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“He’s 21-22 now and worked real hard. He’s gotten himself bigger, stronger and faster. He went out east (Carleton University), then ended up out west (Kamloops Broncos and now Langley Rams). A neat journey for him. He’s certainly their marquee football player. I’m happy for his success as an old Saskatonian but he’s certainly on our radar for our defence. We’ve got to make sure that we know where he’s at, at all times, and make sure there are guys willing to go after the football if he’s carrying it.

“I congratulate him for his path and what he’s done.”

Pocrnic admits that it’s pretty much a dream come true, for him to play the Hilltops in his final junior game.

“Some may say that,” the 5-foot-9, 205-pound running back said. “It gives me a chance to play against guys I played with in high school and to prove that I can play with those guys and beat them, hopefully.”

Guys like Hilltops receiver Tanner Rhode, another Falcons grad.

“He’s also in his last game of eligibility,” noted Pocrnic, “so it’s a big game for both of us. I was joking (a few weeks ago) that if the national final wasn’t against them, I don’t know if I would even want to play it, if the Hilltops weren’t in it.”

Pocrnic says, back in his high school days, there wasn’t really any discussion about joining the Hilltops. There was a “little bit” with the Huskies and Falcons coach Warren Muzika, now defensive co-ordinator for the Dogs.

“Just out of high school, I wanted to move away and I got the opportunity at Carleton — I took the chance and went there,” explained Pocrnic, who turns 22 on Dec. 16. “It wasn’t the right fit for either side, left (Ottawa) and ended up in Kamloops due to some connections.”