Winter season rushes in for photo roundup

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

The Glenn Reeve Fields sit ready for Nordic skiers.

Winter arrived in optimal fashion this year for the Gordie Howe Sports Complex.

On November 9, the schedule at Saskatoon Minor Football Field closed out with the Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association’s 5A Provincial Championship game. That contest was barn burner as Prince Albert’s Carlton Comprehensive High School Crusaders just edged the Bishop James Mahoney High School Saints 35-34. Crusaders receiver Zane Litzenberger caught the winning touchdown pass from quarterback Sullivan Smith-Windsor with 72 seconds to play.

Saskatoon Minor Football Field sits at rest for the off-season.

That contest was played in conditions as perfect as you could get for a November 9^th date. Just 11 days later, snow came in big quantities and winter officially arrived in Saskatoon.

The lead picture of this photo roundup looks upon the snow-covered Glenn Reeve Fields, which now contains ski trails that will be used for likely the next three or four months. The Saskatoon Nordic Ski Club uses this area as one of its main places to teach junior aged skiers.

Snow falls also create photogenic scenes for our outdoor facilities that are out of season and are sitting at rest until spring arrives. The second picture of our photo roundup shows Saskatoon Minor Football Field on December 2 under a blanket of snow. The third photo from that same day looks out upon Joe Gallagher Field which is packed full of snow.

Joe Gallagher Field is still a sweet sight even in winter time.

With winter in high gear, the Indoor Training Centre is the centre of activity on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds. Business will be picking up more on the ski trails and the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval, which is slated to open Sunday, December 15 from noon to 6 p.m. weather permitting. Still, action from the Indoor Training Centre makes up the bulk of the pictures in this photo roundup.

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 15 shots we hope you enjoy.

Litzenberger’s forever memory

Zane Litzenberger, who is a star receiver for Prince Albert’s Carlton Comprehensive High School Crusaders, reacts to making the winning touchdown catch for his team in the Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association’s 5A Provincial Championship game played on November 9 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Litzenberger caught a five-yard scoring pass on a slant pattern from quarterback Sullivan Smith-Windsor to give the Crusaders a 35-34 victory over the Bishop James Mahoney High School Saints.

Crusaders are the champions

Prince Albert’s Carlton Comprehensive High School Crusaders raise Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association’s 5A Provincial Championship trophy on November 9 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The win marked the first high school provincial title for Carlton Comprehensive since the school first opened in 1975.

Not so fast

A defensive player holds up an offensive player during a Sentinels Lacrosse Club practice on November 18 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Sentinels play the field lacrosse version of the sport, and the space on the field turf at the Indoor Training Centre gives the travel program a chance to work on all aspects of the game.

Keep away

An offensive player looks to find a shooting position against a defensive player during a Sentinels Lacrosse Club practice on November 18 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Sentinels operate in the fall season and found a home at the Indoor Training Centre shortly after it opened in March of 2019.

Picture perfect bunt

A player from the 222’s Fastpitch program lays down a textbook bunt during a practice session on November 27 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Indoor Training Centre is the home of the 222’s program.

That one is out of here

A player from the 222’s Fastpitch program drives a deep shot during a practice session on November 27 at the Indoor Training Centre. The 222’s program allows players to get in off-season work playing softball and offers players the chance to compete in tournament action across North America.

Slick toss

A player makes a smart toss to get out of a jam during Saskatoon Ultimate Sport-Disc Society league action on November 28 at the Indoor Training Centre. Athletes from all sorts of skill levels and backgrounds take part in Saskatoon Ultimate Sport-Disc Society league play.

Happy high fives

The Saskatoon Ultimate Sport-Disc Society prides itself on ensuring players have a fun experience taking part in ultimate disc competitions. On November 28 at the Indoor Training Centre, this league contest ended with a lot of smiles and upbeat high fives between teams.

Laser focus

A pitcher zeros in on the strike zone in his wind up during a Going Yard Baseball Academy training session on November 29 at the Indoor Training Centre. The players were ensuring they used proper technique in delivering their pitches over the plate.

A quick coaching tip

Instructor Jordan Draeger, right, gives a pointer showing a young player how a skill is performed during a Going Yard Baseball Academy training session on November 29 at the Indoor Training Centre. Going Yard has been a mainstay at the Complex dating back to March of 2019.

Airing it out

A quarterback throws to a receiver on a deep route on December 3 at the Indoor Training Centre during a tryout session for the Toon Squad female flag football travel teams overseen by Saskatoon Minor Football. The tryouts attracted a sizable number of skilled players.

