Ben Abrook surpassed the 1,000 yard mark for the season rumbling for 208 yards on 18 carries with two touchdowns as the Saskatoon Hilltops rolled over the Rifles 49-22 eliminating Winnipeg from playoff contention.
Abrook’s 52 yard touchdown run late in the second quarter was his longest carry of the season and staked Saskatoon to a 28-8 lead. Abrook has 1,114 yards in seven games and credits his success to the Hilltops veteran offensive line.
It was a game full of big plays for the five-time defending Canadian Bowl champions.
Quarterback Tyler Herman connected with Dillan Heintz on a 90 yard pass and run play on the Toppers first play from scrimmage and Tanner Rhode returned from the injured list and hooked up with Herman on a deep route down the sidelines and cut to back into the middle on a 70 yard pass-and-run touchdown.
Connor Graham’s sensational 26 yard touchdown catch in tight coverage on a well placed throw from Herman on Saskatoon’s first possession early in the third quarter increased the lead to 42-8 and marked the end of the day for most of the starters. Herman was 10-for-19 through the air for 239 yards with three touchdown tosses.
Logan Kelsey-Stern recorded the lone interception picking off a Riley Naujoks pass in the Hilltops end zone in the third quarter. The Toppers also recovered one fumble and forced five turnovers on downs including two times when the Rifles tried quarterback-keepers on third and less than a yard. Another two were on fake punts by the Rifles.
Another big play was the 13 yard carry by offensive guard Taylon Elderkin who got the ball on an annual running play for a fifth year offensive lineman.
The Hilltops racked up 392 of their 541 yards in total offense in the first half.
Saskatoon closes out the regular season Sunday October 13th at home against the Edmonton Wildcats and host them again October 20th in the Prairie Football Conference semifinal.
The Hilltops are 7-0 in 2019 and have won 26 straight games dating back to September 2017. The next two games start at 1 p.m. with the broadcasts on 92.9 THE BULL beginning at 12:30.
