Rebels 45-26 in the BCFC final at the Apple Bowl in Kelowna, B.C. The Sun improved to 12-0 overall, while the Rebels finished out an 8-4 overall.

Also on Saturday, the defending CJFL champion St. Clair Saints blanked the visiting London Beefeaters 54-0 in the OFC title game at Acumen Stadium in Windsor, Ont. The Saints improved to 10-0 overall, while the Beefeaters finished out at 7-3.

This coming Saturday, the Sun host the Saints in a CJFL national semifinal set for 1 p.m. local time at the Apple Bowl. The winner of that contest will travel to Saskatchewan to face the winner of the PFC final between the Hilltops and Thunder on November 9 in the CJFL championship game – the Canadian Bowl.

David Boyd Jr. (#82) celebrates a 29-yard TD reception.

The CJFL announced the PFC all-stars before Sunday’s game. That announcement 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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Noble finds home at centre of Hilltops O-line

Saskatoon aims to control PFC final with run

Matthew Noble (#54) locks up on a block for the Hilltops.

Matt Noble’s future starting life with the Saskatoon Hilltops came fast, and it included taking up a new position he quickly learned to love.

Last season, the Hilltops during practices started to look to see who would be their future starter at centre. Luciano Jolly was the team’s PFC all-star at centre, and he had a strong backup in Aidan Connoly. Both would exhaust their CJFL eligibility and graduate from the program at the conclusion of the 2022 campaign.

Knowing that there was going to be a big hole at centre with the departures of Jolly and Connoly, the Hilltops coaches were trying to find out if their starting centre for 2023 was already on the roster.

Noble has been a left guard playing for Saskatoon’s Bethlehem Catholic High School Stars. Before his high school days, Noble played guard on the offensive line and a little bit on the defensive line with Martensville Maddogs of the KFL.

When the Hilltops coaches approached Noble about giving the centre position a try, he took on that opportunity with some pretty good enthusiasm.

“They started to try to find guys, especially with knowing that Jolly was going to graduate and Aidan Connoly too our backup,” said Noble. “They had to start finding someone.

“Every night here we’d be spending the next 20 minutes after practice snapping maybe six or seven of us to try and find the next guy. I’m very lucky to get this opportunity. It is definitely really fun.

“I wish I would have started a lot sooner at centre.”

Noble improved quickly in his new position and was the Hilltops starting centre in his third season with the team when the 2023 campaign began. He was calling out the signals for a relatively new starting unit.

Erik Barsness is the oldest player on the Hilltops starting offensive line playing in his fourth year with the team starting for the first time at left guard. Davin Johnson, who is in his second year of eligibility, started part way through his rookie season at right tackle, and has started every game at left tackle in 2023.

Matthew Noble (#54) leads the O-line to the ball.

Cody Shumanski, who was with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team in the U Sports ranks in 2021, joined the Hilltops and became the starter at right tackle. 

Victoire Bikulo, who is in his third year with the Hilltops, started five games at right tackle last season. 

He was the starter at right guard this season until he was forced out of the lineup due to an injury to the lower part of his right leg in the team’s seventh regular season game.

Quinton Pike, who is in his second year with the Hilltops, has started at right guard since Bikulo got injured.

Together, the Hilltops offensive line helped the team lead the PFC in regular season scoring with 335 points and allowed fifth year star power running back Boston Davidsen to lead the PFC in rushing for a second straight campaign. Davidsen finished the eight game regular season with career highs in carries (170), rushing yards (1,184) and rushing touchdowns (nine).

“Boston (Davidsen) is a very awesome guy,” said Noble. “He is super humble.

“I remember when he reached his 1,000-yards this season ‘Sarge’ (legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant) talked him up. He had a huge accomplishment. I remember once ‘Sarge’ was done talking he came to the O-line corner, and he made sure he thanked every one of us.

“It was a very special moment, because he is very nice guy. We’re very proud of him, because he is a workhorse. He puts his head down and gets to work.”