Break it down

The players and coaches do a big cheer on December 3 at the Indoor Training Centre following a tryout session for the Toon Squad female flag football travel teams overseen by Saskatoon Minor Football. The Toon Squad travel teams allow an extra avenue for players to experience elite level competition.

Let it rip

A young hitter follows through on a drive into the net during a Saskatoon Berries Baseball Academy practice session on December 4 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Berries Academy focuses on helping players in Grades 8 to 12 improve their skills playing the game.

All-out effort

An infielder tracks down a line drive during a Saskatoon Berries Baseball Academy practice session on December 4 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Berries Academy allows players to work on their skills as part of a school day.

Female cricket festival coming Dec. 21

Cricket Saskatoon is looking to give female players of all age groups and skill levels a great experience with the game.

Cricket Saskatoon and the Saskatchewan Cricket Association have collaborated with Cricket Canada and ICC (International Cricket Council) to host the first ever Women’s Criiio Festival in Saskatoon on December 21 at the Indoor Training Centre at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a special Winter Camp theme. This Cricket Festival is FREE to register and open to female players of all age groups and skill levels. Prior experience or knowledge of cricket is not necessary.

Refreshments and equipment will be provided for the games. The girls will have a fun time playing the game of cricket with a six-a-side format. Women’s CRIIIO festivals were introduced to provide a fun first experience of cricket to female participants new to the game and help them develop an interest in the game.

Limited spots are available. To register click on https://tinyurl.com/CRIIIO-SK.

Going Yard’s Dean aims to make a difference as a coach

Instructor enjoys working with all ages at baseball academy

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Marshall Dean is a popular instructor with Going Yard.

“He cares.”

That is the biggest message Marshall Dean hopes all the baseball players he instructs take with them.

“I like to think my players know I care,” said Dean. “It is not just my job.

“I care about them both on the field and in other aspects of life. I want to teach them how to be men from an early age, not just go through the motions, but work with a purpose. Every day is an opportunity.

“I hope they grow up to just be strong, hard-nosed baseball players. That is what I want is competitive kids that do things the right way and approach the game the right way.”

Having grown up playing minor baseball in Saskatoon and moving on to play at the post-secondary level as a pitcher, Dean reflected that he had a great experience playing baseball. When his playing career wrapped up, Dean wanted to give back to the game by becoming a coach. He aimed to help young players playing the sport in Saskatoon to have similar positive experiences with the game like he had.

After coming on to be an instructor with the Going Yard Baseball Academy in 2016, Dean has developed a reputation for bringing a great joy to training sessions working with players in a wide range of age groups. Some coaches find they work better with either younger players or older players at the post-secondary and professional levels.

As for Dean, the 33-year-old finds he is at his best when he working with players from all different age groups on a weekly basis. He has fun helping players get better, and you would be hard pressed to not see a big smile running across his face during daily practice sessions at the Indoor Training Centre at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex.

“It helps you as a coach,” said Dean, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighed 190 pounds in his playing days. “It helps you learn different aspects of the game and how to approach different players.

“It has been really fun to coach kids at a young age, set that standard and expectation early and watch them grow into the players that they are now. I’d say that is what I’m most proud of as a coach is the guys that I’ve coached from the time they were 10-years-old and now they’re 16 and 17-years-old men ready to go to college.”

Marshall Dean instructs a group of young pitchers.

No matter how different the ages of the players he works with are, Dean said his approach to working with those athletes is pretty consistent.

“It is a lot different, but it is a lot the same,” said Dean. “It is the same standard you set as far as what the expectation is at practice and the right way to approach the game and your work every day.

“Obviously, it is gentler at the younger age groups, but it is really the same. You practice the right way, you play the right way and you approach every day the right way.”

Of course, Dean only envisioned himself being a player, when he started in the sport. When he discovered the game, his motivation to be in the sport was to be like his two older brothers.

“I’m the youngest of three boys from an athletic family,” said Dean. “My brothers played baseball.

“I fell in love with it early going to their games hanging out in foul territory playing around and just stuck with it. I figured I had a pretty good arm, and it’d be a good option for me.”

He took to being a pitcher early on when he began playing the game. A lot of Dean’s love for the game of baseball comes from the competition of pitcher versus batter.

“It is a thinking man’s game,” said Dean. “It is not just straightforward.

“You have to use your mind a little bit. I always enjoyed that. I enjoy the battle inside the game pitcher versus hitter, pitch to pitch.

