HUMBOLDT, TISDALE, MELFORT — A number of area athletes helped the Saskatoon Hilltops capture its seventh straight Prairie Football Conference championship.
Former Tisdale, Melfort, and Humboldt high school players played roles on a young Hilltops squad. The team shook off two straight early season losses to the Regina Thunder to capture yet another junior football conference titles. In the PFC finals the then 6-2 Hilltops triumphed over the 8-0 Thunder, 29-9. The championship came the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the 2020 season from being held. For Melfort’s Konner Johnson, it was his third PFC championship.
“This one meant a lot after nearly two years of no football and getting to match up with Regina in Mosaic Stadium,” the linebacker said. “It was a great game and they, were a great opponent.”
The Hilltops went on to play the Langley (B.C.) Rams in the national semifinals. The Rams avenged their 2018 and 2019 national championship game losses to Saskatoon with a 17-14 win. The Hilltops’ run of six straight Canadian Bowl titles came to an end.
“The season obviously didn’t end the way we wanted it to, but there were still many great things about it,” said Pavel Lalonde, a defensive lineman from Tisdale. “If I had to pick something I enjoyed the most this season, it would definitely be winning the PFC on the road and also having such a close group of teammates.”
In the PFC finals, Lalonde found himself competing against his former team to keep the Hilltops’ PFC streak alive. He had previously played for the Thunder.
“Switching from the Thunder to the Hilltops was definitely something you don’t see very much,” Lalonde said. “But at the end of the day, I had to make a decision that was best for me and looking back it was the best decision I could have ever made. They’re both two great football programs, but coming to Saskatoon there was just something a little different and I have enjoyed the ride so much so far.”
His brother, Andre, coached the Hilltops’ running backs and special teams this past season. He played for the team in 2009-2013. Their older brother, Ben, was a Hilltop in 2002-2005.
“It has been good to share the Hilltops culture and community with Pavel,” Andre Lalonde said. “I definitely saw him grow as a player and as a person this past year after making the team. With two boys part of the team, it also meant our family came and watched the games more often, which was great too.”
In addition to Pavel Lalonde and Johnson, other area players on the Saskatoon squad’s roster this season included: Humboldt – Jared Giddings, Ethan Paslowski, Teijon Abel-Douglas; and Melfort - Connor Rolland, Warner Solsten and Mitch Clarke. Their gridiron passion was sparked by or developed during their days playing for their local school squads.
“Playing high school for the Tornados is when my love for football all started,” Lalonde said. “We never really had great teams when I was there, but it’s playing there when I knew I wanted to take my game to the next level. I still love to follow how the team is doing and, obviously, they had a great season this year and I think Coach [Keenan] Carrier will continue to have great teams there for a while.”
Since 1953, the Hilltops have won 22 Canadian Bowl titles. Their recent streak of six ran between 2014 and 2019. Andre Lalonde said he thinks the success of the program comes from multiple things.
“First and foremost, the community and family culture the team has had,” he said. “Another big reason is the commitment everyone puts forth from the top down in the organization to getting better each and every day.”
Abel-Douglas, a first-year kicker, praised the competitive atmosphere at Hilltops’ practices.
“Everyone is working to improve and become better throughout the season from day one,” he said. “Every day you come into practice to get that one per cent better each and every day and everyone embraces that responsibility. Our coaches always put us in spots to succeed, giving us chances to prove ourselves each and every day.”
Johnson said the team has high expectations for next season. Abel-Douglas said:
“I’m looking forward to getting back on the field with the guys I have created a brotherly bond with. After Langley, there was a different sort of energy. We’re hungry to get back at it and already preparing for next season. I’m looking forward to just simply getting back into the swing of things. This off season is going to be focused on just getting bigger, faster, stronger in preparation for the season ahead of us.”
