Latest news with #SaskatoonHilltops
CTV News
a day ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Saskatoon Hilltops suffer rare season opening loss in Winnipeg
WATCH: The Saskatoon Hilltops face Winnipeg on Sunday, bringing Roughriders experience to the field. The Saskatoon Hilltops rarely find themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard. But on Sunday, the Toppers dropped their season opener 31 - 11 to the Winnipeg Rifles in the Manitoba capital. The Rifles controlled much of game, with quarterback Riley Element passing for 215 yards and three touchdowns, while the defence had two interceptions and a forced fumble. Jarome Penner and Jalen McDonald each had touchdown receptions, while Kaiden Banfield notched one major on the ground for Winnipeg. Meanwhile, the Hilltops struggled to find their footing on both sides of the ball, being held to only 170 yards net offence, while committing 127 yards in penalties. The Rifles struck early and often, controlling the clock and field position, and taking a 27-4 lead into the locker room at half time. The Hilltops were unable to muster a comeback in the second half, as their normally high-powered running game was held mostly in check, gaining 121 yards on the ground. Corbin Ebben ran for 43 yards while David Collins notched 61 in a spirited effort against a tough Winnipeg defence. Isaiah Valldererruten led the way receiving for Saskatoon, with two catches for 43 yards and a touchdown. Hayden McMahon saw the bulk of the action as quarterback for the Hilltops, throwing for 81 yards and one touchdown with one interception. It's the Hilltops first regular season loss since 2022, which was also the last season they lost to the Winnipeg Rifles. The last time the Hilltops lost their season opener was in 2014 when they fell to the Regina Thunder at Mosaic Stadium. Saskatoon will try and get things back on track this weekend when they return home to SMF Field on Sunday to face the Edmonton Huskies, a team also hoping to rebound. The Huskies dropped their opener 37-16 to the Regina Thunder on the weekend. Kickoff for the Hilltops home opener is 1:00PM on Sunday at SMF field.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Sport
- CTV News
‘One inch can make or break a play': Stevens bringing Roughriders experience to Saskatoon Hilltops
When the Saskatoon Hilltops take the field for their season opener against Winnipeg on Sunday, they will be bringing a little experience from the Saskatchewan Roughriders. 'It was amazing. It was a great experience,' said defensive lineman Johnathon Stevens, who spent time with the Roughriders in training camp, as well as logging minutes in a preseason game. 'They are very technical there. From the pros to here, it's never more apparent that one inch can make or break a play.' And Coach Tom Sargeant says time with the Green and White will elevate his presence on the field with the Hilltops. 'John is awesome. You know, as I said, such a great kid. He's had a great career, an all-Canadian. And for him to get that feather in his cap to go to Rider camp and perform as well as he did and then come back here,' Sargeant said. The 6′2″, 292-pound lineman says he is passing on what he learned with the Riders to his current teammates, embracing a leadership role on the field. Something Sargeant says will be important for the defensive unit this year. 'He is our leader, he's the defensive playmaker that we're going to rally around. That we are going to need to set the tone for this year.' Stevens anchors a defense that will see returning veterans Isaac Michayluk and Jayce Mowels, described by Sargeant as a shutdown corner. But fans will notice some changes on offense, including at quarterback. With the departure of Trey Reider, the job will now fall to one of three former backup quarterbacks: Brexton Elias, Charlie Molder, or Hayden McMahon, all of whom saw limited playing time last season. Typically, it's pretty well decided by Week One who will be the starter. But on Thursday, Sargeant wasn't confirming who would take the reins. 'They've all done the right things. They've had great off-seasons, and you know, we're sort of letting it all develop. Ultimately, we're looking for someone to kick the door down and say, 'Hey, this is my team.'' 'The Hilltops will see a changing of the guard on offense. With the departure of Trey Reider, that means backup quarterbacks Brexton Elias, Charlie Molder, and Hayden McMahon will have to step into the starting role. But head coach Tom Sargeant is keeping his cards close to the vest.' Regardless of who starts, motivation is higher than ever to try and get back to the conference title game after losing to the Regina Thunder last season. That game saw the Thunder put on an excellent defensive performance, shutting down the Hilltops' high-powered running and aerial attack. 'Coaches have talked about it. Players have talked about it. And we want a championship. And we're going to do anything we can to win that,' said quarterback Charlie Molder. The Hilltops will travel to Winnipeg to face the Rifles on Sunday, before returning for their home opener against the Edmonton Huskies on August 17.
CTV News
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Classic Sports Moments - We look back at 2002 with the Regina Thunder vs. the Saskatoon Hilltops
Watch Matt Young brings you a 2002 game featuring the first ever win for the Regina Thunder over the Saskatoon Hilltops at Gordie Howe Field.
