Photo credit: Darren Steinke
Boston Davidsen is invariably modest, but the same cannot be said for his statistics — or those of his team.
Davidsen rushed for 1,184 yards to help the 2023 Saskatoon Hilltops win all eight of their regular-season games and outscore the opposition 335-51.
The 22-year-old running back averaged 7.0 yards per carry, as he did in 2022 while amassing a league-high 1,037 rushing yards.
When asked about individual excellence, he is quick to pass along the kudos.
“Talk about the O-line,” Davidsen said. “Everything that can be a credit to me is equally theirs.”
The play up front is also a credit to the Hilltops’ long-time offensive line coach, Donnie Davidsen — Boston’s father.
The paternal influence has been evident since March 20, 2001, when Boston was born.
His father is an ardent fan of the Boston Red Sox and Boston Celtics. Hence the first name.
“I didn’t really have a choice,” the Hilltops’ running back said with a chuckle. “I was kind of destined to be a fan. It made it easy.”
Donnie’s proud son has gone one step further by cheering for two other teams from Massachusetts — the Boston Bruins and New England Patriots.
“I loved hockey growing up,” Davidsen said. “The Bruins were my team. When I was growing up, my room had Bruins pennants and stickers all over the wall.”
Even so, football was young Boston’s primary athletic passion. It helps considerably that his father has coached him along the way.
When Boston played high school football in Saskatoon for the Bishop James Mahoney Saints, Donnie was the head coach — a position he still holds. The father-son connection has carried over into the junior ranks.
“For him, I think I’m next in line as a running back but, for me, it is pretty cool to have that experience with my dad,” Davidsen said.
“A lot of people don’t get that experience, especially as they get older and their parents don’t coach them in sports anymore. It’s something I’ve been able to hang on to a bit longer.”
Donnie Davidsen, who was born in Fairview, N.D., played college football for the Minot State University Beavers.
While at Minot State, Donnie met his future wife, Rhonda, who was also studying education at the university. Rhonda is originally from Moose Jaw.
Rhonda’s sister, Reanne, married former Hilltops quarterback Shane Reider — who is currently the PFC team’s offensive co-ordinator and quarterbacks coach.
The family connection extends to Shane and Reanne’s son, Trey Reider, who is the Hilltops’ starting quarterback.
Reider sported a league-best quarterback efficiency rating of 114.6 during the regular season while operating a balanced attack that is powered by a formidable offensive line and, of course, Davidsen.
“I think he just bought into the Hilltop Way,” Reider said. “He just shuts his mouth and works hard every day.
“He doesn’t showboat or anything. If he gets a touchdown or a two-yard game, he looks the same.
“Every day, he comes to practice and works hard and doesn’t talk to back to the coaches. He’s a great guy.”
And a great challenge for opposing defences.
“It kind of opens everything up when they have to bring everyone in to stop him,” Reider continued. “We’re just playing man-on-man the whole game.
“It’s super-cool to see him running around out there. Every time I give him the ball, I’m looking downfield and he’s getting chased by about 10 guys and gaining 20 every time.”
Davidsen and his teammates have been able to gain from the deflation of losing 39-21 to the Regina Thunder in the 2022 league final. Regina snapped a string of seven consecutive PFC championships for the Hilltops, who have won 22 national titles.
“Last year, we had a disappointing finish,” Davidsen recalled. “Regina was a really good team and they deserved to win.
“I think we let that fuel us this off-season. I know a lot of guys worked really hard this off-season to get ready for this year — and the year’s not done yet. We’ve still got a lot of work to do and we’re excited about that.”
Next up for the Hilltops is Sunday’s PFC semi-final against the Calgary Colts (1 p.m., SMF Field). In the other semi-final, Regina will entertain the Edmonton Huskies (1 p.m., Leibel Field).
CANADA WEST UPDATE
The Canada West football schedule is to resume next weekend, following the Thanksgiving break.
On Saturday, the University of Regina Rams are to play host to the University of Manitoba Bisons (2 p.m., Mosaic Stadium).
Also on Saturday afternoon, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies will visit the University of Alberta Golden Bears. Alberta, Saskatchewan and the UBC Thunderbirds are tied for first place in the conference at 4-1.
