Family ties cement Blackburn in football

Receiver playing out final high school season with Bears

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Ben Blackburn is one of Saskatoon high school football’s best players.

Football is all in the family for Aden Bowman Collegiate Bears star receiver Ben Blackburn.

His father David was a receiver for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team from 1989 to 1994, which included being a member of their 1990 Vanier Cup winner as U Sports champions. Ben’s older brother Brady is currently a receiver for the Harvard University Crimson.

Ben’s oldest sibling in sister Lucie is a flag football player and was a member of the U of Saskatchewan Huskies Women’s Track and Field Team. Ben’s mother Lariene is also an alumna of the U of Saskatchewan Huskies Women’s Track and Field Team.

Looking at his family tree, it comes as no surprise that Ben is the sure-handed Grade 12 pass catcher with the Bears and arguably one of Saskatoon’s best high school players at the moment. When asked who might be the best football player in the family, Ben quickly sided with the women.

“I want to say me, but Lucie is pretty good at football,” said Ben, who can make magic returning kicks as well. “I bet if my Mom tried to play football, she’d be pretty good too.

“It is probably one of the girls, honestly. It is probably one of the girls.”

While football runs deep in his family, it wasn’t the sport Ben played seriously at first. Once Brady began playing football, Ben wasn’t too far behind.

“We were all the hockey family,” said Ben, who stands 5-foot-9 and weighs 170 pounds. “Brady started playing football, and I was like, yeah, I want to play football too.

“I’ve played football since Grade 7 and just fell in love with it ever since.”

Ben said one of the things he liked most about football was there was always an opportunity to become an even better player than you are in the present day. He also loves the relationships he has built with his teammates over the years, especially the players on the Bears.

“The team, the guys are so great,” said Ben, who will turn 18-years-old on November 9. “We had a great team this year and all years past.

“It is just so fun to be around.”

One of Ben’s biggest early highlights playing for the Bears came when he got to be part of the senior team as a Grade 9 student in 2023. That was the one high school season Ben got to play alongside Brady, who was in his Grade 12 campaign that year for the Bears. The pair made lots of great plays on the Saskatoon Minor Football Field turf located at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex.

Ben Blackburn (#4) listens to instructions on the sidelines.

“It was super fun honestly,” said Ben, who along with Brady helped the Bears win a 5A city title in 2023. “All his guys really made me feel at home.

“I was just a youngin. It was just great energy. It was a battle every practice.

“And just having him on the team, it really helped me just like with my confidence and him just showing me the way.”

Now suiting up as a Grade 12 senior, Ben’s ties to the Bears have become deep.

“It has been amazing,” said Ben. “It is just a family at this point.

“The coaches, it is not like they’re freaking 60 and just kind of bossing us around. It is really super cohesive and lots of energy. They focus us.

“They want us to get better every practice and just push us to be the best we can.”

Bears head coach Will Redl has been a long-time teacher at Aden Bowman, and one of his blessings has been working with Ben and his family members over the years.

“Well, Ben is like the third Blackburn I’ve had the opportunity to teach and coach,” said Redl. “I had his sister and his brother and him being the youngest of all.

“He is just another Blackburn to me. He is really driven. He has a desire to be the best at whatever he does, and I think he has obviously proved it.”

Redl said Ben does lots of things well when it comes to the sport of football.

“I think as an individual, obviously, his speed,” said Redl. “He works a lot at it.

“To be as fast as he is doesn’t just happen. His desire to catch every ball and to work like that. Albeit, he is a smaller player, but he plays bigger than his size.

“I think as a teammate though that is what stands out even more is that he is not secluding himself from his teammates or trying to distance himself. He wants to be a part of things, and he leads in that way too.”

Away from the game, Redl said Ben and his family are outstanding.

“All the Blackburn kids are great kids,” said Redl. “They’re wired the right way.

“They understand sport and that it is not always going to go their way. They have to still be good people off the field or court. I think it comes a lot as a family and Ben (Blackburn) just does that every day.”

Ben Blackburn (#55) is part of Aden Bowman’s track and field program.

Along with playing for the Bears football team, Ben has been a member of Aden Bowman’s track and field program throughout his high school days along with playing basketball in Grades 9 and 10. While track and field is also in his family’s background, Ben said being part of the track and field program has helped him in football.

“I think it is really beneficial,” said Blackburn. “I think I can see my speed translating onto the football field.

“It is just another thing to push myself and just try to win. You’ve got some buddies on the track team, and it is just a great time. I know in the past my long speed wasn’t great, but then track really helped.

“I just kind of put it all together and still hope I can get faster.”

As the 2026 high school football season enters its final weeks, Ben said it doesn’t seem real that his time with the Bears is nearing an end.

“It is crazy,” said Blackburn. “It seems like yesterday it was that Grade 9 team.

“It is sad in a way, but it gets to this time. We’ve just got to go as far as we can.”

He is pumped his family has been with him for his whole journey in the sport and naturally credits them as being his biggest influences in helping him along the way.

