Here we go again!  The PFC final will kick-off on Sunday and for the second straight season the Saskatoon Hilltops will host the Calgary Colts.  Last year the Hilltops won 27-7.

This will be the fifth time these two meet in the PFC final, the Hilltops winning all four previous matches.

During the regular season the Colts handed the Toppers their only loss, which was two weeks ago on their home turf, 34-4.  The Colts compiled 489 yards of total offence, while the defence frustrated the Hilltops to only 161 yards of total offence.

Sunday’s final will be a tough game to score points with two of the top defences in the Conference.    The Hilltops gave up a Conference low 137 points and the Colts gave up 164 points in the regular season.  The Hilltops have the Conference Most Outstanding Defensive Player in Cole Benkic, while the Colts have the Most Outstanding Linebacker in Jakub Jakoubek.
The Hilltops defence forced 30 turnovers including a Conference high 13 interceptions; led by Benkic’s three.  The Colts on the other hand created 26 turnovers including 13 fumble recoveries.  In their last meeting the Colts recovered three of those 13 fumbles.

If the offences can move the ball against the very solid defences, they will throw.  Hilltops pivot Jared Andreychuk had the Conference’s highest passer efficiency rating of 113.1, completing 64% of his passes.   John Kiesmen, the Colts QB led the Conference in completions (122), attempts (214) and passing yards (1,801) to go along with his 12 touchdowns.

All that said, the game could come down to the offensive line.  If that group can give their quarterback time to throw and blow open a hole or two for a running back that’s the team that will have the most success.

Both clubs also need a ground game presence to keep the defence on their toes.  Logan Fischer was the “it” guy in Saskatoon carrying 94 times for 794 yards and five touchdowns.  The top Colts rusher was Dylan Minshull who rushed 84 times for 528 yards and six majors.  The team with the best running attack on Sunday should prevail.

When comparing the coaches, both clubs are sound.  The Hilltops and Tom Sargeant, the PFC Coach of the Year, have been here numerous times and always seem to have an answer for the opposition.  The Colts and Matt Blokker return for the second straight season after he came to the PFC from the VI Raiders.  Like Sargeant, Blokker has been in this situation numerous times.  Perhaps the lone difference is that Blokker and company are on the road.  When coaching the Raiders, they played the majority of their finals at home.  As a matter of fact of the eight BCFC title games Blokker coached in, seven of them were at home.  He has yet to coach a home playoff game in the PFC.

This game will be won and lost in the second half. 

Kick-off from Saskatoon is set for 1:00pm.

Ryan Watters talked with Colts head coach Matt Blokker about his preparation to face the Hilltops