Hilltops’ Morrow taking a bite out of the competition

Saskatoon Hilltops defensive back Brant Morrow is used to exploiting cavities in opposing offences.

Now he’s looking to fill them.

The fifth-year player and defensive leader is preparing for his final Prairie Football Conference playoff run this weekend as he simultaneously prepares for his future career as a dentist.

Morrow is a first-year student at the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Dentistry, where his schedule is quickly becoming very demanding.

“I kind of think of it as a 9-to-5 job,” Morrow said of the precious balance between school and football.

“Between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., I’m doing schoolwork. Then I get a little break, and then 6:30 until 10, I’m at football. It’s quite a busy day most days.”

Morrow admits he’s not a very organized person. He forgot to apply to graduate from his health sciences program in the spring and is instead attending a virtual convocation ceremony next week.

His lack of organization isn’t hampering him one bit, though. Morrow will be celebrated as one of the top graduates from the College of Arts and Science, as a recipient of the University Medal in the Bachelor of Arts and Science degree.

“I just think it’s kind of what I have to do with so many expectations — keeping my grades up (and) playing well in football,” Morrow said. “I kind of need to divvy up my time and do it well, so I’m kind of forced to do it. I don’t know if it’s who I am naturally.”

Besides, it’s not a lack of organization. It’s using the stress and adrenaline to perform when it matters most, something Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant has noted numerous times in Morrow’s three years as a starter on defence.

“If I can relate it to football, historically, I’ve made a lot of plays in playoffs and big games and I think it’s kind of the same thing. As soon as I feel stressed I think it helps me perform than duck under and hide,” Morrow said.

Sargeant loves these kinds of stories. No stranger to seeing players become leaders in the community, whether it be doctors, executives or dentists, Sargeant enjoys seeing players leave the team with bright futures ahead of them.

“That’s exciting. There’s so many stories like that. These boys come in and then they turn themselves into men. We just hope being in this program has helped them along in their journey,” Sargeant said.

One thing is for certain: Sargeant won’t be calling his starting safety Dr. Morrow no matter what.

“That’s not going to happen,” he said. “For me, he’s always Brant, No. 22 — a player I have great respect for.”

Hilltops going for seventh consecutive Canadian Bowl

With the Edmonton Huskies’ top-ranked offence awaiting the Hilltops this weekend, Morrow is going to have his hands full for Sunday’s PFC semifinal at SMF Field.

The Huskies threw for 2,515 yards and 21 touchdowns in the regular season compared to the Hilltops 2,107 yards and 14 TDs through the air.

Edmonton was also first in PFC rushing, with 1,481 yards and 18 TDs. Saskatoon fell just behind the Huskies with 1,423 rushing yards and 14 majors.

“If you go by numbers, they have the best offence in the league and if you go by numbers, we have the best defence in the league,” Sargeant said. “I like that matchup.”

Sargeant is hoping his team can continue its sterling legacy at home, where the team hasn’t lost a playoff game at home since the 2013 PFC final at Griffiths Stadium.

“We play our best at the end of the year, so here’s another opportunity for this football team. They need to embrace it,” he said.

Morrow isn’t ready for his football career to end Sunday. He wants his football swan song to end in true Hilltops fashion, with a championship trophy.

“I’ve been working out for two years with last year cancelled. It was important for me to come back and close things off,” he said.

Kickoff on Sunday is set for 1 p.m.