Saskatoon Hilltops secure playoff spot despite loss to Winnipeg Rifles

The Saskatoon Hilltops have secured a spot in the Prairie Football Conference playoffs despite a 27-11 loss to the Winnipeg Rifles. The Hilltops finished the regular season with a 4-4 record, advancing via a tiebreak against the Edmonton Wildcats and Calgary Colts based on their points-for percentage.

Saskatoon will host the Edmonton Wildcats in a conference semifinal on Oct. 11. During the game, the Hilltops initially led 10-0 following a touchdown pass from Sam Bazarkiewicz to Tyson Korol, but the Rifles responded with 22 points in the second quarter to take control.

Winnipeg quarterback Riley Element led the Rifles with 344 passing yards in the victory, which marked the club’s first win in Saskatoon in 20 years. However, the win was not enough to secure a playoff berth for Winnipeg; the Edmonton Wildcats' victory over the Edmonton Huskies eliminated the Rifles from postseason contention.