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Prairie Conference Rewind

By Ryan Watters (@ryan2tswatters), 09/04/19, 12:00AM PDT

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The Hilltops, Thunder and Wildcats get a "W"

Photo courtesy of Gord Mellor

Saskatoon Hilltops 24
Edmonton Huskies 22

The Hilltops remain perfect at 3-0 scoring the game winning touchdown with 13 minutes to go in the fourth quarter.  In the process they hand the Huskies their first loss of the campaign.

Offensively the Hilltops were again very balanced with Ben Abrook pounding on the ground for 204 yards on 29 carries and a touchdown.  The aerial attack was led by quarterback Tyler Hermann who completed 17 passes for 220 yards and threw touchdown passes to Keegan Dicks and Rylan Kleiter for the game winner.

On the defensive side the defending champs were led by Evan Mantyka and Jaxon Funk who each had 11 solo tackles.

The Huskies primarily used the air attack on the offensive side.  Quarterback Declan O’Flaherty completed 67% of his passes including 25 completions for 260 yards and found Sam Clayton for a major. Meanwhile Brandt Burzuk carried the ball 18 times for 92 yards and Alex Gayle scored a touchdown.

Kicker Ethan Hartman booted a 27 yard field goal with two minutes left in the fourth quarter to draw the Huskies to within two.

This coming weekend the Hilltops (3-0) will play their first home game this season when they welcome the Regina Thunder (2-1) on Saturday night while the Huskies (2-1) enjoy a bye week.

Regina Thunder 52 OT
Winnipeg Rifles 45

This game had plenty of offensive punch with a pair of aerial attacks the CJFL has not seen this season.  The teams combined for 1,004 yards passing setting a new CJFL record.

The Thunder recorded the victory in overtime when Greg Lamb caught a touchdown pass, one of five thrown by quarterback Blake Scherle.  In all, the pivot completed 22 passes for 410 yards finding Rylan Sokul eight times for 180 yards and a pair of touchdowns.  He also found Isaac Foord and Deshawn Le Jour for majors as well.

Chipping in on the ground Maxwell Foerster and Matthew Shewchuk each scored touchdowns.  Brayden Long rumbled 14 times for 96 yards.

The Rifles on the other hand rode the left arm of quarterback Riley Naujoks who caught fire. His 39 pass completions are the third most in CJFL history as was his 594 passing yards.  The total did set a new Prairie Conference record.  Eleven different receivers caught at least one pass with Tyler Hodgson catching the only touchdown pass. Naujoks also rushed six times and scored a pair of touchdowns.  Mathe Mitayango also scored on the ground.

Naujoks attempted an incredible 63 passes which is second most in CJFL history.

This weekend the Thunder (2-1) are back on the road visiting the Saskatoon Hilltops (3-0) on Saturday night.  The Rifles (1-2) will have a bye.

Edmonton Wildcats 23
Calgary Colts 16

The Edmonton Wildcats recorded their first win of the season scoring all 23 of their points in the first half.  Their offence was led by their ground game totalling 175 yards.  Ramone English carried 13 times for 99 yards, Nathan Zacharias rushed 11 times for 43 yards and had a touchdown.  Quarterback Dante Tabacu scrambled for 29 yards and a score.   He also threw a 27 yard touchdown to Lucas Howe.

The Cats defence forced three interceptions.  Ty Smith returned his 70 yards and Tony Savchuk brought his back 27 yards. Chopper Hippe had eight tackles and Ben Davidge recorded a pair of sacks.

The Colts quarterback Cole Belway moved the ball with 24 completions and 289 yards, but his three interceptions were drive killers.    His favourite target was Brendt Adams who caught a game high eight passes for 156 yards and a touchdown.  Running back Alosiuos Kun tallied the other Colts touchdown on the ground.

One of the Colts defensive bright spots was Mo Kemoh who collected three sacks and six tackles.

This weekend the Wildcats (1-2) will visit the Colts (0-3) in the back half of a home and home on Saturday night.