Several former national and provincial team members compete in the 110th Canadian Bowl

By Ameeta Vohra

When the Prairie Football Conference’s (PFC) Saskatoon Hilltops battle the Ontario Football Conference’s (OFC) Windsor AKO Frat men in the 110^th Canadian Bowl on Saturday, there will be many flashes of National and Provincial Team alum on the field.

The Hilltops have seven players who have represented Canada at the International Bowl in past years.  The trio of running backs Logan Fisher and Liam Murphy as well as defensive lineman Thomas Schnitzler were members of the under-19 team in 2015.  Moreover, linebacker Cody Peters, receiver Jason Price, running back Adam Machart and defensive lineman Riley Pickett were part of the under-19 squad in 2016.

From that group, Machart and Pickett helped Canada win gold at the 2016 International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Under-19 World Junior Championship in Harbin, China.

Sixteen Hilltop players have represented their province in previous Football Canada Cup tournaments over the years.  Defensive Back Luke Melnyk was the only Hilltop to play at the 2012 tournament in London, Ontario and Team Saskatchewan placed fourth. Quarterback Jordan Walls and linebacker Bobby Ehman took part in the 2013 Football Canada Cup in Moncton, New Brunswick where Team Saskatchewan just fell shy of the medals, settling for fourth place.

When Saskatchewan hosted the Football Canada Cup in 2014, seven Hilltop players represented the home province and won the silver medal.  Those players included quarterback Tyler Herman, receiver Connor Graham, linebacker Riley Keating, defensive linemen Garth Knittig and Tristan Hering.  Additionally, Machart and Josh Ewanchyna also suited up for Team Saskatchewan.

Ewanchyna would return back to the 2015 Football Canada Cup in St. Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec.  He played alongside quarterback Ethan Newman, defensive back Logan Bitz, linebacker Landon Schutte and receiver Carter Norrish.  This group earned bronze medals at the tournament.

Defensive backs Brant Morrow and Evan Kretzer helped Saskatchewan win silver at the 2016 Football Canada Cup in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

As for the Fratmen, offensive lineman Dante D ’Andrea represented his home province as a member of Team Ontario at the 2016 Football Canada Cup in Winnipeg, Manitoba where the team earned the bronze medal.

The Hilltops and Fratmen will play in the 110^th Canadian Bowl on Saturday November 11^th, 2017.  Kickoff is 1:00pm EST at University of Windsor’s Alumni Field.

This post is also available in: French