The Prairie Football Conference (PFC) of the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL) begins regular season play this weekend. The following is a preview of each team in the 6 team conference that includes the Saskatoon Hilltops, Regina Thunder, Winnipeg Rifles, Edmonton Wildcats, Edmonton Huskies, & Calgary Colts.

Saskatoon Hilltops @ Regina Thunder – August 13th @ Mosaic Stadium – 7:00 pm

Edmonton Huskies @ Winnipeg Rifles – August 14th @ Canad Inns Stadium – 12:00 pm

SASKATOON HILLTOPS:

By Don McDonald, Hilltops Media Coordinator

HEAD COACH: Tom Sargeant

2010 RECORD: 7-1, 1ST, Won PFC Championship 32-24 over Regina, Won Canadian Bowl 34-
23 over Vancouver Island Raiders

In Tom Sargeant’s Words:
The 2011 Saskatoon Hilltops are excited to defend the National Championship. They know it will not be an easy road in the tough PFC, but look forward to the competition. The team will be led by 5th QB Chase Bradshaw who has shown great leadership and playmaking ability over his career. The running of the ball will be in the talented bodies of Regan Schuler and Brendan Gryba. Both players have put up outstanding numbers and will be difficult to stop. The line will be led by captain Lane Bryksa and 5th year Nathan Draper. They are dominant guards who compete on every play. The receivers will be led by offensive captain Aaron Haight who patrols the middle with his 6-6 frame and the speed and playmaking will be provided by 2 new starters receiver Graham Unruh and slotback John Trumpy.

The defensive line will be led by All- Canadian Brett Pisio and Canadian Bowl MVP Donovan Dale who will be expected to pressure the passer. Clayton Sarich and Derek Sorenson will provide toughness against the run. The linebackers are in great shape with captain Richard Zacharias and Ben Cressman who are proven players in the league. The defensive backs are in great shape with 3 fifth year players. Dominant safety Graig Newman will patrol the middle, while Braxton Lawrence makes plays at half and Mike Prebble draws the opposition’s toughest receiver.

Zach Schmidt will continue his excellent performance in both the punting and placekicking duties.

Look for an exciting team in this their 65th year of football.

REGINA THUNDER

By Tony Playter, Thunder Club Director

HEAD COACH: Erwin Klempner
2010 RECORD: 6-2, 2nd, Defeated Calgary Colts 17-6 in semi-final, Lost PFC Championship Game 32-24 to the Saskatoon Hilltops

RETURNING PLAYERS:
Wyatt Catley – QB – 5th Year
Kolten Solomon – WR – PFC All Star – 2011 Rider Training Camp
Zach Evans – DL – PFC All Star – 2011 Rider Training Camp
Philmon Bairu – LB
Mark Ingram – DB – PFC All Star
Joey Todd – DB – PFC All Star
Max Amyotte – DL

DEPARTED PLAYERS:
Dan Clarke- OL- CJFL – All-Star- Saskatchewan Roughriders Practice Roster
Mark Coons – RB – PFC Leading Rusher – Regina Rams (CIS)
Jay Smith- WR- PFC All-Star – U of R Rams (CIS)
Cody Johnstone – DB- All-Canadian- Saskatchewan Huskies
Reid Quest – QB – PFC – Offensive Player – Concordia
NEWCOMERS:
Brett Wade – DL – Miller High School
Landon Bessel – QB – Winston Knoll
Robert Ingram – OL – Melfort Comp.
Michael Bittman – LB – Estevan Comp.

OUTLOOK FOR ‘11:
The 2011 team has 14 fifth-year players returning to continue the goal of being the best football team in the country. We have worked very hard in the off season as a team and have some very good players come out to compete for a position on the 75-man roster. We lost some very good football players this year to graduation and CIS, but we continue to improve our talent because of the great minor program in Saskatchewan and the great tradition and expectations that graduating players have left behind.

CALGARY COLTS

By Todd Kimberley, Calgary Colts Media Consultant

HEAD COACH: Keith Kendal
2010 RECORD: 5-3, 3rd, Lost Semi-Final to Regina Thunder 17-6

After a berth in the PFC final in 2008, the Colts have compiled identical 5-3 records
in each of the past two seasons, dropping a conference semifinal on both occasions.
However, one quality seems to be in abundance at 2011 Colts training camp — maturity. “Definitely. Absolutely. And that’s a positive thing,” says Ray Salverda, who’s replaced Rob McNab as the club’s offensive co-ordinator this season.

