Hilltops advance to National Final
The Saskatoon Hilltops continued right where they left off last week, this time crushing the visiting London Beefeaters, 51-7 to capture the Jostens Cup.
"You never anticipate these kinds of scenarios but credit to our team they took full advantage today," said Tom Sargeant. "It seemed like whatever we wanted to do today we were able to do it."
Despite the freezing cold temperatures, the Hilltops seemed right at home scoring on their first drive at the 12-minute mark of the opening quarter.
Andre Lalonde, who had a pair of touchdowns against Regina last week rumbled in for 43 yards out down to the one yard line. Tom Shockey capped ofthe drive with a one-yard punch into the end zone.
Matt Karpinka hooked up with Kyle McGinnis for a nine yard TD pass giving the Toppers a 14-0 lead heading into the second quarter.
The Beefeaters' opening drive in the second was cut short as Chris Friesen picked off a Beefeater pass turning it into six points.
The very next drive, the Beefeaters offense was picked off again, this time by Taylor Rehn who returned in down to London's 22 yard line.
From there Jared Andreychuk called his own number and snuck into the end zone from 22 yards out for the Hilltops fourth touchdown of the afternoon.
It was much of the same in the third quarter as Andreychuk found Lane Bannerman for a three yard touchdown, followed by a hook up with Chad Braun for a 16-yard catch a run play resulting in a 42-0 lead for the Hilltops.
It took the visitors nearly 44 minutes before they could solve the Hilltops defense. The Beefeaters executed a fake field-goal play with a 30-yard touchdown pass cracking the goose egg on the scoreboard heading into the final quarter. Light flurries also made an appearance during the final period, but it didn't seem to bother the home crowd as they roared on in support of their Prairie Football champions.
Karpinka threw the final dagger, a 36-yard touchdown pass to Coleman Young at the with just under a minute to go in the game getting the Hilltops to 51 points.
Much like against the Regina the Hilltops' defense stood strong with a couple of goal-line stands and only allowing 48 net yards in the first half.
In his rookie season with the Toppers, Andreychuk said he didn't expect it to go this well.
"I'm surprised I've been given the chance to play this late in the season. I'm just hoping to take advantage of every opportunity I get," said Andreychuk.
The Hilltops now travel to Langley for the National Final against the Rams on November 10.
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