By Gordie
Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex
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| Ashton Houmphanh plunges in for a Saints touchdown. |
Their games
are barnburners.
On October
1 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, those two squads met for the first time in
the 2026 campaign. On the final play off the game, a trio of Saints defenders
had to hustle back and deflect away a pass to Bears receiver Harrison Shirkey
in the Saints end zone to preserve a 24-21 victory for Bishop James Mahoney.
That turned
out to be a prelude to their meeting in the SSSAD’s 5A City Final on
October 30 at SMF Field. In that encounter, the Saints took a 14-13 lead into
halftime before Bears star receiver Ben Blackburn scored on a run and a point
from a missed field goal gave Aden Bowman a 21-14 advantage.
It looked like the Bears were going to run out the clock,
but Saints defensive back Ashton Kohlman caused a fumble to allow his squad to
take possession of the ball about 60 yards away from the Bears end zone with 75
seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
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| Ben Blackburn (#4) leads the Bears in a handshake line with the Saints. |
Our lead
picture of this photo roundup shows Houmphanh going for the touchdown that cut
the Bears lead to 21-20 before the ground gainer tacked on the winning
two-point convert. The second shot sees Blackburn leading the handshake line
for the Bears as the two valiant squads paid respects for each other’s effort.
The third photo shows the Saints raising the SSSAD 5A Championship Trophy for
claiming the city title.
Following
that contest, the Saints hit the road to Prince Albert for an SHSAA 5A
Provincial Semifinal. In that game, they slipped past the Carlton Comprehensive
High School Crusaders 14-12 at Max Clunie Field on November 7.
The Saints
will host the SHSAA’s 5A Provincial Final on Saturday, November 14 at 1 p.m. at
SMF Field against the Central Collegiate Cyclones from Moose Jaw. The Cyclones
enter the contest looking to repeat as provincial champions.
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| The Saints celebrate winning their SSSAD 5A City title. |
The
pictures in this photo roundup capture some of the memories that are made on
our grounds. In this photo roundup, most of these pictures were taken by
our Communications Coordinator in Darren Steinke.
Without further ado, here is a selection of 25 shots we hope you enjoy.
Ebben
on one of his final Hilltops runs
Star fifth-year running back Corbin Ebben jets up field for the Saskatoon Hilltops in a PFC semifinal against the Edmonton Wildcats on October 11 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Ebben helped the Hilltops post a 44-16 victory. His CJFL career came to an end a week later with the Hilltops losing to the Thunder in Regina in the PFC Final. The Thunder would go on to win the CJFL title.
Hilltops’ Sawi searches for a
seam
Saskatoon Hilltops fifth-year star receiver and kick returner Charles Sawi looks for a lane to run upfield in during his team’s 44-16 victory in a PFC semifinal against the Edmonton Wildcats on October 11 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Sawi has created a number of thrills at SMF Field during his high school and Hilltops days. His CJFL career came to an end a week later with the Hilltops losing to the Thunder in Regina in the PFC Final. The Thunder would go on to win the CJFL title.
Hilltops offensive linemen are
all here
The Saskatoon Hilltops offensive linemen pose for a group photo following their team’s 44-16 victory in a PFC semifinal against the Edmonton Wildcats on October 11 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The heart of the Hilltops often comes from their offensive linemen. The Hilltops season came to an end a week later with a loss in the PFC Final against the Thunder in Regina. The Thunder would go on to win the CJFL title.
Lipinski awards go to Penrod and
Britz
It was a big afternoon in the main hall at the Gordie Howe Sports Centre building on October 22 as two Darren Lipinski Memorial Awards were handed out. They are presented by the Saskatoon Amateur Softball Association to individuals for their outstanding contribution to softball in Saskatoon. Brooks Penrod and Drew Britz were the recipients of this year’s awards. Penrod started out as a player and served in many roles as a coach and executive over the years including sitting on Softball Canada’s Board of Directors and serving as Team Manager of the Saskatoon Jacks in the current day. Britz began playing softball in 1979 and has held roles as a coach, executive and umpire in the sport running to the current day. Pictured, from left, are Mark Loehndorf, who is a long time SASA executive, Penrod, Britz and Noreen Murphy, who is all-time softball great in playing and coaching.
Cloney gives Mustangs horsepower
Mount Royal Collegiate Mustangs running back Ty Cloney charges upfield against the Bedford Road Collegiate Redhawks in the Rusholme Road Bowl Final on October 29 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Cloney also played on defence in this contest for the Mustangs and they grinded out a 10-0 win.
Mount Royal in good hands with
Currie
Receiver and defensive back Parker Currie might have the best hands for a Mount Royal Collegiate Mustangs player since current CFL official Troy Semenchuk played for the team in the early 1990s. Currie hauls in a pass while facing double coverage against the Bedford Road Collegiate Redhawks in the Rusholme Road Bowl Final on October 29 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. While making big catches on offence, Currie also makes big interceptions on defence. He helped the Mustangs grind out a 10-0 win on this day.
