By Gordie
Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex
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| The Holy Cross High School Crusaders fans put on a show. |
For a
lengthy stretch of time, the Saskatoon Secondary Schools Athletic Directorate
has hosted “Welcome Week” games that are usually slated for the second week of
the high school football season. During those contests, a huge contingent of
the student body from each school comes out to see their teams play along with
various other supporters of the respective teams.
This
season’s “Welcome Week” games were held on September 10 and 11 at Saskatoon
Minor Football Field. These contests offer one of the first chances in the
school year for students to embrace school spirit. The students invade SMF
Field bringing signs and wearing school colours to support their school’s team.
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| A fans shows his love for the Mount Royal Collegiate Mustangs. |
The second
shot sees a fan of the Mount Royal Collegiate Mustangs all decked out in his
team’s colours on September 11. That fan saw his Mustangs play hard before
falling 27-8 in a “Rusholme Road Rivalry” clash to the Bedford Road
Collegiate Redhawks.
The third
photo is a close up of some Bishop James Mahoney High School fans waving
pompoms and putting in passion to cheer on their squad. The Saints would blank
the Marion M. Graham Collegiate Falcons 31-0 on this night.
While the fans that come out for the “Welcome Week” games are a spectacular sight, all fans that come out to the facilities on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds to support their teams allow the games and events to have a special atmosphere creating a place to be.
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| The Bishop James Mahoney High School Saints fans bring passion. |
Along with the pictures of the fans from the SSSAD’s “Welcome Week” games, this photo roundup contains images from football, softball and track and field. It includes images of the University of Saskatchewan Women’s Softball Team, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Track and Field Teams and the Saskatoon Hilltops.
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 20 shots we hope you enjoy.
Bears
fans bear down
The fans of the Aden Bowman Collegiate Bears Football Team brought their top game to Saskatoon Minor Football Field on September 10 for their team’s “Welcome Week” game. Those Bears fans got to witness a special night by their team. The Bears stormed to a 35-0 lead at halftime and blanked the Evan Hardy Collegiate Souls 46-0.
On the move
A segment of the student bodies from Walter Murray Collegiate and Centennial Collegiate jog a lap around Saskatoon Minor Football Field as part of their head-to-head festivities with their “Welcome Week” game on September 11. The Walter Murray fans got to enjoy victory celebrations at the end of the contest as their Marauders posted a 31-7 win.
Counting them up
Football official Sam Sullivan counts up the players on one side of the ball before a snap to check if there is an infraction for too many players on the field during a “Welcome Week” game on September 11 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Sullivan has officiated games at various levels for a number of years.
Here to cheer the Tigers
A group of student body fans got decked out to cheer on their Tommy Douglas Collegiate Tigers for their “Welcome Week” game on September 11 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Tigers fans hung out behind their team’s bench. In a tough battle between neighbouring schools, the Tigers fell 21-14 to the Bethlehem Catholic High School Stars.
Redhawks hug
The Bedford Road Collegiate Redhawks always have time for their fans, who can span many generations as Bedford Road is Saskatoon’s second oldest high school, opening in February of 1923. Following their “Welcome Week” game on September 11 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, Redhawks linebacker Vincent Jacob gives a hug to one of his team’s supporters following their 27-8 win over the Mount Royal Collegiate Mustang in a “Rusholme Road Rivalry” contest.
Valkyries/Hilltops sign up to
date
The sign in the north end zone of Saskatoon Minor Football Field featuring the WWCFL title win total of the Saskatoon Valkyries and the CJFL title win total of the Saskatoon Hilltops is shown here on September 13, 2026. It has once again been updated adding in the Valkyries most recent WWCFL title victory that came this past June 27 at SMF Field with a 40-7 triumph over the Edmonton Arctic Pride.
Let it rip
University of Saskatchewan Women’s Softball Team pitcher Allyson McAvoy unloads a toss to home plate in her team’s Western Collegiate Softball Association regular season clash with the U of Lethbridge Pronghorns on September 13 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. McAvoy’s play allowed the U of S to post a 4-0 victory and finish a weekend of hosting six straight home games with a 3-3 mark.
