Saskatoon Hilltops claim 24th national title with 21-18 win over Okanagan Sun

A brisk November breeze blew through Saskatoon on Sunday as the Hilltops and Okanagan Sun lined up for the 2025 Canadian Bowl.

The Hilltops, with 23 championships already under their belts, looked to capture another title, while the Sun were eyeing up their fourth national championship.

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In the end it was the Saskatoon Hilltops who walked away happy after capturing their 24th national title with a 21-18 win.

“It means a lot. Coming into the season I didn’t know what to expect,” said Hilltops running back David Collins. “To leave a national champion, it feels unreal, I’m just glad and grateful.”

Defence was the main focus for both sides from the opening kickoff, with neither side getting any offense going early in the game.

A safety for each side was all the offences could muster in the first quarter, leaving the game sitting at a 2-2 tie heading into the second.

“I told the offence, ‘The defence is going to fight, so we’ve got to fight,’” said Collins. “We can’t take anything for granted when we get on that field.”

In the second quarter, the Hilltops offence broke loose as Collins ran in two touchdowns, making it 16-2.

A late safety conceded by the Hilltops in the second quarter made it 16-4 at halftime.

“Dave’s been our guy all year,” said Tom Sargeant, the Hilltops’ head coach. “At the end of the day, (he) gave me that ‘Coach, give me the ball,’ so it’s pretty simple. We gave him the ball.”

After Collins’ two touchdowns, the Hilltops looked to find their groove rolling into the second half, but Okanagan came out swinging.

The second half started with a Sun rushing touchdown, cutting the Hilltops’ lead to 16-11, while Okanagan’s defence was able to hold the Hilltops at bay.

Another safety, this one conceded by the Sun, made it 18-11 Hilltops at the end of the third.

In the fourth quarter, the Sun tied it up 18-18, but Collins got the Hilltops within field goal distance and the team converted, making the score 21-18.

“This is just who we are. We’re up for any challenge,” Sergeant said. “The moments never got too big for us. We handled everything, and the kids played with poise and confidence.”

For the first time since 2018, the Hilltops have won the Canadian Bowl at home.

“It’s sometimes a little tougher at home, but to be at SMF in this surrounding, there’s nothing better,” Sargeant said.

“I’m really glad we were able to bring it in front of the fans,” added Collins.