The CJFL enters Week 8 of the regular season and will pass the halfway mark with a full slate of games with all three Conferences back in action following the Labour Day bye week in the Prairies.

SATURDAY

Prairie Conference 

Saskatoon Hilltops @ Regina Thunder – Saturday September 6, 7:00pm – SMF Field | WATCH HERE

For the first time this season the best rivalry in the CJFL takes centre stage when the Thunder welcome the Hilltops.  They have not met since the 2024 Prairie Conference title game that the Thunder won 24-19 in Saskatoon.  This match-up has turned into an exciting and usually very important rivalry with potentially homefield advantage on the line.  Since 2017, the Hilltops have owned this rivalry winning 12 of the 18 meetings.

Both teams are coming off the Labour Day bye week and will be well rested for the clash on Saturday night in Regina under the lights at Mosaic Field.  The team that can run the ball best will no doubt come out victorious and take sole possession of first place in the Conference. 

Head-to-Head

Records: Hilltops 2-1 – Thunder 3-0
Avg Points For: Hilltops 33 – Thunder 44.6
Avg Points Against: Hilltops 17.3 – Thunder 14.6 

Passing Leaders: Hayden McMahon – 28 of 54, 376 yards, 2 touchdowns (Hilltops) – Adam Mosher – 33 of 57, 465 yards, 6 touchdowns (Thunder)

Rushing Leaders: David Collins – 54 carries for 480 yards, 4 touchdowns (Hilltops) – Peter Boersch – 73 carries for 645 yards, 3 touchdowns (Thunder)

Receiving Leaders: Tanner Donovel – 6 receptions for 129 yards, 2 touchdowns (Thunder)

Leading Tacklers: Isaac Michayluk – 11 tackles (Hilltops) -Devin Baumann – 11 tackles (Thunder)

Ontario Conference 

London Beefeaters @ Sault Ste. Marie Cougars – Saturday September 6, 1:00pm – Rocky Dipietro Field | WATCH HERE

These two teams meet for the first time as the Cougars welcome the Beefeaters and a measuring stick for the newest CJFL team.  The Beefeaters are coming off their first loss of the season in a lopsided game with the first place Saints and are facing adversity for the first time this year.   The Cougars meanwhile are coming off their bye week.  This is an important game because it’s the only time they will meet this season.

Head-to-Head

Records: Beefeaters 3-1 – Cougars 2-2
Avg Points For: Beefeaters 30 – Cougars 34.5
Avg Points Against: Beefeaters 19.2 – Cougars 17

Passing Leaders: DJ Fonte – 39 of 65, 499 yards, 2 touchdowns (Beefeaters) – Grayson Weber – 30 of 61, 437 yards, 3 touchdowns (Cougars)

 Rushing Leaders: Elijah Prosper – 73 carries for 365 yards, 4 touchdowns (Beefeaters) – Sam Mustapha – 42 carries for 446 yards, 4 touchdowns (Cougars)

Receiving Leaders: Seth Raymer – 14 receptions for 174 yards (Beefeaters)

Leading Tacklers: Clay Ritschard – 32 tackles (Beefeaters) – Christian Barsic – 14 tackles (Cougars)

GTA Grizzlies @ Ottawa Sooners – Saturday September 6, 2:00pm – Gee Gees Field | WATCH HERE

A pair of winless teams will battle in the nation’s capital this weekend, both with something to prove.  It’s been a difficult first half for both teams not generating much offensive punch.  A win by either team should give them the confidence to make a strong push in the second half of the Ontario Conference schedule.

Head-to-Head

Records: Grizzlies 0-4 – Sooners 0-4
Avg Points For: Grizzlies 1.7 – Sooners 6.7
Avg Points Against: Grizzlies 51.7 – Sooners 41.2

Passing Leaders: Brandon Beauchamp – 24 of 51, 205 yards (Grizzlies) – Humzah Rana – 19 of 62, 231 yards, 1 touchdown (Sooners)

Leading Tacklers: Williams Lamarre -15 tackles (Sooners) 

Hamilton Hurricanes @ St. Clair Saints – Saturday September 6, 7:00pm – Acumen Stadium | WATCH HERE

The night cap in Ontario this weekend will see the Saints entertain to the Hurricanes.  This is the only meeting of the season between these two teams and can be a factor down the road for whichever team comes out victorious.  The Saints have been cruising this season and have been winning games by an average margin of 53 points.   The Hurricanes will need to play a perfect game to upset the defending champs as they look to continue their three-game winning streak. 

