The Saskatoon Hilltops didn’t get the home opener they were looking for; losing 32-30 to the Calgary Colts Sunday afternoon at Gordie Howe Bowl.

“I don’t feel good at all,” said head coach, Tom Sargeant. “It was just a real sluggish effort, the guys played well in spots, but we didn’t play a 60 minute game and we didn’t play consistent enough.

He continued, “Honestly we need to coach better, we need to play better and we need to figure this out.”

Sargeant said he knew competition would be tough, noting everyone in the Canadian Junior Football League is gunning for the defending champion Hilltops.

“We knew the bulls-eye would be on us and I guess these gentlemen aren’t ready for it,“ said Sargeant. “We just need to smarten up, learn from it and move forward.”

One of the star players of the game was running back, Andre Lalonde; Scoring two touchdowns for the Hilltops.

“For sure a tough way to lose,” said Lalonde. “We had a good effort in the second half, just not a good . . . full 60 minute game, we need to come out stronger and play a full game.”

The Hilltops next game is against the Winnipeg Rifles on Sunday Aug. 19 in Winnipeg.