Showing posts with label St. Joseph High School Guardians. Show all posts
Showing posts with label St. Joseph High School Guardians. Show all posts

Thursday, October 9, 2025

High school football excitement energizes photo roundup

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Guardians fans cheer on their team on September 12 at SMF Field.
The onset of the fall mouths brings a special energy specific to Saskatoon Minor Football Field on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds.

Starting in September and rolling through October, the high school football action on every Thursday and Friday becomes the highlight of the week at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. High school football game nights have been a fall tradition at the facility dating back to September 30, 1960, when the football stadium first opened and was known as the Holiday Park Bowl and later becoming the Gordie Howe Bowl.

Ben Blackburn makes a big game for the Bears on Sept. 12.
The “Welcome Week” games bring in some of the best atmosphere of the year as large representations of the student body at each Saskatoon high school comes to check out those contests. The athletes come away with a great experience as the players are a mix of those who have played the sport for a lengthy stretch usually through Saskatoon Minor Football and those who are gaining their initial experience in the sport.

The lead picture of our photo roundup shows the students from St. Joseph High School going all out to support their Guardians Football Team during a “Welcome Week” game on September 12. The second shot shows Aden Bowman Collegiate Bears Football Team star Ben Blackburn zipping through the Walter Murray Collegiate Marauders defence during another contest from September 12.

The third photo shows Marion M. Graham Collegiate Falcons star receiver Ben Wheeler during another “Welcome Week” game on September 12. Wheeler had a big highlight on this day. 

Ben Wheeler had a memorable moment at SMF Field on Sept. 12.
With no time left in the fourth quarter, he hauled in a touchdown pass that covered about 40 yards out to allow his Falcons to pull out a 21-15 victory over the Lloydminster Comprehensive High School Barons.

Along with the pictures from high school football, this photo roundup includes more shots from football as well as pictures from baseball, softball and track and field. The images come from various things on our grounds including training sessions for the Saskatoon Berries Baseball Academy and the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Track and Field program to game action from the CJFL’s storied Saskatoon Hilltops, Toon Squad flag football and University of Saskatchewan Women’s Softball.

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 23 shots we hope you enjoy.

Touch throw

Evan Hardy Collegiate Souls quarterback Rogan Pasher slips a pass past the outstretched hand of an E.D. Feehan High School Trojans defender during high school football action on September 11. Pasher and the Souls would claim victory in this “Welcome Week” clash.

Boxed in

Bethlehem Catholic High School Stars running back Xavier Conley gets trapped up trying to find a crease to run through in the Tommy Douglas Collegiate Tigers during a high school football game on September 11 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Conley’s Stars would prevail in the “Welcome Week” battle against their neighbouring school.

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign

Holy Cross High School students bring out a number of signs to support their Crusaders Football Team in a “Welcome Week” game on September 11 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The students would head home happy as the Crusaders won their second straight game on this day.

Redhawks meet their fans

A trio of Bedford Road Collegiate Redhawks players meet their supporters who are hanging along the fence line at Saskatoon Minor Football Field following a “Welcome Week” win on September 12. Meetings like this took place all over the football facility between the Redhawks and their fans after this contest.

Slick throw

Shortstop Abby Lorenz fires a ball off to first base to get an out for the University of Saskatchewan Women’s Softball Team during a game on September 13 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. The contest was part of a schedule of Western Collegiate Softball Association regular season contests hosted by the U of S.

Big drive

Taryn Moehler drives a shot into the outfield for a hit for the University of Saskatchewan Women’s Softball Team on September 14 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. Moehler helped the U of S side claim a pair of Western Collegiate Softball Association regular season victories over the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns on that day.

Launch time

A member of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Men’s Track and Field Team is all set to release a shot while working on his technique in the shot put discipline of the sport at the Track and Field Track on September 15. The September practice sessions mark some of the first times the Huskies men’s and women’s Track and Field Team get together as a group for the 2025-26 campaign.

All in the start

A runner from the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Men’s Track and Field Team starts to hit high gear jetting away from the start line during a practice on September 15 at the Track and Field Track. The Huskies coaches were timing how fast their athletes ran for about the first 40 metres down the back straightaway.

Focus on technique

A member of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Women’s Track and Field Team works on her technique leading to the launching a hammer in the hammer throw at the Track and Field Track on September 15. The Huskies coaches are good at helping athletes break down skills in order to help them get better at their various individual events.

Let it fly

Fever quarterback Adley Tomlenovich releases a deep pass downfield during a Toon Squad Female Flag Football League contest on September 22 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Tomlenovich has built a reputation as being an elite-level passer.

Catch in traffic

A receiver from the Aces makes a tough catch while being contacted by a defender in a game against the Mystics in a Toon Squad Female Flag Football League contest on September 22 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Mystics would ultimately prevail in this contest.

Special delivery

Pitcher Emma Maurice of the University of Saskatchewan Women’s Softball Team sends an off-speed pitch to home plate during Western Collegiate Softball Association regular season play on September 27 at Joe Gallagher Field. The U of S squad played their final set of home games for the 2025 campaign on September 27 and 28.

