The Saskatoon Hilltops wrapped up an undefeated 2019 regular season with a 48-8 win over the Edmonton Wildcats, the same team they will be meeting in next Sunday’s Prairie Football Conference semifinals.
The Toppers turned their first two possessions into touchdowns. Ben Abrook scored on a four-yard run about three minutes into the game and Tanner Rhode caught a 24 yard touchdown pass from Tyler Herman about three minutes later.
The Hilltops areal attack hit high gear in the second quarter with Herman connecting with Connor Graham on a 54 yard major, a 32 yard connection with Keegan Dicks who made a shoe-string catch and Dillan Heintz who sprinted about 30 yards down the sideline to finish off the 56 yard pass and run play to the end zone as Saskatoon took a 35-0 lead at the half.
The second half had a bizarre start with a fumble and two interceptions in the first five minutes including a Jared Giddings pick at the Hilltops five yard line.
Hilltops running back Carter McLean scored the lone touchdown of the third quarter on a one yard plunge after a 23 yard carry left him just shy of the goal line on the previous play.
Rylan Kleiter rounded out the Saskatoon scoring with field goals of 25 and 26 yards and had another hit the upright. Kleiter was named PFC special team’s player of the week for three straight weeks heading into this game.
The Wildcats scoring came on an interception of a Tyler Herman pass returned for a touchdown by Zach Putters and a single following a missed 38 yard field goal by Sebastian Fritsen.
Edmonton rotated Dante Tabacu and Devin Desormeau at quarterback, while Herman was replaced by Doug Fleming late in the third quarter and Damon Dutton also saw some playing time at pivot for the Hilltops.
Hilltops head coach Tom Sergeant told the post game show audience on 92.9 THE BULL he thought it was their best defensive game of the season and credited the Wildcats for making defensive adjustments for the second half that resulted in two interceptions. Sergeant said after two weeks running a basic offense they will work on a more creative game plan for the semifinal.
Jesse McNabb who had six tackles and three sacks was the Hilltops leading tackler. Logan Kelsey-Stern also had an interception in the first quarter.
The Hilltops take an unbeaten regular season record of 8-0 and an overall winning streak of 27 games into the rematch with the Wildcats Sun. Oct, 20 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Opening kickoff is at 1 p.m. with the broadcast in 92.9 THE BULL signing on at 12:30.
