Photo courtesy of WJ Smith Photography

It’s Week 11 of the CJFL regular season with games on both Saturday and Sunday. Each of the three Conference are starting to wind down their 2025 schedule with two teams across the CJFL playing their final game this weekend.

SATURDAY

Prairie Conference

Regina Thunder @ Saskatoon Hilltops – Saturday September 27, 7:00pm – SMF Field | WATCH HERE

This is always a big match up under the lights and the featured game in the Conference as the Hilltops and Thunder battle for first place and homefield advantage in the playoffs.   It’s their second meeting of the season after the Hilltops came back to win in Regina 18-15, scoring a late touchdown in the fourth quarter.   That win is part of their five-game winning streak and with a victory Saturday night they will clinch homefield advantage.  Since their lost to the Hilltops, the Thunder have won two in a row, last week in dramatic fashion.  In order to reclaim first place, they will need to beat the Hilltops by more than three points.  Regardless of the outcome, most fans around the CJFL are looking forward to this one.

Head-to-Head

Records: Thunder 5-1 – Hilltops 5-1
Avg Points For: Thunder 35.8 – Hilltops 36.6
Avg Points Allowed: Thunder 19 – Hilltops 16

Passing Leaders: Adam Mosher – 74 of 137 for 991 yards and 9 touchdowns (Thunder) – Brexton Elias – 37 of 61 for 551 yards and 4 touchdowns (Hilltops)

Rushing Leaders: Peter Boersch – 132 carries for 988 yards and 3 touchdowns (Thunder) – David Collins – 95 carries for 803 yards and 9 touchdowns (Hilltops)

Receiving Leaders: Lucas Di Iorio – 20 receptions for 240 yards and 4 touchdowns (Thunder) – Isaiah Vallderruten – 11 receptions for 295 yards and 3 touchdowns (Hilltops)

Leading Tacklers: Kenton Effa – 23 tackles (Thunder) - Isaac Michayluk – 23 tackles (Hilltops)

Ontario Conference

Sault Ste. Marie Cougars @ Ottawa Sooners – Saturday September 27, 2:00pm – Gee Gees Field | WATCH HERE

This is a massive game for both teams with the Conference playoff picture still a bit murky.  Just two points separates these teams in the standings and it’s the only time they will play each other with the winner clinching the tiebreaker.  The Cougars have lost three straight and are coming off a bye week.  A victory would be their third of the season and inch them closer to wrapping up the final playoff spot with another big game next week. On the other hand, if the Sooners can put some points on the board and claim a win, it would thrust them right back into the playoff discussion with the final spot in the Conference decided on the final week of the schedule.

Head-to-Head

Records: Cougars 2-4 – Sooners 1-5
Avg Points For: Cougars 33.3 – Sooners 8.5
Avg Points Allowed: Cougars 28.6 – Sooners 37

Passing Leaders: Grayson Weber – 58 of 121 for 775 yards and 5 touchdowns (Cougars) – Humzah Rana- 44 of 111 for 579 yards and 2 touchdowns (Sooners)

Rushing Leaders: Sam Mustapha – 55 carries for 640 yards and 6 touchdowns (Cougars) – Rashaad Johnson – 72 carries for 462 yards and 5 touchdowns (Sooners)

Receiving Leaders: Jadien Treudeau – 26 receptions for 295 yards and 1 touchdown (Cougars)

Leading Tacklers: Grant Mathewson – 24 tackles (Cougars) – Ayman Raheem – 15 tackles (Sooners)

London Beefeaters @ St. Clair Saints – Saturday September 27, 7:00pm – Acumen Stadium | WATCH HERE

For the second time this season the Saints and Beefeaters meet after the defending champs won the first meeting 62-27 on August 29th.  The Saints have been virtually unstoppable this season and will play their final game of their schedule on Saturday night before the playoffs.  In their previous seven games they have only allowed more than seven points in two of them.  Their defence has claimed three shutouts and allowed a single point in a fourth game.  Quarterback Matthew Guenette is three touchdown passes away from tying the Conference record for a single season and six away from tying the CJFL single season record. 

The Beefeaters have lost just once this season and have won two straight since suffering the loss to the Saints.  They will be in tough on Saturday night and will need to establish a passing attack to open the run game against the front seven of the Saints.  They have two games left, both on the road and are still fighting for a home playoff date.  A win over the Saints would clinch and give them homefield advantage in the first round of the postseason.

