Schnitzler’s football journey settles into coaching stage

Crusaders HC enjoyed playing CJFL, U Sports and CFL

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

HC Tom Schnitzler addresses his Crusaders after a game last season.

Tom Schnitzler’s football life has been a full circle Saskatoon story.

After playing high school football with the Bishop James Mahoney High School Saints winning provincial titles in 2011 and 2012, Schnitzler moved on to play five seasons in the CJFL with the storied Saskatoon Hilltops from 2013 to 2017 winning four straight CJFL championships with the club from 2014 to 2017. Following his time with the Hilltops, the star defensive lineman and standout long snapper moved on to play for the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds Football Team in 2018 and 2019.

He went on to be selected in the eighth round and 72^nd overall in the 2020 CFL Draft by the Hamilton Tigers-Cats. Schnitzler played the 2021 campaign with the Tiger-Cats as they moved on and fell 33-25 in overtime to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at home in the Grey Cup. Following the 2021 campaign, Schnitzler suited up for the Calgary Stampeders in 2022 moving over to play full back on offence.

His time in the CFL concluded after the 2022 campaign. Schnitzler got on to the staff at Holy Cross High School and became the offensive coordinator for the Crusaders Football Team in 2023. When the team’s head coach and all-time coaching great in Scott Hundseth retired from teaching, Schnitzler took on the role of Crusaders head coach, while Hundseth remained to be the squad’s defensive coordinator.

After guiding the Crusaders to their seventh provincial title last season, Schnitzler settled into the start of his third campaign as the team’s head coach.

“I loved playing the game,” said Schnitzler. “Playing high school at BGM (Bishop James Mahoney High School) was a lot of fun.

“Playing high school football and seeing all the time and effort that the coaches put in and gave to us really meant a lot. It just kind of made me want to get back into coaching and kind of give back to the kids. Playing Hilltops and UBC and a few years in the CFL, I feel like I have a lot to give back, and I want to repay what those coaches gave me.

“I guess in a way it is full circle. I really enjoy doing it. It is fun to still be involved with the game.”

On top of being part of the football scene in Saskatoon, Schnitzler’s football life keeps bringing him back to Saskatoon Minor Football Field on the grounds of the Gordie Howe Sports Complex. 

He played high school and CJFL games at SMF Field. On the coaching front, Schnitzler has coached high school and with Saskatoon Minor Football programs like academy league teams at SMF Field.

Tom Schnitzler scores a TD for the Hilltops on August 29, 2015.

While it has only been four years since he dressed for the Stampeders, Schnitzler is starting to feel the distance from his playing days, especially his days in high school and the CJFL. He chuckled at the memory of scoring a touchdown on a fumble return for the Hilltops in a 65-9 regular season win over the Winnipeg Rifles at SMF Field on August 30, 2015 noting that happened 11 years ago.

“You know what, it is crazy to think about,” said Schnitzler, who stands 6-foot-4 and weighed 235 pounds in his playing days. “There are kids in Grade 9 now, and they’re born in, you know, 2012 or whatever.

“I played Hilltops in 2013. It is kind of crazy to think about it. It didn’t seem that long ago, and then you know when you look back, I guess it is quite some time ago.

“(There are) lots of great memories. I met a lot of my best friends playing there and had good experiences. A touchdown, I got pretty fortunate with a few plays there for sure.”

Schnitzler said it was always in the back of his mind that he would coach football once his playing days were done. He said that idea took root after playing for the Saints with Kirby Frey serving as the team’s head coach.

“He (Frey) did an awesome job,” said Schnitzler. “They had a great staff there.

“It was a lot of fun. I’ve just seen the work they put in for us, but not only that, how much fun they had as a staff. It really made us all want to give back.

“I think a lot of the people on that team, my high school, ended up coaching at some point after. They (the Saints coaches) just set a really good example for us.”

With the Hilltops, Schnitzler played under that team’s iconic head coach in Tom Sargeant. Sargeant entered the 2026 CJFL campaign with 254 career wins combined from CJFL regular season and post-season play. Including play in the CJFL, U Sports football and the CFL, the only person with more career head coaching wins than Sargeant is Wally Buono with 305 victories combined in the CFL regular season and post-season.

“Obviously Sergeant, you can look at his accolades,” said Schnitzler. “He is the best junior coach that has ever done it.

HC Tom Schnitzler, left, gives instructions to his players.

