Tomlenovich bitten by football bug

16-year-old excels at quarterback, has taken up coaching too

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Adley Tomlenovich sets to make a pass for the Fever on Sept. 22. 

Adley Tomlenovich is embracing all the joys that come from football both as a player and a coach.

The 16-year-old Grade 11 student from St. Joseph High School has established herself as an elite talent at quarterback in the female flag game. On top of playing in Saskatoon Minor Football’s Toon Squad League, she has played for Team Saskatchewan twice at nationals and threw passes for Team Canada at USA Football’s Junior International Cup in July of 2024 in the under-15 age group.

On top of playing the sport, Tomlenovich took up being the head coach for a Grade 6 female squad that plays in the 5 on 5 NFL Youth Flag Football circuit overseen by Saskatoon Minor Football. While she enjoys the people in the sport, Tomlenovich has been captivated by the game planning and the strategy that goes with the sport.

“(I love the) mental aspect of the sport, because my position is quarterback,” said Tomlenovich. “That is definitely the biggest mental game I would say.

“I love being able to read plays and figure out where everybody works best and that aspect of the game I love the most.”

Tomlenovich got her start in flag football about eight years ago, and she hasn’t looked back since that initial beginning.

“I started flag football back in about Grade 3 for me,” said Tomlenovich, who stands 5-foot-6. “A couple of friends were playing in a league, and that was back when we had like Velcro flags.

“I’ve definitely seen it grow over the years, because now, it is gone so big from where I started with it. I just started trying out for every opportunity that started coming to Saskatoon, and that is where I got to where I am today.”

Adley Tomlenovich played flag football for Canada in July of 2024.

Besides playing flag football, Tomlenovich played hockey for a lot of years and also took part in basketball and baseball while growing up. She also participated in dance, but ultimately, flag football won out as her main pursuit.

“I decided on this just because it was like my biggest love, and I wanted to put all my time into it, and this is where all my friends are,” said Tomlenovich, who has spent a lot of time throwing passes at Saskatoon Minor Football Field and the Indoor Training Centre on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds. “I decided that this would be the happiest route for me, so I decided to go to the Institute of Saskatchewan Football, so I could spend my days doing it.

“After school, I’m doing Toon Squad.”

Earlier this year while in her second semester of her Grade 10 school year, Tomlenovich was part of the inaugural group that took part in the Institute of Saskatchewan Football program offered by Saskatoon Minor Football. 

The program is an academy program that allows players to get high school credit for their football training. As part of that program, Tomlenovich gained some experience in tackle football.

On top of being part of the Institute of Saskatchewan Football, Tomlenovich has been a member of the Saskatoon Minor Football’s Toon Squad flag travel teams the past two years, where she has gone down to Florida to participate in game action. She is expecting to be back with the Toon Squad travel teams for a third straight year and with the Institute of Saskatchewan Football in the second consecutive year in early 2026.

To date, one of Tomlenovich’s biggest thrills has been playing for Team Canada at USA Football’s Junior International Cup in July of 2024 in the under-15 age group. She earned that opportunity after helping quarterback Saskatchewan’s provincial team to a gold medal at under-16 nationals in Kingston, Ont., in May of that year.

Adley Tomlenovich coaches an NFL 5-on-5 Youth Flag Football team.

“I just turned 15 when I was playing for Team Canada, so that was definitely a big experience at a young age,” said Tomlenovich. “It was really cool to be able to play at that next level and play against other countries, because every country has their own type of way of playing flag and their own strategies.

“I think that was the most interesting part was seeing how other countries run their offence.”

Over her career as a player, Tomlenovich has been coached by numerous members of the storied Saskatoon Valkyries, who have won 10 Western Women’s Canadian Football League championships in the tackle game. As she has grown up playing flag football, Tomlenovich said the Valkyries have been great influences and role models.

“I’ve definitely gone to learn different things from each of the coaches,” said Tomlenovich. “I’ve had so many coaches over my time and every one of them has a unique style.

“You definitely learn what works for you throughout having different types of coaches.”

Tomlenovich took a big step on her own journey of being a coach this past September and October with Saskatoon Minor Football’s NFL 5-on-5 Youth Flag Football. At first, she wasn’t expecting to fulfill a head coach role.

“One of my friends was coaching his younger sister and asked if I’d start helping out,” said Tomlenovich. “Then, he ended up not being able to coach the team anymore.

