The Saskatoon Hilltops absolutely dominated the Edmonton Wildcats 50-2 in the Prairie Junior Football Conference (PJFC) game played at SMF Field on Sunday, August 13.

The performance was a pleasant surprise, considering the uncertainty surrounding a new season that sees the most inexperienced team in Hilltops history take the field. The Blue and Gold lost over 20 players through graduation in 2022. There was also concern by some observers about how the team looked coming out of training camp and their first test in a game situation.

What a difference ten days can make!

Delisle’s Corbin Ebben of the Hilltops tracks down Wildcats punt returner Taishaun Paul

On August 3 the 2023 Saskatoon Hilltops were spanked 32-1 by the “Old Guys” in the Annual Alumni Game. Hilltops Alumni quarterback Jordan Walls threw three touchdown passes, with a pair to Chad Braun and one to Ryan Turple; and ran for another. Brett Thorarinson contributed a field goal while the defence totally shut down the “Young Guys”.

A typical quote from the game was: “Right now it doesn’t it doesn’t look like we are ready to play.”

However, the Alumni game did give the coaches lots of tape to work with. Coaches always say they have to coach players better to help them succeed. The practices must have been intense.

The Hilltops team that stepped on SMF Field on Sunday, August 13 was completely transformed. The energy and execution was top level in all three aspects of the game.

The defence pitched a shutout, rarely allowing the Wildcats across mid-field and coming up with big interceptions just when it looked like Edmonton was going to get going.

Hilltops quarterback Trey Reider gets a pass away despite pressure from the Wildcats

Offensively, Hilltops quarterback Trey Reider was 20 for 25 in pass attempts for 294 yards and three touchdowns. Drake Douglas led the receivers with nine catches for 142 yards. Boston Davidsen ran for 74 yards on 16 carries and two touchdowns.

Hague’s Jeremy Funk of the Hilltops sets up for a block from his left tackle position

The Hilltops got on the board first when kicker Teijon Abel-Douglas bombed a 67 yard single. An interception by Justin Adamko set up a 42 yard field goal by Abel-Douglas. Receiver Noah Flaman hauled in a 20 yard touchdown pass on a third down gamble and Boston Davidsen ran for a touchdown to give the Toppers an 18-0 first quarter lead.

A second quarter Drake Douglas touchdown catch added to their lead.

Yardage was hard to come by for the Wildcats in Sunday’s game

Edmonton got their only points of the game when a bad snap forced the Hilltops to concede a safety.

In the third quarter Boston Davidsen scored another rushing touchdown and Hague’s Jeremy Funk hauled in a touchdown pass. It was considered a trick play as offensive lineman Funk had lined up as an eligible receiver. For those that remember Funk’s days as a receiver with the Hague Panthers it was no surprise to witness the ease with which he pulled in the pass. The Hilltops rounded out the score with a fourth quarter field goal and a late touchdown run by Xavier Sabo.

The Hilltops will look to continue to improve as they take on the  Winnipeg Rifles in Winnipeg for their week two game. Their next home game is 1:00 p.m. August 27 against the Calgary Colts.