“My brother, his work ethic is like no one else,” said Ben. “He has really instilled that in me.

“Just the support I get from my parents and my sister, it just really pushes me. I think it just makes me a better person overall.”

As for playing football beyond high school, Ben said at the moment he prefers to soak in everything living in the present.

“We’re just going to ride out this season,” said Blackburn. “We’re waiting on a few things.

“Hopefully, I’ll be playing football somewhere next season.”

Redl believes Ben will get his chances to continue the sport after high school and will be in the game for a longer term of time.

Ben Blackburn (#4) wants make a few more end zone visits this season.

“He has some opportunities coming next year that will lead into things a lot more down the road,” said Redl. “I think Brady’s experience down in the States has aided him (Ben) with how well Brady has done.

“I think he (Ben) will reap some of the benefits of that.”

To see the 2026 schedule for high school football, check out the Saskatoon Secondary Schools Athletics Directorate site at sssad.net/schedule/.

“Welcome Week” fans energize SMF Field and photo roundup

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

The Holy Cross High School Crusaders fans put on a show.

For two days, fans that come out for the “Welcome Week” games at Saskatoon Minor Football Field become the stars as much as the high school football players they support.

For a lengthy stretch of time, the Saskatoon Secondary Schools Athletic Directorate has hosted “Welcome Week” games that are usually slated for the second week of the high school football season. During those contests, a huge contingent of the student body from each school comes out to see their teams play along with various other supporters of the respective teams.

This season’s “Welcome Week” games were held on September 10 and 11 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. These contests offer one of the first chances in the school year for students to embrace school spirit. The students invade SMF Field bringing signs and wearing school colours to support their school’s team.

A fans shows his love for the Mount Royal Collegiate Mustangs.

Our lead picture for this photo roundup shows part of the large contingent that came out to support the defending 6A SHSAA provincial champion Holy Cross High School Crusaders on September 10. The Holy Cross fans departed SMF Field in a jubilant mood as the Crusaders claimed a rivalry game victory over the St. Joseph High School Guardians 38-7.

The second shot sees a fan of the Mount Royal Collegiate Mustangs all decked out in his team’s colours on September 11. That fan saw his Mustangs play hard before falling 27-8 in a “Rusholme Road Rivalry” clash to the Bedford Road Collegiate Redhawks.

The third photo is a close up of some Bishop James Mahoney High School fans waving pompoms and putting in passion to cheer on their squad. The Saints would blank the Marion M. Graham Collegiate Falcons 31-0 on this night.

While the fans that come out for the “Welcome Week” games are a spectacular sight, all fans that come out to the facilities on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds to support their teams allow the games and events to have a special atmosphere creating a place to be. 

The Bishop James Mahoney High School Saints fans bring passion.

That includes fans of the Saskatoon Berries, Saskatoon Hilltops, Saskatoon Valkyries, the various baseball and softball teams, the track and field athletes, the Lions speed skaters and all sports that grace the Complex’s grounds.

Along with the pictures of the fans from the SSSAD’s “Welcome Week” games, this photo roundup contains images from football, softball and track and field. It includes images of the University of Saskatchewan Women’s Softball Team, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Track and Field Teams and the Saskatoon Hilltops.

The pictures in this photo roundup capture some of the memories that are made on our grounds. In this photo roundup, all of these pictures were taken by our Communications Coordinator in Darren Steinke.

Without further ado, here is a selection of 20 shots we hope you enjoy.

Bears fans bear down

The fans of the Aden Bowman Collegiate Bears Football Team brought their top game to Saskatoon Minor Football Field on September 10 for their team’s “Welcome Week” game. Those Bears fans got to witness a special night by their team. The Bears stormed to a 35-0 lead at halftime and blanked the Evan Hardy Collegiate Souls 46-0.

On the move

A segment of the student bodies from Walter Murray Collegiate and Centennial Collegiate jog a lap around Saskatoon Minor Football Field as part of their head-to-head festivities with their “Welcome Week” game on September 11. The Walter Murray fans got to enjoy victory celebrations at the end of the contest as their Marauders posted a 31-7 win.

Counting them up

Football official Sam Sullivan counts up the players on one side of the ball before a snap to check if there is an infraction for too many players on the field during a “Welcome Week” game on September 11 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Sullivan has officiated games at various levels for a number of years.

Here to cheer the Tigers

A group of student body fans got decked out to cheer on their Tommy Douglas Collegiate Tigers for their “Welcome Week” game on September 11 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Tigers fans hung out behind their team’s bench. In a tough battle between neighbouring schools, the Tigers fell 21-14 to the Bethlehem Catholic High School Stars.

Redhawks hug

The Bedford Road Collegiate Redhawks always have time for their fans, who can span many generations as Bedford Road is Saskatoon’s second oldest high school, opening in February of 1923. Following their “Welcome Week” game on September 11 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, Redhawks linebacker Vincent Jacob gives a hug to one of his team’s supporters following their 27-8 win over the Mount Royal Collegiate Mustang in a “Rusholme Road Rivalry” contest.