“I was like I would do it, so I took over the team. I didn’t know any of the girls. They were in Grade 6, but I loved coaching them so much.

Adley Tomlenovich, left, gives instructions in the role of head coach.

“It is really awesome to be able to help that next generation and imply what I know to the younger kids. I really enjoy getting to do that kind of stuff. I hope in my future years once I’m done with my flag career I can continue coaching.”

Tomlenovich had helped out coaching in football camps, but her experience with the NFL 5-on-5 Youth Flag Football marked the first time she had ever coached her own team. 

She ended up being the only coach on her squad, which meant she was responsible for practice plans and calling plays on offence and defence.

The talented quarterback would find herself constantly coaching against adults and often fathers who had daughters playing on opposing teams.

While she took on way more than most her age would when it came to coaching, Tomlenovich was ready to rise to the challenge when it came to shouldering those new responsibilities.

“It was definitely a lot even figuring out who is supposed to be on the field,” said Tomlenovich. “They are in Grade 6.

“They don’t really know what they are doing either, so it was definitely a lot. I’m running around quite a bit, usually being the sweatiest person at the end of the game. I had a lot of fun doing it, and I’m planning on doing it again in the spring.”

While she has found her coaching experience to be a great one, Tomlenovich’s primary focus is going as far as she can as a player in the flag game. The sport in both men’s and women’s competition will be part of the 2028 Summer Olympics to be played in Los Angeles, Calif. Tomlenovich would love to play in an Olympics one day as part of continuing the sport after the conclusion of her high school days.

Adley Tomlenovich, centre, will be calling plays long into the future.

“I hope to definitely play when I graduate,” said Tomlenovich. “I definitely hope to do something like that.

“It is now trying to become a D1 (Division I) sport in the (United) States, so that would be my first goal. After that if I have the opportunity to represent my country again at the Olympic level, I would definitely hope to take any stepping stone I can to get there.”

For more information on the flag and other programs offered by Saskatoon Minor Football, feel free to check out their website at saskatoonminorfootball.com/smf.

Epic Hilltops CJFL title win tops photo roundup

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

The Hilltops raise the Canadian Bowl as CJFL champions.

Epic home CJFL championship wins by the Saskatoon Hilltops at Saskatoon Minor Football Field will never get old.

On November 9 at SMF Field, the Hilltops claimed a thrilling 21-18 victory over the Kelowna, B.C., based Okanagan Sun in the CJFL Championship Game – the Canadian Bowl. With 1:33 remaining in the fourth quarter, Sun quarterback Liam Kroeger ran home a touchdown from 18 yards out to complete a 108-yard scoring drive that saw an 18-11 Hilltops lead become an 18-18 tie.

Saskatoon responded with a drive to put kicker Ryder Gratton in position to nail what was ultimately the winning field goal from 37 yards out with 28.6 remaining in the fourth quarter to give the Hilltops their 21-18 lead. On the ensuing Sun drive, third-year strong side linebacker Zaden Taylor intercepted Kroeger to seal the three-point win for the Hilltops. The victory marked the 24^th time the Hilltops became CJFL champions.

The Hilltops enjoy their CJFL title win during the team photo.

This year’s CJFL title tilt included the victors in the Hilltops (9-2 overall) and the vanquished in the Sun (13-1 overall), but neither team could be labeled as being defeated. The family at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex found the Sun players, coaches and staff were really gracious to interact with and a joy to have at SMF Field for a pair of days.

That November 9 day was so busy it caused that month’s upload of this blog to be moved up one day to November 8. Of course, the Hilltops win in the Canadian Bowl made for a natural anchor for this photo roundup.

The lead picture sees the Hilltops raising the Canadian Bowl to the sky as a part of their post-game celebrations. The second shot shows a close up view of the Hilltops enjoying themselves during customary post-game championship team photo. The third picture sees Hilltops star fifth-year defensive tackle Johnathon Stevens, left, and legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant enjoying a moment together as part of the team’s happy post-game festivities.

Johnathon Stevens (#57) and Hilltops HC Tom Sargeant enjoy the moment.

Along with the pictures from the Hilltops win in the Canadian Bowl, this photo roundup reflects the fact that stellar contest was the last football game to be held at SMF Field for the 2025 calendar year. The winter season moved in, and the Indoor Training Centre became the main hub of activity resulting in pictures from baseball, cricket, softball and ultimate disk.  