“You pick up a tonne just routine, discipline and togetherness as a team. He is hard on us, but he has got our backs. If we work hard for him, he is going to battle for us.”

When he suited up for the Thunderbirds, Schnitzler played for head coach Blake Nill, who built a legendary career in U Sports. Nill guided the Thunderbirds to a U Sports championship in 2015 and the Saint Mary’s University Huskies Football Team to U Sports title wins in 2001 and 2002.

“He (Nill) is going to tell you what to do and how to do it right,” said Schnitzler. “The expectations are there.

“I guess it is no different for me now. I take that here is the standard and here are the expectations. That is how I want the kids to perform.”

Schnitzler added he learned from both Sargeant and Nill to lean on his team’s leaders. The Holy Cross sideline boss looks for his Grade 12 seniors and high-end Grade 11 players to lead the way.

One spot where Schnitzler was really proud of his players came after the Crusaders downed Regina’s Miller Comprehensive Catholic High School Marauders 21-16 in the Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association’s 6A Championship Game on November 7, 2025 at SMF Field. After receiving the championship trophy, the Crusaders captains gave it to Hundseth to allow him to be the first to raise it.

Before that championship win, the Crusaders had lost their previous 10 straight appearances in a provincial final with a number of those setbacks coming in heartbreaking style. Hundseth was the Crusaders head coach of the last nine of those 10 straight losses.

“Coach Hundseth is arguably the best high school football coach Saskatchewan has seen in recent history,” said Schnitzler. “He has been here for 16-to-17 years as the head coach, and he has built this program to what it is today, set the standard high and kept it high.

“I kind of walked into a program that was already ready to roll. I didn’t have to do a whole lot as far as build it. It is already there.

“I think we just had the right mix of players and coaches working together. It (the provincial title win) was for him, so it is really good to see the kids do that. It is well deserved for him.”

Looking towards the future, Schnitzler plans to be coaching the Crusaders for the long term. When players graduate from his team, Schnitzler hopes they become better all-around persons.

“Just the programs I’ve been at with my experience with Hilltops under Tom Sargeant and playing some U Sports, I feel like I can give the kids some guidance as far as expectations and the level and standard we set at this program,” said Schnitzler. “I feel like it will serve them well in the future whether they’re playing football after their Grade 12 year or not.

Tom Schnitzler, right of trophy, enjoys a provincial title win.

“We’re trying to build character and build hard-working young men. It is fun to see those guys move on. It is awesome that a lot of those guys are staying home and playing Hilltops or even (University of Saskatchewan) Huskies.

“We want to keep sending more kids there. It is fun to see.”

To see the 2026 schedule for high school football, check out the Saskatoon Secondary Schools Athletics Directorate site at sssad.net/schedule/.

Sander set to soak in season as Hilltops starting QB

Saskatoon guns for 25^th CJFL title in 2026

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Griffin Sander is set to be the Hilltops starting QB this season.

Griffin Sander found his tackle football life was in limbo until an unexpected opportunity came up.

In August of last year, Sander was engaged in training camp activities with University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team. He was going into his fourth season with the Huskies, but he didn’t know where he stood within a talented quarterback room.

Anton Amundrud was a lock as the starter, and the Huskies coaches were optimistic on Jake Farrell, who was in his second season with the team. Sander was wondering if it might be best for him to focus on his kinesiology studies.

One day after a Huskies practice, Sander was walking to his car, and he listened to a voicemail left by Tom Sargeant, who is the legendary head coach of the CJFL’s Saskatoon Hilltops. 

The Hilltops were a week into their CJFL campaign and were dealing with a host of injuries at the quarterback position. Sargeant said the Hilltops needed to add a quarterback, and he wanted to talk to Sander.

“I was like this could be a really good opportunity for me,” said Sander. “Then, I thought about it for a couple of days and talked to my parents and everything.

“I gave Sarge a call back, and it ended up being one of the best decisions I’ve made so far in my life.”

Sander joined the Hilltops in Week 2 of their CJFL campaign. After getting used to the team’s system, he would find himself as the backup to fifth-year starter Brexton Elias, when Elias returned for the squad’s fourth regular season contest.

During the Hilltops fifth regular season contest, Sander saw his first game action with the team in a 51-3 romp over the Calgary Colts. As Elias would finish the post-season playing with an injury, Sander came off the bench and saw sizable action in a 30-27 comeback overtime victory over the Thunder at Mosaic Stadium in Regina in the PFC final on October 26, 2025.