Valkyries/Hilltops sign up to date

The sign in the north end zone of Saskatoon Minor Football Field featuring the WWCFL title win total of the Saskatoon Valkyries and the CJFL title win total of the Saskatoon Hilltops is shown here on September 13, 2026. It has once again been updated adding in the Valkyries most recent WWCFL title victory that came this past June 27 at SMF Field with a 40-7 triumph over the Edmonton Arctic Pride.

Let it rip

University of Saskatchewan Women’s Softball Team pitcher Allyson McAvoy unloads a toss to home plate in her team’s Western Collegiate Softball Association regular season clash with the U of Lethbridge Pronghorns on September 13 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. McAvoy’s play allowed the U of S to post a 4-0 victory and finish a weekend of hosting six straight home games with a 3-3 mark.

Incoming to first base

University of Saskatchewan Women’s Softball Team shortstop Ainsley Beattie fires off a throw to first base for an out during her team’s 4-0 win in a Western Collegiate Softball Association regular season clash with the U of Lethbridge Pronghorns on September 13 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. U of S completed the WCSA Championship Tournament in Calgary on October 4 with a 2-2 record.

Big stretch

A receiver reaches for extra yards in a Toon Squad Female Flag Football League contest on September 21 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The league is overseen by Saskatoon Minor Football, and it is full of good vibes, intensity, passion and athleticism.

Smiles all around from Huskies

A group of multi-event athletes from the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Women’s Track and Field Team pose for a group picture during a training session break on September 22 at the Track and Field Track. These ladies are smiling, because they love being out at the track.

Hurdle slide

Members of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Track and Field teams do a slide step through a hurdle during a training session on September 22 at the Track and Field Track. Every September, the Huskies Track and Field teams gather for training at the Track and Field Track. The athletes do various drills which are geared to help them in the track and field event they are competing in. These sessions mark some of the first times the Huskies teams for the 2026-27 campaign get together as a group.

Swing pass to the open field

Quarterback Everett Byers of the Tinkler Raiders throws a swing pass to the right flat during a KFL game on September 27 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Byers hit running back Luca Thomas for a big gain as the Raiders would blank the Martensville Maddogs 19-0.

Klein in the zone for Mystics

Mystics receiver Olivia Klein had a monster night in Toon Squad Female Flag Football League action on September 28 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. On that night, Klein scored five touchdowns over two games helping the Mystics win both of those outings. Klein played for Football Canada’s U17 female flag team this past summer.

Thrilling finish

A trio of Bishop James Mahoney High School Saints defensive players converge and knock down a final end zone pass attempt to Aden Bowman Collegiate Bear receiver Harrison Shirkey during a high school football game on October 1 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. That last play of the game pass knockdown preserved a 24-21 victory for the Saints. On that last play, the Bears ran a trick play that saw star receiver Ben Blackburn throw the final pass to Shirkey, who was wide open at the release of the toss. The Saints defensive players closed in quickly to make the final play to hold on for the win.

Going down

Defensive lineman Mason Mansiere (#99) of the St. Joseph High School Guardians takes down Walter Murray Collegiate Marauders running back Lucas Hawley during a high school football contest on October 2 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. In the “Friday Night Lights” encounter, the Guardians held a 19-14 edge at halftime before exploding to a 57-21 win.

Johnson makes senior’s walk with Hilltops

Saskatoon Hilltops left tackle Davin Johnson, centre, makes a walk out to the playing surface of Saskatoon Minor Football Field with his father, Greg, and mother, Lori, on October 4. For a lengthy number of years, the Hilltops honour their graduating players at their final regular season home game where they walk to the field with their parents or guardians. A total of 11 graduating players made that walk on this day.

Bazarkiewicz throws first TD pass for Hilltops

Rookie quarterback Sam Bazarkiewicz experienced a couple of milestone moments playing for the CJFL’s storied and historic Saskatoon Hilltops on October 4. The St. Joseph High School Guardian Football Team graduate made his first regular season start at quarterback for the Hilltops. In the first quarter of that contest, Bazarkiewicz connected on a deep route to second-year receiver Tyson Korol for a 63-yard touchdown pass. Bazarkiewicz is setting to throw that deep pass in this photo. That was the first CJFL regular season touchdown pass of Bazarkiewicz’s career. While the Hilltops got out to an early 10-0 lead in that game, they fell 27-11 to the Winnipeg Rifles.

Hilltops Cheer Team holds court

The Saskatoon Hilltop Cheer Team performs a pyramid pose during a halftime performance on October 4 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Established in 1977, the Hilltop Cheer Team is the longest running cheer program in the CJFL.

Hilltops’ Bednarek slick in open field

Saskatoon Hilltops fifth-year receiver Luke Bednarek, left, makes a slick sidestep move to avoid Winnipeg Rifles outside linebacker Kenji Suga on October 4 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. In a contest where the Rifles prevailed 27-11, Bednarek had a big game hauling in nine passes for 133 yards.

