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After completing a perfect season in 2023, the Saskatoon Hilltops returned home with their 23rd Canadian Bowl championship trophy on Sunday.
On Saturday, the Hilltops defeated the Westshore Rebels 17-10 to win the championship game on Vancouver Island in Langford.
Tom Sargeant, Saskatoon’s head coach, joined Mark Loshack on the CKOM Morning Show on Monday to explain what it was like to be in the trenches of a tightly fought football game.
“(It) was two great teams going at it, and it was like a heavyweight boxing match,” Sargeant said.
“It was going back and forth, and I just believe at the end of the day it was the Hilltop champion heart (which won us the game). That certainly came into play, and the boys dug deep and found a way to get it done in the end. I couldn’t be more proud.”
The Hilltops had a 7-0 lead at the end of the half, which is a lot smaller lead than they’re typically used to, given how they dominated most other teams this season.
Sargeant said during halftime he told his team that they needed to stay the course. He credited his experienced players for getting them over the finish line.
“It was our fifth-year players leading us and making the biggest plays,” Sargeant explained. “They’re the reason we’re national champs today. Boy, that sounds real good!”
Matt Wist and Boston Davidsen were named the defensive and offensive MVPs of the game after the victory.
The Hilltops also got a congratulatory message from CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie and Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark.
Congratulations to this year’s #CJFL Canadian Bowl champions, the @SaskHilltops! What an inspiring and outstanding performance today!
— Randy Ambrosie (@RandyAmbrosie) November 12, 2023
“Well done Toppers, the Canadian Bowl is back where it belongs!” the mayor wrote.
https://twitter.com/charlieclarkyxe/status/1723523921105101088
The celebrations got started right after the game on Saturday, and Sargeant said the team plans on celebrating with the community now that they’re back at home.
“(The trophy) is going to be all over the place. I know we got a big parade coming up on the weekend as well, and that’s going to be front and centre,” he said.
“We’ve got a nice spot for it in our clubhouse. We make sure we walk past that every day, and it’s a great reminder of the sacrifice and hard work everyone’s had to do to get a beautiful piece of workmanship. Just an awesome day for all of us and proud to represent Saskatoon.”
