Photo courtesy of Mijen Multimedia

Sunday marks the fourth time the VI Raiders and Saskatoon Hilltops will face each other and third time in Saskatoon.

Back in 2008 the Raiders were only in their fourth season, but were already enjoying success on the field.  They won the Canadian Bowl in 2006 and won the BC Conference in 2007.  Then in 2008 after a 9-1 regular season the Raiders blew through the BC playoffs winning the Cullen Cup for third consecutive season.  Their next step was a date with the 8-0 Hilltops in Saskatoon.  It would be the first time they met and first time the Hilltops had to face a player like Andrew Harris.

The Raiders running back was simply unstoppable that day rushing for an incredible 370 yards on 34 carries and scored three touchdowns setting a new CJFL record in a national semi-final game.  Comparatively the Hilltops offence as a whole generated just 303 yards.  

Defensively the Raiders also were a force creating six turnovers including four interceptions.

Despite all that success offensively the Raiders just barely hung on for a 27-25 final, pushing them forward to the Canadian Bowl which they also won.

Their next meeting came just two seasons later in the 2010 Canadian Bowl again in Saskatoon.  This time the Raiders were without Harris and the Hilltops won 34-23.

The game turned into a track meet offensively.  The visiting Raiders behind quarterback Jordan Yantz gained 463 yards while the Hilltops compiled 437 behind their running back Regan Schuler.  Yantz threw for 359 yards on 31 competitions setting a new CJFL record and two touchdowns.  Hilltops quarterback Chase Bradshaw was also great throwing for 246 yards and a pair of majors.

Both defences were licking their wounds after giving up a combined 900 yards of total offence.  One bright spot was Hilltops linebacker Ben Cressman who made 10 tackles.

The following year the two franchises met again, but this time in Nanaimo in a national semi-final with a very similar roster.  The Hilltops left the Island with a 38-28 victory.

Unlike the year before when the offences caught fire through the air, it was the ground game that would lead the charge on the natural surface at Caledonia Park.

The Hilltops used Schuler early and often running behind a big, strong offensive line.  He rushed 35 times for 152 yards and scored three touchdowns.  Jordan Botel on the Raiders side was also busy with 121 yards and a pair of touchdowns.  

Through the air both Bradshaw and Yantz completed 11 passes and threw one touchdown.  Bradshaw compiled 209 yards where Yantz threw for 125.

Both defences played much better than the previous year defending the pass game.  The Hilltops even collected three sacks.

Following that victory the Hilltops went on to win the Canadian Bowl.

It’s tough to say what this year has in store.  The Raiders are the first CJFL team since the 2005 Edmonton Huskies to win their Conference with two playoff road wins.   The Huskies got a third in Montreal that season winning the Canadian Bowl.

The Hilltops on the other hand played two very tight home playoff games getting past the Winnipeg Rifles and Regina Thunder.

History is certainly not on the Raiders side.  The last BC Conference team to beat a Prairie Conference team on the road was the 2008 Raiders with Harris in the backfield.  That said in the last national semi-final game that was played was in 2013, it was the Raiders that went on the road to beat the Windsor AKO Fratmen.

Kick off on Sunday is set for 1:00pm at SMF Field in Saskatoon.  The winner heads to Ontario to compete for the 110th Canadian Bowl.