He would come off the bench late in the first quarter again in the CJFL championship game – the Canadian Bowl. Sander would play almost all of the rest of that contest as the Hilltops won a classic 21-18 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field over the Okanagan Sun from Kelowna, B.C., to claim a 24^th CJFL title.

Griffin Sander fires a pass downfield with authority.

When Sander played last season, he was definitive with his throws. He made quick reads and threw the ball with authority and on target. It was visible that he received good coaching with the Huskies.

Sander said Sargeant played a big role in helping him do well. The signal caller also said that Huskies head coach Scott Flory and the two Huskies offensive coordinators he worked with in Jeremy Long and Mason Nyhus were huge in his football story to becoming a quarterback that could make razor-sharp reads.

“I feel like football is really an important game between the ears,” said Sander, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 210 pounds. “I owe it all to “Sarge,” (Scott) Flory, my coaches Jeremy Long and Mason Nyhus.

“They’ve formed me into the player and the man I am today. I owe it all to them, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without those four men really leading me to where I am today.”

Playing for the Hilltops, Sander was able to reunite with Donnie Davidsen, who was his high school head coach with the Bishop James Mahoney High School Saints Football Team. Davidsen is the Hilltops longtime offensive line coach.

Sander and Davidsen reconnected and picked up right where they left off from their time together with the Saints. Davidsen is also a huge part in Sander’s biggest big-play memory with the Hilltops.

In the PFC final, the Thunder had the first drive of overtime played under shootout rules and came away with a field goal to go up 27-24. On the Hilltops ensuing possession, Sander hit receiver Isaiah Vallderruten with a 24-yard game-winning touchdown pass that resulted in the Saskatoon side prevailing 30-27. The score also allowed the Hilltops to complete a comeback in a contest where they trailed 24-9 with 10:51 remaining in the fourth quarter.

“That is probably one of the coolest moments I’ve ever had playing football,” said Sander about his winning touchdown pass in the PFC final. “I remember I threw the pass, and I couldn’t actually really see if “Zay” caught it or not.

“I just heard kind of the crowd erupt, and then, I looked at the sidelines. Speaking of Donnie (Davidsen), Donnie was running full speed at me, and he jumped into my arms. That was probably one of the best moments I’ve had in football.

“That was incredible.”

Griffin Sander came up clutch for the Hilltops in the 2025 post-season.

Sargeant said Sander’s addition was massive for his storied CJFL team. The sideline boss said the veteran pivot allowed the Hilltops passing game to come to life in both the PFC final and the CJFL title game.

“Every opportunity that we gave him, he just took off and ran with it,” said Sargeant. “We certainly were very thankful that he made the decision to commit to the Saskatoon Hilltops.

“He has given the whole team and the coaching staff great optimism for this year. We’re excited to see where it takes us, because now we’ve got a full year. We’ve got a whole off-season.

“He has embraced every challenge that has come his way. He is a captain. As I said, big expectations on the blue and gold and big expectations on Griffin.”

Sargeant added that Sander came to the Hilltops having developed a solid base to play from his time as a reserve quarterback with the Huskies.

“Any time you come from the Huskie program, you know they’re going to be well coached, and they’re going to be a top recruit,” said Sargeant. “Griffin’s game, he has certainly got a good head on his shoulders.

“He has got arm talent, and it fits in perfectly with what we want to do this year. We’re excited to bring these receivers up. We love our receiver room, and we feel the combination of those two coming together is going to make a great passing package that is going to be tough to defend.

“All the training he has had in the past has certainly helped him to what his future is going to be.”

In the Canadian Bowl, the Hilltops were tied with the Sun 2-2 after the first quarter. Sander provided the steady hand in a surge that saw the Hilltops go up 16-2 and hold a 16-4 advantage at halftime.

The Sun ultimately would even the score at 18-18 with a touchdown with 1:33 remaining in the fourth quarter. Sander proceeded to guide the Hilltops on a drive that resulted in a 37-yard game-winning field goal from kicker Ryden Gratton with 28.6 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Okanagan’s final desperate drive was snuffed out with an interception by Hilltops strong side linebacker Zaden Taylor.

Griffin Sander dumps the ball off to Charles Sawi.

“We scored a touchdown I think either on my first or second drive that I went in,” said Sander. “Then, we just had quite a few two and outs and then just kind of stalled out.