Roughrider alum Johnson holds court

Evan Johnson, who is an alum of the CFL’s Ottawa Redblacks, Saskatchewan Roughriders and Hamilton Tiger-Cats, speaks at the Saskatoon Hilltops End Zone Dinner on September 27 at the Main Hall of the Gordie Howe Sports Centre building. Johnson spoke about his football life as part of an annual event that raises money for scholarships for the Hilltops players.

Can’t catch me

Saskatoon Hilltops receiver Khyler Kok, left, slips past a Regina Thunder defensive back during a CJFL regular season contest on September 27 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Thunder would edge the Hilltops 24-21 in an entertaining contest.

Going up

Saskatoon Hilltops running back Corbin Ebben leaps up to secure a catch for his squad during a CJFL regular season contest on September 27 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Ebben and his teammates were trying to make a comeback at this point in the fourth quarter against the Regina Thunder and came up just short in a 24-21 setback.

Get that out of here

A hitter from the Saskatoon Berries Baseball Academy drives a ball into the outfield during a training session at Cairns Field on October 1. The players with the Berries Academy enjoy being able to use the full dimensions of Cairns Field for outdoor practices as they know colder weather is coming, which will force them indoors.

Rocket throw to first

A second baseman from the Saskatoon Berries Baseball Academy fires a throw to first base during a defensive drill at a training session on October 1 at Cairns Field. The players from the Berries Academy go through a number of repetitions in order that making defensive plays in the infield is second nature.

Wrapped up

Holy Cross High School Crusaders running back Raph Mutongolo gets taken down by a pair of Aden Bowman Collegiate Bears defenders on October 3 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Mutongolo’s Crusaders would post a fifth straight victory playing under the “Friday Night Lights” on this night.

Feel the power

Two athletes show off their strength lifting weighted bags at the YXE First Responders Fitness Festival held on October 4 to 5 at the Indoor Training Centre. The YXE First Responders Fitness Festival has been held for four straight years at the Indoor Training Centre. A big thanks goes to the YXE First Responders Fitness Festival for this photo.

Team Air Transport claim championship

Team Air Transport poses for the customary team photo after taking top spot at the YXE First Responders Fitness Festival, which concluded on October 5 at the Indoor Training Centre. This year marked the first time Team Air Transport took part in the YXE First Responders Fitness Festival. A great time was had by all who took part in this event. A big thanks goes to the YXE First Responders Fitness Festival for this photo.

We are family

All the teams that took part in the YXE First Responders Fitness Festival posed for a big group photo after the event concluded on October 5 at the Indoor Training Centre. The event raises funds for OSI-CAN and KidSport, and about $50,000 was raised for those organizations this year. A big thanks goes to the YXE First Responders Fitness Festival for this photo.

Off to the races

A receiver from the Wings gains some big yardage after the catch in a Toon Squad Female Flag Football League contest against the Mercury on October 6 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The wings would prevail in this encounter. The players in the Toon Squad Female Flag Football League display intensity, passion and athleticism, and you can tell they just like being able to go out and play the game.

In for six

A receiver for the Fever crosses the goal-line in a Toon Squad Female Flag Football League contest against the Aces on October 6 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Fever would prevail in this clash. The entire Toon Squad Female Flag Football League goes on a bye for the Thanksgiving Day weekend before returning to action on October 20 at 6:30 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The league’s first two playoff games will follow that same day at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, November 9, 2024

All-time classic contest featured in photo roundup

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Aulain Penner (#26) and Samuel LaFreniere (#22) shake hands.
Saskatoon Minor Football Field might have seen one of its greatest “Friday Night Lights” games ever.

When people remember the 2024 high school football season in Saskatoon, the Saskatoon Secondary Schools Athletic Directorate’s 6A City Championship game will go down as the most memorable moment of the campaign. That contest was played on the night of Friday, November 1.

It featured the St. Joseph High School Guardians taking on the Holy Cross High School Crusaders. The squads featured the two most exciting high school players in the city in running back Samuel LaFreniere of the Guardians and tailback Aulain Penner of the Crusaders.

The two sides engaged in two regular season meetings with Holy Cross taking both those encounters. The Crusaders claimed a 29-28 victory on October 4 and 48-35 triumph on October 17.

Aulain Penner cuts into an open lane for the Crusaders.
In the November 1 clash for the city title, LaFreniere scored the winning touchdown with 3:54 remaining in the fourth quarter to ultimately give the Guardians a 38-34 victory. The Crusaders mounted one last long final drive to go back ahead, but they ultimately turned the ball over on downs with less than 40 seconds to play.

LaFreniere and Penner were heroic in the city final. LaFreniere ran the ball 25 times for 305 yards and four touchdowns. Penner carried the ball 29 times for 305 yards and three major scores to go with one pass reception for eight yards.

Our lead photo of this photo roundup shows the two warriors shaking hands and having a quick visit following the city title contest. Penner is in the centre left and LaFreniere is centre right.