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 18 shots we hope you enjoy.

Collins in for six

Saskatoon Hilltops star graduating running back David Collins completes a 23-yard touchdown run during the second quarter of the CJFL Championship Game – the Canadian Bowl – on November 9 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. In the Hilltops 21-18 victory on that day, Collins had game highs in carries (26), rushing yards (143) and rushing touchdowns (two).

Kroeger valent in setback for Sun

Okanagan Sun star quarterback Liam Kroeger came up with a monster effort as his squad fell 21-18 in the CJFL Championship Game – the Canadian Bowl – on November 9 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. He completed 26-of-44 passes for 296 yards. Kroeger did throw two interceptions, but both picks came from athletic plays made by the Hilltops. He carried the ball six times for 54 yards and one major score.

Sweet Sun sideline catch

Okanagan Sun receiver Jordayne Falconer makes a tough sideline catch as his club came up short 21-18 against the Saskatoon Hilltops in the CJFL Championship Game – the Canadian Bowl – on November 9 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Falconer finished the contest making seven catches for 62 yards.

Final pose for Hilltop Cheer team in 2025

The 2025 edition of the Saskatoon Hilltop Cheer Team performed as a group on game day for the final time at halftime of the CJFL Championship Game – the Canadian Bowl – on November 9 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The cheerleaders struck their signature final pose to end their routine as the Hilltops would go on to win their 24^th CJFL title.

Hilltops grads enjoy the Canadian Bowl

The Hilltops graduating players enjoy a moment with the Canadian Bowl after winning their 24^th CJFL title on November 9 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The grads include front row from left, Isaiah Vallderruten, Brexton Elias and David Collins. The back row, from left, includes David Boyd Jr., Colton Zimmer, Jackson Dean, Nathan Young, Jace Mowles, Dalton Urban, Ryan Adamko and Johnathon Stevens. Tucked away further in the back behind Mowles and Urban is Nahom Menghestab.

Frisky officially signs with Scarlet Knights

There were all happy times in Classroom 2 at the Indoor Training Centre on November 19. Emma Frisky officially signed on with the Rutgers University Scarlet Knights Women’s Softball Team. Frisky’s family held a celebration with family, friends and some of Emma’s coaches over the years. The Frisky family photo of the signing includes, from left, father Tyrel, Emma, mother Tracy and brother Jack.

Building leg power

A member of the Saskatoon Berries Baseball Academy does a jumping exercise with a weighted bag during a training session on November 20 at the Indoor Training Centre. The exercise with the weighted bag was one stop on a circuit for a conditioning workout.

Berries Academy trio all smiles

A trio of players from the Saskatoon Berries Baseball Academy pose for a picture during a break between taking part in hitting drills on November 20 at the Indoor Training Centre. It is always important to mix in some fun while putting in work to get better.

Off-speed treat

A pitcher from the 222’s Fastpitch program works on an off-speed pitch during a practice session at the Indoor Training Centre on November 25. A large number of the program’s pitchers were out sharpening their skills on this night.

A perfect track

A catcher from the 222’s Fastpitch program tracks the ball into her glove during a practice session on November 25 at the Indoor Training Centre. With the 222’s having a number of pitchers out working on their skills on this night, a large number of catchers came out to work on their craft.

Big smash

A hitter from the 222’s Fastpitch program drives the ball for what would result in an outfield hit during a game at a practice session on November 25 at the Indoor Training Centre. The hitters during these practice sessions focus on improving their respective approaches at the plate.

Cool under pressure

The teams have fun-loving names, but the players that make up the Saskatoon Ultimate Disc-Sport Society have great skill too. In this contest on November 27 at the Indoor Training Centre, a player from the Ultimate Chicken House sets to slip a pass through a defender from the Turnovers.

A catch for a score

A player from the Ultimate Chicken House hauls in a scoring catch in a Saskatoon Ultimate Disc-Sport Society game against the Turnovers on November 27 at the Indoor Training Centre. Everyone who takes part in these games gets a great workout and leaves feeling positive about their overall day.

Building strength

A player from the Going Yard Baseball Academy throws a medicine ball during a practice session on December 4 at the Indoor Training Centre. The player was working on building up his strength in order to help him throw a baseball farther and faster.

Line drive

A hitter from the Going Yard Baseball Academy drives a ball off a tee into a net during a practice session on December 4 at the Indoor Training Centre. The hitter was working on the mechanics of his swing.