The work of Noble and the offensive line has allowed the Hilltops to head into the PFC final with a 9-0 overall record. They host their provincial rivals the Regina Thunder (7-2) on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

Matthew Noble took up playing centre last year.

Noble doesn’t hide how he wants the Hilltops offence to take on the Thunder defence.

“The offence has to block,” said Noble, who stands 5-foot-11 and weighs 260 pounds. “We’re here to make plays.

“We’re here to be physical. I want to run the ball. The run game has done really well for us.

“I know Boston (Davidsen) is ready to go. He is excited for this. I know that is the guy you’re going to key on obviously, but yeah, we’re ready to just be physical and take it to them.”

Sargeant wants his Hilltops to showcase the run too, when they face the Thunder in the PFC final. The sideline boss is proud of how far the new starting offensive line has come in 2023, and how quickly Noble took to the centre position.

“He (Noble), number one, had big shoes to fill from Luciano Jolly,” said Sargeant. “He (Jolly) was an all-star centre for us.

“Matt (Noble) came in and had a great off-season, and it was so good that he earned the respect of the players and was named a captain, so we feel good about that. He (Noble) has been a very consistent player for us this year. He’s done his job.

“His stats have been consistent. He’s leading us in the run game. Any time you have a 1,000 yard rusher some things need to be going right.”

Sargeant said Noble is a well mannered and humble young man, who is committed to becoming the best he can be out on the football field. The long time head coach believes Noble will become an even better player as he plays through his next two seasons with the storied club.

“He’s a player we’ve embraced,” said Sargeant. “He is a third-year guy, so that gets the old coach excited knowing that he is only going to get bigger and better as we move forward.

“As a first year starter, he’s learning lots of lessons, and he is applying that. He’s making himself better through the process as well. As a coach, you really appreciate that.”

Matthew Noble (#54) is pictured with Maddogs alums.

Noble enjoyed playing with Jolly and Connoly along with the Hilltops other key offensive line veterans who also graduated following the 2022 campaign in Jordan Bisson, Jayson Kehler and Ethan Paslowski.

“It was awesome,” said Noble. “Last year, I got a little more time to spend with those guys.

“I started to develop those relationships. I still have them today. I spoke with Jolly last Sunday.

“They were awesome. I had a lot of fun. They instilled a lot of the traditions into us that we get to continue on with our guys now.”

Noble said the veteran who graduated following the 2022 campaign played a big role helping the younger O-linemen who would be returning to the team.

Still, the 20-year-old believes nerves caught up to him and the rest of the O-line when they played in the Hilltops Alumni Game in the pre-season and fell 32-1 to the Alumni Team on August 3 at Ron Atchison Field. 

Noble said Bikulo helped settle him down for the regular season opener against the Edmonton Wildcats, which the Hilltops romped to a 50-2 in back on August 13 at SMF Field.

“It was really nerve-racking, especially heading into the alumni game,” said Noble. “One thing Victoire (Bikulo) told me leading up to the (Edmonton) Wildcats game was you’re going to be really nervous all the way up until your first contact with the defence.

“Then, you will be good. It has held true all the way through. I’m very nervous before games, but then the moment you get that first snap and that first contact, everything is good.”

While Noble wants to do all he can to help the Hilltops post-season run continue in the present, he is pumped he will get to spend another two seasons with the team and wants to continue his improvement as a football player.

Matt Noble (#54) aims to line up at centre for his remaining CJFL days.

“It is exciting,” said Noble. “There is a lot of hope.

“Maybe I have a bad block in a game, but it is like I have two more years to figure this out and focus up. I’ve got film to watch for the next couple of years and just learn from my mistakes. A lot of the guys that we play against on Sundays we get to see them maybe two or three or four times over a year.

“You get to try and get better and just learn from your mistakes. It is exciting to have this opportunity now, because I’m so young and I get a couple of years of opportunity.”

Hilltops flood selections as PFC all-stars

Boston Davidsen was named a PFC all-star.

