Saskatoon Hilltops’ Kai Kukurudza excels in more than just name game

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Beyond the typical stunts and twists on defence lies a tongue-twisting Saskatoon Hilltops’ defensive line with players like Kai Kukurudza and Nahom Menghestab.

Take Kukurudza. Is that ‘koo-koo-rude-za,’ ‘kuk-er-rud-za’ or ‘koo-kerr-rude-za’?

While the players learn the playbook, Hilltops coaches are left with ongoing challenges in the name game.

“I don’t know if they can (pronounce it)— they just call me Kai,” admitted the Toppers’ star defensive end Kukurudza, when asked how long it took for coaches to learn how to say his Ukrainian surname.

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“At least the announcer at home games can, so that’s good. But at away games, it’s a bit different.”

While some of the names may be hard to pronounce, the statistics speak for themselves.

The Hilltops are the top defensive team in the Canadian Junior Football League’s Prairie Football Conference, allowing just 106 points through eight games.

Kukurudza, a third-year Topper out of Medicine Hat, led the PFC with seven quarterback sacks to go along with 14 solo and eight assisted tackles on defence, plus six solo and five shared tackles on special teams. He’s had four tackles for losses, two forced fumbles and an interception.

“That is unbelievable in his first year as a starter, and his competitive edge and his knowledge of the game is growing. Now we’re in this playoff run, we’re going to need him big-time,” said Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant.

“He finished in the (PFC top 10) in defensive points, so, as a rush end to be in that situation, that tells you a lot about his skill set. Coach (Dave) Fisher has done a great job. At the end of the day, we’re still trying to get better. Kai knows that. He wants that. We’re all in with pushing this thing forward.”

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Kukurudza had a goal of eight sacks; with seven, he’s not complaining. He credits Menghestab and 2023 all-star Jonathon Stevens for paving the way.

“Those interior guys, Johnny (Jonathon Stevens) and Nahom, and Noah Chelshom at the end, they make it easier for me,” said Kukurudza, whose Hilltops host the Edmonton Huskies in PFC semifinal action Sunday afternoon (1 p.m., SMF Field) after the Huskies gave them a scare last weekend when the Toppers escaped with a seven-point win.

“It’s a good thing to pressure on and humble us a little bit and get us in the film room and study where we need to get better. It’s a good learning experience.”

Kukurudza has learned the Topper way.

“Kai’s had a great year for us,” said defensive line coach Dave Fisher. “We knew we were getting a guy who was ready to play and we just had to give him some chances here, and now through the course of the year as he’s played more and more, he’s starting to feel the game more.

“He sees the ball. He’s long, gets his arms in the way in the passing lane and has a great burst to the quarterback. We’ve been getting some sacks at timely times, and it’s usually Kai.”

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Kukurudza has filled in admirably in the sack department for graduate Riece Kack, who moved on to the University of Saskatchewan Huskies.

“He’s worked hard,” said Fisher. “He knows our systems and our system is for him to run the edge and he’s going to get his chances and he’s been able to capitalize on them.”

Adds defensive co-ordinator Jeff Yausie:

“We knew he had big shoes to fill in Riece Kack, but Kai is exactly what we kind of look for in a defensive end. He can play the physical game against the run, but he’s also long and lean and quite fast and gets some tackles.

“We weren’t surprised. We knew he was ready and we’re looking forward to the next couple of years when he puts on a little more muscle. He’ll become better and better, so we’re excited about him.”

FAMILY ROOTS IN SASK.

Although he played his high school football in Medicine Hat, Kukurudza has roots in Saskatchewan.

“I’ve got a lot of family around here,” he pointed out. “I was born in Moose Jaw. My grandparents are from small towns around here, too, and both my parents went to the U of S, so I applied there and I knew that the Hilltops are a really good organization to play for.”

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The Hilltops are happy to have him.

dzary@postmedia.com

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