Eye on the ball

Marion M. Graham Collegiate Falcons Ben Wheeler tracks the ball into his hands during a punt return during a high school football contest on October 8 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Wheeler is one of the Falcons steady veterans that helped them blank the Evan Hard Collegiate Souls 46-0 on this night and improve to 5-1 overall with a fourth straight win.

Olympics reality still settling in for Lipinski

Ignite Co-Owner going to Summer Games as flag football DC

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Joel Lipinski hugs Marc-Antoine Dequoy (#24).

Joel Lipinski still has times it stuns him that it is an actual thing he will be going to the Olympics with football.

On August 16 at the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Flag World Championships in Dusseldorf, Germany, Lipinski served as the Defensive Coordinator for Team Canada, who were taking part in the bronze medal game against Mexico. Canada claimed a 34-26 victory in overtime, where the win was sealed by an interception from defensive back Guillaume Beland. Canada claimed the bronze medal and locked up a berth at the 2028 Summer Olympics, which will run July 14 to 30 of that year in Los Angeles, Calif.

Flag football will make its debut as a sport at the 2028 Olympics. For Lipinski, he still has moments where he can’t believe going to the Olympics will be an actual thing for him.

“I still don’t know if it feels completely real,” said Lipinski, who is a Co-owner and Head Strength and Conditioning Coach of Ignite Athletics located on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds. “For so long, the Olympics were this massive thing you watched every few years and you saw athletes representing Canada on the biggest sporting stage in the world.

“I never really pictured myself being part of that. Now, there’s actually an Olympic Games on the calendar that we are preparing for. We qualified. Canada is going.

“I’m going to have the opportunity to represent our country there as a coach. When I actually stop and think about it that way, it’s pretty wild. I think there will probably be a few moments over the next two years where it becomes more and more real.”

Long before becoming a coach in strength and conditioning, Lipinski had played football as a defensive back. In the tackle side of the game, he suited up for Regina’s Campbell Collegiate Tartans, the University of Regina Rams and Saint Mary’s University Huskies in U Sports, the Vancouver Island Raiders in the CJFL, the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Edmonton Elks in the CFL and Football Canada’s Men’s National Team in both tackle and flag. During those years, Lipinski never thought about going to the Olympics as football was not part of that multi-sport event and celebration.

In his childhood days growing up in Regina, Lipinski admitted he did have dreams of being part of the Olympics when either the Summer Games or Winter Games were on TV.

Joel Lipinski, centre, offers tips at an Ignite Athletics training session.

“I think every kid watches the Olympics and imagines what it would be like to represent Canada,” said Lipinski, who is the Strength and Conditioning Coordinator for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team. “You watch Canadians win medals and see the flag go up and you understand, even as a kid, that there is something different about representing your country at the Olympics.

“I just never imagined football would eventually be the sport that gave me that opportunity. That’s probably what makes this whole thing even more special.”

While Lipinski is best known for his work as a strength and conditioning coach, the 41-year-old has worked as a football coach over numerous years in his life and has been a head coach at the high school level and has coached defensive backs at the university level. He has been involved with Team Canada on the flag football side for over a decade.

When Football Canada hired famed CFL coach Paul LaPolice to be the head coach of the National Men’s Flag Team on May 8, 2025, he interviewed Lipinski for the Defensive Coordinator position. 

Lipinski was officially brought on as the team’s Defensive Coordinator on May 20, 2025. He has enjoyed working with LaPolice.

“It’s been awesome,” said Lipinski. “Paul has coached football at an incredibly high level for a long time, and I would be lying if I said I haven’t tried to absorb as much as I possibly can from being around him.

“One thing I really appreciate about Paul is that he allows his coaches to coach. He challenges you, asks questions and makes you defend what you believe, but he also gives you ownership. That has made me a better coach.”

Joel Lipinski enjoys coaching with Football Canada.

At the Flag Football Worlds, Canada suffered heartbreak dropping a 41-36 decision in a semifinal against Italy on August 15. Lipinski was proud of how the Canadian team was able to rebound to win the bronze game in overtime the next day over Mexico. The highlight was seeing the win get sealed by Beland’s interception.

“That might be one of the greatest moments I’ve ever experienced in football,” said Lipinski, who stands 5-foot-10 and weighed 195 pounds in his playing days. “There is so much that goes into preparing for those moments that nobody sees (in) the meetings, film, conversations, adjustments and all the reps with the players.

“Then you get into overtime against an unbelievable Mexico team, with an Olympic berth and a World Championship medal essentially hanging in the balance and Guillaume makes the play. On a team full of great players, he was our defensive captain and was completely selfless in any game play that we put together. He is someone I have leaned on throughout the years I have known him for his IQ and pulse of the team, and I could not be happier for him that he was the one to make that play.

“The second he caught it, I think every emotion from the entire tournament came out at once.”

After Beland made his interception, Lipinski took part in the celebrations making a mad dash down the field with Beland and a host of Canadian players that finished with a group hug in an end zone. At that moment, you wouldn’t have known Lipinski was still recovering from tearing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in one of his knees.