With having posted an 8-0 record in the CJFL’s regular season to finish first in the Prairie Football Conference, the Saskatoon Hilltops were able to come away with 11 selections on the PFC all-star team.

When the PFC all-stars were announced on Thursday, power running back Boston Davidsen and quarterback Trey Reider highlighted the Hilltops all-star selections on offence. Davidsen led the PFC in carries (170), rushing yards (1,184) and rushing touchdowns (nine) during the regular season.

Reider shared the quarterback selection with Liam Oczkowski of the Calgary Colts. In eight regular season games with the Hilltops, Reider completed 108-of-167 passes for 1,571 yards and 16 touchdowns, while throwing five interceptions. Reider’s quarterback rating of 114.6 topped the PFC.

Receiver Drake Douglas and right tackle Cody Shumanski rounded up the Hilltops all-star selections on offence.

Middle linebacker Matt Wist captured two all-star selections being named an all-star at linebacker and at punter. Wist recorded 22 solo defensive tackles, 17 defensive tackle assists, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and two pass knockdowns.

In the punting department, Wist punted the ball 47 times for a gross average of 37.7 yards per kick, a net average of 32.2 yards per kick and three singles. Wist led the PFC in gross average, net average and punt singles.

Defensive end Riece Kack made the all-star team having topped the PFC with 7.5 quarterback sacks. Kack also recorded 11 defensive solo tackles, seven defensive tackle assists, four special teams solo tackles, two special teams tackle assists, two fumble recoveries and one pass knockdown.

Rounding out the Hilltops PFC all-stars on defence are defensive tackle Johnathon Stevens, outside linebacker Noah Gedir, and safety Dalton Urban.

Teijon Abel-Douglas was named a PFC all-star at kicker. He was good on 23-of-27 field goal attempts for an 85.2 per cent success rate. Abel-Douglas led the PFC in scoring with 104 points coming off 23 field goals, 31 converts and four singles.

Hilltops receiver Datiel Fountaine was named to the PFC’s all-rookie team on Thursday.

The Hilltops will host their provincial rivals the Regina Thunder in PFC final on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Thunder had six players named PFC all-stars.

Running back Ryland Leichert highlighted the offensive all-stars for the Thunder. Leichert carried the ball 152 times for 1,017 yards and eight touchdowns.

The other PFC all-stars on offence from the Thunder included receiver Isaiah Woodley, centre Riley Schick and left tackle Nicholas Makowsky.

The Thunder had two PFC all-stars on defence in linebacker Stephen Smith and defensive end Payton O’Connor. Smith led the PFC with 127 defensive points coming off 43 solo defensive tackles, 30 defensive tackle assists, one special teams tackle, one quarterback sack, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick.

Thunder running back Peter Boersch was named to the PFC’s all-rookie team on Thursday.

Saskatoon dominates PFC player of the week nods

Charles Sawi (#18) was named a PFC offensive player of the week.

An impressive PFC semifinal victory allowed multiple Saskatoon Hilltops to capture PFC player of the week honours.

Last Sunday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Hilltops crushed the Calgary Colts 53-2 in a PFC semifinal contest. Many members of the Hilltops had outstanding performances in that contest.

In the PFC player of the week announcements that came out on Tuesday, Hilltops running backs Boston Davidsen and Charles Sawi shared the offensive player of the week honour. Davidsen ran the ball 23 times for 132 yards and two touchdowns in the romp over the Colts. 

Sawi carried the ball 12 times for 127 yards and one touchdown in the win over Calgary. He also returned one missed field goal for 31 yards and one punt for five yards.

Hilltops middle linebacker Matt Wist shared PFC defensive player of the week honours with Edmonton Huskies linebacker Tristan Price. Wist recorded four defensive solo tackles, six defensive tackle assists, one special teams tackle, an interception and a pass knockdown in the victory over the Colts.

Price had a strong outing as his Huskies fell in the other PFC semifinal 20-17 against the Thunder in Regina at Leibel Field last Sunday. Price recorded six solo defensive tackles, five defensive tackle assists, one special teams tackle assist and one interception in his club’s season ending loss.

