By Gordie
Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex
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| The Hilltops raise the Canadian Bowl as CJFL champions. |
On November
9 at SMF Field, the Hilltops claimed a thrilling 21-18 victory over the
Kelowna, B.C., based Okanagan Sun in the CJFL Championship Game – the Canadian
Bowl. With 1:33 remaining in the fourth quarter, Sun quarterback Liam Kroeger
ran home a touchdown from 18 yards out to complete a 108-yard scoring drive
that saw an 18-11 Hilltops lead become an 18-18 tie.
Saskatoon
responded with a drive to put kicker Ryder Gratton in position to nail what was
ultimately the winning field goal from 37 yards out with 28.6 remaining in the
fourth quarter to give the Hilltops their 21-18 lead. On the ensuing Sun drive, third-year strong side linebacker Zaden Taylor intercepted Kroeger to seal the
three-point win for the Hilltops. The victory marked the 24th time
the Hilltops became CJFL champions.
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| The Hilltops enjoy their CJFL title win during the team photo. |
That
November 9 day was so busy it caused that month’s upload of this blog to be
moved up one day to November 8. Of course, the Hilltops win in the Canadian
Bowl made for a natural anchor for this photo roundup.
The lead
picture sees the Hilltops raising the Canadian Bowl to the sky as a part of
their post-game celebrations. The second shot shows a close up view of the Hilltops
enjoying themselves during customary post-game championship team photo. The
third picture sees Hilltops star fifth-year defensive tackle Johnathon Stevens,
left, and legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant enjoying a moment together
as part of the team’s happy post-game festivities.
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| Johnathon Stevens (#57) and Hilltops HC Tom Sargeant enjoy the moment. |
The
pictures in this photo roundup capture some of the memories that are made on
our grounds. In this photo roundup, all of these pictures were taken by our
Communications Coordinator in Darren Steinke.
Without
further ado, here is a selection of 18 shots we hope you enjoy.
Collins
in for six
Saskatoon Hilltops star graduating running back David Collins completes a 23-yard touchdown run during the second quarter of the CJFL Championship Game – the Canadian Bowl – on November 9 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. In the Hilltops 21-18 victory on that day, Collins had game highs in carries (26), rushing yards (143) and rushing touchdowns (two).
Kroeger valent in setback for Sun
Okanagan Sun star quarterback Liam Kroeger came up with a monster effort as his squad fell 21-18 in the CJFL Championship Game – the Canadian Bowl – on November 9 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. He completed 26-of-44 passes for 296 yards. Kroeger did throw two interceptions, but both picks came from athletic plays made by the Hilltops. He carried the ball six times for 54 yards and one major score.
Sweet Sun sideline catch
Okanagan Sun receiver Jordayne Falconer makes a tough sideline catch as his club came up short 21-18 against the Saskatoon Hilltops in the CJFL Championship Game – the Canadian Bowl – on November 9 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Falconer finished the contest making seven catches for 62 yards.
Final pose for Hilltop Cheer team
in 2025
The 2025 edition of the Saskatoon Hilltop Cheer Team performed as a group on game day for the final time at halftime of the CJFL Championship Game – the Canadian Bowl – on November 9 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The cheerleaders struck their signature final pose to end their routine as the Hilltops would go on to win their 24th CJFL title.
Hilltops grads enjoy the Canadian
Bowl
The Hilltops graduating players enjoy a moment with the Canadian Bowl after winning their 24th CJFL title on November 9 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The grads include front row from left, Isaiah Vallderruten, Brexton Elias and David Collins. The back row, from left, includes David Boyd Jr., Colton Zimmer, Jackson Dean, Nathan Young, Jace Mowles, Dalton Urban, Ryan Adamko and Johnathon Stevens. Tucked away further in the back behind Mowles and Urban is Nahom Menghestab.
Frisky officially signs with
Scarlet Knights
There were all happy times in Classroom 2 at the Indoor Training Centre on November 19. Emma Frisky officially signed on with the Rutgers University Scarlet Knights Women’s Softball Team. Frisky’s family held a celebration with family, friends and some of Emma’s coaches over the years. The Frisky family photo of the signing includes, from left, father Tyrel, Emma, mother Tracy and brother Jack.
Building leg power
A member of the Saskatoon Berries Baseball Academy does a jumping exercise with a weighted bag during a training session on November 20 at the Indoor Training Centre. The exercise with the weighted bag was one stop on a circuit for a conditioning workout.
Berries Academy trio all smiles
A trio of players from the Saskatoon Berries Baseball Academy pose for a picture during a break between taking part in hitting drills on November 20 at the Indoor Training Centre. It is always important to mix in some fun while putting in work to get better.
Off-speed treat
A pitcher from the 222’s Fastpitch program works on an off-speed pitch during a practice session at the Indoor Training Centre on November 25. A large number of the program’s pitchers were out sharpening their skills on this night.
A perfect track
A catcher from the 222’s Fastpitch program tracks the ball into her glove during a practice session on November 25 at the Indoor Training Centre. With the 222’s having a number of pitchers out working on their skills on this night, a large number of catchers came out to work on their craft.
Big smash
A hitter from the 222’s Fastpitch program drives the ball for what would result in an outfield hit during a game at a practice session on November 25 at the Indoor Training Centre. The hitters during these practice sessions focus on improving their respective approaches at the plate.
Cool under pressure
The teams have fun-loving names, but the players that make up the Saskatoon Ultimate Disc-Sport Society have great skill too. In this contest on November 27 at the Indoor Training Centre, a player from the Ultimate Chicken House sets to slip a pass through a defender from the Turnovers.
A catch for a score
A player from the Ultimate Chicken House hauls in a scoring catch in a Saskatoon Ultimate Disc-Sport Society game against the Turnovers on November 27 at the Indoor Training Centre. Everyone who takes part in these games gets a great workout and leaves feeling positive about their overall day.
Building strength
A player from the Going Yard Baseball Academy throws a medicine ball during a practice session on December 4 at the Indoor Training Centre. The player was working on building up his strength in order to help him throw a baseball farther and faster.
Line drive
A hitter from the Going Yard Baseball Academy drives a ball off a tee into a net during a practice session on December 4 at the Indoor Training Centre. The hitter was working on the mechanics of his swing.
Hawkins gets in work
Professional pitcher and Going Yard Baseball Academy coach Garrett Hawkins gets in his own work during a practice session on December 4 at the Indoor Training Centre. Hawkins did some throwing on this day. On November 18, Hawkins’s contract was selected by the San Diego Padres to be part of their MLB roster. That officially places Hawkins on the club’s 40-man MLB roster.
Let it rip
A bowler fires a lightning fast toss at a wicket during a pick-up cricket game on December 5 at the Indoor Training Centre. The bowler was part of a group of players who rented out some turf time at the Indoor Training Centre to play the game they love in a modified format with a half field.
Alert scoring run
A pair of hitters make a run to score a point during a pick-up cricket game on December 5 at the Indoor Training Centre. In the modified format with a half field, the players were looking to the outfield to check out how defenders were doing when it came to getting the ball back to the close infield. The night time session on this day was great for enjoying both friendship and the sport.