“That is probably the most impressive athletic performance of my entire World Championship,” said Lipinski with a chuckle. “I was five months out from ACL surgery and apparently completely forgot that for about 30 seconds.

“I saw Guillaume pick the ball off and all rehab protocols immediately went out the window. Looking back at the video, there were definitely a couple of moments where I thought, “That probably wasn’t in the return-to-sport plan.” Luckily, the knee survived.”

Joel Lipinski, left, is pictured with Canadian players at Worlds.

While Lipinski is proud of what the Canadian team accomplished, he said the focus is already shifting towards preparing for the Olympics and making good use of the two years preparation time leading up to it.

“Now, the real work starts,” said Lipinski, who has received congratulations pretty much everywhere he has gone in Saskatoon since returning home. “Qualifying was obviously a massive accomplishment, but we’re not going to spend two years celebrating the fact that we qualified.

“The question becomes: how good can we become between now and Los Angeles? We have two years to evaluate our systems, evaluate ourselves as coaches, continue developing players, identify new players and keep learning where international flag football is going. The sport is evolving incredibly quickly.

“For me personally, I want to look back two years from now and know that I used every opportunity between Worlds and the Olympics to become a better defensive coordinator. There are probably 100 things we can do better, and now we have two years to go find them.”

He added the belief is high that Canada can win a medal at the Olympics in 2028.

“We absolutely want to win a medal, and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with saying that,” said Lipinski. “Canada just finished third in the world.

“We know how good the best teams in the world are, we know how small the margins are between winning and losing at that level, and we also know that we can compete with them. At the same time, nobody is giving us anything, because we won a bronze medal at Worlds. There are two years of work between now and Los Angeles.

Joel Lipinski and Team Canada pose for a team photo.

“The dream is obviously standing on an Olympic podium with a Canadian flag and a medal around our necks (even though coaches do not get medals). If we’re going all the way to the Olympics, we’re certainly not going there just to say we were there. We want to see how good we can become and take a real shot at winning the thing.”

For more information about Ignite Athletics, feel free to check out Ignite’s website at igniteathletics.com. All photos of Joel Lipinski with Football Canada are courtesy of Joel Lipinski.

Schnitzler’s football journey settles into coaching stage

Crusaders HC enjoyed playing CJFL, U Sports and CFL

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

HC Tom Schnitzler addresses his Crusaders after a game last season.

Tom Schnitzler’s football life has been a full circle Saskatoon story.

After playing high school football with the Bishop James Mahoney High School Saints winning provincial titles in 2011 and 2012, Schnitzler moved on to play five seasons in the CJFL with the storied Saskatoon Hilltops from 2013 to 2017 winning four straight CJFL championships with the club from 2014 to 2017. Following his time with the Hilltops, the star defensive lineman and standout long snapper moved on to play for the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds Football Team in 2018 and 2019.

He went on to be selected in the eighth round and 72^nd overall in the 2020 CFL Draft by the Hamilton Tigers-Cats. Schnitzler played the 2021 campaign with the Tiger-Cats as they moved on and fell 33-25 in overtime to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at home in the Grey Cup. Following the 2021 campaign, Schnitzler suited up for the Calgary Stampeders in 2022 moving over to play full back on offence.

His time in the CFL concluded after the 2022 campaign. Schnitzler got on to the staff at Holy Cross High School and became the offensive coordinator for the Crusaders Football Team in 2023. When the team’s head coach and all-time coaching great in Scott Hundseth retired from teaching, Schnitzler took on the role of Crusaders head coach, while Hundseth remained to be the squad’s defensive coordinator.

After guiding the Crusaders to their seventh provincial title last season, Schnitzler settled into the start of his third campaign as the team’s head coach.

“I loved playing the game,” said Schnitzler. “Playing high school at BGM (Bishop James Mahoney High School) was a lot of fun.

“Playing high school football and seeing all the time and effort that the coaches put in and gave to us really meant a lot. It just kind of made me want to get back into coaching and kind of give back to the kids. Playing Hilltops and UBC and a few years in the CFL, I feel like I have a lot to give back, and I want to repay what those coaches gave me.

“I guess in a way it is full circle. I really enjoy doing it. It is fun to still be involved with the game.”

On top of being part of the football scene in Saskatoon, Schnitzler’s football life keeps bringing him back to Saskatoon Minor Football Field on the grounds of the Gordie Howe Sports Complex. 

He played high school and CJFL games at SMF Field. On the coaching front, Schnitzler has coached high school and with Saskatoon Minor Football programs like academy league teams at SMF Field.

Tom Schnitzler scores a TD for the Hilltops on August 29, 2015.

While it has only been four years since he dressed for the Stampeders, Schnitzler is starting to feel the distance from his playing days, especially his days in high school and the CJFL. He chuckled at the memory of scoring a touchdown on a fumble return for the Hilltops in a 65-9 regular season win over the Winnipeg Rifles at SMF Field on August 30, 2015 noting that happened 11 years ago.