Mustangs soak in Rusholme Road
Bowl win
The Mount Royal Collegiate Mustangs pose for the customary team photo after winning the Rusholme Road Bowl Final on October 29 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Mustangs blanked the Bedford Road Collegiate Redhawks 10-0. This was arguably the Mustangs biggest win in the last 15 years.
Bears sack attack
While they came up on the wrong end of an all-time classic in the SSSAD’s 5A City Final on October 30 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the defence of the Aden Bowman Collegiate Bears made their share of plays in what was a 22-21 loss. Early on in the game, Bears defensive linemen Steeg Loucks (#45) and Burton Johnson (#65) team up to sack Bishop James Mahoney High School Saints quarterback Alex Hill.
Saints’
Hill calm under pressure
Pollack with big catch and run for Saints
Saints singing “Take Me Home, Country Roads”
Textbook out in the outfield
An outfielder settles up to make a catch on a fly ball during a 222’s Fastpitch training session on November 1 at the FUNN Performance Centre. The FUNN Performance Centre has been home to the 222’s Fastpitch program since the building opened in March of 2019.
222’s player sneak in the fun
The players with the 222’s Fastpitch program like to get some fun in during their training sessions. A couple of players here pose for a picture for the camera during a break between drills during a training session on November 1 at the FUNN Performance Centre.
Defence comes up big for Vortex
A defensive back from the Vortex breaks up a pass intended for a Frost receiver during the Toon Squad Junior Flag League title game on November 2 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Thanks to those types of plays, the Vortex would hold on to down the Frost 12-7 in a tight defensive battle.
Scott on target for Mystics
Quarterback Cameron Scott fires a pass downfield for the Mystics during the Toon Squad Varsity League championship game against the Wings on November 2 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Scott had a big night as the Mystics downed the Wings 34-13.
Vortex claim first Toon Squad
Varsity League title
The Vortex pose for the customary team photo after capturing the Toon Squad Junior Flag League championship on November 2 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. They took a tight 12-7 defensive battle against the Frost in the title game.
Mystics all smiles taking Toon
Squad Varsity League crown
The Mystics show off their smiles posing for the customary team photo after winning the Toon Squad Varsity League championship on November 2 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. They downed the Wings 34-13 in the Toon Squad Varsity League. The Mystics finished the regular season with an 8-2 record and were 2-0 in the post-season.
Friends and champions
Mystics player Jacine Stroh, left, and Vortex player Jasmine Bosovich share a moment together enjoying the respective championship trophies their teams won on November 2 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. It was obvious Stroh and Bosovich have a good friendship. The Mystics captured the title in the Toon Squad Varsity League, and the Vortex claimed the championships in the Toon Squad Junior Flag League.
Set for the pitch
A pitcher with the Saskatoon Berries Baseball Academy focuses on his setup to unload a pitch during a training session on November 3 at the FUNN Performance Centre. The Berries Academy holds sessions every day during weekdays at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex during the baseball off-season.
Working on getting stronger
A player with the Saskatoon Berries Baseball Academy works on resistance training exercises during a training session on November 3 at the FUNN Performance Centre. Along with working on the skills of the game, Berries players also work on getting stronger and faster.
Wiggins could go all the way
Holy Cross High School Crusaders defensive back Traven Wiggins returns an interception for a touchdown during the SSSAD’s 6A City Final on November 6 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Crusaders repeated as city champs by downing the St. Joseph High School Guardians 40-7.
Dukart makes splash play in open
field
Holy Cross High School Crusaders receiver Jack Dukart motors downfield after making a big catch and run play during the SSSAD’s 6A City Final on November 6 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Dukart helped the Crusaders post a 40-7 win over the St. Joseph High School Guardians to repeat as city champs.
Crusaders
enjoy spoils of city title
The Holy Cross High School Crusaders pose for the customary team photo after claiming the SSSAD’s 6A City Final for a second straight year on November 6 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. They will now try to repeat as provincial champions. The Crusaders head on the road on Saturday, November 14 to face the Miller Comprehensive Catholic High School Marauders in the SHSAA’s 6A Provincial Final set for 1 p.m. at Leibel Field in Regina.
Falcons
fly high in KFL’s Hilltops Division
The Arns Falcons celebrate winning the championship game for the KFL’s Hilltops Division on November 8 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. After downing the Ledingham Steelers, the Falcons raised the Kinsmen Football League Kelly Bowers Trophy to the air. A big thanks goes out to Vic Pankratz and Saskatoon Minor Football for this photo.
Titans
top KFL’s Huskies Division
The Schoenhals Titans were all pumped up after winning the championship game of the KFL’s Huskies Division on November 8 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. After downing the Ledingham Steelers, the Titans enjoyed some video making time with the Bruce Steeves Kinsmen Football League Trophy.
