It’s one of the few games the Saskatoon Hilltops have lost during their five-year reign as Canadian Junior Football champs.

The Toppers tangle with their Alumni Thursday night at 7 at the practice field on Kilburn Avenue with the old guys holding bragging rights for each of the last four years. The Hilltops have been in their fall camp since Monday and play their first 2019 regular-season game Sunday, August 18 in Winnipeg. Following are some pre-season notes from the Saskatoon Hilltops…

The Hilltops will be holding our annual alumni game that pits the old veterans against the 2019 squad tomorrow night (Thursday) at the clubhouse, Ron Atchison Field, 1620 Kilburn Avenue with the kickoff at 7pm.

A couple things of note for the game and the season as a whole:

• The Alumni have won 4 in a row, going for #5
• The Hilltops are going for their 6^th straight national championship and their 9^th in the past 10 years
• The team will lean heavily on a veteran offensive line this year highlighted by Mason Ochs who went to Rider camp, along with running back Ben Abrook who takes over the starting job
• 5^th year Tyler Hermann will take the reigns as the starting QB for the first time as well and will have a lot of good receivers to throw to
• On the defensive side of the ball there is some retooling on the defensive line but they will be anchored by North Battleford product Jesse McNabb
• All three linebackers are starting for the first time this year however they are all veterans of the club
• The defensive back field is a strong veteran group as well and will be lead by Colton Holmes who returns to the club after an extended stay practicing with the Riders
• Once again Tom Sargeant is at the helm and he returns his entire coaching staff from last season.