Ten Hilltops on all-star list as Edmonton visits for PFC championship tilt
The Saskatoon Hilltops have once again fielded a star-studded lineup heading into the Prairie Football Conference final.
The Toppers had 10 players selected as PFC all-stars this week. Among them are seven first-time picks.
“It just tells you sort of the talent level where you’re at,” said Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant, whose team plays host to the Edmonton Huskies in the 2019 PFC championship final Sunday (1 p.m.) at SMF Field after knocking off the Edmonton Wildcats last week.
“I felt we should have had maybe a few more players in that group, but, ultimately, sometimes Saskatoon Hilltops don’t get a lot of love in these type of endeavours.
“But we’re not worried about that. I’m happy for them, but we’ve moved on from that and now we’re trying to figure out who our 12 best are on offence, defence and special teams.”
Offensively, lineman Ryder Klisowsky, running back Ben Abrook (PFC rushing leader with 199 carries for 1,215 yards and eight touchdowns), placekicker Rylan Kleiter and receivers Connor Graham (28 receptions for 599 yards, six TDS) and Keegan Dicks (31 receptions for 494 yards, four TDS) are PFC all-stars for the very first time.
“It’s pretty exciting, but I give all my credit to my snapper and my holder,” said fourth-year Hilltop Kleiter, who nailed 18 of 22 fieldgoal. “Just that consistency and our timing is what does it. I like the way we are playing. We’re starting to practise harder and we’re going to be ready to go Sunday.”
Linebacker Jaydn Pingue (29 tackles, seven assisted tackles, one pass knock-down, one fumble recovery, one interception) and defensive back Brant Morrow (15 tackles, five assisted tackles, two knock-downs, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, three interceptions, one TD) received their first all-star nods on the defensive side of the ball for the Hilltops.
Mason Ochs is a third-time PFC all-star selection on the offensive line, unanimously. Defensive back Colton Holmes (12 tackles, five assisted tackles, two knock-downs, one fumble recovery, one interception in only four games this season) is another selection.
Holmes and defensive lineman Jesse Mcnabb (26 tackles, three sacks) are PFC all-stars for the second consecutive season.
The Hilltops play their final home game of the season on Sunday. The Canadian Junior Football League semifinal and Canadian Bowl final will be played in Ontario and British Columbia, respectively.
“We earned that right to be here (PFC host),” said Sargeant. “So we’re happy about that. There’s some heavy lifting ahead of us. Edmonton Huskies are good. They’re big, they’re physical and they’re putting out good game tape and they have a lot of all-stars too.”
The Huskies garnered five selections, three of them coming on defence.
Edmonton’s PFC all-stars include offensive lineman Joel Cardinal, running back Brandt Burzuk (129 carries for 824 yards, six TDS), linebacker Brett Van der Korput (29 tackles, three assists, three sacks, one forced fumble, one interception), defensive backs Justin Hodinsky (27 tackles, two assists, three knock-downs, three picks) and Cheyvez Campbell (13 tackles, four assisted tackles, three knockdowns, three fumble recoveries, six interceptions).