TIME TO DEFEND TITLE
The ring’s the thing for the Saskatoon Hilltops, who loaded up one hand over the last five years and are working on a second. The Hilltops — winners of five straight Canadian junior titles — are headed to Winnipeg for Sunday’s 1 p.m. Prairie Football Conference (PFC) season opener. They’re pushing hard for No. 6, naturally, and here are some things to know as the season kicks off, writes Perpetual champs
The Hilltops wrapped up a dominant campaign this past November by thrashing the Langley Rams 58-21 in the Canadian Bowl. That victory gave them 21 national championships overall and eight of the last nine.
They grabbed No. 5 by going a perfect 11-0 through the regular season and playoffs, while outscoring opponents 546-105.
“I can’t remember this type of dominant season in a long, long time,” Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant said after the title match.
Quirky schedule
The Hilltops open their 2019
PFC schedule on the road against the Winnipeg Rifles. Their second game? On the road, against the Regina Thunder. And their third game? Also on the road, against the Edmonton Huskies.
The Hilltops won’t play a home contest until Sept. 7, when they host Regina at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Because of the road-heavy opening half, they’ll play four of their last five games at home, wrapping things up when they host the Edmonton Wildcats on Oct. 13.
New man behind centre
Tyler Hermann is the Hilltops’ new starting quarterback, but he is by no means a fresh face.
This is his fifth campaign with the team.
He moves in for previous starter Jordan Walls, who graduated out of the program. Last season, Hermann completed 19 of 26 passes for 264 yards, five touchdowns and one interception.
One area of interest this season is on the Hilltops’ defensive front seven, where they graduated five of seven starters, including all three linebackers: Cody Peters, Adam Benkic and Bobby Ehman.
Back from the Riders
Defensive back Colton Holmes, who went to training camp with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, stuck around on their practice roster until it was time to open camp with the Hilltops.
He returns to a veteran backfield that should be bolstered by his own experience with the pros.
Elsewhere
In this weekend’s other season-opening games, the Edmonton Huskies host the Calgary Colts and the Edmonton Thunder play the visiting Regina Thunder.
The Hilltops will follow Sunday’s match in Winnipeg with a game next Sunday at 3 p.m. against the Thunder in Regina.