“That gave Okanagan a lot of motivation. They had everything on their side, and they were just pounding. We couldn’t stop them.

“They ended up tying it up, and then, we put a good drive together. We had a lot of good runs by (running back) D.C. (David Collins). Gratz (Ryden Gratton) kicked the game winner, and then, that was it.”

Going into this season, Sander will be playing out his final campaign of CJFL eligibility. He will enter the season as the Hilltops starting quarterback. Sander has enjoyed having a whole off-season getting to train with the team’s offensive unit and receiving corps.

“Last season, I came in Week 2,” said Sander, who is 22-years-old. “I knew a couple of the guys through like academy and kind of spring ball and fall ball in high school.

“I knew a couple of guys, but I was never throwing to these guys. It was a little bit of a jump trying to get to know the playbook and get to know the guys and how they run their routes. It has been really, really amazing just to have a whole off-season with these guys and just throwing with them every week and just kind of see how they run their routes and what kind of depth they’re running.

“It is really helpful to be on the same page.”

The Hilltops opened their regular season on August 9 downing the Rifles in Winnipeg 38-13. Saskatoon’s home opener is slated for Sunday, August 16 at 1 p.m. at SMF Field against the Edmonton Wildcats.

Sander said the goal is to win a second straight CJFL title. With this being his final CJFL campaign, Sander said he wants to be in the moment as much as possible and soak in the journey the season will provide.

“I mean everybody wants to play in the game at the end of the year,” said Sander. “I feel like especially in your fifth year you don’t want to get there too quickly.

Griffin Sander wants to relish all parts of the 2026 season.

“I just take it day by day and don’t take anything for granted and just kind of just have lots of fun with my guys for my last year.”

For more information of the Saskatoon Hilltops including their tickets and game schedule, feel free to check out their website at www.saskatoonhilltops.com.

Indoor Training Centre business picks up in photo roundup

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

A young hitter dives a ball into the outfield at a Timbits Saturdays session.

The winter season is upon us and action at the Indoor Training Centre is in full swing.

With snow covering all of our outdoor facilities, the Indoor Training Centre has become the hub of activity at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex. Athletes from the sports of baseball and softball are frequently involved with training sessions preparing for the spring, summer and fall, and they will soon be joined by athletes from football.

When you see those athletes in action in the spring, summer and fall, they are immediately playing in a very crisp fashion which shows the results of the training sessions at the Indoor Training Centre. Some of the younger athletes that visit the Indoor Training Centre might still be learning a sport for the first time or getting a grasp of how to perform skills properly.

Our lead photo of our photo roundup sees a young hitter at a Saskatchewan North Central Softball Academy’s Timbits Saturdays session on December 3 driving a ball into the outfield. Action from the Indoor Training Centre dominates our latest photo roundup.

Outside of baseball and softball players looking to get better, league action from the Saskatoon Ultimate Disc-Sport Society has become a staple at the Indoor Training Centre.

Over the past 30 days, there has still been action outdoors. The Bishop James High School Mahoney Saints closed out play at Saskatoon Minor Football Field on November 11 posting an 18-15 victory over the Weyburn Comprehensive School Eagles to win the Saskatchewan High School Athletic Association’s 5A provincial title. The ski trials have become more active too.

The activity that happens on our grounds continues to provide great material for our continuing photo roundups.

These photos 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 12 shots we hope you enjoy.

Game changing interception

A defensive back from the Bishop James Mahoney High School Saints makes a critical interception at his own five yard line late in the fourth quarter to prevent the Weyburn Comprehensive School Eagles from going ahead in the SHSAA’s 5A provincial title game. The Saints held on for an 18-15 victory on November 11 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

Juggling act catch

This receiver from the Bishop James Mahoney High School Saints comes down with this juggling catch on a deep pass late in the fourth quarter in the SHSAA’s 5A provincial title game played on November 11 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. This catch allowed the Saints to hold on for an 18-15 victory over the Weyburn Comprehensive School Eagles.

Saints bring out championship smiles

The Bishop James Mahoney High School Saints are all smiles after winning the SHSAA’s 5A provincial title on November 11 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. A short time later, the Saints broke into the singing of John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” That has become a team tradition after wins.

Focus on the catch

A catcher concentrates on snagging a pitch that was a bit out of the strike zone during a Going Yard Training Centre baseball training session on November 24 at the Indoor Training Centre. The catchers were going through a drill where they had to react to unexpected situations that come up during games.

