PREVIEW: Rifles battle Hilltops in semi-final

When the first place Saskatoon Hilltops host the Winnipeg Rifles on Sunday afternoon in one of two PFC semi-finals, it’ll be the fifth time they’ve met in the postseason.

The Hilltops have won all of the four previous match-ups, outscoring the Rifles 172-98, each time in Saskatoon.

The closest outcome was in 2011 when the Hilltops squeaked by 36-34 on route to the PFC final.

This season in their two meetings the Hilltops have come out victories 48-23 in Saskatoon and 44-19 in Winnipeg.  However the Rifles have outgained the Hilltops in total offense yards 836-828.

This semi-final will see to different looking offense as the Hilltops will pound the ball on the ground with the PFC rushing champs Wayndel Lewis, while the Rifles will attack through the air with the PFC highest rated quarterback in Tyler Vieira.

Lewis rushed 130 times this season for 1,064 yards and nine touchdowns.  He certainly didn’t slow down against the Rifles rushing 39 times for 240 yards and scored four majors.  In total the Hilltops gained 406 yards against the Rifles during the regular campaign.

As mentioned the Rifles will try and use the air assault to beat the Hilltops.  Vieira finished the season with 123 completions and a passer efficiency rating of 86.5% with a Conference high 14 touchdown passes. He was fortunate to have one of the best 1-2 punches in the country with Kurt Goodrich and Niclas Bembenek.  Goodrich made a Conference high 50 receptions for 723 yards and six majors, while Bembenek hauled in 29 passes for 736 yards and five touchdowns.

Miscues have really hurt the Rifles in the two regular season games with Hilltops.  Vieira has thrown five interceptions and they have 12 giveaways.

On paper the Hilltops have the better defense, but can their secondary contain the Rifles two big receivers?  The war is the trenches on both sides will be so important.  If the Rifles offensive line gives Vieira time to throw, the visitors should be in good shape keep the game close.  However if the very talented Hilltops defensive line can penetrate it could be a long afternoon for the Rifles.  Veteran linebacker Justin Filteau has been simply outstanding this season and leads the club with 37 solo tackles.

If this game comes down to kickers, the advantage goes to the Hilltops.  Brett Thorarinsson connected on 75% of his field goals and a Conference high 21.  Rifles kicker Brad Mikoluff was 8 of 15, but did hit one from 42 yards out.

The Hilltops are coming into the playoffs very confident and have won five straight, which including the sweep of the home and home with the Rifles. They have tallied the most points in the PFC with 295 and given up the second fewest with 160.

The Rifles on the other hand limb into the post season losing four straight games, all to the Province of Saskatchewan.

Kick-off is set for 1:00pm on Sunday from field turf of Saskatoon Minor Football Field.  The winner moves onto the PFC championship game.  The Hilltops were in the game last year, while the Rifles haven’t been there since 2005 when they fell to the Edmonton Huskies.