CJFL Offseason Forecast: Defending champs prepare for another run

Photo courtesy of Louis Christ

Once again the class of the Canadian Junior Football League was the Saskatoon Hilltops in 2014 winning their fourth title in five years.

One of the keys to the Hilltops has been depth over the last number of years, something that will once again come into play in 2015 following the graduation for some very important players.

What’s Changing?

In a word … nothing.  The entire coaching staff and board of directors remains the same.  The Hilltops have added Matt Yausie to the coaching staff as quality control on defence and a special teams assistant.

Graduating Players:

* RB Wayndel Lewis: The CJFL Offensive Player of the Year, Lewis easily had his best season as a Hilltop in 2014.  He carried 130 times for a CJFL high 1,063 yards and a Conference high 9 touchdowns.

* LB Justin Filteau: In his fifth and final year Filteau was named an All-Canadian after another terrific season.  A leader on and off the field, he compiled 40 tackles, 21 assisted stops, had a knockdown, a forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries and a pair of interceptions.

* OL Ben Hodson: Named an All-Star in 2014, Hodson was a big body on the offensive line responsible for blowing open holes for Lewis to have an unbelievable season.

* OL Keilor Cherry: The Hilltops had a very potent passing attack in 2014 and really was a two headed monster with both passing and running the ball.  One of the reasons for the passing attack was the time to throw the Hilltops quarterbacks had.  Cherry was part of a solid offensive line that helped the Hilltops to another Canadian Bowl championship.

What They Need:

Like most teams the Hilltops are in need players on the offensive line after the loss of both Hodson and Cherry.  If that’s the biggest hole the Hilltops need to fill, then they will once again be one of the favourites to win in the PFC.

Counting On:

The Hilltops will return a number of their weapons on both sides of the ball in 2015.  Quarterback Jared Andreychuk will start for the second straight year after a solid 2014 in which he completed 49.3% of his passes for 1,624 yards and 11 touchdowns.  He’s also very dangerous with his feet gathering 342 yards on 42 carries.  He’ll have the two Evan’s to throw to again as Kopchynski returns after 17 catches and 463 yards and a Conference high 27.2 yards a catch.  Evan Turkington, the Canadian Bowl most offensive player is back as well after 20 catches in 2014 for 270 yards and five majors.

On defensive the Hilltops will rely on All-Canadian defensive tackle Matt Kozun and safety Austin Thorarinson.  Last season Kozun made 7 stops and 5 assisted tackles, had a sack and a half, 2 knockdowns and a fumble recovery.  Thorarinson meanwhile had 24 tackles, 8 assists, 3 knockdowns and 3 interceptions.

The Hilltops begin defence of the Canadian Bowl title with spring camp from May 1-3 in Saskatoon at Ron Atchinson Field.  Main camp will then open on August 3rd in Saskatoon, a week after the BCFC season begins.

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