Hilltops kicker Teijon Abel-Douglas was named the PFC’s special teams player of the week. In the Hilltops triumph over the Colts, Abel-Douglas made 3-of-4 field goal attempts with a long from 46 yards. He recorded a point on his missed field goal and made all six of his conversion attempts.

Abel-Douglas kicked off seven times for 326 yards averaging 46.6 yards per kick. He punted twice for 59 yards for an average of 29.5 yards per kick and recorded a rouge.

Super Saturday for CJFL playoffs

Te Jessie in a CJFL promo graphic.

It will be a super Saturday in the CJFL’s post-season with three games taking place.

In the British Columbia Football Conference, the Westshore Rebels (10-0) host the Langley Rams (5-4) in a conference semifinal game at 4 p.m. local time at Starlight Stadium in Langford, which is a suburb of Victoria, B.C. Rebels quarterback Te Jessie had an outstanding season completing 150-of-212 passes for 2,453 yards and 41 touchdowns, while throwing seven interceptions.

Jessie had a quarterback rating of 135.1, and his 41 touchdown passes are a new record for CJFL regular season play. A graduate of the St. Paul’s High School Crusaders Football Team in Winnipeg, Man., Jessie topped the CJFL’s annual Top 50 players to watch list heading into the 2023 campaign.

The other BCFC semifinal will see the Okanagan Sun (8-1) host the Valley Huskers (7-3) at the Apple Bowl in Kelowna, B.C., at 2 p.m. local time.

The Ontario Football Conference final will feature the host St. Clair Saints (9-0) taking on the London Beefeaters (7-2) at 7 p.m. local time at Acumen Stadium in Windsor, Ont. The winner advances to play in a CJFL semifinal against the winner of the PFC final at the PFC champion’s home field on Sunday, October 29.

The PFC final will be played on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field between the host Saskatoon Hilltops (9-0) and their provincial rivals the Regina Thunder (7-2).

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

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Sophomore Johnson becomes cornerstone of Hilltops O-line

Left tackle works like he still needs to earn spot

Davin Johnson (#71) sets up a block for an outside run play.

The Saskatoon Hilltops blindside protector on the offensive line doesn’t believe he has done enough to earn any extra attention.

When Davin Johnson was approached about doing an interview for a feature story on himself, he gave the “who me” look.

The 19-year-old Hilltops sophomore then said he hadn’t done anything special. The words downplayed the fact he became a starter at right tackle last season in the team’s sixth game. Playing alongside four other starters in their respective final campaigns of CJFL eligibility, Johnson held the right tackle starting spot for the rest of the season and won the Hilltops team award for rookie of the year.

This season, Johnson is the starter at left tackle on a Hilltops offensive line that had to be revamped due to graduations that occurred at the end of the 2022 campaign. Along with Johnson, right guard Victoire Bikulo is the only other current player that had previous experience starting experience with the Hilltops offensive line entering 2023.

The work of Johnson, Bikulo, left guard Erik Barsness, centre Matt Noble and right tackle Cody Shumanski have allowed the Hilltops to get out to a 3-0 start. With all the teams in the CJFL’s Prairie Football Conference having a bye this weekend, the Hilltops get back at it on Saturday, September 9 when they travel to Regina to face the 3-0 Thunder (7 p.m., Mosaic Stadium) in a heavyweight tilt.

Johnson said one of the things he likes most about playing offensive line is it seems the guys in that position always seem to form their own brotherhood. He believes that has helped the Hilltops offensive line in the early part of the campaign.

“We’re so close, because we need to be so close to have a perfect play,” said Johnson. “We’re very close with all of our guys, and it is great to be close with everybody.”

Still, the graduate of Walter Murray Collegiate Marauders football still gets surprised when any individual accolades or attention comes his way. Being named the rookie of the year for the Hilltops last season was something Johnson was not expecting.