In rhythm throws

A couple of pitchers mirror each other with the same throwing motion during a Going Yard Training Centre baseball training session on November 24 at the Indoor Training Centre. Pitchers were tweaking the mechanics of their various throws in this session.

In the groove on the ski trails

A young skier from the Saskatoon Nordic Ski Club cycles through a classic ski circuit during a practice session on November 27. During the winter months, the Glenn Reeve Field diamonds become a home for Nordic Skiing action.

Running down the soft looper

An outfielder during a 222’s Fastpitch practice session runs down and catches a soft looping hit during a drill at the Indoor Training Centre on November 27. The 222’s having been traveling to the United States to play in winter season tournaments.

Perfecting a sweet stroke

A hitter during a JQFP Softball training session works on the mechanics of her swing during a training session on November 30 at the Indoor Training Centre. The JQFP program offers fastpitch softball instruction for all ages and skills and fields travel teams.

Getting out of jam

A thrower gets out of a trap type situation during Saskatoon Ultimate Disc-Sport Society league action on December 1 at the Indoor Training Centre. The leagues overseen by the Saskatoon Ultimate Disc-Sport Society offer a fun way to get or stay active.

Fielding a grounder in textbook fashion

A young infielder taking part in a Saskatchewan North Central Softball Academy Timbits Saturdays session secures a ground ball hit in textbook fashion on December 3 at the Indoor Training Centre. The SNCSA’s Timbits Saturdays program offers a great and fun way to allow young athletes to learn how to play softball.

Contested catch

Two opposing team players jump up to battle for a catch during Saskatoon Ultimate Disc-Sport Society league action on December 8 at the Indoor Training Centre. The teams on that night were playing at an elevated level making all sorts of plays.

The Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval is coming

We know skaters of all abilities have been waiting for this. The Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval is set to open on Thursday, December 15. Public skating on that day will run from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The sign shows the hours for the rest of the season. The Oval is slated to be open through to March 1, 2023 depending on the weather.

Crunch time football rocks photo roundup

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Gage Prodaehl makes a crazy TD catch on October 28.

Are you ready for some football?

In Canada, the championship chase in football annually hits high gear as October concludes and rolls into November. That plays out as true on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds with Saskatoon Minor Football Field becoming the centre of attention.

Excitement for the post-season built as the regular season closed. High school action from the SSSAD captured the majority of the attention and time at SMF Field.

Our lead photo shows receiver Gage Prodaehl of Prince Albert’s Carlton Comprehensive High School Crusaders making an insane catch for a touchdown in a 6A SSSAD semifinal game at SMF Field on October 28. Carlton would fall in a hard-fought contest 38-23 to the Holy Cross High School Crusaders, but the image of Prodaehl’s catch has made the rounds on social media.

The picture on the Complex’s Instagram account has 465 likes, and the picture on the Complex’s Facebook account has 111 reactions and 24 shares.   

The KFL also played out its last stretch and the Saskatoon Hilltops hit SMF Field for two final home games before their CJFL campaign finished.

Besides the action at SMF Field, the Indoor Training Centre has picked up in activity as various sports groups that play in the spring, summer and fall engage in off-season training.

The activity that happens on our grounds continues to provide great material for our continuing photo roundups.

These photos 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.

Hazel Modon, who is a Grade 12 student at E.D. Feehan Catholic High School checks, in with a couple of photos too as she took pictures of her school’s Trojans football team.

Without further ado, here is a selection of 10 shots we hope you enjoy.

Family moment with big award

Vanessa Kosteroski poses for a picture with her family members on October 13 after being presented the Darren Lipinski Memorial Award by the Saskatoon Amateur Softball Association for her outstanding contribution to softball in Saskatoon. From left are Danielle Denomy, Vanessa, Bryan Kosteroski and Brayden Denomy. Vanessa received her award inside the main banquet hall at the Gordie Howe Sports Centre building.

Kack with the sack

Saskatoon Hilltops defensive end Riece Kack, left, makes a quarterback against the Calgary Colts on October 16 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field as both sides closed their respective CJFL regular season schedules. Kack led the Prairie Football Conference with 7.5 sacks in regular season play.

Focusing on in game adjustments

Assistant coach Steve Kovach talks to a group of players from his E.D. Feehan Catholic High School Trojans football team to make some in game adjustments on October 21. This photo was taken by Hazel Modon, who is a Grade 12 student at E.D. Feehan Catholic High School.

