LaFreniere turning heads with Guardians

Grade 11 running back piling up big outings

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Samuel LaFreniere jets downfield for the Guardians.

Samuel LaFreniere’s love for the game of football took off with an early awestruck moment.

The Grade 11 running back with the St. Joseph High School Guardians had simple beginnings in the sport, which saw him get a chance to step on the turf of the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders storied former home in Taylor Field. The park was also known as old Mosaic Stadium.

“I started playing flag football since I was like six-years-old,” said LaFreniere. “We went down, and we got invited down to the Mosaic Stadium when we were like seven, which was pretty cool.

“We didn’t do very good, but there were a lot of good teams there.”

As a youngster, LaFreniere remembers it was big for him to play on the same field as the Roughriders. He recalls soaking in every moment he was on the field.

“It was crazy just being in there with all the stands compared from the stands here going into a stadium,” said LaFreniere. “You look around, and you just say, ‘Oh my God, I want to play here someday.’”

From those first memories, LaFreniere, who also competes in track and field, continued in football playing KFL for Clavet. He then attended Centennial Collegiate in Grade 9 before transferring over to St. Joseph in Grade 10. The football field is the place that keeps growing as a second home.

“I love the contact and going around and smacking some helmets, and the atmosphere under the lights and being around your friends on a football field,” said LaFreniere, who has taken part in his share of games at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. “There is nothing better.”

In 2024, LaFreniere is having a banner year. He made numerous big plays suiting up for Team Green in the league run by the Saskatoon Minor Football’s North Sask Academy program in spring. He then played for Football Saskatchewan’s under-17 team before hitting the turf for his second season with the Guardians.

Samuel LaFreniere made big plays with Team Green.

LaFreniere joined the Guardians last season, because he thought they would be a better fit for him. This season, he has emerged as one of the top playmakers in high school football in Saskatoon.

“I thought I could come in and make a difference and help them out,” said LaFreniere, who stands 5-foot-10 and weighs 155 pounds. “The coaches said that I would be a good help to them.”

Guardians head coach Chad Palmer said his staff has enjoyed having LaFreniere on the team. The sideline boss said the 16-year-old player is gifted when it comes to playing the game.

“Anytime a guy can come in Grade 10 and play, you know that is a special player,” said Palmer. “He (LaFreniere) has advanced this year.

“If you look at the stats, he is carrying what we’re doing on offence and putting up huge numbers. Guys like that for as long as I’ve coached don’t come around that often. It is special to have a guy like that.”

Off the field, Palmer said LaFreniere is very personable.

“Sam (LaFreniere) is a great guy,” said Palmer. “All of my guys are great guys.

“I have no issues with any guys off the field. Sam likes to talk about fantasy football and joke around. He also refs KFL and refs NFL flag.

“He is a football guy.”

Samuel LaFreniere has had monster games for the Guardians.

LaFreniere said his parents in father, Troy, and mother, Kim, have been two of the biggest influences who have helped him out in the sport.

“They’re always there helping out,” said LaFreniere. “They’re always there for me, which is amazing, and always supporting me.”

He added his older brother and various teammates he has had over the years have also played a key role in keeping him in the sport.

“Lots of my friends that I’ve grown up with playing, they’re always there helping you out on the sidelines always being there for you,” said LaFreniere.

When it comes to carrying the football, LaFreniere makes it a point to focus on running inside, which he believes will help him the long he is in the game. He adds he has seen his share of running backs just try to rely on breaking everything to the outside.

“The vision of it is you’re always pressing inside and waiting for it and being patient behind your O-line and trusting that they’re going to open up a hole for you,” said LaFreniere. “If it doesn’t happen, then you just always have the outside to burst to.”

During his time with the Guardians, LaFreniere said he looks forward to rivalry games against the Holy Cross High School Crusaders. A large contingent of fans from both schools make it out to SMF Field when the Guardians and Crusaders collide.

On October 4, the two squads engaged in an epic encounter at SMF Field that saw the Crusaders edge the Guardians 29-28. LaFreniere had over 290 yards rushing in that contest, while Crusaders star Grade 12 running back Aulain Penner recorded over 220 yards along the ground.

“It is always like you walk on the field, and you’re eyeing each other up,” said LaFreniere. “You’re always looking at each other.