Hawkins gets in work

Professional pitcher and Going Yard Baseball Academy coach Garrett Hawkins gets in his own work during a practice session on December 4 at the Indoor Training Centre. Hawkins did some throwing on this day. On November 18, Hawkins’s contract was selected by the San Diego Padres to be part of their MLB roster. That officially places Hawkins on the club’s 40-man MLB roster.

Let it rip

A bowler fires a lightning fast toss at a wicket during a pick-up cricket game on December 5 at the Indoor Training Centre. The bowler was part of a group of players who rented out some turf time at the Indoor Training Centre to play the game they love in a modified format with a half field.

Alert scoring run

A pair of hitters make a run to score a point during a pick-up cricket game on December 5 at the Indoor Training Centre. In the modified format with a half field, the players were looking to the outfield to check out how defenders were doing when it came to getting the ball back to the close infield. The night time session on this day was great for enjoying both friendship and the sport.

Tragedy to triumph – Boyenko’s unique summer with Red Sox

Going Yard instructor helps coach Regina to WCBL title

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Brody Boyenko holds the WCBL championship trophy on Aug. 16.

It began with heartbreak no sports team should have to experience and ended with raising a league championship trophy.

When Going Yard Baseball Academy instructor Brody Boyenko joined the Regina Red Sox as an assistant coach this past May, he was looking forward to a second opportunity to coach in the WCBL. To coach with a program that has existed since 1913 playing in various leagues in its history was another bonus. He ended up getting more than he imagined during the spring and summer league baseball season.

Right at the start of the season in late May, the Red Sox were sent reeling by the tragic death of returning right-handed pitcher and Regina product Jesse Lubiniecki. The 22-year-old passed away in a single vehicle rollover in Rosebud County, Montana, on May 29.

Lubiniecki was driving home to rejoin the Red Sox after completing his season with the Taft College Cougars in Taft, California. He became a member of the Red Sox part way through the 2024 campaign.

From that unthinkable beginning, the Red Sox completed the 2025 campaign on August 16 taking a series deciding Game 3 of the WCBL Championship Series 5-4 against the host Sylvan Lake Gulls in Gulls Stadium before 1,895 spectators.

While Boyenko was obviously proud of what the Red Sox accomplished, it is still burned into his mind all the emotions the team went through when news of Lubiniecki’s unthinkable passing broke.

“That was my first experience of any athlete that I have coached or was going to coach pass away,” said Boyenko. “That whole week, it really kind of shook our team a little bit.

“The day we found out, we were actually playing a game, so even that game was tough to get through. That whole week, I just remember it was a very long and somber week. I feel like once we got through that week Jesse (Lubiniecki) was a big motivating factor behind our season after that point.”

Brody Boyenko works the first base line for the Red Sox at Cairns Field.

The Red Sox elected to keep Lubiniecki’s name tag attached to his stall and continue to have his #33 jersey hanging in his stall in the team’s dressing room at Currie Field through the entire season as a tribute. A rose was also laid inside of Lubiniecki’s stall in remembrance of the late pitcher.

On the road in the WCBL, the Red Sox encounter a number of dressing rooms that don’t have stalls in the visitor’s room. Instead of bringing Lubiniecki’s dressing room setup on the road, the Red Sox would say an “Our Father” prayer at every road park they played in to honour Lubiniecki. The Red Sox also wore a #33 patch on their jerseys to remember the late pitcher.

“Each coach, we didn’t approach players, but when we knew guys were going through it a little bit, we weren’t coaches anymore,” said Boyenko. “It was more or less person-to-person interaction, a human interaction, rather than a coach-to-player.

“It was more so trying to comfort the person in front of you rather than trying to coach them through it. It was very similar to when your friend loses a family member. You don’t coach them through how to grieve.

“You allow them to grieve, and when they finally show signs that their grieving process is slowly coming to an end or they’re slowly getting over the situation, that is when you start introducing some of the coaching back into it.”

On the field, the Red Sox found themselves floating around the .500 mark for much of the season. Things started to round together as they posted a 7-3 over their final 10 games of the regular season to place third in the East Division with a 29-27 mark. Boyenko said the confidence of the team was high going into the post-season.

“I felt throughout the season it was not like that roles weren’t established, but guys were trying to find where they could make an impact in the game,” said Boyenko, who turned 30 right before the playoffs started. “I feel like come playoff time guys weren’t trying to find that anymore.