A great escape

A Titans quarterback eludes a sack attempt by a Steelers defender in KFL action from the Huskies division on October 22 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Titans prevailed 20-6 in this encounter that closed the regular season schedules for both sides.

Sawi goes all the way in PFC semifinal win

Charles Sawi keeps adding to the list of big plays he has made at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. On October 23, the 17-year-old rookie running back with the Saskatoon Hilltops is seen here jetting off on an electrifying 33 yard touchdown run with 65 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Sawi’s score ultimately gave the Hilltops a 20-15 victory in a PFC semifinal clash with the Edmonton Huskies.

Trojan dashes to daylight

An E.D. Feehan Catholic High School ball carrier breaks out of traffic in a Rusholme Rivalry clash with the Bedford Road Redhawks on October 27 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Trojans took this heartstopper 30-27 to claim the SSSAD’s third division city final. Hazel Modon, who is a Grade 12 student at E.D. Feehan Catholic High School, checked in with this photo.

Eye on the ball

A catcher focuses on watching a ball released from a pitching machine hit into his glove during a Going Yard Training Centre session on November 3 at the Indoor Training Centre. Going Yard is great at providing innovative drills that help players get better at the fundamentals of baseball, and that includes having catchers work on skills in the pitching tunnels.

Guardian reaches for a score

A running back with the St. Joseph High School Guardians reached for the end zone to finish a touchdown run against the Holy Cross High School Crusaders in the SSSAD’s 6A City Championship on November 4 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Guardians pulled out a 17-10 victory to advance to the SHSAA’s 6A provincial final slated for Friday, November 11 in Regina.

Holding defenders at bay

An offensive player shields the ball away from a couple of defenders during a mini-game situation at a Sentinels Lacrosse practice session on November 7 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Sentinels provide elite level training and game opportunities for players during the sports’ off-season from September to December.

Saints celebrate SSSAD 5A city title

The Bishop James Mahoney High School Saints celebrate winning the SSSAD’s 5A City Championship on November 4 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Saints now host the SHSAA’s 5A provincial final on Friday, November 11 at 2 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field against the Weyburn Comprehensive School Eagles.

High school football – An SMF Field tradition dating back to 1960

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

A Saints receiver heads downfield after a catch on Sept. 17, 2021.

Jaxson Kramchynsky smiles and gets energized reflecting on the sea of Bishop James Mahoney High School students at Saskatoon Minor Football Field on opening day.

Kramchynsky plays defensive end for the Bishop James Mahoney Saints High School Saints Football team, and under the “Friday Night Lights” on September 17, 2021, he helped his squad slug out a 23-7 victory over the Evan Hardy Collegiate Souls in the Saints first regular game of the campaign. The Saints win closed out Week 1 of the regular season schedule for the Saskatoon Secondary Schools Athletic Directorate (SSSAD).

A large group of students from Bishop James Mahoney came to SMF Field to cheer on the Saints. After the final seconds ticked away in the win over the Souls, the Bishop James Mahoney students rushed over to the field’s entrance in the south end zone to great the Saints players as they came off the field.

Kramchynsky can still see himself going into that massive sea of students giving high-fives and hugs to a huge amount of cheers. It was a celebration and a moment he wished could have gone on for an endless amount of time.

“That was a great feeling, because the whole stands were filled with a bunch of students from our school,” said Kramchynsky, who is now in his Grade 12 season with the Saints. “When we all came off (the field), they all started cheering.

“It was just super fun to see like the support from our people who don’t come and play football. It was a fun experience.”

Brody Bilan, who is a Grade 11 running back with the Saints this year, remembers being pumped up to see the massive number of students from Bishop James Mahoney in the stands for the opening game last season.

“It is motivational for sure,” said Bilan. “You want to prove yourself.

Bishop James Mahoney students meet their players on Sept. 17, 2021.

“You’re just out there having a good time anyways trying to zone it out and play the game.”

Like Kramchynsky, Bilan was awestruck to see the Bishop James Mahoney students waiting for the Saints players to come off the field to celebrate last year’s opening day win.

“I just remember it being like fun,” said Brody. “Coming off that win and just everyone being around it, it was just like a great experience.”

High school football has a long history in Saskatoon dating back to October 29, 1924, when Nutana Collegiate slipped past Bedford Road Collegiate 2-1 in the first high school football game played in the city.