Head-to-Head

Records: Hurricanes 3-1 – Saints 4-0
Avg Points For: Hurricanes 30 – Saints 60.5
Avg Points Against: Hurricanes 11.7 – Saints 7

Passing Leaders: Kayrus Sam – 30 for 68, 569 yards, 5 touchdowns (Hurricanes) – Matt Guenette – 68 of 87, 943 yards, 17 touchdowns (Saints) 

Rushing Leaders: Gianluca Muraca – 56 carries for 350 yards, 2 touchdowns (Hurricanes) – MJ Doyle-Marshall – 44 carries for 339 yards, 3 touchdowns (Saints)

Receiving Leaders: Devin Quammie – 9 receptions, 220 yards, 2 touchdowns (Hurricanes) – Cameron St. Kitts-Park – 23 receptions, 271 yards, 4 touchdowns (Saints) 

Tackling Leaders: Hayden Pall – 20 tackles (Hurricanes) – Jaylin Burnett – 16 tackles (Saints)

BC Conference 

Kamloops Broncos @ Westshore Rebels – Saturday September 6, 4:00pm – Starlight Stadium | WATCH HERE

Two teams going in opposite directions heading into Week 8 of the season will meet on Vancouver Island when the Rebels welcome the Broncos.  The Rebels have been one of the best teams in the entire CJFL this season and have been outstanding in BC having won three straight.  Their offence has put up some big numbers and will meet a Broncos defence that gave up 70 points last week. The Broncos are still looking for their first win of the year and will need to play a perfect game and even have some luck to leave town with a victory.  This is the only meeting of the season between these two teams.

Head-to-Head

Records: Broncos 0-6 – Rebels 5-1
Avg Points For: Broncos 7.1– Rebels 38
Avg Points Against: Broncos 39.5 – Rebels 19 

Passing Leaders: Carter Moberg – 51 of 113, 636 yards, 2 touchdowns (Broncos) – Gavin Session – 106 of 156, 1452 yards, 13 touchdowns (Rebels)

Rushing Leaders: Cameron Grzegorczyk – 48 carries for 199 yards, 1 touchdown (Broncos) – Carter Williams – 26 carries for 189 yards, 2 touchdowns (Rebels)

Receiving Leaders: Corey Jeeves – 20 receptions for 230 yards (Broncos) – Zion Brown – 33 receptions for 532 yards, 9 touchdowns (Rebels) 

Leading Tacklers: Lucas Yanchishyn – 28 tackles (Broncos) – Cameron Coan – 22 tackles (Rebels)

Okanagan Sun @ Prince George Kodiaks – Saturday September 6, 6:00pm – Masich Stadium | WATCH HERE

These two teams meet for the second time this season after the Sun scored 35 unanswered points on August 2 in Kelowna for a 35-11 victory.  The Sun remain undefeated and will play their second last road game this weekend.  Their defence has been spectacular over the last two games allowing a combined 10 points while their offence has tallied 128.  The Kodiaks have been playing great lately, winners of three straight and will play their next three games at home.  They have averaged over 28 points on this win streak and have shown they can win a tight ballgame as evident last week in Nanaimo.   They have never beaten the Sun and will give them a fight on Saturday night.

Head-to-Head

Records: Sun 6-0 – Kodiaks 4-2
Avg Points For: Sun 46.1 – Kodiaks 23.3
Avg Points Against: Sun 10 – Kodiaks 20.8

Passing Leaders: Liam Kroeger – 92 of 139, 1412 yards, 8 touchdowns (Sun) – Sawyer Theissen – 86 of 149, 998 yards, 8 touchdowns (Kodiaks)

Rushing Leaders: Gerren Hardisty – 121 carries for 792 yards, 7 touchdowns (Sun) – Gavin Halvorson – 74 carries for 338 yards, 3 touchdowns (Kodiaks) 

Receiving Leaders: Jordayne Falconer – 22 receptions for 378 yards, 1 touchdown (Sun) – Ben Fehr – 22 receptions for 202 yards, 1 touchdown (Kodiaks) 

Leading Tacklers: Phil Palmarin – 19 tackles (Sun) – Caiden Crow – 38 tackles (Kodiaks)

Langley Rams @ Valley Huskers – Saturday September 6, 7:00pm – Exhibition Field | WATCH HERE

Two teams fighting for their playoff lives meet for the second time this season as the Huskers welcome the Rams to Chilliwack.  On August 2nd, the Rams took care of homefield and beat the Huskers 25-19.  Without quarterback Palaina Hooper in the lineup the Rams have struggled to put up points averaging just nine in the last two games.  They are playing their second road game of the season and need a win to keep pace in the playoff hunt.  The Huskers meanwhile have only one win this year and haven’t been able to find a consistent rhythm.  They are coming off a bye week which will no doubt help them in their preparation for the visiting Rams. Like their opponents they also are in dire need of a win to keep their postseason dreams alive.

