For the second straight season the Saskatoon Hilltops host the Edmonton Huskies in the Prairie Conference championship game on Sunday at 1:00pm at SMF Field.  WATCH HERE | Radio Broadcast HERE

The Hilltops once again finished undefeated during the regular season and haven’t lost a game since September 9, 2017, a string of 27 in a row.  Despite the graduation of some key fifth year players after last season the offence didn’t miss a beat led by quarterback Tyler Hermann in his final year.   His 64.1% completion percentage led the Prairie Conference and was tied for the lead with 17 touchdown passes. As a whole the offence scored a Conference high 308 points, averaging 38.5 a game.  Their defence gave up the second fewest points at 125, or 15.6 a game.  Only the Huskies had fewer, setting up a defensive Conference finale.

The lone meeting of the season between these two teams was the closest game the Hilltops played this entire year.  They hung on for a 24-22 victory in Edmonton on September 1st.

The Hilltops reached the Conference final after a 31-7 semi-final victory over the Edmonton Wildcats.  The Huskies reached this point with a 20-17 road victory in Regina.   The Huskies kept close with the Hilltops in the standings scoring the second most points in the Conference (270) and allowed the fewest at 121.

Their offence has been led by the Prairie Conference MVP and Offensive Player of the Year, running back Brandt Burzuk who rushed 129 times for 824 yards and six touchdowns.   Meanwhile first year starter Declan O’Flaherty completed 111 passes for 1453 yards and 12 touchdowns.

On paper these two teams are very similar with big offensive lines, a great running game and a quarterback that can make quick decisions taking care of the football.  Both defences don’t give up much and find a way to make a difference.  The Huskies tallied 35 takeaways while the Hilltops had 33.

This Conference final has all the makings of a classic but will be played in chilly conditions with a high of -3 under mostly cloudy skies in Saskatoon on Sunday.

These two teams have met a number of times in the post season, including last year’s Conference final in which the Hilltops won 28-9.  The last playoff win for the Huskies over the Hilltops was the 2006 semi when the Huskies had the upset 35-27 victory.

Head to Head

Records – Huskies 6-2 – Hilltops 8-0
Points For – Huskies 270 – Hilltops 308
Points Allowed – Huskies 121 – Hilltops 125

Passing Leaders – Declan O’Flaherty – 111 of 186 (59.7%), 1453 yards, 12 touchdowns (Huskies) – Tyler Hermann – 123 of 192 (64%), 1908 yards, 17 touchdowns (Hilltops)

Rushing Leaders – Brandt Burzuk – 129 carries for 824 yards, 6 touchdowns (Huskies) – Ben Abrook – 199 carries for 1215 yards, 8 touchdowns (Hilltops)

Receiving Leaders – Ronnie Oling – 30 receptions for 480 yards, 5 touchdowns (Huskies) – Connor Graham – 28 receptions for 599 yards, 6 touchdowns (Hilltops)

Leading Tacklers – Tadi Siwira – 33 tackles (Huskies) – Riley Keating – 34 tackles (Hilltops)

Turnovers – Huskies +13 – Hilltops +14