“You know what, it is crazy to think about,” said Schnitzler, who stands 6-foot-4 and weighed 235 pounds in his playing days. “There are kids in Grade 9 now, and they’re born in, you know, 2012 or whatever.

“I played Hilltops in 2013. It is kind of crazy to think about it. It didn’t seem that long ago, and then you know when you look back, I guess it is quite some time ago.

“(There are) lots of great memories. I met a lot of my best friends playing there and had good experiences. A touchdown, I got pretty fortunate with a few plays there for sure.”

Schnitzler said it was always in the back of his mind that he would coach football once his playing days were done. He said that idea took root after playing for the Saints with Kirby Frey serving as the team’s head coach.

“He (Frey) did an awesome job,” said Schnitzler. “They had a great staff there.

“It was a lot of fun. I’ve just seen the work they put in for us, but not only that, how much fun they had as a staff. It really made us all want to give back.

“I think a lot of the people on that team, my high school, ended up coaching at some point after. They (the Saints coaches) just set a really good example for us.”

With the Hilltops, Schnitzler played under that team’s iconic head coach in Tom Sargeant. Sargeant entered the 2026 CJFL campaign with 254 career wins combined from CJFL regular season and post-season play. Including play in the CJFL, U Sports football and the CFL, the only person with more career head coaching wins than Sargeant is Wally Buono with 305 victories combined in the CFL regular season and post-season.

“Obviously Sergeant, you can look at his accolades,” said Schnitzler. “He is the best junior coach that has ever done it.

HC Tom Schnitzler, left, gives instructions to his players.

“You pick up a tonne just routine, discipline and togetherness as a team. He is hard on us, but he has got our backs. If we work hard for him, he is going to battle for us.”

When he suited up for the Thunderbirds, Schnitzler played for head coach Blake Nill, who built a legendary career in U Sports. Nill guided the Thunderbirds to a U Sports championship in 2015 and the Saint Mary’s University Huskies Football Team to U Sports title wins in 2001 and 2002.

“He (Nill) is going to tell you what to do and how to do it right,” said Schnitzler. “The expectations are there.

“I guess it is no different for me now. I take that here is the standard and here are the expectations. That is how I want the kids to perform.”

Schnitzler added he learned from both Sargeant and Nill to lean on his team’s leaders. The Holy Cross sideline boss looks for his Grade 12 seniors and high-end Grade 11 players to lead the way.

One spot where Schnitzler was really proud of his players came after the Crusaders downed Regina’s Miller Comprehensive Catholic High School Marauders 21-16 in the Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association’s 6A Championship Game on November 7, 2025 at SMF Field. After receiving the championship trophy, the Crusaders captains gave it to Hundseth to allow him to be the first to raise it.

Before that championship win, the Crusaders had lost their previous 10 straight appearances in a provincial final with a number of those setbacks coming in heartbreaking style. Hundseth was the Crusaders head coach of the last nine of those 10 straight losses.

“Coach Hundseth is arguably the best high school football coach Saskatchewan has seen in recent history,” said Schnitzler. “He has been here for 16-to-17 years as the head coach, and he has built this program to what it is today, set the standard high and kept it high.

“I kind of walked into a program that was already ready to roll. I didn’t have to do a whole lot as far as build it. It is already there.

“I think we just had the right mix of players and coaches working together. It (the provincial title win) was for him, so it is really good to see the kids do that. It is well deserved for him.”

Looking towards the future, Schnitzler plans to be coaching the Crusaders for the long term. When players graduate from his team, Schnitzler hopes they become better all-around persons.

“Just the programs I’ve been at with my experience with Hilltops under Tom Sargeant and playing some U Sports, I feel like I can give the kids some guidance as far as expectations and the level and standard we set at this program,” said Schnitzler. “I feel like it will serve them well in the future whether they’re playing football after their Grade 12 year or not.

Tom Schnitzler, right of trophy, enjoys a provincial title win.

“We’re trying to build character and build hard-working young men. It is fun to see those guys move on. It is awesome that a lot of those guys are staying home and playing Hilltops or even (University of Saskatchewan) Huskies.

“We want to keep sending more kids there. It is fun to see.”

To see the 2026 schedule for high school football, check out the Saskatoon Secondary Schools Athletics Directorate site at sssad.net/schedule/.

Berries WCBL title win was highlight of summer - tops photo roundup

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

The Berries celebrate winning the WCBL championship.

The Saskatoon Berries created the best night in recent memory at Cairns Field.

On Sunday, August 16, the Berries added to the storied lore of Saskatoon’s famed baseball park. Hosting Game 2 of the WCBL Championship Series, the Berries downed the visiting Sylvan Lake Gulls 11-1 before a record crowd of 2,579 spectators. With the win, the Berries swept the best-of-three series 2-0 to become WCBL champions for the first time in just their third season of existence.

The series-clinching contest started out as a tight one with the Berries taking a 3-1 lead into the sixth inning. First baseman Josh Henson nailed a three-run home run to spark the Saskatoon side to five-run inning that surged the Berries advantage to 8-1. At that point, the party was on as the Berries cruised to victory from there.