“They were more so picking each other up. They knew they could do it. Whether they did it in that particular situation or not, it didn’t matter, because they knew the next guy would succeed in that situation.”

Brody Boyenko is one of the original instructors with Going Yard.

In a best-of-three East Division semifinal series, the Red Sox swept the Medicine Hat Mavericks by scores of 6-2 and 13-7. In the best-of-three East Division Championship Series, the Red Sox faced the Saskatoon Berries, who topped the entire WCBL with a 46-9 mark with their win total setting a new league record for most victories in one regular season.

The Red Sox squeaked out an 8-7 victory in Game 1 at Cairns Field, but the Berries evened the series 1-1 with a sound 8-4 victory in Game 2 at Currie Field. In a series deciding Game 3, the Red Sox used a three-run seventh inning to pull away for a 6-2 victory at Cairns Field.

In the deciding win in Saskatoon, Boyenko had a large number of family and friends in attendance. He said it was special to have them all at the park to see the victory that sent the Red Sox to the league final.

“To be honest, it is always nice when your family is watching, especially in your hometown,” said Boyenko. “When you have to live somewhere else for the summer and they come watch you and your team wins, it is a good feeling.

“It was nice that they got to experience that with me. When you live two-and-a-half hours away from home for the summer, it is not like they can just make every other game. For them to see our team win against the top team in the league and beat them out in playoffs, I thought that was pretty special.”

In the best-of-three WCBL Championship Series, the Red Sox fell 3-2 in 11 innings in Game 1 to the Gulls played at Currie Field. Due to the distance of about 809 kilometres between Regina and Sylvan Lake, it was decided the Gulls, who had homefield advantage for the series, would host Games 2 and 3 of the set.

In Game 2, the Red Sox were down 6-4 going into the ninth inning. They scored six runs in the top of the ninth to ultimately prevail 10-7.

In the series-deciding Game 3, the Red Sox trailed 4-3 after six innings. They scored two in the top of the seventh to go ahead 5-4, and their pitching and defence ensured that score was the game’s final outcome. That victory gave the Red Sox their first WCBL title since winning back-to-back league crowns in 2011 and 2012.

Boyenko said the team’s coaches were proud of the Red Sox players but added there were nervous moments in Game 3. He said the Red Sox got a key hit that squeaked through to the outfield from a hitter in the eighth spot in their lineup during the ninth inning rally in Game 2 that won that contest. Boyenko was aware a similar play could go against the Red Sox once they got in front in Game 3.

Brody Boyenko said his Red Sox experience helps his Going Yard work.

“We won Game 2 by a ground ball to the outfield,” said Boyenko.“Going into that Game 3, we had almost no doubt that it was going to be our game.

“When it came around to the eighth and ninth, those were probably some of the longest innings of the entire season. You are so confident in yourself, but just last game, a simple ground ball won it for us and lost it for them. Going into that last inning when we had to get those three outs, that is all I could think of is it is not over until we get that last out.

“Once we finally got it, it literally felt like the weight of the world was off of our shoulders and mission accomplished. It felt very good.”

These days, Boyenko is back in his regular surroundings at the Indoor Training Centre on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds coaching players as an instructor with Going Yard. He guides players in weight training sessions and works with them in the pitching and batting lanes along with drills on the indoor field turf field. He said his experience with the Red Sox helps coming back to Going Yard.

“It is really nice to return,” said Boyenko, who was the pitching coach with the WCBL’s Swift Current 57s in 2023. “I wasn’t too far away from home, but it is nice to come back to my familiar roots and what I do day to day.

“It is nice to bring back some of the things I even learned as a coach from some of the players. In the summertime, you get players from all over the States, so you never know what coach talks about what and what you can bring back. I’ve been able to learn from some of the players some of the nuances that their coaches teach.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to bring it back and teach it to some of our kids as well.”

Boyenko said the championship win with the Red Sox was the first time in his life he was on a team that won a league title. With how the Red Sox rallied around Lubiniecki’s tragic passing, Boyenko said that the 2025 WCBL season with the Red Sox is something he will take with him forever.

“I would definitely say that was the most memorable just because of the whole Jesse (Lubiniecki) situation,” said Boyenko. “My time in the WCBL, I haven’t won as much as I did with Regina, so obviously, winning is a lot of fun.