“Handling the highs and lows of the season — and the moments within a game— is exactly what maturity does for you.”

KEY RETURNEES: CB Alex Saretsky (CJFL all-star), DE Prince Baffoh (PFC all-star), RB Cuong Thai Lieu (806 yards), WR Ben Hnatiuk (357 yards), OL Andrew Driusso (PFC all-star), K/P Andrew Fabian (PFC rookie of the year, PFC all-star).

SAY HELLO: QB Derek Cooper (BCFC Vancouver Island), RB D.J. Whetton (CIS Calgary), WR/KR Rodreke Joseph (OFC Burlington), OL Greg Hannah (HS Medicine Hat, Alta.), LB Tomas Truba (HS Lethbridge, Alta.), DL Calder Brown (CIS Calgary).

OUTTA HERE: OL Spencer Wilson (CFL Calgary), LB Zach McNeill (graduated), WR/SB Jake Harty (CIS Calgary), WR Ryan McDermit (graduated), OL Bart Archdekin (graduated), OL Riley Brown (CIS St. Mary’s), S GarryWilson (graduated), DHB Kevan Hafichuk (CIS Calgary).

2011 OUTLOOK: The defence carried the Colts down the stretch in 2010, and with only three starters having moved on, John Stevens’ bunch will likely match any PFC rival, tackle for tackle, in 2011. What’s more, the entire defensive line—including DE Prince Baffoh, who spent time at Calgary Stampeders camp in the spring— has returned.

On offence, Calgarian QB Derek Cooper has returned from two years with the Vancouver Island Raiders juggernaut backing up Jordan Yantz, and is challenging for the No. 1 gunslinger spot. Meanwhile, Cuong Thai Lieu, Chucks Okafor, and newcomer D.J. Whetton bolster an impressive backfield.

The Colts should shine on special teams. Andrew Fabian, used on an emergency basis in a Stampeders pre-season win over Edmonton on June 24, has arguably the best leg in the conference, while Robbie Morgan, Doug Long, and newcomer Rodreke Joseph should give the return game some zing.

WINNIPEG RIFLES

By Tom Hallick, Winnipeg Rifles Media Relations Director

HEAD COACH: Greg Graceffo
2010 RECORD: 3-5, 4th, Lost Semi-Final to Saskatoon Hilltops 59-25

After a pair of dismal seasons, the Rifles rebounded in 2010. They got off to a 3-1 start, thanks
to back-to-back wins over the Edmonton Huskies and a home field decision over the defending
champion Edmonton Wildcats and grabbing a share of first at the halfway point of the campaign. But the Green Gunners dropped their final four tilts and managed to hold off the hard charging Cats to grab the 4th & final PFC playoff berth. In the semi-final in Saskatoon, they spotted the Hilltops a 33-0 first half deficit before going on a 25-3 run until the Toppers
racked up 23 fourth quarter points to seal the deal.

WELCOME ABOARD: Kyle Willis, RB (South Surrey, now Langley Rams), Sean Clarke, RB (Manitoba, CIS) Everad Jackson, REC (South Surrey, now Langley Rams), Julian Banares REC (Sturgeon Heights Huskies, WHSFL), Donovan Gregoire, LB (River East Kodiaks, WHSFL), Tariq Lachance, DL (Vincent Massey Trojans, WHSFL), Paul Belanger, DL (Sisler Spartans, WHSFL)

IT’S BEEN A SLICE: RB Kienan LaFrance (Manitoba, CIS), LB Eric Vincent (Manitoba, CIS), DL Ray Thornson (Manitoba, CIS)

AND NOW, A WORD FROM THE BOSS: The Rifles are looking forward to beginning the 2011 season. The players have worked hard in the off season and through main camp. We are pleased with the progress of our returning players and excited by the potential of our new additions. We expect the results of these efforts to pay off in the coming season.

