By Gordie
Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex
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| The Stars celebrate an overtime victory on September 28. |
When the
fall months come, Saskatoon Minor Football Field becomes the centre of
attention on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds. High school football
overseen by the Saskatoon Secondary Schools Athletic Directorate is motoring on
at warp speed.
The high
school Welcome Week games were held on September 14 and 15 and students from
all of Saskatoon’s high schools poured into SMF Field to create a vibrant
atmosphere. Photos from high school football contests commonly make up our most
viewed posts on our Instagram and Facebook social media lines.
The lead
picture for our photo roundup comes from a feel-good moment from the high
school football scene. It shows the Bethlehem Catholic High School Stars
celebrating their 25-22 overtime victory against their neighbours in the Tommy
Douglas Collegiate Tigers on September 28.
Defensive
back Brett Sulsar made an interception on the final play of the game to
preserve the Stars first win after having gotten out to an 0-3 start. The sight
of the Stars players celebrating a win after stumbling out of the gates was
priceless.
Football happened on multiple fronts, and we weren’t able to
get to all the action. Images from Saskatoon Hilltops, and Saskatoon Minor
Football’s Toon Squad and Saskatoon Fate (Female Athletes Tackling Excellence)
programs were able to get into the roundup.
While football is the main sport of focus in the fall, there
were check ins on softball and track and field.
These photos
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 16 shots we hope you enjoy.
All-out effort
Centre-fielder Rachel Siwak of the University of Saskatchewan Women’s Softball Program shows she can get to anything. She makes a running and diving catch here in a Western Collegiate Softball Association game on September 10 at Bob Van Impe Stadium.
Homer happiness
Members of the University of Saskatchewan Women’s Softball Program meet hitter Makenna Pilbeam at home plate after she nailed a home run during a Western Collegiate Softball Association game on September 10 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. The U of S Softball squad started out 1-5 but rebounded to finish the 2023 campaign with an 18-11 overall record. It was great year for the team, which has a very youthful roster.
Aden Bowman faces in the crowd
At least a trio of Aden Bowman Collegiate students ensured they had fun with the picture taker during the SSSAD’s Welcome Week action on September 15 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Aden Bowman crew had lots to be happy about on this day as their Bears downed the Bishop James Mahoney High School Saints 27-7.
Holy Cross show
The students from Holy Cross High School put on a show cheering on their Crusaders football team during the SSSAD’s Welcome Week action on September 15 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Crusaders supporters had a joyful night as their squad downed the St. Joseph High School Guardians 22-13.
Perfecting form
Dean Bertoia, who is the throws coach for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Track and Field teams, assesses the technique of one of the athletes from the women’s squad during a practice at the Track and Field Track on September 20. The Huskies make good use of the Track and Field Track before moving indoors for the winter months.
Getting the right stride
A sprinter from the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Men’s Track and Field teams works on getting his stride in correct form during a practice on September 20 at the Track and Field Track. The Huskies enjoy getting outdoor practice sessions in during the fall before winter comes.
Bringing the heat
Saskatoon Fate creates new opportunities
A tackler makes a stop on a running back during the first day of game action for the Saskatoon Fate (Female Athletes Tackling Excellence) program operated by Saskatoon Minor Football. The program allows female high school students to get the opportunity and experience to play tackle football. The games are played in six-a-side format allowing players more opportunities to get repetitions.
Rider Pride at End Zone Dinner
Long snapper Jorgen Hus, left, and linebacker Derrick Moncrief from the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders answer questions during a question and answer session at the Saskatoon Hilltops End Zone Dinner held in the main hall at the Gordie Howe Sports Centre building on September 30. Hus is also a Hilltops alumnus. Roughriders alums Al Johns and Carm Carteri also took part in a question and answer session. Johns was also a Hilltops alumnus.
Charging into action
The Saskatoon Hilltops storm on to the turf at Saskatoon Minor Football Field on September 30 to take on their provincial rivals the Regina Thunder. In a contest that was played in a steady rain, the Hilltops downed the Thunder 19-10.
Braving the elements
Hearty spectators withstand a steady rain from the west side stands at Saskatoon Minor Football Field taking in a CJFL rivalry clash between the Saskatoon Hilltops and Regina Thunder. The Hilltops prevailed in the elements downing the Thunder 19-10.
He could go all the way
Brady Blackburn jets to the end zone for the Aden Bowman Collegiate Bears in an SSSAD regular season football game on October 5 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Blackburn had a spectacular game helping the Bears down the Holy Cross High School Crusaders 29-20 in a battle between two teams that entered their head-to-head clash with 4-0 records.
Big moment TD excitement
Mason Grabowski (#11) and Brady Blackburn (#9) celebrate Blackburn’s late fourth quarter TD catch for the Aden Bowman Collegiate Bears on October 5 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Blackburn’s score cemented a 29-20 victory over the Holy Cross High School Crusaders in an SSSAD football clash between two squads who had identical 4-0 records coming into the contest.
Hard earned yards
Walter Murray Collegiate Marauders running back Kasiah Fountaine tried to work his way out of the grasp of a couple of Evan Hardy Collegiate Souls tacklers in an SSSAD regular season football game on October 6 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. In a defensive battle, the Marauders got enough offence to pull out a 15-3 victory.
Hilltops honour grads
Defensive back Wade Keating, centre, makes the walk to the playing surface of Saskatoon Minor Football Field with his mother, Teresa, and father, Peter, on October 8. For lengthy number of years, the Hilltops honour their graduating players at their final home regular season game where they walk to the field with their parents or guardians.
Corralling the deep catch
Saskatoon Hilltops receiver Drake Douglas, left, wins a battle for a deep ball against Winnipeg Rifles defensive back Keyshawn Gaskin during a CJFL regular season contest on October 8 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Douglas made a 49-yard gain on this play helping the Hilltops post a 39-1 victory to finish the CJFL regular season with an 8-0 record.
