Hilltops rout rifles, again: Now host Regina in PFC Final

The Winnipeg Rifles saw their 2010 season conclude on Sunday afternoon in the Prairie Football Conference semi-final at Griffiths Stadium as the Hilltops blasted the Rifles 59-25.

The tone of the semi-final was set on the opening kickoff as Brendan Gryba (picture) returned it back all the way 100 yards to give Saskatoon a 7-0 lead 17 seconds into proceedings. A pair of Kit Hillis touchdowns, the second one being a 31-yard connection from Chase Bradshaw gave the home side a huge 21-0 lead after 15 minutes. Rifle tailback Kienan LaFrance would leave the game late in the frame with a sprained ankle.

The second stanza would see the Hilltops pour it on some more as Rifles punter Nick Bowen conceded a safety; a Zack Schmidt 20-yard field goal; then Gryba would add his 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] TD on a 1-yard run to make it a 33-0 game. The Green Gunners found the end zone near the end of a frustrating first half as back-up running back Martin Hovi scored on a 6-yard run, to cap off a 6-play, 93-yard drive to make it 33-7 Saskatoon at halftime.

The Hovi score would energize the visitors as they had a pair of impressive scoring drives to begin the third quarter as Nick Bowen made good on a 20 yard field goal, then Matt Lariviere made a superb 11-yard touchdown grab and reeled in a 2-point pass to make it 33-18. One play after a Zach Schmidt field goal late in the quarter, Hovi who had a sensational day with 237 yards on 21 carries, rambled 75 yards to draw the Rifles to within 11 at 36-25 at the end of the third frame.

It would unravel once and for all in the final 15 minutes as the Hilltops scored 23 unanswered points as Gryba would score his 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] & 4[SUP]th[/SUP] majors and back-up full back Andre Lalonde would add a 49-yard touchdown run and add a safety to make the final 59-25.

The Hilltops advance to meet the Regina Thunder next Sunday for the PFC championship next Sunday at Gordie Howe Bowl. The Thunder defeated the Calgary Colts 17-6 in the other semi-final.

Head Coach Greg Graceffo said after the defeat, “We played hard all day today…If we can keep our core players, we will be a force to be reckoned with”.

Ryan Marsch would complete 16 of 35 for 247 yards with a TD and 3 interceptions. Matt Lariviere would have 5 grabs for 87 yards. The Rifles would out-gain the Hilltops in net offense by a 571-501 margin. On defense, linebacker Eric Vincent rounded out a stellar 5-year career with a tackle, 6 assisted tackles, a special teams stop and a forced fumble for a 12 point day.

The Green Gunners bid goodbye to 5 graduating players in 5[SUP]th[/SUP]-year man Vincent, full back Adam Kuzbyt, defensive backs Andrew Phan & Marc Lapointe and offensive lineman Ray Thornson.