SSHoF logo1978 Saskatoon Hilltops

Team (1986)

Football

Canadian Junior Football Champions

The Saskatoon Hilltops won its sixth Canadian junior football championship in 1978, beating the Ottawa Sooners 24-2, in the final at Ottawa.

The Hilltops, coached by Paul Schoenhals, won eight straight in the Prairie Junior Conference, finishing with a 29-1 victory over the Regina Rams. They beat Calgary Colts, 45-14, in the league semifinal and then defeated Edmonton Wildcats, 36-16, in the final. The Hilltop defence had five interceptions and three fumble recoveries in the final. To complete their sweep in the west, the Hilltops defeated Vancouver Meralomas, 28-2, and Fort Garry Lions, 64-0, in a game in which Reg Boudreau had four touchdowns, three converts and a single.

Boudreau scored a touchdown, three field goals, two converts and a single and was voted outstanding offensive player in the Canadian final against Ottawa. Ray Bedier was named outstanding defensive player. Derek Harnish scored the other Hilltop major on a pass from Ron Morris.

Top row: Craig Hoover, Axel Fischer, Scott Walker, Brian St. Cyr, Brian Fruson, Dave Kohut, Brian Peberdy, John Sulz, Lindsay Wincheruk, Al Gibb, Ron Young, Brian Guenther
Second row:Steve Suchorab, Rob Koopman, Kevin Scott (Assistant Coach), Dean Dickson, (Assistant Coach), Jim Courtice ** (Assistant Coach), Gord Simile (Assistant Coach),Dave Mallough (President), Paul Schoenhals (Coach), Ray East (Manager), Barry Radcliffe (Assistant Coach), Lloyd Cenaiko (Trainer), Guyle Clark (Equipment Manager)
Third row: Todd Loberge, Harry Smith, Bruce Anderson, Ken Wasden, Don Sachs, Roy Bedient, Dwight Harnish, Robert Walsh, Gerald Bzowy, Derek Harnish, Greg Jones, Pius Gartner
Fourth row:cCurtis Hicks, Boyd Plaxton, Dale Newman, Gord Chouinard, Alan Page, Ken Redl, Gerry Stefaniuk, Dale Clark, Brad Fawcett, Dave Hickie, Jeff Sopatyk, Jeff Neal
Fifth row: Scott Farmer, Dwayne Hawkins, Lindsay Long, Miles Murray, Don Pattison, Dwayne Popoff, Ray Bedier, Russ Penner, Ed Smith, Steve Johnston, Shane Soroka, Danny Servetnyk
Sixth row: Ron Morris **, Reg Boudreau, Rob Moore, Jay Sinclair (Captain), Gary Sinclair (Captain), John Kushnier (Captain)

** Deceased