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One of the best players in the Prairie Football Conference this season, Mowles was voted an all-star at cornerback. “We’re counting on him heavily Sunday,” says Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant.
Published Nov 05, 2025 • 4 minute read
Saskatoon Hilltops' PFC all-star defensive back Jace Mowles
Saskatoon Hilltops defensive back Jace Mowles runs the football after intercepting it against the Regina Thunder. Photo by Heywood Yu /Regina Leader-Post
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Jace Mowles has a lot to think about that he’s trying not to think about.
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The graduating Saskatoon Hilltops defensive back is about to play his final Canadian Junior Football League game.
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Who knows, it could even be his last tackle football game.
He’s not thinking that far ahead, however.
Right now, he’s focused on Sunday’s Canadian Bowl against the Okanagan Sun.
Nothing more.
“I’m not sure (about the future),” admits Mowles, who played his high school football with the Saskatoon Walter Murray Marauders.
“I’m not even thinking about it. I just want to win the game.”
THE game is Sunday. It goes at 1 p.m. at SMF Field in the Gordie Howe Sports Complex.
It’s part of a Saskatchewan football bonanza this weekend.
There are numerous games on the slate, including the provincial 6A high school final between the Saskatoon Holy Cross Crusaders and Regina Miller Marauders on Friday night in Saskatoon, the Hardy Cup between the University of Saskatchewan Huskies and Regina Rams on Saturday afternoon in Saskatoon, the CFL’s Western Division final between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and B.C. Lions on Saturday night in Regina and, of course, the Canadian Bowl to cap it all off Sunday.
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“I love it,” Mowles says of the upcoming Canadian Bowl match. “Two years ago, we went to the national final and it was the best time of my life.”
One of the best players in the Prairie Football Conference this season, Mowles was voted a PFC all-star at cornerback.
“We’re counting on him heavily Sunday,” says Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant, whose team last won the Canadian Bowl in 2023.
“He’s been a great Hilltop. He’s been with us five years and he’s played a lot of football. In that cornerback position, you have to have great trust in him. He always does the job at a high level, and has the knack for making the big play.”
Jace Mowles
Jace Mowles intercepts the ball against the Winnipeg Rifles in Prairie Football Conference action earlier this season. (SASKATOON HILLTOPS PHOTO)
Four-year starter
Mowles finished the regular season with 26 tackles, including 15 solo, to go with three interceptions in seven games. He added 13 tackles in two playoff games.
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“He’s a four-year starter, so he means a lot,” says Toppers defensive backs coach Brent Turkington. “He’s a leader in our defensive backfield, and he’s a hard-nosed player. He’s a great tackler. He’s up for the challenge, whatever man-to-man assignment we give him. He doesn’t back down. And he’s unbelievable in practice. He goes hard every day. You can’t say enough about Jace.”
While you can’t say enough about Mowles, he himself doesn’t say much.
“He’s a quiet leader,” concurs Turkington. “He’s not a vocal guy. He lets his leadership qualities (speak for themselves) by how he leads by his play on the field. Special teams, as well, he’s a key.
“He’s not a big guy, but he plays probably six inches taller than what he is.”
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Mowles is 5-foot-11 and weighs 175 pounds but plays bigger than that.
“He’s physical for a corner,” adds Turkington. “He’s got good footwork and good ball-in-flight (skills). He’s an aggressive defender when we play man-to-man, and he’s good in zone. He always seems to be around the ball.”
Sargeant says Mowles has “elite quickness” to go with “great cover skills and great ball skills.
“You see the evolution as a football player from Year One to now,” Sargeant says. “He’s certainly one of our top players, and a kid that plays all the important spots on the defence and coverage. We expect him to look after what he needs to look after. He’s had a great year, and he’s going to get more great opportunities this weekend because we’re going to need his great cover skills in certain situations.”
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Mowles knows what he’s in for against the Sun.
“They’re really fast,” Mowles says. “They’re not as physical, but they’re really skilled players.
“We are the underdogs for this match — that’s what everyone says. Sarge says that. We’ve just got to battle all the way through. They’re a really good team.”
Mowles describes himself as “more of a physical guy” and a “by-example kind of leader.” He’s quiet, maybe flown under the radar, underrated until this season.
There is more focus on Mowles now that he draws more attention in a shutdown capacity.
“He played the wide side the first three years that he started, and Justin Adamko played the weak-side,” explains Turkington. “Now that he’s on the weak side — that’s generally where teams play their No. 1 receiver — he’s getting more targets, more throws over to him. He’s answered everything that we’ve asked him. He’s our shutdown corner. He’s going to have his hands full Sunday, as well.”
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