Davin Johnson, right, has started at left tackle this season.

“I was a bit surprised, because (running back) Charles (Sawi) was the rookie of the year for the CJFL,” said Johnson, who stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 275 pounds. “I didn’t expect it.

“I thought Charles might have got it. I guess ‘Sarge’ liked what he saw. I guess that I improved.

“I was just surprised.”

Johnson grew up playing hockey for most of his years in his youth growing up. From those hockey roots, he is still closely follows the exploits of the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades.

He took up football playing in Saskatoon Minor Football’s North Sask Academy in Grade 8 after being encouraged to try the sport by one of his junior high teachers in Dan Houle, who is a running backs coach with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football team in the U Sports ranks.

At Walter Murray Collegiate, Johnson learned more about playing his position from Marauders offensive line coach Jack Sloboda. Sloboda was the starting right guard on the Hilltops 2016 CJFL championship team and starting left guard on their 2017 CJFL title winner.

During his high school years, Johnson also caught the attention of legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant, who is also the principal at Walter Murray.

“He (Sargeant) had a bit of an early read,” said Johnson. “I remember he pulled me out of a class to come talk to me about football.

“My O-line coach (Sloboda) was also a Hilltop. He really recommended to come to this program with how well all the coaching is. That is what led me here.”

As an 18-year-old rookie last season, Johnson said it was an eye-opener, when he first started to train with the Hilltops. He remembers that he got pushed around quite a bit early in training camp in 2022.

Davin Johnson claimed the Hilltops team rookie of the year award in 2022.

With that experience, Johnson got acclimatized to the CJFL game quickly. He made his first start with the Hilltops in a 35-17 win over the Colts in Calgary on September 25, 2022.

“I was just a little bit more confident with myself,” said Johnson. “It was still not to what I needed to be, but I just got a little bit more confident and just kind of got thrown in that Calgary game.

“I played good enough where ‘Sarge’ didn’t notice me, and then he had confidence in me from then on.”

Johnson said the starting players on the offensive line who were in their final campaigns of CJFL eligibility in 2022 in centre Luciano Jolly, left tackle Jayson Kehler, left guard Jordan Bisson and right guard Ethan Paslowski were huge in helping him out.

“All the fifth years were amazing, because they would coach me up,” said Johnson. “It was like we had five or six different coaches on the field.

“They’d always have their little tips that they would give to help you get better.”

With the graduations of Jolly, Kehler, Bisson and Paslowski, Johnson said things were challenging on the Hilltops offensive line heading into the 2023 campaign.

“The winter practices were a little rough,” said Johnson. “We had guys getting through.

Davin Johnson (#71) and a revamped O-line helped get the Hilltops to 3-0.

“Even into camp, we had guys getting through. We had linebackers that we didn’t pick up. We’ve gotten better.

“As we’ve started to come together we are definitely looking pretty good now. We were a little worried at the start.”

Johnson welcomed being moved from right tackle to left tackle heading into the 2023 season. He played left tackle all through his North Sask Academy and high school days, so he has a lot of comfort taking up that spot on the offensive line.

On top of being comfortable at left tackle, Johnson has found that the Hilltops have done a little better job of focusing in on the present this year compared to last year. He believes that his likely due to the fact a little more time has passed since the Hilltops last won the CJFL title back in 2019 on top of the fact the team is more youthful than it has been in the past.

“This year we are definitely more focused on getting better every day knowing that we have to work harder to try and get to that national championship spot,” said Johnson. “Last year, we kind of had the idea that we were already going to be there.

“In our winter practices, ‘Sarge’ would say he thought of us as like we could be a national championship team. Whereas this year it was you guys aren’t good enough. We are going to work harder and maybe we can get to that national championship.

“It is just more focusing on the everyday trying to get better and just see how far we can go with it.”

Looking forward to the rest of the 2023 campaign, Johnson has more modest outlooks.

Davin Johnson and the Hilltops are truly focused on the present.