Merek Yeager sets to unload a pitch to home plate.

After finishing fourth overall in the WCBL regular season standings with a 38-18 record, the Berries went 6-1 in the post-season closing the WCBL playoffs riding a five-game winning streak. They were 4-0 at home and 2-1 on the road.

Our lead picture for this photo roundup shows the Berries celebrating as veteran right-fielder Ethan Murdoch raised the Harry Hallis Memorial Trophy that is awarded to the WCBL champions. Murdock was 1-for-2 at the plate with a pair of walks and a run scored in his final game for the Berries and his WCBL career.

The second shot sees Berries starting right-handed pitcher and Muenster, Sask., product Merek Yeager unloading a hurl to home plate during that WCBL title clinching victory. Yeager was stellar picking up the win striking out four batters and scattering seven hits and a walk over six innings.

The Berries enjoy falling confetti while posing for a team photo.

The third photo was a close up of the customary team photo the Berries took after winning the WCBL title. The Berries celebrations went long into the night with family and friends on the Cairns Field turf after that team photo.

Along with the pictures from the Berries WCBL title win, this photo roundup contains images from softball nationals including the Saskatoon Brewers making an ultimate memory. It also has shots of Saskatoon Hilltops and high school football hitting stride.

The pictures in this photo roundup capture some of the memories that are made on our grounds. In this photo roundup, all of these pictures were taken by our Communications Coordinator in Darren Steinke.

Without further ado, here is a selection of 23 shots we hope you enjoy.

Salinas guns to first for the double-play

Saskatoon Berries second baseman and fan favourite Gael Salinas completes a double-play by firing the ball to first base after getting a force out at second base on August 12 at Cairns Field. Salinas’s key defensive play came in the third inning of Game 2 of the WCBL East Division Championship Series against the Moose Jaw Miller Express. The Berries would win that contest 7-4 to sweep the best-of-three set 2-0.

Youngsters jet for home

After the Saskatoon Berries swept the best-of-three WCBL East Division Championship Series 2-0 with a 7-4 victory in Game 2 over the Moose Jaw Miller Express on August 12 at Cairns Field, the young fans and those young at heart ran the bases at the park in what has become a regular tradition at Berries home games. This was the last time in the 2026 campaign the running the bases tradition took place as the WCBL championship celebrations would occur four days later for the Berries at Cairns Field.

Wildcats take down Hilltops

A pair of Edmonton Wildcats defenders corral Saskatoon Hilltops electrifying running back Charles Sawi during the Hilltops CJFL regular season home opener on August 16 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Wildcats pulled off a major upset prevailing 28-22.

Meeting of the minds

Sylvan Lake Gulls head coach Matt Hape and Saskatoon Berries head coach Joe Carnahan meet an umpire crew at home plate before Game 2 of the WCBL Championship Series on August 16 at Cairns Field. After exchanging lineup cards, the Berries would go on to win the contest 11-1 to claim their first WCBL title in just their third season of existence.

Berries enjoy two in the second

Saskatoon Berries first baseman Josh Henson, right, gets set to celebrate scoring a run in the bottom of the second inning that put the Berries up 3-0 at that point in time in Game 2 of the WCBL Championship Series on August 16 at Cairns Field. In the 11-1 victory that allowed the Berries to win the WCBL title, Henson was 2-for-5 at the plate with one home run and three RBI.

Kilshaw makes mark with Berries

Saskatoon Berries catcher Aiden Kilshaw sets to make a throw to second base during Game 2 of the WCBL Championship Series on August 16 at Cairns Field. The Berries would win that contest 11-1 to claim their first WCBL title. Kilshaw was an associate player who joined the Berries on a full-time basis after his final season with the Saskatoon Cubs 18U AAA team ended in late July. During the Berries WCBL playoff run where they posted a 6-1 record, Kilshaw went 9-of-27 at the plate for a .333 batting average, two home runs and 10 RBI. Kilshaw wouldn’t turn 18 until September 4.

Jam Fam backs Berries with record crowd

A record crowd 2,579 spectators turned out to support the Saskatoon Berries in Game 2 of the WCBL Championship Series that was held on August 16 at Cairns Field. They saw the Berries post an 11-1 victory to win the WCBL championship. Part of that gathering is shown here saluting the Berries after their win.

Lazaruk chats with MVP Shackelford

Saskatoon Berries play-by-play voice Les Lazaruk, left, interviews right-handed relief pitcher Wesley Shackelford after the Berries won the WCBL title on August 16 at Cairns Field. In four games of work in the WCBL post-season, Shackelford threw nine scoreless innings striking out 14 batters, while giving up one hit and one walk. In those four outings, Shackelford picked up one pitching win and three saves as the Berries went 6-1 in the post-season.