Since September 30, 1960, Saskatoon Minor Football Field on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds has been the primary home for high school football in “The Bridge City.” The football stadium was first known as the Holiday Park Bowl and then took on the Gordie Howe Bowl name for most of its history.

It was rechristened as Saskatoon Minor Football Field in 2014 when a new field turf was installed that replaced the grass field. The old grass field often deteriorated into a mud pit late in the season.

Still, the players that came to the football park since 1960 have fond and enduring memories of the games they took part in at SMF Field. That includes Brody Bilan’s father, Steve Bilan.

In the current day, Steve is the quarterbacks coach for the Saints, but from 1993 to 1995, he was the star quarterback for the E.D. Feehan Catholic High School Trojans. After graduating from E.D. Feehan, Steve continued to play at SMF Field throwing passes for the CJFL’s storied Saskatoon Hilltops from 1996 to 2000.

Students pack the SMF Field stands during “Welcome Week.”

“In high school, you always had the hype of the late games,” said Steve. “The atmosphere there always had a bit of a haze in the air, and the smell in the air was just always so magical.

“That was back before the turf was put in. The dirt would rise, because there would be so many games earlier in the day. You could just see that haze kind of flowed up.

“It was just kind of a cool mystique kind of presence to it.”

Playing with the Trojans, Steve enjoyed taking part in games against Mount Royal Collegiate and Bedford Road Collegiate as part of the Rusholme Rivalry. The rivalry stems from the fact a border of each school connects to Rusholme road.

While it was only about a 10-minute bus trip from E.D. Feehan to SMF Field, Steve remembers the excitement growing on the bus trips as the team neared the stadium.

“You knew you had just kind of a quick trip,” said Steve. “You really got the anticipation going.

“As you are driving down the street, you would see like classmates waving to the bus or just like people down the street waving to you. They knew a game was on. It was just good.

“I remember even just pulling up to the field in high school, and you could hear the announcer talking. You kind of felt like a pretty big deal walking on to a high school field. It was cool.”

Steve said a full circle moment was helping coach his son and seeing his son play high school football on the same field he did.

“It is pretty special, and I think that is just the tradition of football in Saskatchewan like Saskatoon and Saskatchewan in general,” said Bilan. “It is always just about passing the torch.

A Centennial Collegiate running back jets upfield in 2021.

“You keep your traditions alive with facilities like that. You modernize them a little bit, but it just passed down from generation to generation. Hopefully down the road, Brody is coaching his kid somewhere down the road.

“It is the same kind of torch that gets passed. I think of even just former players that coached me whether it was high school or Hilltops or (University of Saskatchewan) Huskies players that coached me it just continues to cycle.”

Jud Heilman, who is a consultant for SSSAD, said the excitement and anticipation to get out to SMF Field at the start of every high school football season is pretty high.

“High school football is always the first one on the menu for SSSAD high school athletics,” said Heilman. “It kind of sets the tone for the whole year.

“It is just a great way for kids to kind of get back from summer vacation and get back into the swing of things. Whether you are on the team or cheering the team on, it has just built that school spirit. It carries our whole sporting year, our calendar year right from high school football all the way through to basketball and track and field.”

The 2022 high school season has gotten underway with exhibition games played on September 1, 8 and 9. The first slate of regular season games is set for September 15 and 16.

Heilman said the SSSAD high school league traditionally host what are known as “Welcome Week” games during the first week of regular season play. During “Welcome Week,” each school brings out their entire Grade 9 class. Those Grade 9 students are usually all dressed up in school colours, and those “Welcome Week” games are usually their first experience with high school athletics as part of their school.

From that start, Heilman said many memories are made. Heilman said that players who have suited up for high school football games at SMF Field since it originally opened in September of 1960 have a warm spot for memories of those times.

As a result of those memories being created, Heilman said playing high school football at SMF Field is one of Saskatoon’s great sporting traditions.

Holy Cross High School takes on Bethlehem Catholic High School in 2021.

“No matter how old you get, you always have that memory of your high school athletics career,” said Heilman. “Those memories last a lifetime.

“Those friendships last a lifetime. It is always something that you are maybe 10 or 15 years away from an old classmate. You see someone on the street, and you can always reminisce about high school sport and getting to the bowl to play football games – the SMF Field.

“It is just fantastic and life building.”

The SSSHA’s full schedule of regular season high school football games can be found at sssad.net/schedule/.