HILLTOPS FEEL RUSH
Defensive duo ready to make mark
Between these two book-ends, there’s a new story getting rave reviews. After closing the book on graduating interior defensive linemen Blake Adams and Matt Kozun, the Saskatoon Hilltops are looking to their two rush ends, Tom Schnitzler and Blake Hermann, to anchor the team’s line.
This Rushin’ Duo is loving every minute of it.
“We’re definitely having fun out there,” says Hermann, a 6-foot-1, 210-pound Holy Cross product.
“Last year, we almost took a back seat to Matt and Blake in the middle there. We’re kind of enjoying our increased role this year.”
Indeed, while the spotlight shone on the team’s interior ministry last season, the bright light now shines on the two ends.
“They’re two prime-time players in this league and, at the end of the day, there’s a whole bunch of ways to do it,” says Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant. “This year, we needed a bit more perimeter pressure and to have Blake Hermann and Tom Schnitzler within those roles, they’ve just been lights out and we’ll need to get more out of them.”
The Hilltops — reigning Canadian Bowl champions — will put their undefeated 2-0 Prairie Football Conference record to the test against the undefeated Calgary Colts in a first-place showdown Sunday afternoon. Game time is 1 p.m. at SMF Field. “Hey, we’re going to need that more than ever against Calgary,” adds Sargeant. “He (Bailey Wasdal) is a young quarterback and he’s going to run the ball early and we want to put him in spots to make a fake throw and we’re just going to take their parachutes off and let Tommy and Blake rip and roar and they’re going to have to get after that quarterback on a consistent basis.”
Hermann certainly roared this past weekend against the Edmonton Huskies, racking up three quarterback sacks and six defensive tackles.
Schnitzler added three tackles, two pass knock-downs and a touchdown on a one-yard passing play from Jared Andreychuk.
“It’s something we’ve talked about all year,” Sargeant said. “We always like to reward guys who have been here a while. Tommy’s a captain and we put him in a spot and he made a great play. It wasn’t an easy play. It was great to see an oil’ rush end show great hands and finish a play that led to a touchdown. It was exciting for all of us to see him do that.”
THREE TDS FOR SCHNITZLER
Schnitzler now has three career TDs for the Hilltops, but this was his first major on the offensive side of the ball. Three TDs are more than most players have on offence.
“Last year I got a scoop-and-score and, the year before, I got a pick-six,” the 6-foot-4, 215-pound Bishop James Mahoney grad says proudly.
Schnitzler, whose cousin Cameron plays linebacker, is just as proud and honoured to be a Hilltops captain this season.
“There’s so much tradition and to be one of the leaders is absolutely awesome,” he says.
“We did lose a lot of leaders and older guys but I think we’re coming together. Some of the guys are stepping up.”
He and Hermann are helping to lead the way.
“We’re both two of the better ends in the league this year and we’ve got to lead the line and our defence, as a whole, and we’ve got to be big for our team this year,” says Schnitzler.
CLOWNING AROUND
When he’s not knocking down passes or quarterbacks, Schnitzler is known for keeping things light in the dressing room.
“He’s definitely kind of the team class clown sort of thing, always joking around and having fun,” says Hermann. “Me and him have been on the team together since our rookie year so lots of laughs with him for sure.”
As always, the last laugh is reserved for the coach who takes winning and losing seriously.
“Tommy’s a lot of things but we love how he plays and what he does,” he says of Schnitzler. “He’s a respected leader and fourth-year guy who has done a lot for this program. Anything that he does, we’re excited for his accomplishments.”