OUTLOOK: The Rifles only lost a handful of players to graduation, so it will be a veteran laden roster that takes the field in their 10th anniversary season. The offensive backfield could be best described as a four-headed monster with Willis, Sean Clarke & returning backs Choe Sesay and Martin Hovi who filled in admirably for LaFrance when called upon.

The receiving corps is among the best in the conference as Matt Lariviere who had 630 receiving yards, good for 3rd in the conference, Steve Hadaller & Derek Dean. Everad Jackson could make a substantial contribution in his own right.

As far as the defense goes, they looked very good in the preseason tilt with Regina. It should be very interesting to see who steps up to fill the void left by Eric Vincent who joined the Manitoba Bisons.

EDMONTON WILDCATS

By Stuart Gibson, Edmonton Wildcats Media Coordinator

HEAD COACH: Darcy Park

2010 Record: 3-5, Missed Playoffs

The Wildcats are coming off a less than stellar 3-5 season which saw the Wildcats miss the playoffs for the first time since 1995. The Cats will be determined to make amends and rebound from a frustrating season last year and will be focused on securing another PFC title in 2011.

The Wildcats are looking forward to the return of many key players and veterans.

Quarterback Andrew Johnson who was named PFC Rookie of the year last year will be returning for his second season with the Wildcats, along with PFC Rookie of the Year Running Back Taylor Souster.

Josh Tunke another PFC rookie of the year will fortify the O-line. Locking down the secondary are 5th year Miguel Barker and 4th year Kael Schryver.

Wide Receiver Mitch Richter will be back for his 3rd year with the Cats and looks to have a breakout year with the Cats in 2011. Another returning vet, 5th year Steve Giang will be returning as a dominant force to support the defensive line along with Linebacker Kevin Hanson who accumulated the most defensive points for the Wildcats in 2010.

The Wildcats have brought in a good crop of rookies this year to camp that will be vying for positions in their respective units and will be giving the coaches some tough decisions to make as to who will make the club this year.

All in all, the Wildcats will have a very competitive and hungry team going into the 2011 season and expectations will be high in making the playoffs and beyond.

EDMONTON HUSKIES

By Jason Flammia, Edmonton Huskies Media Coordinator

HEAD COACH: Rick Walters
2010 RECORD: 0-8, Missed playoffs

The Edmonton Huskies start the 2011 campaign with a road game against the Winnipeg Rifles on August 14, followed by a second road game against the Calgary Colts on August 20. The Huskies will be looking for redemption after a disappointing 2010 season.

First year Head Coach Rick Walters and his staff have been diligent in improving the culture around the team, by making it clear the goal heading into the 2011 campaign is to compete for a national championship.

“In the off-season, we got back to the basics. We actively recruited players that we felt could rekindle some of the Huskies proud history and traditions, both on and off the field,” said Coach Walters. “All of the guys really bought into our offseason workouts, and we feel all of that hard work in the off-season will show in the 2011 season.”

The Huskies will be relying on some key veterans and highly touted rookies to turn the organization back into a competitive team.

Coach Walters will be relying on 5th year players Mitch McKeil (OL) and quarterback Ben Gorniak to anchor his offensive unit. “We need both of those guys to play well throughout the year, as they are pivotal to our offense.”

The Huskies will be looking at 5th year linebacker Paul Irwin and defensive-back Kevin Francis to lead the defensive group in 2011. “Both Paul and Kevin bought in to what we’ve implemented and are poised to have a good year. We expect them to make strong contributions,” said Coach Walters.

General Manager Bob Bula points to newly recruited defensive-back Brandt Kolybaba and defensive-linemen Haiden Heap and Steven Wuori as key acquisitions in improving last year’s struggling defence. Kicker Jonathan Heidebrecht and offensive lineman Quinn Glanz are expected to improve the Huskies offense in their rookie year too.

“We got some great recruits over the off-season, and we’re looking forward to seeing how well these young men develop over the season,” said Bula.

After opening the season with two road games, the Huskies play host to the Saskatoon Hilltops on August 27 and the Calgary Colts on September 10. The first game against the cross-town rival Edmonton Wildcats is set for September 17, before heading back on the road to play the Regina Thunder on September 25. The cross-town rival rematch against the Wildcats is on October 1, and then the regular season draws to a close with a road game on October 9 against the Hilltops.

Compiled by Tom Hallick, PFC Media Coordinator