Head-to-Head

Records: Rams 2-3 – Huskers 1-4
Avg Points For: Rams 14.4 – Huskers 17.6
Avg Points Against: Rams 29 – Huskers 28.4

Passing Leaders: Palaina Hooper – 27 of 42, 308 yards, 2 touchdowns (Rams) – Key’Shaun Dorsey – 51 of 108, 740 yards, 7 touchdowns (Huskers)

Rushing Leaders: Bruce Jones – 52 carries for 261 yards, 2 touchdowns (Rams) – Jawad Harb – 80 carries for 402 yards (Huskers)

Receiving Leaders: Tyson Galye – 14 receptions for 189 yards, 3 touchdowns (Rams) – Dhag Mora – 16 receptions for 230 yards, 1 touchdown (Huskers)

Leading Tacklers: Ben Laurin – 18 tackles (Rams) – Raiden Mastin – 21 tackles (Huskers)

SUNDAY

Calgary Colts @ Winnipeg Rifles – Sunday September 7, 12:00pm – Maple Grove Park | WATCH HERE

It’s only game four in the Prairie Conference, but this is a massive game for both teams as they meet for the one and only time this season.  The winner will hold the advantage to any tiebreaker that could be needed down the road.  The Rifles are back at home after two straight on the road and are coming off their first loss of the campaign.  They meet a Colts team who got into the win column last game with 10 fourth quarter points to secure the victory in Edmonton.  They are on the road for the second straight game facing the Rifles for their lone meeting.

Head-to-Head

Records: Colts 1-2 – Rifles 2-1
Avg Points For: Colts 19.6 – Rifles 29.6
Avg Points Against: Colts 32 – Rifles 25.6

Passing Leaders: Julian Harries – 20 of 39, 255 yards, 2 touchdowns (Colts) – Riley Element – 56 of 93, 861 yards, 5 touchdowns (Rifles)

Rushing Leaders: Zion Brown – 43 carries for 265 yards, 1 touchdown (Colts) - Kaiden Banfield – 54 carries for 248 yards, 5 touchdowns (Rifles)

Receiving Leaders: Zion Brown – 11 receptions for 176 yards, 1 touchdown (Colts) – Cole Davies – 13 receptions for 232 yards, 1 touchdown (Rifles)

Leading Tacklers: Drew McAsey – 18 tackles (Colts) – Kyler Banfield – 20 tackles (Rifles) 

Edmonton Huskies @ Edmonton Wildcats – Sunday September 7, 1:00pm – Sherwood Park | WATCH HERE

It’s the first of a home-and-home between these two crosstown rivals as the Wildcats entertain the Huskies.  After winning their first game on the road, the Wildcats have lost two straight at home and play their third in a row at Sherwood Park.  In their last game they let a fourth quarter lead slip away and lost by four points in a tight matchup with Calgary.  Meanwhile the Huskies have fallen on tough times losing three straight to open the season.  They aren’t able to put points on the board, and their defence has given up the most points in the Conference.  As they hit the halfway point of the schedule, they will be looking for answers and to get into the win column for the first time.  

Head-to-Head

Records: Huskies 0-3 – Wildcats 1-2
Avg Points For: Huskies 9.6 – Wildcats 24.6
Avg Points Against: Huskies 44.6 – Wildcats 27

Passing Leaders: Jackson Harnett – 25 of 39, 304 yards, 2 touchdowns (Huskies) – Marcos Soltero – 62 of 99, 813 yards, 3 touchdowns (Wildcats)

Rushing Leaders: Jackson Harnett – 10 carries for 76 yards (Huskies) – Niko Parrott – 20 carries for 152 yards, 2 touchdowns (Wildcats)

Receiving Leaders: Meshach Imanzenobe – 14 receptions for 164 yards (Huskies) – Jacob St. Hilaire – 16 receptions for 258 yards, 1 touchdown (Wildcats) 

Leading Tacklers: Kaige Houle – 20 tackles (Huskies) – Ethan Speedy – 13 tackles (Wildcats)