Incoming to first base
University of Saskatchewan Women’s Softball Team shortstop Ainsley Beattie fires off a throw to first base for an out during her team’s 4-0 win in a Western Collegiate Softball Association regular season clash with the U of Lethbridge Pronghorns on September 13 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. U of S completed the WCSA Championship Tournament in Calgary on October 4 with a 2-2 record.
Big
stretch
Smiles all around from Huskies
Hurdle slide
Swing pass to the open field
Quarterback Everett Byers of the Tinkler Raiders throws a swing pass to the right flat during a KFL game on September 27 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Byers hit running back Luca Thomas for a big gain as the Raiders would blank the Martensville Maddogs 19-0.
Klein in the zone for Mystics
Mystics receiver Olivia Klein had a monster night in Toon Squad Female Flag Football League action on September 28 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. On that night, Klein scored five touchdowns over two games helping the Mystics win both of those outings. Klein played for Football Canada’s U17 female flag team this past summer.
Thrilling finish
A trio of Bishop James Mahoney High School Saints defensive players converge and knock down a final end zone pass attempt to Aden Bowman Collegiate Bear receiver Harrison Shirkey during a high school football game on October 1 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. That last play of the game pass knockdown preserved a 24-21 victory for the Saints. On that last play, the Bears ran a trick play that saw star receiver Ben Blackburn throw the final pass to Shirkey, who was wide open at the release of the toss. The Saints defensive players closed in quickly to make the final play to hold on for the win.
Going down
Defensive lineman Mason Mansiere (#99) of the St. Joseph High School Guardians takes down Walter Murray Collegiate Marauders running back Lucas Hawley during a high school football contest on October 2 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. In the “Friday Night Lights” encounter, the Guardians held a 19-14 edge at halftime before exploding to a 57-21 win.
Johnson makes senior’s walk with
Hilltops
Saskatoon Hilltops left tackle Davin Johnson, centre, makes a walk out to the playing surface of Saskatoon Minor Football Field with his father, Greg, and mother, Lori, on October 4. For a lengthy number of years, the Hilltops honour their graduating players at their final regular season home game where they walk to the field with their parents or guardians. A total of 11 graduating players made that walk on this day.
Bazarkiewicz throws first TD pass
for Hilltops
Rookie quarterback Sam Bazarkiewicz experienced a couple of milestone moments playing for the CJFL’s storied and historic Saskatoon Hilltops on October 4. The St. Joseph High School Guardian Football Team graduate made his first regular season start at quarterback for the Hilltops. In the first quarter of that contest, Bazarkiewicz connected on a deep route to second-year receiver Tyson Korol for a 63-yard touchdown pass. Bazarkiewicz is setting to throw that deep pass in this photo. That was the first CJFL regular season touchdown pass of Bazarkiewicz’s career. While the Hilltops got out to an early 10-0 lead in that game, they fell 27-11 to the Winnipeg Rifles.
Hilltops Cheer Team holds court
The Saskatoon Hilltop Cheer Team performs a pyramid pose during a halftime performance on October 4 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Established in 1977, the Hilltop Cheer Team is the longest running cheer program in the CJFL.
Hilltops’ Bednarek slick in open
field
Saskatoon Hilltops fifth-year receiver Luke Bednarek, left, makes a slick sidestep move to avoid Winnipeg Rifles outside linebacker Kenji Suga on October 4 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. In a contest where the Rifles prevailed 27-11, Bednarek had a big game hauling in nine passes for 133 yards.
Eye on the ball
Marion M. Graham Collegiate Falcons Ben Wheeler tracks the ball into his hands during a punt return during a high school football contest on October 8 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Wheeler is one of the Falcons steady veterans that helped them blank the Evan Hard Collegiate Souls 46-0 on this night and improve to 5-1 overall with a fourth straight win.
