Latest news with #PrairieFootballConference
Global News
2 days ago
- Sport
- Global News
Conference final loss still cuts deep for Saskatoon Hilltops entering 2025 season
Visions of watching the Regina Thunder celebrate a Prairie Football Conference title on his home turf of SMF Field still haunt Saskatoon Hilltops veteran defensive lineman Johnathon Stevens. Fast forward 10 months later after that devastating loss, it's a feeling that's motivating the two-time conference all-star heading into the 2025 season. 'To an extent it's good to have that taste in your mouth just to remember how it felt,' said Stevens. 'It's just figuring out what we did wrong and also expanding on the things that we did right.' The Hilltops are ready to kick off their 2025 Canadian Junior Football League season on Sunday, hitting the road to battle the Winnipeg Rifles. Saskatoon's defence will be led by Stevens once again, entering a brand new season as a key member of the Hilltops defensive line and being named a second-team All-Canadian at his position. Story continues below advertisement That dominance last season caught the attention of the CFL's Saskatchewan Roughriders, who invited Stevens and Hilltops teammate Dalton Urban to the team's rookie and main training camps in May. That stint at Griffiths Stadium on the University of Saskatchewan campus included several memorable moments, including a one-on-one matchup with Grey Cup champion and four-time CFL all-star Micah Johnson which became the focal point of practice. 'He's strong,' said Stevens. 'He's strong and he knows some tips there. I know for a fact when we went against each other he was probably licking his lips like, 'Oh I know I'm going to beat him.' Ultimately he did, but I still got something out of it even though I lost.' Stevens was able to parlay that experience towards joining the Roughriders' practice squad, competing on the field nearly every day at Mosaic Stadium over the past two months. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy It's an experience he said was a highlight of his football career, with lessons he's aiming to share with his teammates back on the Hilltops. 'I was blessed to have that opportunity,' said Stevens. 'It's only right that I try to at least share that with lots of my teammates, if I ever can.' Tom Sargeant has watched the Eatonia product develop into one of the top defensive linemen in western Canada, a fact which the Roughriders have also identified in their conversations with the Hilltops head coach. Story continues below advertisement 'Talking to the brass down in 'Riderville' he took full advantage of it,' said Sargeant. 'He's a great kid, a character guy, he shows up every day and just works hard. He's brought the same mentality back here. He's working hard, he's a playmaker and he just makes us better. He's educating and working with some of the younger players, providing that valuable experience.' While Stevens will help provide a veteran presence on the Saskatoon defence this season, it will be a much younger Hilltops team taking the field compared to their 2024 roster with nine graduates leaving the program. 2:05 Regina Thunder upset undefeated Saskatoon Hilltops to win 2024 PFC championship The most notable of which being Hilltops quarterback and PFC most valuable player Trey Reider, who threw for 1,685 yards and 17 touchdowns in eight regular season games and won a national championship with the organization in 2023. Reider's departure from the team has opened the door for backup quarterback Brexton Elias to take over behind centre after four seasons waiting for his opportunity to earn a starter's role. Story continues below advertisement 'We're excited for his opportunity because he's been very patient,' said Sargeant. 'He's waited and he's deserving of this chance, so now he's got to take advantage of it. In the blue and gold we're measured by wins and losses, it ain't more simple than that.' Game-planning for a new quarterback leading the offence, Sargeant added the coaching staff has developed new play calls for Elias which allow him to use his legs and put defences on their heels. 'He can run it at any time,' said Sargeant. 'We've given the green light that we're going to run some option, we're just going to change it up and get him moving a little differently. Trey was more of a gunslinger, he'd rip that ball all over the place. 'Brexton is just [playing] a different style of game.' Suffering their first loss in almost two years last October to the Thunder in the PFC final, the Hilltops have seen their streak of 21 consecutive victories come to an end. Unable to stop the run against Regina in the championship game, that has been a key part of training camp for the 'Toppers' according to Sargeant. 'I want to have the most physical team that blocks the best and tackles the best,' said Sargeant. 'If we do those things, then we should be able to run the ball real well and we should be able to stop the run. So that's the whole focus this year.' Story continues below advertisement The Hilltops will have plenty of work ahead towards getting back on track and claiming a 24th national title, however the memories of that game are dictating the lessons learned in defeat for the Hilltops. They're lessons which Stevens said will be displayed starting in their Week 1 contest against the Rifles. 'It's just about growing,' said Stevens. 'It's all we can do coming into this next season. Hopefully looking forward to another good year, but hopefully and ultimately completing the mission.' The Hilltops will kick off their 2025 CJFL season at 1 p.m. on Sunday in Winnipeg, before returning to SMF Field for their home opener on Aug. 17 against the Edmonton Huskies.
Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Element striving to play starring role with Rifles
St. Vital Winnipeg Riley Element was looking for a football team, and head coach Geordie Wilson needed a quarterback. The two hope to solve each other's problems while leading the Winnipeg Rifles to the Canadian Junior Football League's Prairie Football Conference playoffs. Element is a 21-year-old, six-foot-four-inch quarterback who spent the past three seasons with the Vanier College Cheetahs of Quebec's CEGEP program. With his eligibility complete, he was searching for his next football home as he works towards his goal of playing in the Canadian Football League. Enter Wilson, who was in search of some stability at quarterback after a tumultuous 2024 campaign behind centre. Seeking to expand his recruiting area, Wilson began watching tape of signal callers from La Belle Province. He quickly narrowed his shopping list down to Element and booked a flight out east. Supplied photo by Matt Hamilton Quarterback Riley Element will make his home debut for the Winnipeg Rifles on Aug. 10 when the team hosts the Regina Thunder at Maple Grove Rugby Park. 'Coach Wilson contacted me, saying they were looking for a quarterback,' Element said. 'He went with me, and I was so grateful. I throw balls similar to the offence they run, so it was a perfect fit.' Element has worn pads since he was four years old. A football lifer and the son of a football lifer who often coached his son, Element threw his first pass when he was only seven. 'Football's been in our family forever,' he said. Wilson is trying to contain his excitement, but he's clearly excited about what Element brings to the table. 'He's looking quite comfortable,' Wilson said. 'He's doing a good job for us. I'm cautiously optimistic.' Wilson said Element is an athletic player, who can run if needed. A fast and accurate pocket passer with a live arm, Element makes good throwing decisions. 'To be a good quarterback, you also have to have that 'it' factor,' Wilson added. 'Riley has that kind of leadership. And he's very coachable. When he makes a mistake, he lets us know before we can tell him.' 'He's been everything we hoped.' Element moved to Winnipeg in April and feels right at home. He's made fast friends on the team, and like every good quarterback, gets along with his offensive line. Together they go out to eat and watch films. The Rifles will hit teams with multiple packages this season. Element said the system allows him to make proper reads and find an open receiver on every play. He said he has a talented crew to throw to. 'I have the utmost confidence in my football team,' Element said. 'I've been throwing to these receivers all summer.' He also has running back Kaiden Banfield. Despite being targeted by PFC defences every week, Banfield still ran for 946 yards in eight games. With defences now having to contend with the pass, Banfield could post even higher totals in 2025. 'Kaiden will get the ball in the air, too,' Element vowed. 'They won't know what to expect.' The PFC game is a little faster than CEGEP football, but Element said he's up to the challenge. Mondays A weekly look at news and events that matter in your communities. 'As a competitor and player, you want that,' Element said. 'You want to play with the best. The speed of the game is faster. I'm sure when we play great teams like Regina and Calgary, it will be the same.' 'Guys here want to make it professionally.' That includes Element. 'I told my dad I'm going to the CFL.' Element makes his home debut on Sunday, Aug. 10 at 1 p.m. when the Rifles host the Regina Thunder at Maple Grove Rugby Park (90 Frobisher Rd.). Tony ZeruchaEast Kildonan community correspondent Tony Zerucha is a community correspondent for East Kildonan. Email him at tzerucha@ Read full biography Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