Brody Boyenko and the Red Sox pose for WCBL title winning picture.

“I would definitely say the fact that, like I mentioned before, Jesse, and then the fact that we rallied around Jesse and were able to win the league. (It was) very memorable.”

For more information on the Going Yard Baseball Academy, feel free to check out their website at www.gyba.ca. All but the second photo in this piece come courtesy Brody Boyenko.

Toon Squad, football championship chase dominates photo roundup

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

The Wings celebrate their Toon Squad League title win.

When late October and early to the middle of November roll around, it is like Christmas time for the local football community.

This is the time period every year when the championship chase takes place for pretty much all football leagues. Whether you are in the post-season for a short time or a long time, players from all age groups often can’t wait to get to this point in the campaign.

One of the more recent additions locally to the championship chase over about the last three years is the female flag Toon Squad League overseen by Saskatoon Minor Football. The circuit operates in September and October and teams can include players from junior high school to the high school ages. The game action on this circuit is very athletic.

The Wings pose for a team photo after winning the Toon Squad League.

On October 27 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the playoff schedule for the Toon Squad League was completed. The championship final was a thriller as the Wings just edged the Fever 33-31.

The lead picture for our photo roundup shows the Wings celebrations immediately after the officials ruled the championship game had been completed. The second shot shows the Wings posing for the customary team photo with the Toon Squad League championship trophy after winning the title game.

The third photo is an action picture from the championship game. It shows a Wings player eluding a Fever defender after making a pass reception.

A Wings receiver, right, eludes a Fever defender.

Along with the pictures from the Toon Squad League, this photo roundup is almost entirely made up of images that come from post-season football. That includes 5 on 5 NFL Youth Flag Football, the Kinsmen Football League, high school football and the Saskatoon Hilltops run to the CJFL Championship Game – the Canadian Bowl. The Hilltops host the Canadian Bowl against the Okanagan Sun, who are from Kelowna, B.C., on Sunday, November 9 at 1 p.m. at SMF Field.  

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 15 shots we hope you enjoy.

Special seniors’ day walk

As has been a team tradition for a lengthy stretch of time, the Saskatoon Hilltops graduating players make a walk with their parents out to the turf at Saskatoon Minor Football Field before their final regular season home game. On October 12, Hilltops running back David Collins made that walk with his mom, Sadia VaPond, who traveled to Saskatoon from the family’s home in St. Michael, Minn. The Hilltops closed their regular season schedule that day with a 31-6 victory over the Calgary Colts.

Secure hands

A receiver with a Packers team hauls down a high pass in a game against a Bears team during female game action on the first day of the 5 on 5 NFL Youth Flag Football jamboree on October 18. This contest was played at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, but the jamboree was so big that it was also played on Joe Gallagher Field and all the Glenn Reeve Fields. The players went into these contests with lots of energy and excitement.

Caught in the open field

A receiver from a Chiefs team gets stopped by a defender from a Panthers squad during male game action on the first day of the 5 on 5 NFL Youth Flag Football jamboree on October 18 at Glenn Reeve Field #3. The jamboree also ran on October 19 across most fields on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds, and it concluded the NFL Youth Flag Football season for 2025.

At home in the end zone

Saskatoon Hilltops star running back Charles Sawi crosses into the end zone to complete a 27-yard touchdown run on a reverse play in a 60-26 victory over the Winnipeg Rifles in a PFC semifinal on October 19 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Sawi ran the ball three times for 104 yards and two touchdowns in that contest, and he returned three punts for 54 yards. If you look closely, you can see legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant cheering in the background of this photo.

Breaking off a big play

Bedford Road Collegiate Redhawks running back Abdulah Zahid breaks downfield on a long run against the Mount Royal Collegiate Mustangs in the Rusholme Bowl on October 23 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Redhawks blanked the Mustangs in this contest 35-0.

Saints go marching in as city champs

The Bishop James Mahoney High School Saints pose for the customary team photo after winning the SSSAD’s 5A City Championship Game on October 24 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. As has become a team custom, the Saints players sang John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” following the victory. They claimed a thrilling 23-17 victory over the Aden Bowman Collegiate Bears.

Turning on the afterburners

A Fever receiver takes the ball on a jet sweep play during the championship game for the female flag Toon Squad League on October 27 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The trick play went for a big gain in the thrilling contest that saw the Fever come up just short against the Wings 33-31.