The second photo sees Penner breaking downfield for one of his long gains on that November 1 night. The third photo shows LaFreniere taking off on one of his long jaunts from that game.

Samuel LaFreniere jets downfield for the Guardians.
Along with photos from the championship encounter between the Guardians and Crusaders, we have more pictures from high school football and photos from the CJFL’s PFC final between the Saskatoon Hilltops and Regina Thunder. 

We also have baseball and softball training session pics from the Indoor Training Centre.

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.

Up and away

Evan Hardy Collegiate Souls running back Lucas Dean jumps through the arms of a couple of Bedford Road Collegiate Redhawks players on October 10 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Souls held a 32-24 lead in the second half and closed the contest on a 19-point surge for a 51-24 victory.

Ready and waiting

The Track and Field Track that sits next to the K+S Potash Canada Multi-Sports Centre is set up with speed skating tiles placed on top of the track surface to create the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval on October 17. A big thank you goes out to Saskatoon Urban Camp for helping set up the tiles. Flooding will occur to create the Oval whenever temperatures fall enough to allow for flooding.

Fun entrance

Saskatoon Hilltops mascot Topper found a new way to take the turf at Saskatoon Minor Football Field on October 20. Topper took the field riding on the back of an ATV before the start of the PFC final between the Hilltops and Regina Thunder. The Thunder would claim the contest 24-19.

MVP set to sling

Saskatoon Hilltops quarterback Trey Reider (#3) sets to fire a pass behind the protection of left tackle Davin Johnson in the CJFL’s PFC final on October 20 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. For the 2024 CJFL season, Reider was named the most valuable player, the offensive player of the year and most outstanding quarterback for the PFC. He also claimed honours as a PFC all-star and a first team CJFL all-Canadian all-star. The Hilltops fell in the PFC final 24-19. Reider completed 23-of-41 passes for 305 yards and one touchdown, while throwing one interception for the Hilltops. He ran the ball nine times for 102 yards in his final CJFL contest.

Off and running

Running back Sadik Sadik charges downfield for the Regina Thunder during the PFC final on October 20 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Sadik, who was playing out his final season of CJFL eligibility, played a big role in helping the Thunder post a 24-19 victory over the Saskatoon Hilltops. He carried the ball 28 times for 178 yards and two touchdowns. The Thunder piled up 321 yards rushing as a team.

Repetitions make perfect

A player makes a throw taking part in an infield drill during a Going Yard Baseball Academy training session on October 22 at the Indoor Training Centre. The instructors at Going Yard ensure players get lots of repetitions in drills so players perform skills like it is second nature during games.

Tracking down a fly ball

A player settles under a fly ball during a Going Yard Baseball Academy training session on October 22 at the Indoor Training Centre. Going Yard has been a mainstay at the Complex since March 1, 2019, and the players and instructors have enjoyed being able to do outfield drills during the winter months due to the high ceiling at the facility.

Saints reclaim SSSAD 5A title

The Bishop James Mahoney High School Saints celebrate reclaiming the Saskatoon Secondary Schools Athletic Directorate’s 5A City Football Championship on October 25 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Saints downed Aden Bowman Collegiate Bears 42-6 in the city title game. The Saints last won the 5A championship in 2022, while Aden Bowman claimed the 5A crown in 2023.

Big catch in traffic

A Knoll Panthers receiver makes a catch against a pair of Schoenals Titans defenders during a KFL Hilltops Division semifinal contest on October 27 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Titans would prevail in this contest and ultimately win the championship for the Hilltops Division.

Celebrating good times

A receiver with the Schoenals Titans celebrates a touchdown with his teammates rushing to meet him in the end zone on October 27 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Titans would prevail in this KFL Hilltops Division semifinal contest and ultimately win the championship for the Hilltops Division.

Escaping to the open field

A Mercury receiver slips past a Sparks defender during Toon Squad Female Flag Football League action on October 28 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The players on circuit, which is run by Saskatoon Minor Football, play the game at a very high level and make lots of exciting and athletic plays.

Mystics take Toon Squad title

The players and coaches of the Mystics are all smiles as they pose for the customary team picture after winning the championship of the Toon Squad Female Flag Football League on October 28 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Mystics edged out the Sparks 13-7 in the circuit’s title game.

Guardians bask in epic title win

The St. Joseph High School Guardians bask in their epic 38-34 victory over the Holy Cross High School Crusaders in the Saskatoon Secondary Schools Athletic Directorate’s 6A City Football Championship game on November 1. The Guardians had a moment under the “Friday Night Lights” of Saskatoon Minor Football Field they will remember forever.

Working for that sweet swing

A player from the Saskatoon Selects program works on her swing during a practice session at the Indoor Training Centre on November 6. The Selects players find it is never too early to work on skills in the off-season and just enjoy being in the game of fast pitch softball.

Beating the throw for the double

The Saskatoon Selects concluded their training session on November 6 at the Indoor Training Centre with a simulated game. A base runner here beats out a throw from the outfield sliding into second base for a double.

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

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/.