“I hope that we become one of the best blocking O-lines in the league,” said Johnson. “I hope we can all work together really well and have fun.”

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Bikulo finds home on Hilltops offensive line

Second year player becomes starter moving from D-line

Victoire Bikulo sets up in a pass block for the Hilltops.

Victoire Bikulo believed in the faith the Saskatoon Hilltops coaches placed in him.

As a result, the 18-year-old has earned a starting role at right tackle on the offensive line in just his second season with the team. When he joined the Hilltops at the start of last season, Bikulo was a defensive lineman.

He cracked on to the team earning a spot on the practice roster. At a Hilltops practice session during his first campaign with the team, head coach Tom Sargeant, who holds the all-time career wins record for Canada’s amateur post-secondary football ranks, pitched the idea to Bikulo of having the young player switch from the defensive line to the offensive line.

“Initially, it was ‘Sarge’ that approached me about the idea,” said Bikulo, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 325 pounds. “He just called me from the D-line warm up to the centre of the field and threw the idea my way.

“I was more than happy to just give it a try. I wasn’t opposed to it, because it was an opportunity. He saw something in me obviously that I hadn’t seen.

“If I had passed up that opportunity that he gave me, it probably wouldn’t have worked out as best as it has today. He believed in me. I took his belief, and I showed him that he was right.”

Bikulo rapidly improved to the point he earned the starting nod in the Hilltops three regular season games to date this season as they’ve posted a 2-1 record. When you take into account Bikulo first started playing football in his Grade 9 year at Saskatoon’s St. Joseph High School, he believes it is a big accomplishment to become a starter on the Hilltops offensive line at the beginning of his second season with the powerhouse CJFL team.

Victoire Bikulo (#59) runs onto the field with the Hilltops.

“It was very cool,” said Bikulo. “It was awesome, because I saw the progress that I did make.

“Obviously, I had to work very hard. I came from the bottom of the depth chart on O-line to now being a starter. It wasn’t the easiest job ever, but I worked my butt off.

“I had a lot to prove, a chip on my shoulder, so I’m happy with having to earn the starting spot and the way I did it.”

Sargeant said the team’s coaching staff came up with the idea of moving Bikulo from the defensive line to the offensive line due to him having athletic abilities that fit the position and his smarts.

“Number one, you look at his frame,” said Sargeant. “He’s got a great frame and real good feet.

“He just seemed to have the mindset of an offensive lineman. He is a cerebral player. He is smart and has good understanding.

“It is like, ‘Hey, we can put something together here.’”

Sargeant said Bikulo really excelled during the team’s winter workouts, and he had been penciled in as the Hilltops starter at right tackle for the last five months.

Victoire Bikulo locks on to a block on a running play.

“He has come a long, long way from the first time he walked in,” said Sargeant. “There was a lot of learning and a lot of understanding.

“The guys have really rallied around him. His performances you can see the ups and downs and the ebbs and flows of a new starting right tackle. We’re in it with him.

“He has got a long ways to go. At the end of the day, he’s got a chance to be an outstanding football player here. We’re excited to be around him.”

Bikulo credits the coaches he has had throughout his football career for getting him to where he is today. He started with the coaches he had when he was a member of the St. Joseph High School Guardians football program for teaching him the game and giving him a foundation in the sport.

With the Hilltops, Bikulo said the coaches had belief that he could do well in a position he had never played before. He credited Hilltops offensive line coach Donnie Davidsen for helping him make the strides he has on the offensive line.

“Donnie helps a lot,” said Bikulo. “To this day, he still helps me a lot on the sidelines and during games.

“He is still helping a lot even right before the snap. There are still certain cues that he is still willing to remind me to not forget. Later on in the game we all get tired and we forget our fundamentals, he is always ready to remind you of that.

“He helps us stay calm and collected on the sidelines. He had a huge part in my transition from D-line to O-line.”

Victoire Bikulo, left, works with a teammate in pass blocking.

