Bond has strong football bonds at Bedford Road

Grade 12 athlete excels in multiple roles with Redhawks

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Parker Bond calls out signals from his middle linebacker position.

Parker Bond is finding out time really does fly when you are having fun.

The 17-year-old Grade 12 student is playing out his final campaign with the Bedford Road Collegiate Redhawks Football Team and has been a starter on the squad since his Grade 10 year. As the high school football season ventures into its final weeks, Bond said it didn’t seem that long ago when he started to suit up for the Bedford Road side.

“It feels like just yesterday I was getting ready for my first spring camp back in Grade 9,” said Bond. “It is weird now to be the oldest on the team and to be out there as one of the main leaders of the team.

“It is awesome. I’ve had a good senior season so far.”

Bond has been playing the sport for a lengthy stretch. At age six he started playing flag football out in Martensville after his mom got him registered with the program there. The Martensville teams participate in the leagues overseen by Saskatoon Minor Football.

As soon as Bond could start playing tackle football, he joined the Martenville squads that play out of the Kinsmen Football League. He remained in the KFL until he was able to join the Redhawks.

Bond has done his whole football journey while living out in Langham with his family helping him commute into Martensville and Saskatoon over the years.

Those past experiences have been valuable to Bond with the Redhawks. His natural position is at middle linebacker on defence.

In 2025, Bond has also played on every special teams unit, and at fullback, running back and receiver on offence. He also had to take on the role of starting quarterback, when Redhawks starter Gabriel Goyer went down with an injury.

Parker Bond (#44) makes lots of tackles as the Redhawks MLB.

Though his Grade 12 season, Bond is soaking in and enjoying every aspect of his final campaign with the Redhawks.

“I’ve been playing for a while,” said Bond. “This year is probably so far one of the most fun years of football I’ve had just playing and having fun and everything.”

Bond’s presence on the team has been big for Redhawks head coach Dylan Andreychuk. With the Redhawks program, Andreychuk usually ends up coaching a sizable number of players who are gaining their first experience with the sport. The sideline boss said that having players like Bond on the team who have had previous experience with the sport are a huge help.

“Coaching at Bedford Road, it is a grind sometimes,” said Andreychuk. “We’ve got to do a lot of like square one teaching.

“But a kid like Parker, he has right from day one in Grade 10 he joined us and he already had experience playing minor football. It is just a nice luxury for us at our school to have a guy with some knowledge of the game and experience to bring into the team as a youngster. To have him three years as a starter, it is just huge for us from a leadership standpoint and being able to mentor and lead some of the other players on our team.

“Just in his progression as a player and as a leader and all the work that he puts in during the off-season, he is just a great role model for the rest of the guys on the team.”

Both on and off the field, Andreychuk said Bond has been and continues to be a respectful young man, and he is a great student in the classroom.

“Everything that we hear from his teachers and everybody else in the building is very positive,” said Andreychuk. “We’re just very proud to have him as part of our team.

Due to injuries, Parker Bond took on the role of Redhawks starting QB.

“He is a leader on our football team, but also in the hallways and doing all the good things that we like to hear.”

Right from his start in the sport up to and including the current day, Bond enjoys the emotions and atmosphere of being out on the field with his teammates.

“I just love getting out there and getting hyped up with the teammates a lot and making big plays and getting tackles and getting turnovers,” said Bond. “Defence is always my favourite.”

Since Grade 8, Bond has also been playing with Saskatoon Minor Football’s North Sask Academy program in the spring. During his Grade 11 school year, Bond enrolled in the Institute of Saskatchewan Football for the inaugural year the program was operated by Saskatoon Minor Football. Bond said those experiences have been valuable in his journey through the sport.

“They’ve helped me so much,” said Bond. “I’ve played football year-round almost for the past few years.

“To get coaching from a bunch of different people for a bunch of different things, it is always really good, and I’ve had some really good coaches in the past few years that have really helped me get better.”

Bond said playing for the Redhawks has been one of the great joys he has had in the sport. He has enjoyed being on the field all of the time playing multiple roles.

Along with that, Bond has had a blast with his teammate over the years. He said some of his most special memories come from seeing all the school’s teachers and students turnout big with lots of school spirit during the team’s Welcome Week game. The team has a tradition of making the walk from Bedford Road Collegiate to Saskatoon Minor Football Field for that contest in a jaunt that is dubbed “The Red Mile.”

“It has been a lot of fun,” said Bond. “I got to start in Grade 10, and all since then, it felt like the team has really been behind me and rallying behind me.

Parker Bond has displayed great versatility with the Redhawks.

