Darren Zary
Saskatoon StarPhoenix
It’s Hilltops-Thunder, Round 2.
First-place in the Prairie Football Conference is once again on the line. So is home-field advantage for the upcoming PFC playoffs.
While home field isn’t always an advantage when these two teams meet, Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant feels it’s still important to finish first place overall.
“The goal, always, is to finish first in your league so you can control the scenarios of what’s in front of you,” said Sargeant, whose squad plays host to the Thunder on Saturday night (7:30 p.m.) at SMF Field in the Gordie Howe Sports Complex.
“By playing at home, it’s so comfortable and all that.”
That said, it is never comfortable when these two provincial rivals meet. Saskatoon edged the Thunder 18-15 earlier this season in Regina.
“We know it’s going to be a great test,” added Sargeant. “Regina’s hungry. They’re going to be racing in here, and certainly trying to recover from the loss that we gave them in Regina.”
The key, he says, is stopping the run game.
“They run the ball and they do a great job of it — I don’t know anyone in the league runs the ball better than they do,” stressed Sargeant. “No. 2, we need to run the ball. It’s easy to jump in the film and see they gave up 450 yards in passing against Winnipeg last week, but we’ve got to remember who we are and what our identity is. I’ve always stated, and said, that we want to be a 50-50 team; good run team, good pass team and a better mix on the play-action.”
And special teams have to be “absolutely the best unit” on the field.
“You look at their game last week and they made two big plays on special teams, like an 80-yard kick return da, da, da,” noted Sargeant. “They’re very explosive on special teams.”
Quarterback Brexton Elias says the Toppers are taking this match-up like any other game.
“Obviously we’re going to prepare hard this week because we know who we’re playing, but it’s just like any other game for us,” he said. “We’re going to get physical and hopefully dominate them on the weekend.”
have to be “absolutely the best unit” on the field.
Run game going full throttle
The Hilltops have unleashed a dominating run game of their own. Against the Edmonton Wildcats, the Toppers racked up 394 yards in total rushing. David Collins (147), Corbin Ebben (118) and Charles Sawi (99) either eclipsed or flirted with the 100-yard mark.
What was once a two-headed monster is now a three-headed beast.
“Yeah, that was fun to see and that’s the identity that we want and we worked hard to create,” acknowledged Sargeant.
“It’s great to see the O-line come along and jell and get better. We’ve had some good running backs in the past but, certainly, what they’re all doing and how they’re doing it, it’s been a lot of fun.”
“All three of these guys are studs,” added Elias. “I love playing with them. They’re fun to watch and they just make my job easier playing with these guys. Got to give it up to the O-line, too. They’re blocking their hearts out for them.”
Sargeant credits offensive co-ordinator Shane Reider and his assistants for doing a good job of putting it all together.
“It’s not easy because there’s only one ball to give around,” said Sargeant. “But he’s done a good job of making sure that the appropriate players are getting the right amount of touches and they’re taking advantage of their opportunities.”
With veteran quarterback Elias back in the mix, once again healthy, the Hilltops have the league’s top-rated QB. Elias has completed 37 of 61 passing attempts for 551 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions for a 98.7 efficiency rating.
“It’s good to have Brexton at quarterback, leading us and making the right calls on the line and just having a good feel for what’s in front of us,” said Sargeant. “It’s good to have that 22-year-old with his experience, and we’re seeing it come through offensively. We get better each week.”
Bring on the Thunder.
“Against Regina, I shouldn’t have to work too hard to get these guys excited and motivated to play them,” said Sargeant. “This is our provincial rivalry, and (the Thunder) want what we have (first place). Right now, this game’s for first place. There’s a lot on it.”