Head-to-Head

Records: Beefeaters 5-1 – Saints 7-0
Avg Points For: Beefeaters 30.5 – Saints 67
Avg Points Allowed: Beefeaters 21.1 – Saints 8.5

Passing Leaders: DJ Fonti – 66 of 104 for 892 yards and 5 touchdowns (Beefeaters) – Mattew Guenette – 121 of 157 for 1884 yards and 29 touchdowns (Saints)

Rushing Leaders: Nick Fonti – 90 carries for 457 yards and 3 touchdowns (Beefeaters) – MJ Doyle-Marshall – 74 carries for 580 yards and 8 touchdowns (Saints)

Receiving Leaders: Brandon Visouvath – 12 receptions for 292 yards and 3 touchdowns (Beefeaters) – Cameron St. Kitts-Park – 46 receptions for 605 yards and 7 touchdowns (Saints) 

Leading Tacklers: Clay Ritschard – 38 tackles (Beefeaters) – Jaylin Burnett – 25 tackles (Saints)

BC Conference

VI Raiders @ Valley Huskers – Saturday September 27, 4:00pm – Exhibition Field | WATCH HERE

At this time of the season they don’t get much bigger than this when the Raiders visit the Huskers with both teams holding identical records. The winner will be in the driver seat for the playoffs with one game to go.  It’s the second time this season that they square off and the Raiders currently hold the tiebreaker after an 18-13 win on August 9th.  With a win and a Langley loss, the Raiders would clinch the final playoff spot in the Conference.  The Huskers have other ideas and are unbeaten in their last three and will play their final two games at home looking to leapfrog the Raiders. With a win by more than five-points, they will move into fourth place.

Head-to-Head

Records: Raiders 3-4-1 – Huskers 3-4-1
Avg Points For: Raiders 19.2 – Huskers 27
Avg Points Allowed: Raiders 22.5 – Huskers 25.5

Passing Leaders: Brayden Jupe – 123 of 189 for 1273 yards and 5 touchdowns (Raiders) – Key’Shaun Dorsey – 92 of 178 for 1447 yards and 15 touchdowns (Huskers)

Rushing Leaders: Rhonde Lyle – 98 carries for 539 yard and 3 touchdowns (Raiders) – Jawad Harb – 128 carries for 694 yards and 5 touchdowns (Huskers)

Receiving Leaders: Parker Moscrip – 37 receptions for 432 yards (Raiders) - Dhag Mora – 25 receptions for 410 yards and 1 touchdown (Huskers)

Leading Tacklers:  Max Shippam – 31 tackles (Raiders) – Raiden Mastin – 34 tackles (Huskers)

Langley Rams @ Westshore Rebels – Saturday September 27, 4:00pm – Statlight Stadium | WATCH HERE

For the second and final time this season the Rebels and Rams will square off after the Rebels dominated their first meeting 52-6 in late August.  The Rebels have lost two straight and play their final game of the regular season this weekend looking to clinch a home playoff date.  A win would do that.  The Rams are currently on the outside looking in at the postseason, two points out of the final playoff spot. They will need to win this weekend and then beat the Raiders next weekend for any shot.  A loss would officially eliminate them from postseason play.

Head-to-Head

Records: Rams 2-5-1 – Rebels 6-3
Avg Points For: Rams 14.2 – Rebels 36.8
Avg Points Allowed: Rams 38.1 – Rebels 17.8

Passing Leaders: Palaina Hooper – 39 of 64 for 475 yards and 4 touchdowns (Rams) – Gavin Session – 167 of 253 for 2380 yards and 22 touchdowns (Rebels)

Rushing Leaders: Bruce Jones – 87 carries for 428 yards and 2 touchdowns (Rams) – Carter Williams – 41 carries for 265 yards and 3 touchdowns (Rebels)

Receiving Leaders: Tyson Galye – 21 receptions for 311 yards and 4 touchdowns (Rams) – Zion Brown – 55 receptions for 879 yards and 13 touchdowns (Rebels)

Leading Tacklers: Cade Handy – 34 tackles (Rams) – Bronson Pheiffer – 33 tackles (Rebels)

Kamloops Broncos @ Prince George Kodiaks – Saturday September 27, 6:00pm – Masich Stadium | WATCH HERE

This is the second meeting this year between the Kodiaks and Broncos and if the Kodiaks can win, they will clinch the franchise’s first playoff spot.  They took down the Broncos in Kamloops on August 23rd by 19-points and are hoping for more of the same in front of their hometown fans for the final time this season. They are coming off their bye week and should be well rested and prepared for this weekend’s game. The Broncos meanwhile are looking to play spoiler.  They haven’t won yet this year and would like nothing more than to knock off the Kodiaks in Prince George. 

Head-to-Head

Records: Broncos 0-8 – Kodiaks 4-3-1
Avg Points For: Broncos 7.1 – Kodiaks 23
Avg Points Allowed: Broncos 45.6 – Kodiaks 27.5

Passing Leaders:  Carter Moberg – 63 of 144 for 747 yards and 3 touchdowns (Broncos) – Sawyer Theissen – 105 of 193 for 1224 yards and 10 touchdowns (Kodiaks)

Rushing Leaders: Cameron Grzegorczyk – 63 carries for 282 yards and 1 touchdown (Broncos) – Gavin Halvorson – 88 carries for 404 yards and 3 touchdowns (Kodiaks)

Receiving Leaders: Brock Dufort – 24 receptions for 275 yards and 3 touchdowns (Broncos) – Ben Fehr – 24 receptions for 220 yards and 1 touchdown (Kodiaks)