Samuel LaFreniere enjoys rivalry games against Holy Cross.

“Guys are always competing. You are always looking at the other team and sizing them up a tiny bit. The competitiveness is always there.

“It is always a great game to come out and watch and have fun.”

Looking to the future when his high school days are done, LaFreniere said he leans towards playing post-secondary football outside of Saskatoon.

“I’d like to move away,” said LaFreniere. “I’d like to go somewhere big.

“Going D1 (NCAA Division I) would be amazing. Going over there to the (United) States would be great. UBC would be amazing.

“I would love to stay. If I got an offer to U of S, absolutely, I’d love it. I’d like to go see some other places and move around a tiny bit.”

At the moment, LaFreniere is focused on making great memories playing for the Guardians and that he still has a Grade 12 campaign to suit up for. He cherishes the memories and the days he gets to play at St. Joseph High School.

“I think they’re great,” said LaFreniere. “The boys that you’re always around, the friends.

“Under the lights and the great atmosphere that you’re always with, it is amazing. The coaches are always there for you, always backing you up and always having your back. All the guys with you, it is so much fun.”

Palmer is also pumped to have LaFreniere for one more season and to see what else the skilled tailback can do for the rest of his high school playing days.

Samuel LaFreniere, left, aims to contunue to power past defenders.

“It is pretty awesome,” said Palmer. “We definitely think about that all the time, but we’re focused on this year.

“It is definitely a luxury to have a guy like this for three years.”

To see the 2024 schedule for high school football, check out the Saskatoon Secondary Schools Athletics Directorate site at sssad.net/schedule/.

Hilltops memories made at SMF Field, HS football rocks photo roundup

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Justin Adamko, middle, walks to the field with his parents.

Saskatoon Hilltops football games are one of the greatest annual traditions at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

Since SMF Field first opened way back on September 30, 1960 originally as the Holiday Park Bowl, the Hilltops have played the majority of their home games at that facility. Football Sundays with the Hilltops have become a staple at that park along with traditional Saturday night clashes with rival clubs from Regina in the Rams up to 1998 and with the Thunder from 2000 to the present day.

This season, the Hilltops have been striving to make game days more of an event. They attracted 3,534 spectators to their 45-19 victory over the Edmonton Wildcats on Sunday, September 22, which was the best regular season attendance for a Hilltops game in over a decade.

That contest was the team’s Kinsmen Family Day/Young Hilltops Day and the plaza area was filled with inflatable play structures for youngsters. Halftime included a World’s Strongest Man exhibition from Hilltops alum Tristain Hoath and a mascots/superheroes football game.

Dan Clark speaks at the Hilltops End Zone Scholarship Dinner.

Saturday, September 28 was another busy home date for the Hilltops as they downed the Regina Thunder before 2,266 spectators. As it was the final Hilltops home regular season game for 2024, they held their traditional pre-game ceremony where the graduating players made a walk out to the field with their parents. Our lead photo of this photo roundup shows cornerback Justin Adamko, middle, making his walk to the field with mother Josie, on left, and father Doug, on right.

Before that clash with the Thunder, the ’Toppers held their Annual Hilltops End Zone Scholarship Dinner in the main hall at the Gordie Howe Sports Centre building. Dan Clark, who is one of the all-time greats with the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders, was the guest speaker, and the second photo shows Clark holding court with that role.

The third photo comes from that night’s game, and it shows Hilltops second-year receiver Datiel Fountaine catching a 26-yard touchdown pass at the start of the second half.

Datiel Fountaine hauls in a 26-yard TD catch.

The tradition of Hilltops playoff action continues at SMF Field and could potentially run the next three weekends. On Sunday, October 13, the Hilltops host a PFC semifinal at 1 p.m. against the Edmonton Huskies. If the defending CJFL champion Hilltops keep winning, a PFC final could follow on Sunday, October 20 and a CJFL semifinal might materialize on Sunday, October 27.

Along with Hilltops photos, we have pictures from high school football, University of Saskatchewan Huskies Track and Field and the YXE First Responders Fitness Festival.

The pictures in this photo roundup capture some of the memories that are made on our grounds. In this photo roundup, the majority of these pictures were taken by our Communications Coordinator in Darren Steinke along with a check in from another sweet source.

