Saskatoon Hilltops' 2025 season begins amidst the lingering pain of their previous year's conference final defeat
Saskatoon Hilltops Kick Off 2025 CJFL Season with Key Defensive Lineman Johnathon Stevens
The Saskatoon Hilltops, one of the most dominant teams in the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL), are preparing for their season opener against the Winnipeg Rifles on Sunday. Johnathon Stevens, a key member of the Hilltops' defensive line and a second-team All-Canadian last season, will be leading the charge.
Stevens, who had a stint with the Canadian Football League's (CFL) Saskatchewan Roughriders, returned to the Hilltops following three months with the Roughriders. His performance since then has been nothing short of stellar, earning him the title of a star player for the Hilltops.
During his time with the Roughriders, Stevens had a notable one-on-one matchup with Micah Johnson. His experience at the professional level has undoubtedly benefited the Hilltops, as he aims to share the lessons he learned with his teammates.
The Hilltops' head coach, Tom Sargeant, has noticed Stevens' development into one of the top defensive linemen in western Canada. Sargeant's focus this season is on making the team the most physical and improving their blocking and tackling skills. The Hilltops' training camp has been particularly focused on stopping the run, a weakness that was exposed in their loss in the Prairie Football Conference (PFC) final last October.
In addition to Stevens, the Hilltops will be welcoming Brexton Elias as their new starting quarterback, following the departure of Trey Reider, the PFC's most valuable player. The coaching staff has developed new play calls for Elias that allow him to use his legs and put defenses on their heels.
The Hilltops will also be without nine graduates from their 2024 team. Despite these changes, Stevens remains motivated for the 2025 season, citing the previous loss in the PFC title as a driving force. He believes the lessons learned from the 2024 season will be evident starting in the Week 1 contest against the Rifles.
The Hilltops' home opener will be on Aug. 17 against the Edmonton Huskies. As they embark on this new season, the Hilltops and Stevens will undoubtedly be a formidable force to reckon with in the CJFL.
The Hilltops, as they gear up for the 2025 season, remain a dominant force in American-football sports, specifically in the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL). Johnathon Stevens, a standout defensive lineman, will be leading the charge, displaying his skills honed from both CJFL and American Football, such as his stint withthe Canadian Football League's (CFL) Saskatchewan Roughriders. As Sargeant, the Hilltops' head coach, works on improving the team's physicality and blocking skills, Stevens' analytical insights promise to significantly boost the team's performance in sports-analysis, particularly in their PFC battles.
