Defensive end Brett Pisio has impressed coach Tom Sargeant with his development
Brett Pisio’s off-season transformation wasn’t lost on Saskatoon Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant.
Besides being bigger and stronger, the defensive lineman showed a more colourful side during spring camp which wrapped up Sunday at Ron Atchison Field.
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“Look at him,” Sargeant said loud enough to make Pisio look. “He’s got all of these tattoos now. He’s getting a personality.”
Pisio can’t wait to wrap those freshly inked arms around opposing quarterbacks. He takes over the Hilltops’ rush end position from Jon De Witt who joined the University of Saskatchewan Huskies after five seasons with the Hilltops.
Although Pisio doesn’t have De Witt’s experience, the second-year Hilltop was battle-tested last year when De Witt suffered a season-ending knee injury in September. Pisio earned plenty of playing time, including a couple of starts.
“That helped a lot,” said Pisio, who also handled long-snapping duties throughout the season. “I got experience and when (De Witt) was out, he mentored me into the football player I am now. He taught me a lot of moves at defensive end.”
Pisio starred as a linebacker with the Mount Royal Mustangs but he played defensive line at Senior Bowl and subsequently, the Football Canada Cup. After a year of seasoning, the 6-foot-1, 205-pounder is more comfortable and more confident.
“The game has slowed down for him,” said Sargeant. “He’s so much more productive and I believe that he’s playing at an all-star level right now. But he has to get on that field on game day and prove himself.”
Two years ago, the Hilltops had a half-dozen legitimate starters along the defensive line but now it’s their most inexperienced area. They lost three veterans to graduation — De Witt, Craig Albert and Mike Walter — and now they’re restocking their depth chart.
A couple of converted linebackers, Derrick Sorensen and Kale Minnema, are expected to challenge for increased playing time. Hilltops coaches also like Holy Cross recruit Adam Morrison, a 6-foot-7 end.
“Defensive line is so much about raw aggression and raw emotion, so it’s one of those spots that comes along easier,” said assistant coach Warren Muzika. “At the beginning of the year, we might be a little soft but they’ll get good a lot faster than, say, a quarterback or a running back. Defensive backs don’t improve as much over the course of a year, either, and it takes a lot longer to develop a linebacker.”
Fifth-year Scott Splawinski is the lone returning starter along the defensive line. He and sophomore Donovan Dale occupy the tackle positions.
Third-year Topper Clayton Sarich didn’t participate in spring camp due to a broken wrist but his return will allow the Hilltops to move either Splawinski or Dale to the boundary end position opposite Pisio.
“That,” said Sargeant, “would be our most physical four, so we have the answers and we have some good young football players who’ll push some of the older talent, too.”
The Hilltops reconvene for their main training camp Aug. 9. They open the Prairie Football Conference season Aug. 22 when the Winnipeg Rifles visit Gordie Howe Bowl.
Photograph by: Gord Waldner, The StarPhoenix, The StarPhoenix
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