Without further ado, here is a selection of 15 shots we hope you enjoy.

A victory with Soul

The Evan Hardy Collegiate Souls celebrate a 55-14 “Welcome Week” win over the E.D. Feehan Catholic High School Trojans on September 12 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The victory was a welcome one for the Souls.

Crusaders fans get fired up

Fans of the Holy Cross High School Crusaders start to bring the energy in getting excited for their team’s “Welcome Week” game on September 12 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. They cheered their Crusaders to a 42-0 triumph over the Aden Bowman Collegiate Bears.

Guardians meet their faithful

The St. Joseph High School Guardians meet their supporters after their “Welcome Week” game on September 12 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Guardians faithful had to live through a heart stopping clash as their team had to get past a ready Bishop James Mahoney High School Saints side 22-17.

“Get that out of here”

Tommy Douglas Collegiate Tigers defensive back Ariston Klemmer knocks away a deep throw during his team’s “Welcome Week” game on September 13 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Klemmer’s efforts helped the Tigers down the Bethlehem Catholic High School Stars 23-7.

Perfect artistic stroke

Veteran Saskatoon Hilltop Cheerleading Team member Angelica Bandet focuses on making the perfect stroke creating a face painting design for a youngster before the Hilltops CJFL contest on September 22 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The face painting was part of the activities that went along with the team’s Kinsmen Family Day/Young Hilltops Day.

Hilltops alums’ Strongest Man

Tristain Hoath, who is an alumnus of the Saskatoon Hilltops, made a home return at the club’s CJFL regular season game on September 22 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The 32-year-old Hoath now competes in World’s Strongest Man competitions. He put on a display of one of the disciplines of those competitions pulling a truck during halftime of the Hilltops 45-19 win over the Edmonton Wildcats.

Deadpool with the sneak

Deadpool sets to go through a crease to score on a sneak play during action at a mascots/superheroes football game held at halftime of the Saskatoon Hilltops CJFL regular season contest on September 22 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The mascot/superheroes clash was part of the festivities that ran in conjunction with the Hilltops’ Kinsmen Family Day/Young Hilltop Day.

Let it fly

A member of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Track and Field Team works on his form in the hammer throw on September 24 at the Track and Field Track. The Huskies were getting outdoor sessions in through September and early October before moving their training indoors.

Up and away

A member of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Track and Field Team does a conditioning exercise jumping over hurdles that are close together during a training session on September 24 at the Track and Field Track. Along with perfecting skills in their track disciplines, Huskies team members do drills that work on strength and conditioning too.

Milestone win for Mustangs

It was a memorable day for the Mount Royal Collegiate Mustangs on September 27 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Mustangs downed the E.D. Feehan Catholic High School Trojans 26-18 for their first high school football win in a number of years possibly dating back to 2018.

Big block

Bishop James Mahoney High School Saints defensive back Mason Schreffler blocks a field goal attempt by the Marion M. Graham Collegiate Falcons on October 4 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Saints ran off a 42-1 victory in this contest.

Running to daylight

Holy Cross High School Crusaders star running back Aulain Penner runs home for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter of a game against the St. Joseph High School Guardians on October 4 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Penner’s score cut the Guardians lead to 28-27. The Crusaders won the contest 29-28 executing a two-point conversion on the following play.

Two for the win

Holy Cross High School Crusaders defensive back Traven Wiggins, left, gets excited after scoring a two-point conversion late in the fourth quarter against the St. Joseph High School Guardians on October 4 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Wiggins’ score came on a fake one-point conversion play, and it delivered the Crusaders to a 29-28 victory.

Showing off the power

Two members of Team Fire show off their strength using sandbags at the YXE First Responders Fitness Festival held on October 5 to 6 at the Indoor Training Centre. The YXE First Responders Fitness Festival has been held for three straight years at the Indoor Training Centre. A big thanks goes to the YXE First Responders Fitness Festival for this photo.

Team Fire claims championship

Team Fire celebrates taking top spot at the YXE First Responders Fitness Festival, which concluded on October 6 at the Indoor Training Centre. That event has been held at the Indoor Training Centre for three straight years. A big thanks goes to the YXE First Responders Fitness Festival for this photo graphic.