Swift Current reunion with Berries

Following the Saskatoon Berries WCBL title winning victory on August 16 at Cairns Field, head coach Joe Carnahan, left, catcher Aiden Kilshaw, centre, and right-fielder Ethan Murdoch pose for a picture with the Harry Hallis Memorial Trophy. Before being hired by the Berries in July of 2023, Carnahan coached baseball in Swift Current, which included serving as the head coach of Swift Current’s WCBL franchise for a number of years. He first worked with Kilshaw and Murdoch as they came up through Swift Current’s minor baseball system. Kilshaw and his family have since relocated to Saskatoon, while Murdoch still calls Swift Current home.

Going one-on-one at home

Delisle Pride base runner Kaden Burgess comes face-to-face with a New Hamburg Mustangs catcher with the ball guarding home plate on August 22 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. The Pride and Ontario-based Mustangs were going head-to-head during the opening day of Softball Canada’s U23 Men’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournament. The Mustangs won this encounter 6-2.

Kopp brings WCBL trophy to Hilltops game

Saskatoon Berries right-handed pitcher Carter Kopp brought the Harry Hallis Memorial Trophy to the Saskatoon Hilltops CJFL regular season home game on August 23 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Kopp had the trophy set up in the entrance to the football stadium for about an hour before the contest to allow fans to see the WCBL championship trophy and have their photos taken with it. Kopp also got to take part in the coin toss and a pre-game recognition for the Berries WCBL title win.

Hilltops charge to the field

The Saskatoon Hilltops make their customary entrance for their CJFL regular season home game on August 23 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field emerging out of the smoke at the opening gate of the field. The Hilltops prevailed 36-26 over the Calgary Colts on this day.

Take down

Saskatoon Hilltops outside linebacker Carson Holcomb puts the wraps on elusive Calgary Colts running back Zion Dogbe-Brown during a CJFL regular season contest on August 23 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Holcomb made five solo defensive tackles and one defensive tackle assist in the Hilltops 36-26 victory.

Batmen celebrate Canadian title win

The celebration was on for the Toronto Jr. Batmen on August 26 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. They downed the Nova Scotia Marshall Workplace Law Selects 5-1 in the title game of Softball Canada’s U23 Men’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship to take the tournament title for a second straight year.

Batmen enjoy the perks of victory

The Toronto Jr. Batmen pose for the customary team photo on August 26 at Bob Van Impe Stadium after winning the title game of Softball Canada’s U23 Men’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournament. The Batmen finished the tourney with an 8-1 overall record.

Schaan set to do first pitch honours

Collin Schaan, who is the President and CEO of Schaan Healthcare Products Ltd., gets set to throw out the ceremonial first pitch for the opening ceremonies for Softball Canada’s Men’s and Master Men’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournaments on August 26 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. Collin got to throw the pitch to son Spencer Schaan, who is a veteran of the Saskatoon Merchants. The Schaan family have been stellar supporters of softball in Saskatoon. They played a big part in funding improvements to the lighting, sound system and entrance to Bob Van Impe Stadium that were completed this summer.

Special delivery

Saskatoon Brewers pitcher Greg Hill lets loose with an off-speed pitch during the championship game of Softball Canada’s Master Men’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournament on August 29 at Joe Gallagher Field. The Brewers came away with a tight 2-0 victory over the Cobourg Force. The Ontario-based Force entered the tournament as the three-time defending champions.

Off to the races

Saskatoon Brewers right-fielder Ryan Olde jets down the first base line during the championship game of Softball Canada’s Master Men’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournament on August 29 at Joe Gallagher Field. Olde showed speed and base path smarts to score his team’s first run in a 2-0 win over the Cobourg Force.

Championship good times for Brewers

The Saskatoon Brewers posed for the customary team photo after winning the championship game of Softball Canada’s Master Men’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournament on August 29 at Joe Gallagher Field. The Brewers took the national title posting a 6-0 record.

Falcons fly high

Running back Thane Kooy sets to spike the ball after scoring a touchdown for the Marion M. Graham Collegiate Falcons on September 3 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Falcons were taking part in the opening game of the high school football season at SMF Field, and they would blank the Tommy Douglas Collegiate Tigers 36-0.

Saints’ Kohlman with the pick

Ashton Kohlman, who is a defensive back with the Bishop James Mahoney High School Saints, makes an interception during a game against the Centennial Collegiate Chargers on September 3 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Saints prevailed in this contest 30-7.

Duval on fire for Stars

Running back Roman Duval takes off on a jaunt for the Bethlehem Catholic High School Stars in a high school football clash against the Evan Hardy Collegiate Souls on September 4 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Stars held a 22-14 lead at halftime and rolled to a 44-22 victory after a big second half. Duval piled up over 200 yards rushing for the Stars.

Navigating traffic

Caleb Ukrainetz, who is a receiver for the Aden Bowman Collegiate Bears, jets through a swarm of players during a run in a high school football contest against the Walter Murray Collegiate Marauders on September 4 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The “Friday Night Lights” game would be best remembered by the light show put on by adverse weather. This game was called with 1:42 remaining in the second quarter with the Bears leading 35-7.