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The top 10 teams heading into Week 9
Photo courtesy of Wanda Harron Photography
As the season enters Week 9 there isn't much movement this week on the CJFL Top 10 Power Rankings.
| Rankings | Teams | Last Week |
| 1 | Westshore Rebels (7-0) | 1 |
| 2 | St. Clair Saints (5-0) | 2 |
| 3 | Saskatoon Hilltops (5-0) | 3 |
| 4 | Okanagan Sun (5-1) | 4 |
| 5 | Regina Thunder (4-1) | 6 |
| 6 | London Beefeaters (4-2) | 7 |
| 7 | Valley Huskers (4-2) | 8 |
| 8 | Langley Rams (4-2) | 9 |
| 9 | Edmonton Huskies (3-2) | 5 |
| 10 | Hamilton Hurricanes (3-3) | 10 |
The best performances from this past week
The CJFL is proud to announce the Week 8 Players of the Week.
Offensive Players of the Week
Prairie Conference
QB Liam Ozkowski – Calgary Colts
On Sunday quarterback Liam Ozkowski turned in his best junior performance using his arm and his legs. Through the air he completed 32 passes for 369 yards and two touchdowns. When the coverage was there, he had the smarts to put the ball under his arm and carry it five times for 61 yards and scored two more touchdowns.
BC Conference
QB Te Jessie – Westshore Rebels
For the third time this season quarterback Te Jessie has been the best offensive player in the BC Conference. This past weekend he completed 15 passes for 358 yards and threw six more touchdowns. He also ran once for 17 yards.
Ontario Conference
RB LJ Dyer – London Beefeaters
In a pivotal game that clinched London a home playoff game LJ Dyer was an unstoppable force for the Beefeaters punishing the Hamilton Hurricanes for an incredible 318 yards on 36 carries. His 318 yards is third most all-time in the OFC and tied for 11th most all-time in the CJFL.
Defensive Players of the Week
Prairie Conference
DB Cedric McCallum – Edmonton Huskies
It was a physical game on Sunday between the Huskies and Calgary Colts with one player stepping up big time for his team. Cedric McCallum was a beast making 11 solo tackles to lead the defensive push.
BC Conference
DL Phillip Palmarin – Okanagan Sun
The speed and agility of Phillip Palmarin of the Okanagan Sun on Saturday night was unmatched by the Kamloops Broncos. He was everywhere on the field recording an interception, a sack, jumping on two fumbles, tallying a sack and assisting on two others.
Ontario Conference
LB Zach Chaddock – Hamilton Hurricanes
Zach Chaddock was the main reason that prevented the offensive player of the week from reaching pay dirt on Sunday. Chaddock was seemingly always in the middle of the action as he accumulated nine solo tackles, had a sack, one batted ball and a fumble recovery for an impressive 25 defensive points.
Special Teams Players of the Week
Prairie Conference
DL Steven Groves – Edmonton Wildcats
It was a tough day for the Wildcats on Sunday, but one player that stood out on special teams was the play of Steven Groves. He helped hold down the Saskatoon Hilltops return game and make four solo special teams tackles.
BC Conference
DL Phillip Palmarin – Okanagan Sun
It’s the second Player of the Week honour for Phillip Palmarin who was simply incredible on special teams. Some players go their entire football career never blocking a kick…Palmarin had two on the weekend turning in a very memorable game. He also added a pair of special teams tackles,
Ontario Conference
KR/PR Daniel Bumbaco – St. Clair Saints
The most electric special teams play of the weekend was turned in by Daniel Bumbaco as he fielded a punt from deep within his own territory and raced the length of the field for a 112-yard punt return touchdown. The first quarter score broke open the game as the Saints routed the Grizzlies on the road. Bumbaco’s return was tied for the ninth longest in OFC history.
The Hilltops, Thunder and Colts are winners
Photo courtesy of Jake Bradley Photography
Saskatoon Hilltops 52
Edmonton Wildcats 7
Second time around and almost a repeat performance as the Hilltops blast the Wildcats once again scoring over 50 points.
Defensively the Hilltops shut out the Wildcats for the first three quarters and only allowed 148 total offensive yards. They forced four turnovers and collected a pair of sacks. Matt Wist led the way with six tackles and a sack while Isaac Rivilan and Dalton Urban recorded interceptions.
On the offensive side the Hilltops scored 17 points in the first quarter and didn’t look back. Running back Boston Davidsen paced the ground game with 131 more yards on 20 carries and scored twice. Charles Sawi also got into the endzone on the ground.
Through the air Trey Reider completed 13 passes for 187 yards and threw touchdowns to Evan Ward and Trystan Ginther.
The lone Wildcats touchdown came late in the fourth when quarterback Julien Beaulieu found Breyan Elias for the score.
This coming weekend the Hilltops (5-0) will visit the Edmonton Huskies (3-2) in a big game for both teams. The Wildcats (0-5) will visit the Winnipeg Rifles (1-4).
Regina Thunder 23
Winnipeg Rifles 11
This was a hard-fought battle with the Thunder doing just enough to escape with a win in Winnipeg.
Running back Ryland Leichert carried the rock 19 times for 110 yards and got into the endzone. The aerial attack struggled against the Rifles secondary, but quarterback Carter Moberg did manage 18 completions for 218 yards and found Leichert for a touchdown leaking out of the backfield.
Kicker Sean Green was solid with three field goals including a 40 yarder.
The Rifles found it difficult to move the football against the Thunder defence. As a matter of fact, their only touchdown came from their own defence. Josh Yanchishyn intercepted a pass and returned it 69- yards for a major late in the fourth quarter. He ended the game with two picks.
With the win the Thunder move to 4-1 and will host the Calgary Colts (2-3) next weekend while the Rifles (1-4) fight for their playoff lives and entertain the Edmonton Wildcats (0-5).
Calgary Colts 48
Edmonton Huskies 40
It was a shootout in Calgary with the hometown Colts coming back to score 21 points in the fourth quarter to pull out their second win of the season.
Their offence gained 596 total yards and was very balanced.
Through the air quarterback Liam Ozkowski was outstanding completing 32 passes for 369 yards and found Nicholas Sirleaf nine times for 151 yards and two touchdowns including the game winning score with 43 seconds left. To add to his incredible performance, Ozkowski rushed five times for 61 yards and scored two majors. Zion Dogbe-Brown was outstanding with 114 yards on nine carries and two more touchdowns.
The Huskies offence was just as impressive, but their defence couldn’t get the stop they needed in the fourth quarter to secure the win.
Offensively they tallied 399 yards, most of that through the air. Quarterback Carson Neitz completed 12 passes for 264 yards and four touchdowns. He found Jordan Howe twice, along with Carver Trapp and Nolan Baragar once. Neitz also ran for a touchdown.
Next week the Colts (2-3) will look to extend their win streak to three when they visit the Regina Thunder (4-1). The Huskies (3-2) need a win to keep pace in the Conference and will welcome the Saskatoon Hilltops (5-0).
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