Week 4 will see a full slate of games across the CJFL.

Ontario Conference

St. Clair Saints @ Ottawa Sooners – Saturday August 19, 2:00pm – Lee’s Stadium | WATCH HERE

The defending Ontario champion Saints will hit the field for the first time this season after their game last weekend was postponed.  They will head to the nation’s capital to face the Sooners.  They have recruited another terrific class of players and are ready to take another run at the championship as the favourite coming into the season.  

The Sooners are at home for the second straight game to open the season but are still looking for their first points.  They were shutout last weekend by the visiting London Beefeaters 18-0. They will need to score early against the Saints or it will be a long afternoon.

Players to Watch:

Saints – DB Nate Norton is back after his All-Canadian performance last season.  The local Windsor product will be asked to lead this defence and do even more this season. 

Sooners – WR Marcus Lynch helped move the ball in their loss last weekend with six receptions for 65 yards.  If the Sooners can get him the ball, he’ll make an impact offensively. 

GTA Grizzles @ Quinte Skyhawks – Sunday August 20, 2:00pm – Loyalist College | WATCH HERE

Sunday afternoon the Grizzlies will hit the road for the first time after getting shutout 51-0 in their home opener last weekend.  In order to build some confidence on the offensive side, they will need to finish some drives and put points on the board. 

The Skyhawks enter their third season in the CJFL and are eager to take another step in their program’s history.  They have a new head coach in Sean Mellor who was able to put his stamp on this 2023 roster early on and start to grow the culture he wants to see.  

Players to Watch:

Grizzlies - WR/KR Cliff Jerry Karingoh is a dangerous player with the ball in his hands.

Skyhawks – WR Josiah Bowman returns and is looking to have a greater impact this season.  He is dangerous with the ball in his hands, so the Skyhawks will no doubt create some plays for him. 

Hamilton Hurricanes @ London Beefeaters – Sunday August 20, 5:00pm – City Wide Field | WATCH HERE

The Beefeaters will host their home opener and face one of their bitter rivals the Hamilton Hurricanes.  Last weekend the Beefeaters shutout the Ottawa Sooners on the road putting up 197 rushing yards using four backs.  Their defence played well forcing three turnovers. 

Meanwhile the Hurricanes also recorded a shutout, hammering the GTA Grizzlies 51-0 and are on the road for the second straight game to open the season.

BC Conference

VI Raiders @ Valley Huskers – Saturday August 19, 4:00pm – Exhibition Field | WATCH HERE

It’s the back half of a home and home between the Huskers and Raiders after the Huskers’ lopsided 70-24 win last weekend. 

The Huskers are hungry for their third win of the season and will no doubt use the momentum from last week and bring it into this game in front of their hometown faithful.

The Raiders are looking for answers after coughing up 193 points in the first three games of the season.  Last week against the Huskers they did have their most productive game scoring 24 points as they look to build off that coming into this one.

Langley Rams @ Okanagan Sun – Saturday August 19, 7:00pm – Apple Bowl | POSTPONED

Kamloops Broncos @ Prince George Kodiaks – Saturday August 19, 7:00pm – Masich Stadium | WATCH HERE

A pair of winless teams hit the field in Prince George on Saturday night with the Broncos and Kodiaks each looking for their first win. 

The Kodiaks are at home for the third straight game to open the season after hosting to the top two teams in the Conference.  

The Broncos meanwhile are on the road for the third straight game, and in fact play five straight away from Kamloops before hosting their home opener on September 16th.

Players to Watch:

Kodiaks – LB Ryley Amendt has 15 tackles in their first two games of the year

Broncos – WR Colton Meikle caught another touchdown pass last weekend and has two this season.  He caught 10 passes in two games and gathered 210 yards. 

Prairie Conference

Calgary Colts @ Edmonton Huskies – Saturday August 19, 7:00pm – JP Bowl | WATCH HERE

Saturday the first “Battle of Alberta” will take place when the Colts visit the Huskies with both teams looking for their first win. 
The Huskies started slow last weekend with only four points in the first half, but did manage to turn things around in the second half to ironically lose by four.  They are at home for the second straight week looking for a victory. 

There were plenty of positives for the Colts last weekend despite suffering a loss.  They played the defending Conference champions tough and even collected 229 yards of passing against a very tough and physical defence.  If they can shore up their own defence, particularly in the second half, it could give the Huskies problems.

Colts - QB Liam Ozkowki will need to have a big game after throwing for 229 yards last game and had two touchdowns

Huskies - LB Tristan Price led a very good Huskies defence who only allowed one point in the second half last week.  Price had six tackles and picked up a fumble, returning it 50 yards to set up his offence.

Saskatoon Hilltops @ Winnipeg Rifles – Sunday August 20, 1:00pm, East Side Eagles Field | WATCH HERE

Two teams that won their first game will go head-to-head in Winnipeg on Sunday afternoon when the Rifles welcome the Hilltops. 

Last weekend the Hilltops blasted the Edmonton Wildcats, essentially shutting them out, only conceding a safety to put them on the scoreboard.  They had an excellent balanced attack on the offensive side and their defence didn’t give up much.  They will look to continue with this same formula heading into their first road game of the year.

The Rifles traveled to Edmonton last weekend and beat the Huskies by four points.  They used a kick-off return for a touchdown to open the second half, but struggled to find points the rest of the way.  As a matter of fact, they scored just one point after that touchdown.  They will need to find an extra gear against a very skilled and hungry Hilltops defence. 

Players to Watch

Hilltops - RB Boston Davidsen is the featured back for the Hilltops and he scored a pair of touchdowns last weekend.  He will be called upon to help pound the rock offensively. 

Rifles - QB Thomas Hubbard will need to be a focal point this game against a very good defence.  His veteran leadership can help the Rifles offense move the ball down the field and finish drives.

Regina Thunder @ Edmonton Wildcats – Sunday August 20, 1:00pm, Emerald Hills | WATCH HERE

The Thunder will play their second straight road game and are back in Alberta after a victory in Calgary to open the season last weekend.   They had a very balanced attack in game one under the direction of a new quarterback after the graduation of Carter Shewchuk last year.   Carter Moberg called the signals last weekend throwing for 256 yards and will no doubt get the call again on Sunday.

The Wildcats host their opener and will need to get out of the gate quickly to grow their confidence. Last weekend in Saskatoon they scored only two points, thanks to a conceded safety.  Their offence is new and will need to string some positive drives together early on. 

Players to Watch

Thunder – RB Ryland Leichert was a menace last weekend scoring a pair of touchdowns with 21 carries and 170 yards on the ground. 

Wildcats - QB Caleb Taylor found nine different receivers last weekend completing 12 passes.  He will need to finish drives this week if the Wildcats have any hope of upsetting the champs.