The drive for five has been accomplished after the Saskatoon Hilltops dominated the Langley Rams 58-21 to claim the team’s 21st Canadian Bowl and fifth in a row.
A chilly afternoon that hung around -18 C throughout the contest didn’t affect the host Hilltops, or their rambunctious SMF Field crowd of just under 1,500.
The Blue and Gold didn’t put up a touchdown until the late stages of the first quarter when Josh Ewanchyna punched a one-yard run into the end zone to give the Toppers an 8-0 lead.
The drive of the afternoon came midway through the second quarter. With the Hilltops scrimmaging from their 7-yard line, quarterback Jordan Walls hit receiver Jason Price with a long ball for a 44-yard gain. The next play Josh Ewanchyna found a hole and rumbled for a 45-yard gain, setting up Walls for a 14-yard completion to Keegan Dicks who made the score 16-0.
Saskatoon would add to their lead before Langley could get on the scoreboard. This time the defense produced the offense when Logan Bitz turned an interception into a 48-yard pick six.
Following the Bitz touchdown, Anthony Blackwell was able to return the David Solie kickoff 100-yards to make the score 24-7. The Hilltops led the Rams 31-7 at halftime.
Ewanchyna would add another touchdown in the third quarter and finished the afternoon with 247 yards and three touchdowns, enough to claim the offensive player of the game trophy
Bitz would claim the defensive player of the game award finishing with two tackles to go with his pick six.
Hilltops have now won a record five consecutive national championships and eight of the last nine.