“I’ve been able to be a good leader on the team, and I’ve been able to develop a lot of leadership skills and football skills in the time I’ve been here. It is a really good experience.”

Bond has been thankful for all the coaches he has had over the years, but he credits one defensive coach for being his biggest influence in helping him out on that side of the ball and overall loving the game.

“I’ve had a lot of really good coaches throughout the years,” said Bond. “Probably the best coach I feel like I’ve had was when I was in Grade 8 through Grade 11 in Devon Gilkinson.

“He was my D-coordinator for a few teams that I played for in academy, and he was at Bedford Road for a couple of years, and he really helped me develop.”

While Bond’s high school football days are in their final weeks, Andreychuk believes his young star can have a longer future in the game due to his yes-coach attitude and his versatility.

“I think just because of his attitude and how he immerses himself in the game and the way he approaches practice and film study and nutrition, all the other things that it takes to get that edge and to make it at the next level, he is already doing,” said Andreychuk. “He has got those good habits.

“I’m very confident that he could find a football team that he can contribute to after high school.”

Bond said if all his football dreams could come true he would like to play in the CFL and NFL one day. With that noted, those are the dream goals.

For the moment, Bond would like to find a place to play next season in the CJFL or the U Sports ranks so he could continue to enjoy playing and being part of the sport of football.

Parker Bond (#44) aims to enjoy his final weeks with the Redhawks.

“That is the goal,” said Bond. “I think I can do it.

“I’ve been told I can do it. I’ll just go wherever I feel like I’m wanted. I’m going to be getting my film out there and sending some messages around throughout the season.

“Hopefully, I’ll get a spot somewhere, hopefully close to home.”

To see the 2025 schedule for high school football, check out the Saskatoon Secondary Schools Athletics Directorate site at sssad.net/schedule/.

LaFreniere turning heads with Guardians

Grade 11 running back piling up big outings

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Samuel LaFreniere jets downfield for the Guardians.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Samuel LaFreniere made big plays with Team Green.

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

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

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

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

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

Off the field, Palmer said LaFreniere is very personable.

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

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

“He is a football guy.”

Samuel LaFreniere has had monster games for the Guardians.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Samuel LaFreniere enjoys rivalry games against Holy Cross.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Crusaders’ Penner aims to make final high school magic

Running back one of Saskatoon’s most exciting players

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Aulain Penner drives downfield in the 2023 SHSAA 6A final.

In recent years and the current day, Aulain Penner is the show stopper at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

Every time the running back from Saskatoon’s Holy Cross High School Crusaders gets his hands on the football, the potential for something special to happen is there. When he is handed the ball out of the backfield, he can juke, jive, spin and burst in the mold of Barry Sanders.

When he catches the ball out of the backfield, he can take the reception all the way like Marshall Faulk. On kick off, punt and missed field goal returns, Penner can make crazy happen like Henry “Gizmo” Williams in ducking big guys and high hurdling small guys.

In the spring and summer, he continued to do all those things playing in Saskatoon Minor Football’s North Sask Academy program.

Now, the Grade 12 student, who will turn 17-years-old in early October, is playing out his final season with the Crusaders. He is looking to make the most in creating a last batch of memories with the team.

“It is pretty crazy,” said Penner. “Even though I’ve played two years of senior before this, it goes really fast.

“Once football season is over, it is just like, you know, it is hard. It is always like, ‘Oh. I have next season.’ But this year, this is my last season, so you’ve got to make it count.

“It’s weird realizing that this is my last time ever with these guys playing on this field for Holy Cross.”

Penner started playing organized football in Grade 2 first in SMF’s flag football system due to his cousin’s father being a flag football coach. He had been playing hockey, but football started to take over as the sporting love that resulted in Penner playing in SMF’s various programs.

“I played all of SMF five-a-side flag football,” said Penner. “Then, Grade 6 came around, and I played six-a-side (tackle football).

Aulain Penner (#26) breaks out a tackle attempt by a defender.

“Dave Blackburn, he’s a legendary coach, you know, legendary player. Then, I started playing KFL (Kinsmen Football League) and was pretty good at it. I decided football is for me, and then I started playing, you know, tackle.”

Penner enjoyed playing six-a-side for Blackburn, who was a star receiver for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team from 1990 to 1994. Blackburn helped the Huskies win the Vanier Cup in 1990 and fall in an overtime heartbreaker in the 1994 Vanier Cup. He would be a receivers coach on the Huskies 1996 and 1998 Vanier Cup winners.

On top of having good mentors along the way, Penner’s finds his biggest joys in the game come from simple moments.

“I like scoring touchdowns I’m not going to lie,” said Penner. “I like running fast, and I like scoring touchdowns.

“I like beating other people.”

