By Gordie
Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex
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| The Wings celebrate their Toon Squad League title win. |
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.
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| The Wings pose for a team photo after winning the Toon Squad League. |
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.
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| A Wings receiver, right, eludes a Fever defender. |
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.