Leading Tacklers: Fenton Munson – 33 tackles (Broncos) – Caiden Crow – 42 tackles (Kodiaks)

SUNDAY

Prairie Conference

Edmonton Wildcats @ Winnipeg Rifles – Sunday September 28, 2:00pm – Maple Grove Field | WATCH HERE

With the schedule winding down this is a massive game for both teams with four of the six Conference teams coming into the weekend with four points in the standings.  There will be plenty of jockeying for playoff positioning with the winner of this game moving into the driver’s seat.  Last time they met, the Rifles blasted the Wildcats 43-24 in Edmonton.  That was the last time the Rifles tasted victory as they have dropped four in a row and play their final home game of the season wanting to send the hometown crowd back with a smile. The Wildcats are coming off a loss at home to Saskatoon, however, did score 26 points against them, giving them confidence that they can move the ball down the field.  Their defence will need to step up and make some plays against the Rifles in order to secure a win.

Head-to-Head

Records: Wildcats 2-4 – Rifles 2-4
Avg Points For: Wildcats 25.5 – Rifles 27.6
Avg Points Allowed: Wildcats 29.5 – Rifles 28.1

Passing Leaders: Marcos Soltero – 71 of 111 for 881 yards and 3 touchdowns (Wildcats) – Riley Element – 133 of 221 for 1904 yards and 8 touchdowns (Rifles)

Rushing Leaders:  Niko Parrott – 44 carries for 325 yards and 3 touchdowns (Wildcats) – Kaiden Banfield – 54 carries for 248 yards and 5 touchdowns (Rifles)

Receiving Leaders: Jacob St. Hilaire – 31 receptions for 435 yards and 3 touchdowns (Wildcats) – Jarome Penner – 34 receptions for 567 yards and 2 touchdowns (Rifles)

Leading Tacklers: D’Wayne Williams – 21 tackles (Wildcats) – Kyler Banfield – 32 tackles (Rifles)

Calgary Colts @ Edmonton Huskies – Sunday September 28, 1:00pm – JP Bowl | WATCH HERE

It’s the back half of a home and home after the Huskies scored an impressive road win last weekend, 41-30 in Calgary.  With the Huskies win, Colts loss it created a logjam in the Conference standings with four teams at 2-4 showing incredible parody.  The Huskies have played better as of late winning two of three and are at home for their last two games of the season.  With a win on Sunday, it would propel them into a playoff spot with one game remaining on the schedule.  For the Colts, they need a big win and ideally beat the Huskies by more than 11 points to take back the tiebreaker.   They have stumbled in their last two games and find themselves on the road the rest of the way.  Their defence needs to make a few stops after giving up 92 points in the last two games. 

Head-to-Head

Records: Colts 2-4 – Huskies 2-4
Avg Points For: Colts 19.6 – Huskies 19
Avg Points Allowed: Colts 35.5 – Huskies – 36.1

Passing Leaders: Julian Harries – 33 of 64 for 362 yards and 2 touchdowns (Colts) – Wesley Neitz – 80 of 143 for 1060 and 6 touchdowns (Huskies)

Rushing Leaders: Zion Brown – 102 carries for 679 yards and 3 touchdowns (Colts) – Aaron Demerchant – 56 carries for 292 yards and 1 touchdown (Huskies)

Receiving Leaders: Zion Brown – 17 receptions for 215 yards and 1 touchdown (Colts) – William Campbell – 30 receptions for 366 yards and 3 touchdowns (Huskies)

Leading Tacklers: Drew McAsey – 27 tackles (Colts) – Kaige Houle – 30 tackles (Huskies)

Ontario Conference

GTA Grizzlies @ Quinte Skyhawks – Sunday September 28, 4:00pm – Loyalist College | WATCH HERE

By the time kickoff rolls around on Sunday for the Skyhawks, they will fully understand the task at hand.  If the Sooners beat the Cougars on Saturday, then the Skyhawks will move into the final playoff spot, but if the Cougars win, then the Skyhawks game on Sunday becomes a must win to keep pace for the postseason.  They will host the Grizzlies who have struggled to put points on the board, scoring just 13 this season and they are having difficulties keeping points off for the opposition.   The Skyhawks shutout the Grizzlies in their first meeting this year 35-0 on August 23rd.  They have lost two straight and have two games remaining.

Head-to-Head

Records: Grizzlies 0-6 – Skyhawks 2-4
Avg Points For: Grizzlies 2.1 – Skyhawks 13.5
Avg Points Allowed: Grizzlies 54 – Skyhawks 31.6

Passing Leaders: Brandon Beauchamp – 37 of 74 for 319 yards and 1 touchdown (Grizzlies) – Wesley Graham – 80 of 98 for 591 yards and 2 touchdowns (Skyhawks)

Rushing Leaders: Wesley Graham – 15 carries for 154 yards (Skyhawks)

Leading Tacklers: Ben Herder – 39 tackles (Skyhawks)