Bikulo said he is pleased with how the season has gone so far for the most part. He wasn’t satisfied with the fact his Hilltops dropped their last outing this past Sunday 19-16 to the Rifles in Winnipeg.

The young lineman is expecting a big bounce back effort in the team’s next outing on Saturday, September 10, when the Hilltops host their provincial rivals the Regina Thunder (3-0) at 7 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

“Honestly, I feel it (the season) has gone pretty good,” said Bikulo, who will be 18-years-old this entire season due to having a late December birthday. “I kind of have a sour taste in my mouth from that loss that we took.

“We could have done a lot better as a team. We’ll move on, and once Regina (Thunder) comes around, we’ll perform.”

Despite the bump in the road against the Rifles, Bikulo is optimistic the Hilltops can have a special season in 2022.

“For the team, I think we can have a very great season,” said Bikulo. “We have a very good team.

“If we all stay consistent, do our job and just trust one another on the field, we’ll be a great team. We’ll take this thing all the way to the end for sure. As far as myself goes, I’m just here to learn.

Victoire Bikulo believes the Hilltops can hit big heights in 2022.

“I’m always learning and happy to play football. I’ll keep learning and getting better every day.”

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“Sarge” says Hilltops play on field not up to standard

Head coach wants more consistency from team

Tom Sargeant didn’t like what he saw on video from the Hilltops last game.

Tom Sargeant wants to see the Saskatoon Hilltops look like the Saskatoon Hilltops when he watches game film.

When the team’s long time legendary head coach checks out the video of his club’s 19-16 CJFL regular season loss this past Sunday to the Rifles in Winnipeg, he was dismayed. Sargeant wondered if the visiting team he was watching on video was really the squad he was coaches.

“When you watch the film, at times I didn’t recognize what this football team was,” said Sargeant. “Even though it was a 19-16 game, I wasn’t happy with our offence.

“I wasn’t happy with our defence and special teams at times. We’re just inconsistent. We’re not playing with the urgency, the intensity that needs to happen consistently for you to try and be at a great level.”

The Hilltops dropped to 2-1 with the loss to the Rifles, while the Winnipeg side improved to 1-2. In the contest itself, the Hilltops turned the ball over four times, while the Rifles gave up the ball three times.

Winnipeg outgained Saskatoon in net offensive yards 383 to 345. Those little differences ultimately helped the Rifles exit the contest with a three-point win.

“At the end of the day, you just see on the film and you learn from what you made your mistakes on,” said Sargeant. “Obviously, what you see is what you coach.

“We have to coach better. They have to play better. The performance is unacceptable for a Hilltops standard, and it doesn’t get more clearer than that.”

Bryson McNeil (#9) threw for 295 yards last Sunday.

Offensively, Rifles star quarterback Bryson McNeil had a big game completing 26-of-40 passes for 295 yards, while throwing one interception. Hilltops star power running back Boston Davidsen had the big outing offensively for his side carrying the ball 27 times for 168 yards and one touchdown.

Still, the Hilltops found themselves having a number of stops and starts in that contest.

“We have a long ways to go to get this team playing at a level that I thought we’d be at by now, but we’re not,” said Sargeant. “I own that.

“I want to get this right.”

Hilltops right tackle Victoire Bikulo, who earned a starting role this season in his second campaign with the team, said the bus ride home from Winnipeg was the most quiet bus ride he’d ever been on. Bikulo said he wasn’t happy with how he played in that contest.

After the Hilltops arrived back home to Saskatoon, Bikulo began watching film at 4 a.m. on Monday to do his part in self-examining what he did wrong.

With entire Prairie Football Conference the Hilltops play out of on a bye week, they will return to action on Saturday, September 10, when they host their provincial rivals the 3-0 Regina Thunder at 7 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Bikulo said everyone with the Hilltops will be more dialed in during practices as that contest approaches.

“Going into the next game, it is just practice hard and physical,” said Bikulo. “You have something to prove no matter whether you are a fifth year, a first year, you always have something to prove.

