Hilltops, Thunder both out for redemption to kick off PFC season

The Canadian Junior Football League returns to the prairies this week, and both Saskatchewan teams have one goal in mind: A national championship on their home field.

The reigning Prairie Football Conference champions, the Saskatoon Hilltops, take on the Winnipeg Rifles in Week 1 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. 

Although the Toppers brought home the PFC championship in 2021 with a win over the Regina Thunder, they fell short of their ultimate goal of a 23rd national title.

Hilltops receiver Dillan Heintz said the team will use last year as fuel to find success this season.

“We didn’t (meet) expectations last year, and this year we’re starting 0-and-1,” Heintz said.

“(We) ended the season on a loss last year, so we’ve got to come out and make it to the Canadian Bowl and win it.”

Heintz said the team is bringing back so many pieces from last season, and it’s made a world of a difference early on in camp and practices.

“It’s honestly been huge, because last year we had a lot of new starters so that obviously plays a factor into nerves and just experience for the games,” Heintz said.

“This year, we have a lot more (of a) veteran group, and it’s paying off.”

When asked about personal goals and individual accolades, Heintz kept it pretty simple. It’s all about the team.

“As long as we win the Canadian Bowl, I don’t really care what else you get. All you care about in the end is winning the last game,” Heintz said.

Heintz said the Hilltops are taking things one week at a time, and that starts with Winnipeg on Sunday afternoon.

Meanwhile, the Thunder has some unfinished business in 2022 after coming up short in the PFC final to the Hilltops on home field.

Thunder offensive lineman Connor Klassen said that feeling of defeat has stuck with him and his teammates ever since.

“It’s been a long offseason since we lost in the PFC final last year. We’ve all been grinding and have Game 1 marked on the calendar,” Klassen said.

That day that has been circled comes Sunday when the Thunder host the Edmonton Wildcats at Leibel Field at 1 p.m.

Just like the Hilltops, Regina will use last year’s tough defeat as a lesson in 2022, and try to right the wrongs of last season.

“We don’t want to focus too much on the past, but obviously (it’s a) bad memory to look back on, and it motivates us. We’re really putting in the work, and hoping to have that one game flipped this year,” Klassen said.

Klassen has been busy this offseason in the gym, on top of a stint at the Saskatchewan Roughriders training camp this past spring. He said that Riders camp helped mold him into a smarter and more-skilled player.

Similar to the Hilltops, Regina is bringing back plenty of familiar faces from last season. Klassen said he believes all of the right pieces are in play to have another dominant season.

“Everything is looking really good so far offensively, defensively and with our special teams, so it’s good to see,” Klassen said.

Saskatoon and Regina will finally meet in Week 4, when the Hilltops host the Thunder.