Penner’s abilities have impressed former CFL player Tom Schnitzler, who joined the Crusaders coaching staff last season as their offensive coordinator. Schnitzler took on the team’s head coach role this season after Scott Hundseth retired from teaching. Schnitzler, who helped the Saskatoon Hilltops win CJFL titles in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017, has enjoyed the short time he has coached Penner.

“It has been obviously a very big help to our team,” said Schnitzler. “He (Penner) is a tremendous athlete and a really good kid too.

“He is a more quiet, softer demeanour guy, but on the field he turns it up and obviously is a special athlete. He is very fast, very strong and explosive. We’re going to lean on him a bit this year for sure.”

Schnitzler said Penner’s most notable strength is his speed.

“He is a sprinter,” said Schnitzler. “He is a provincial level sprinter on our track team.

Aulain Penner has made numerous big plays for the Crusaders.

“Obviously, you see him in the weight room, and he is very strong too. He is twitchy, he cuts really fast, and he keeps his speed coming out of his cuts, which I think that is what gives him a lot of separation and explosiveness.”

Over the years, Penner has worked on becoming a more physical player, and he believes he has improved a lot in that department

“I’ve always been like a faster guy on the field, so I always felt going outside was better,” said Penner, who stands 5-foot-9. “Now, I’ve gotten bigger.

“I’m around 190 pounds now, so I can go in A-gap. I can like put the shoulder down and break out of tackles. That’s probably where I progressed the most.”

Penner said in KFL he was able to rely on his athletic ability to make plays, but at the high school level, he has to play smarter as well as being more physical. The skilled ball carrier said you had to focus more on running plays like the coaches laid out in order to have success.

“Guys are bigger,” said Penner.“Guys are faster.

“They know how to tackle better and cover better. They’re smarter on the field, and they’re just smarter people. You can’t just go outside every time.

“You’ve got to follow your blocks and actually use it.”

Penner believes he has become a better player and person playing for the Crusaders. With the storied history the Crusaders have, he said you get motivated to help carry on the team’s legacy and live up to a standard.

The dynamic player said he focuses on acting right and playing respectfully. He said the Crusaders players have fun, but they make sure to carry themselves with class.

In last season’s Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association’s 6A provincial championship game played at SMF Field on November 11, 2023, Penner learned how to deal with some adversity. Locked in a 10-10 tie with Regina’s Miller Comprehensive Catholic High School Marauders, a handoff between then Crusaders quarterback Elias Flory and Penner was mishandled when Holy Cross was pinned on its one yard-line.

Aulain Penner is playing his final high school football season in 2024.

Penner dived on the loose ball in the end zone and was downed there for a safety with 32.5 seconds remaining in the contest. That safety gave the Marauders a 12-10 victory.

The Holy Cross star is aware of Saskatoon’s provincial football title curse at the 6A level. The last Saskatoon school to win the 6A provincial title was the Aden Bowman Collegiate Bears back in 2009, when the 6A level was known as 4A. The levels of high school football were reclassified in Saskatchewan following the 2018-19 school year.

Holy Cross’s last provincial title win in football came back in 1995. The Crusaders have lost all 10 of their provincial championship game appearances since their last title triumph.

“I really want to win it this year,” said Penner. “Last year was more like I felt bad for the seniors.

“I want to win it this year not as much for me, but for the seniors last year and just for Saskatoon in general. We haven’t won it in like 15 years, especially Holy Cross. You know, I’m not even just doing it for me or this school.

“I’m doing it for like all the Saskatoon schools showing that we can run provincial football down here too.”

Schnitzler said in the situation of the botched handoff you console the players, persevere, move on and remember you win as a team and lose as a team. The sideline boss said the Crusaders coaches were proud of Penner and their players on the team. Looking beyond this season, Schnitzler believes Penner can have a long future in the sport.

“You know what, for him, I think it is how far he wants to take it and commit to it,” said Schnitzler. “I think he is a hard-working kid, hard-working athlete.

“If he keeps working hard, the only thing that can hold him back is himself. I think he is on the right track, and I definitely do see him playing post-secondary football at some point.”

Penner said the offers to play football at the post-secondary level are coming in, but he hasn’t made any commitments on where he will go. He aspires to play at the professional level.

At the moment, he doesn’t want to miss out cherishing his final campaign playing for the Crusaders. Overall, his best memories come from being with his teammates.

Aulain Penner (#26) handles reaching the end zone with grace.

“Definitely, the bus rides to and from games, especially after games,” said Penner. “It was really fun talking with the team in the locker room after a win.

“That has got to be the best time and practices. Practices, they’re hard work, but they’re fun. It is fun being with the guys.”

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