Moments that last forever

Wings coach Alex Eyolfson hugs one of her players while holding the Toon Squad League championship trophy after the Wings won the title contest of the female flag league. The Wings just edged the Fever 33-31 in a heart stopper.

Crusaders reclaim SSSAD 6A title

The Holy Cross High School Crusaders pose for the customary team photo after reclaiming the SSSAD 6A City Championship at Saskatoon Minor Football Field after having last won the city title in 2023. On October 31, the Crusaders got past the defending SHSAA 6A champion St. Joseph High School Guardians 20-15 in a compelling contest. At the time, the Crusaders improved their record in regular season and post-season play to 8-0.

Lazer Autobody Spirit of Sport Awards announced

On November 1 at the SaskTel Learning Centre Classroom in the Indoor Training Centre, the Gordie Howe Sports Complex Management Corporation and Lazer Autobody announced the 2025 winners of the Lazer Autobody Spirit of Sport Awards. The winner included from left, Zoey Lenard (Female 13U Softball), Kya Tomlenovich (Female Flag Football (Grade 7 or 8)), Braxton Boschman (Male 13U Baseball), Morgan Nixey (Male 13U Softball) and Rylee Lenius (Female 13U Baseball). Also taking an award was Asher Thompson for Male Flag Football (Grade 7 or 8). For information on the Lazer Autobody Spirit of Sport Awards announcement, it can be found by clicking right here.

Tinkler Raiders take KFL’s Hilltops Division

The celebration was on for the Tinkler Raiders as they won the KFL’s Hilltops Division Championship. In the title game held on November 2 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Raiders downed the Schoenals Titans 64-22.

Raiders enjoy championship fun

The Tinkler Raiders pose for the customary team photo after winning the KFL’s Hilltops Division Championship on November 2 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Raiders downed the Schoenals Titans 64-22 in the title game.

KFL’s Huskies Division goes to Babineau Warriors

The celebration was on for the Babineau Warriors as they won the KFL’s Huskies Division Championship. In the title game held on November 2 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Warriors downed the Martensville Maddogs 48-32.

Warriors soak in championship moment

The Babineau Warriors pose for the customary team photo after winning the KFL’s Huskies Division Championship on November 2 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Warriors downed the Martensville Maddogs 48-32 in the title game.

Maximum protection

A pair of blockers team up to stop an edge rusher to allow the quarterback to throw the ball during a Saskatoon Hilltops practice on November 4 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Hilltops were continuing their preparations to host the CJFL Championship Game – the Canadian Bowl. The Hilltops host the Okanagan Sun from Kelowna, B.C., in the CJFL title contest on Sunday, November 9 at 1 p.m. at SMF Field.

Clutch on the ground

Holy Cross High School Crusaders running back Traven Wiggens piled up a lot of key yards late in the fourth quarter to allow his squad to pull out a 21-16 over Regina’s Miller Comprehensive Catholic High School Marauders in the SHSAA’s 6A Championship Game on November 7 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Wiggens, who is more known for his exploits as a linebacker, ran the ball nine times for 66 yards. He picked up the final first down for the Crusaders and ensured he was tackled in bounds in order to allow his squad to run out the rest of the clock and end the game with two knee downs.

This one was for “Himey”

On November 7 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Holy Cross High School Crusaders downed Regina’s Miller Comprehensive Catholic High School Marauders 21-16 in the SHSAA’s 6A Championship Game. That marked the first time since 1995 the Crusaders won a provincial title in football. Between 1995 and November 7, the Crusaders made it to 10 provincial title games and fell short on the scoreboard in each appearance. Following the win on November 7, the Crusaders captains ensured assistant coach Scott “Himey” Hundseth was the first to raise the championship trophy. Hundseth, who focuses on the defensive side of the ball, was the Crusaders head coach for their previous nine losses in the provincial final and remained on the Holy Cross coaching staff after retiring from his teaching position at the school in June of 2024. Hundseth is a teacher/coach with the Institute of Saskatchewan Football, which is overseen by Saskatoon Minor Football.

Crusaders soak in provincial title moment

The Holy Cross High School Crusaders Football Team poses for the customary team photo after winning the SHSAA 6A provincial title on November 7 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. This moment was a long awaited one for the Crusaders, whose last provincial title win in football came back in 1995. Holy Cross has won seven total provincial football championships with previous wins also coming in 1980, 1981, 1985, 1986 and 1994.