By Gordie
Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex
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| Riece Kack makes a record breaking sixth sack in a CJFL game. |
On that
day, the venerable Saskatoon Hilltops were playing host to the St. Clair Saints
in a CJFL semifinal contest. The Hilltops entered that contest as PFC
champions, while the Saints were champions of the OFC.
The host
side claimed the contest 43-0 with Hilltops defensive end Riece Kack stealing
the show. The 21-year-old would pile up six quarterback sacks to break a
longstanding record for most sacks in a CJFL playoff game.
The old record of five sacks was set by Roger Rourke of the
Richmond Raiders on October 12, 1985. On top of setting a new record for CJFL
playoff contest, Kack, who was named the defensive player of the game in the
win over the Saints, actually recorded the most sacks in any CJFL contest be it
the regular season, playoffs or the CJFL championship game.
The CJFL record for most sacks in a regular season game is
five, which had been achieved on six occasions. Ron Zammit of the Hamilton
Hurricanes was the first to record five sacks in a CJFL regular season game on
October 2, 1982 and Evan Foster of the Langley Rams was the last to pull of
that feat on September 9, 2012.
Tyler Eckert of the Langley Rams recorded the most sacks in
a CJFL championship at 3.5 coming in his squad’s 37-0 victory over the
Beefeaters in London, Ont., in the Canadian Bowl played on December 4, 2021.
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| Riece Kack celebrates getting a CJFL record sixth sack in one game. |
That CJFL
semifinal contest was the Hilltops final home game for 2023. They will play in
the CJFL championship game – the Canadian Bowl – on Saturday against the
Westshore Rebels in Langford, B.C., which is a suburb of Victoria.
Over the past 31 days, the championship chase on the
football fields was in full sprint with most of those chases coming to
conclusion in recent days. Action at Saskatoon Minor Football Field will wrap
up on Remembrance Day, Saturday at 1 p.m. with the SHSAA’s 6A football
provincial championship game between the Holy Cross High School Crusaders and
the two-time defending champion Miller Comprehensive Catholic High School
Marauders.
The photos in
this photo roundup capture some of the memories that are made on our grounds
and are heavily weighted to the championship chases in football, with a few
other surprises sprinkled in. In this photo roundup, the majority 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.
Cool new temporary look
When the YXE First Responders Fitness Festival comes to our grounds, the turf field at the Indoor Training Centre gets a new look. These cool looking obstacles were set up on the first day of this year’s festival on October 14. A big thanks to the YXE First Responders Fitness Festival for these two photos.
Ball knocked free
A defender from the Titans knocks the ball loss from a Prince Albert River Riders quarterback during a KFL game on October 21 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Overseen by Saskatoon Minor Football, the KFL has been a staple in Saskatoon’s sport scene since 1968.
Off to the races
The 5 on 5 NFL Youth Flag Football overseen by Saskatoon Minor Football flooded on to seemingly every field and diamond on October 21. In this contest played on one of the Glenn Reeve Fields, a member of the Falcons jets downfield pursued by a number of players from the Dolphins.
All in the family
When the CJFL’s Saskatoon Hilltops won PFC championship on October 22 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, families all took part in getting pictures with the championship trophy including family members on the team. This picture includes from left, offensive line coach Donnie Davidsen, quarterback Trey Reider, running back Boston Davidsen and offensive coordinator Shane Reider. Donnie and Shane are brother in-laws making Boston and Trey cousins.
Focusing on form
A pitcher from the Going Yard Training Centre works on his throwing form during a drill in a practice session at the Indoor Training Centre on October 26. Activity at the Indoor Training Centre is picking up rapidly as athletes from outdoor sports held in the spring, summer and fall are already start preparing for action in 2024.
Running to daylight
Running back Dorian Bemis of the Holy Cross High School Crusaders creases the Walter Murray Collegiate Marauders for a long run in an SSSAD 6A city semifinal on October 26 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Crusaders took the semifinal 46-1 in their post-season run to the SHSAA championship game.
I’m going to get it
Bethlehem Catholic High School Stars defensive back Brett Slusar (#18) disrupts a pass intended for Evan Hardy Collegiate Souls receiver Jordan Brown at Saskatoon Minor Football Field on October 27. Slusar ended up knocking the ball back to himself for an interception. The Stars claimed the SSSAD’s Division II Bowl in snowy conditions 29-21.
Let it snow
The Aden Bowman Collegiate Bears faced off with the Bishop James Mahoney High School Saints in the SSSAD’s 5A football city final on October 27 at Saskatoon Minor Football. The game was played mainly in snowy conditions with the intensity picking up quite a bit near the end of the first half. The snow cleared in the second half as the Bears claimed a 41-14 victory.
All smiles for the Sparks
The Sparks were all smiles on November 2 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field after winning the inaugural championship of the Toon Squad League, which is overseen by Saskatoon Minor Football. The Sparks prevailed over the Mystics in overtime to win the title. A big thanks to Saskatoon Minor Football for this photo.
Blackburn collects another big
play
Aden Bowman Collegiate Bears receiver Brady Blackburn can make a highlight video from the huge number of big plays he has made this season. On November 4 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, Blackburn makes another big play here as the Bears downed the North Battleford Comprehensive High School Vikings 49-9 in an SHSAA 5A provincial football semifinal.
“Air Martensville”
A quarterback from the Martensville Maddogs fires a pass downfield during the championship game of the KFL’s Hilltops Division on November 5 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. In a barnburner of a contest, the Maddogs fell 68-64 to the Steelers.
Human joystick
This Steelers quarterback made all sorts of plays with his legs during championship game of the KFL’s Hilltops Division on November 5 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. With the elusive signal caller at the controls, the Steelers just slipped past the Martensville Maddogs in an offensive shootout 68-64.
Hard earned Raiders run
A running back from the Raiders wearing #32 rumbles through defensive players from the Titans during the championship game of the KFL’s Huskies Division on November 5 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Raiders ultimately doubled up the Titans 28-14 to take the title.
Trophy time for the “silver and
black”
Members of the Raiders begin celebrating with the championships trophy after the team won the title of the KFL’s Huskies Division on November 5 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Raiders downed the Titans 28-14 in the championship contest.
Lipinski Award goes to Mareschal
Leo Mareschal, left, got to enjoy a memorable moment with his wife Ellen. On November 8 at the main hall in the Gordie Howe Sports Centre building, Leo Mareschal was presented the Darren Lipinski Memorial Award by the Saskatoon Amateur Softball Association for his outstanding contribution to softball in Saskatoon. He has umpired for 48 years and has taken on numerous roles to make umpire work happen in the city.