“There is always somebody that can take your spot. You just have to work hard, show up to practice, be ready to learn, be very attentive, stay focused and focus on your game and your craft. Everything else can come after practice.

“Once you hit the field, it is all about football, and there are no more distractions from there on out. It is just all seriousness and toughness the whole practice.”

Boston Davidsen, left, piled up 168 yards rushing last Sunday.

Due to the fact the Hilltops have won 22 CJFL titles in team history, Sargeant said opponents are always going to be extra motivated to play his squad. He said his team has to be ready to see a top effort from every opponent game in and game out.

“Anytime we show up, people are excited to play us,” said Sargeant. “We’re going to get their best.

“When you don’t bring your best, then you lose games. That is what took place. Now, we have no time to feel sorry for ourselves, because now we have to get ready for Regina Thunder.

“The tape they’re putting out I’m jealous of. That is good tape they are putting out, and we aren’t putting out that same tape.”

Johnson captures second PFC player of the week nod

Konner Johnson was named the PFC defensive player of the week.

Saskatoon Hilltops starting outside linebacker Konner Johnson took a PFC player of the week honour for the second time this season.

On Wednesday, Johnson was named the PFC’s defensive player of the week for his effort this past Sunday, when the Hilltops dropped a 19-16 heartbreaker to the Rifles in Winnipeg. In that contest, Johnson piled up eight total tackles and returned an interception 11 yards.

Johnson, who is playing out his final season of CJFL eligibility, took home PFC defensive player of the week honours after Week 1 for his performance in helping the Hilltops down the visiting Rifles 19-10 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field on August 14.

In the Hilltops three games this season, Johnson has 15.5 total tackles, one sack, two interceptions and two pass knockdowns to sit second in the PFC in defensive points with 46 points.

Rifles kicker Donovan Downing was named the PFC’s special teams player of the week. In his team’s win over the Hilltops, Downing made all four of his field goal attempts including the game-winning kick from 10 yards out with 36 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

Downing made his one conversion attempt and kicked off once for 51 yards. He punted the eight times for 299 yards for an average of 37.4 yards per kick.

Regina Thunder star quarterback Carter Shewchuk was named the PFC’s offensive player of the week helping his squad thump the Huskies in Edmonton 43-14 this past Sunday. In that game, Shewchuk completed 26-of-33 passes for 367 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. He also ran the ball three times for 38 yards.

Roughriders alum Hughes coming to End Zone Dinner

A Neal Hughes card.

Saskatchewan Roughriders alum Neal Hughes will be the special guest speaker at this year’s Saskatoon Hilltops End Zone Dinner.

The End Zone Dinner will be held on Saturday, September 10 at the Gordie Howe Sports Centre building on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds. Doors open for the dinner at 4:15 p.m. with food to be served at 5:15 p.m. The funds raised at the dinner go towards the Hilltops scholarship fund.

Hughes, who is from Regina, played 11 CFL seasons at fullback for the Roughriders from 2004 to 2014 helping the team to Grey Cup wins in 2007 and 2013. The 2013 championship was won at the Roughriders historic home park in Taylor Field.

During his time with the Roughriders, Hughes mainly focused on blocking duties as a fullback or from a tight end position and covered kicks on special teams. He also showed his versatility in being able to make big plays running the football, catching it out of the backfield or punting it when required.

Before joining the Roughriders, Hughes played six seasons with the Regina Rams as their star running back. He suited up for the Rams as a rookie in 1998, when they played their final season in the CJFL capturing their 15^th and final CJFL championship.

Hughes suited up with the Rams during their first five seasons in the U Sports ranks as the University of Regina Rams helping them advance to the U Sports championship game – the Vanier Cup – in 2000. The Rams fell 42-39 in that contest to the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees.

Following the End Zone Dinner, the Hilltops will face their provincial rivals in the Regina Thunder at 7 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, which is right next to the Gordie Howe Sports Centre on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds.

Single tickets for the dinner are $100 or a table of eight can be bought for $725.

Tickets can be purchased online by clicking on a link 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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