This weekend is a fantasy come true for football enthusiasts in Saskatchewan.
The Saskatoon Hilltops are competing for a national championship.
The University of Saskatchewan Huskies will face off against the University of Regina Rams in the Hardy Cup.
Meanwhile, the Saskatchewan Roughriders will battle the B.C. Lions in the CFL Western Division final, with a spot in the Grey Cup at stake.
Huskies vs. Rams
The Huskies (7-1) and Rams (6-2) will kick off the weekend on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon.
This matchup is a rematch of last year’s Hardy Cup, where the Rams emerged victorious.
Huskies head coach Scott Flory stated that both teams have earned their place in this game.
“We were the two strongest teams throughout the regular season,” Flory remarked.
“The Saskatchewan essence is evident in both teams. Expect a physical and disciplined game, as both are well-coached. I believe it will be an excellent matchup.”
Rams head coach Mark McConkey noted that the teams are closely matched and it could very well come down to the last possession to determine the winner.
For the Rams to succeed, they must maintain fundamental excellence across all game aspects, he emphasized.
Rams linebacker Brandon Wong, a Canada West all-star, anticipates a fierce contest until the final whistle.
“It’s going to be a tightly contested game, and we need to play hard for 60 minutes,” Wong stated. “There’s no room for complacency. It will likely come down to the last few seconds.”
Both teams may need to cope without key players.
Huskies quarterback Anton Amunrud has been sidelined for the last three games and may not participate. Rams star running back Marshall Erichsen is out for the season due to an Achilles injury sustained in last week’s win against Manitoba.
Regina offensive lineman Will Templeton acknowledged the loss of Erichsen is significant, but expressed confidence in fourth-year running back Christian Katende.
“The outcome will hinge on which team performs better,” Templeton, also a Canada West all-star, remarked.
“We are incredibly evenly matched. They have a few all-stars on their defensive line while we have three all-stars on our offensive line.”
The victor of this game will host the Ontario champion next weekend in the Mitchell Bowl.
The winner of that match will advance to the Vanier Cup, which will be held in Regina.
Stephen Safinuk, co-host of the Piffles Podcast and Saskatchewan Roughriders fan, joins The 306 to discuss the West final against the B.C. Lions on Saturday.
Riders vs. Lions
The Saskatchewan Roughriders secured first place a few weeks ago and have not participated in a meaningful game recently, so they will need to quickly shake off any rust against the B.C. Lions (kickoff is at 5 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium).
Conversely, the team has utilized the past few weeks to rest their veterans and regain health.
Last year’s defensive player of the year, Roland Milligan Jr., is set to return to the lineup.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders anticipate a packed house on Saturday for the Canada West final against the B.C. Lions. (Associated Press)
The Riders will also have all their leading receivers available, including Sam Emilus, KeeSean Johnson, Dhonte Meyers, Kian Schaffer-Baker, and Ajou Ajou.
“We have some playmakers returning,” Meyers noted. “You’ve seen Shaffer, you’ve seen Sam, and you’ve gotten to know me and KeeSean this year.
“It’s going to be an exciting show for Mosaic. It’s going to be a great display for Riderville.”
Last year’s defensive player of the year, Roland Milligan Jr. [shown here celebrating with defensive back CJ Reavis and defensive lineman Benoit Marion on Aug. 16, 2025], returns to the lineup this weekend. (Heywood Yu/The Canadian Press)
Riders head coach Corey Mace mentioned that the players are well aware of what to expect after their experience in last year’s West final, which ended in a loss.
“The players understand the intensity of big games now,” Mace stated. “They experienced it in a different environment, and now they have the opportunity to play at home. I believe they are prepared for that.”
Hilltops vs. Sun
The Saskatoon Hilltops will host the Okanagan Sun in the Canadian Junior Football League national championship on Sunday.
The Hilltops have a storied history in junior football, having claimed the national title a remarkable 23 times. Their most recent victory was in 2023.
The Sun have made it to the final in two of the last three years.
Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant remarked that this season has been characterized by resilience.
Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant highlights the team’s perseverance through challenges this season. (Don Somers/ CBC)
Saskatoon faced a significant defeat in their opening game of the season. The starting quarterback was injured for half the season, and the team staged a remarkable comeback to win in overtime against the Regina Thunder in the league final.
“It required immense mental strength and determination to overcome what we faced,” Sargeant explained. “We were down by 15 points with around 8 minutes remaining against Regina at their home field.”
Sargeant emphasized that many factors had to align for the team to reach the national final.
“But we didn’t come this far just to participate,” he asserted. “We are here to showcase our best performance and represent Saskatoon as we have always done.”
The game is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Sunday at SMF Field.