Pictured L-R: Oskar Humenny, Huntur Johnson, and Dylan Geddes, at Saskatoon Hilltops' Spring Camp over the weekend. (Submitted photo/Mike Humenny)

By Martin Martinson

Hilltops football commits

Vikings trio reflect on Hilltops camp, joining national champs

May 6, 2024 | 5:00 PM

Three members of the North Battleford Comprehensive High School (NBCHS) Vikings will make the jump to the post-secondary football ranks this fall, with the defending national champion, Saskatoon Hilltops.

Dylan Geddes, Huntur Johnson, and Oskar Humenny were three of the 100 players (60 returnees and 40 high school players) in attendance at Hilltops Spring Camp this past weekend, May 3-5, after all three committed to the program earlier in the year.

“It was lots of fun there for sure, but it’s a lot different than high school football,” Humenny said of his takeaway from the weekend. “Everyone’s faster, bigger, [and] stronger.”

An offensive lineman, who played primarily the center position through his high school football career with the Vikings, Humenny said donning the Hilltops’ royal blue and gold has always been something on his radar, and a goal he’s been working towards.

“I always wanted to play football after high school, and my dad [Vikings’ football coach, Mike Humenny] played for the Hilltops back in the day too, so I always thought that would be pretty cool,” he said. “I [also like that I] don’t have to go too far from home to play football.”

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All three of Humenny, Johnson and Geddes carry valuable championship experience from the high school level, having won a North Saskatchewan Football League (NSFL) championship in their senior year with the NBCHS Vikings. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

“It was some long days, but it was fun,” Huntur Johnson said of his camp experience. “We got to go and play football with a lot of old friends, and a lot of new ones as well.”

Right from the get-go, Johnson said what really stood out was the intensity and commitment of the all the players at the next level.

“With high school, there’s a lot of good players but there’s some that don’t put in as much time or don’t enjoy football as much. At the Hilltops camp, everybody is equally skilled and there’s a lot of competition which allows you to become the best version of yourself,” he observed.

The defensive end said putting on that Hilltops jersey for the first time was a special feeling.

“All the way back to [playing BMF] Bucks in Grades 6 and 7, I knew I loved the game of football and wanted to play post-secondary,” Johnson recalled. “I knew I wanted to pursue it, and seeing a lot of my coaches and role models play for the Hilltops, that was always my go-to team.”

Dylan Geddes said the chance to make the jump to the next level alongside a couple familiar faces and good friends in Johnson and Humenny also makes for an exciting prospect.

“I’m super excited, with those two especially,” Geddes said. “We’ve played football together our whole lives, so just to be able to play post-secondary together, it’s a gift and it’s awesome. It’s nice to know I’ll have friends there already and I can make more friends as I go through.”

The defensive back said suiting up for the Hilltops was always a dream of his from a young age, following in the footsteps of his father, Stefan Geddes, who also played defensive back and won a national championship with the program.

“That’s always been my goal since Grade 6, I’ve always wanted to play Hilltops like my dad did, it’s kind of always been my dream,” Geddes said. “He’s been my coach since I was playing touch football with the Elks up until senior, so I’ve learned a lot from my dad and definitely look up to him.”

The Saskatoon Hilltops’ national championship last year was their 23rd as a program dating back to 1953, including six straight national titles from 2014 to 2019.

Football Sask Senior Bowl

The Battlefords trio of Geddes, Johnson, and Humenny will also come together to represent Team North at the Football Sask Senior Bowl at the end of the month, May 26 at 1 p.m. at Regina’s Mosaic Stadium.

Teaming up with the top senior talent from high schools across Saskatoon and the northern half of the province, Humenny said it will serve as a cool way to close out their high school football careers playing alongside the same top foes and competitors they’ve faced the last number of years.

“It’s pretty cool because most of the guys on the team we’ve played against for three or more years now [in league play], so it will be kind of cool to be on the same team now,” he mused. “It’s kind of like the last shot at high school football too, so it’ll be good.”

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1