“I enjoy the thinking part of it.”

Marshall Dean gives a pointer during a fielding drill.

In Saskatoon’s minor baseball ranks, Dean played out of the Blue Jays zone before joining the Saskatoon Cubs 18U AAA team. With the Blue Jays and the Cubs, Dean had Todd Plaxton as a coach through most of those years in the sport.

Dean said Plaxton was his mentor playing the game, while growing up. The hurler credited a lot of his success to his long time minor baseball coach from his Saskatoon playing days.

“He (Plaxton) coached us the right way really early,” said Dean. “He taught you to respect the game, play hard and work hard.

“I think that is a big part of why I do this today is trying to bring some of that back to these boys and making sure they’re viewing the game the right way, practising and playing the right way.”

While suiting up for the Cubs, Dean got his first experience of playing baseball with adults. From 2006 to 2008, Dean played for the now defunct Saskatoon Yellow Jackets in what is now known as the Western Canadian Baseball League.

These days the WCBL is strictly a summer wood bat league for players from the post-secondary ranks. Back in 2006 to 2008, the WCBL was a summer league in an era where teams could use players from all sorts of age groups, if they were good enough to be on the team. Dean did face players in their late 20s and early 30s with the Yellow Jackets.

“It was pretty wild being a teenager in that league,” said Dean. “Todd (Plaxton) always used to say you’re going to grow some whiskers, and I definitely did.

“I mean playing against grown men you learn a lot really quick good things and bad things.”

After graduating from high school, Dean played for Colby Community College Trojans in Colby, Kansas, from 2009 to 2011. He moved on to throw for the University of Central Missouri Mules in Warrensburg, Missouri. With the U of Central Missouri, Dean completed his bachelor’s degree in physical education and coaching.

Marshall Dean set to the ball during a fielding drill.

In the summer months, Dean returned to Canada to play in the WCBL for the Moose Jaw Miller Express. During those post-secondary playing days, Dean started thinking seriously about becoming a coach in the sport.

“I realized I wasn’t going to be a professional baseball player,” said Dean. “Around the time I was about 20 or 21, I realized that the dream wasn’t necessarily going to come true.

“I just wanted to help guys from Saskatchewan reach their goals. If you have a goal to play college ball or whatever that goal is in baseball, I just wanted to help out back home.”

Upon returning to Saskatoon, Dean started working as an education assistant as a substitute and later full time at Caroline Robins Community School and Dr. John G. Egnatoff School.

He originally wanted to find a coaching spot with the Cubs, but he joined the staff of the Saskatoon Diamondbacks 18U AAA team after getting a call from Matt Kosteniuk. Kosteniuk brought Dean to Going Yard.

Dean has loved every bit of his time with Going Yard starting with the old training warehouse the academy was originally located at on Alberta Avenue before moving to the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds on March 1, 2019.

“It is really cool to work with your buddies that you grew up with,” said Dean. “Obviously, it is really cool to coach with a guy like (MLB alumnus) Andrew (Albers) who you looked up to growing up, and now, he is just your co-worker.

“That has been fantastic. Some of the younger guys that we have coming up that have spent time in professional baseball or very high-level baseball, it is really fun to watch them come back and again just be your co-workers.”

Dean has enjoyed seeing Going Yard grow over the years that included developing the Goats travel team program. Looking to the future, he believes his passion for coaching will always be there.

Marshall Dean gives post-practice talk with a group of players.

“I’ll do this as long as I can,” said Dean. “It is awesome to go to work with your friends every day.

“It is awesome to do what you love. I think a lot of people would look at this job and be jealous of what we get to do every day. We get to have fun with the boys.

“We get to help them grow and watch them grow. I’ll do this for absolutely as long as I can.”

For more information on the Going Yard Baseball Academy, feel free to check out their website at www.gyba.ca.

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.

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/.

Hilltops memories made at SMF Field, HS football rocks photo roundup

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Justin Adamko, middle, walks to the field with his parents.

Saskatoon Hilltops football games are one of the greatest annual traditions at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

Since SMF Field first opened way back on September 30, 1960 originally as the Holiday Park Bowl, the Hilltops have played the majority of their home games at that facility. Football Sundays with the Hilltops have become a staple at that park along with traditional Saturday night clashes with rival clubs from Regina in the Rams up to 1998 and with the Thunder from 2000 to the present day.

This season, the Hilltops have been striving to make game days more of an event. They attracted 3,534 spectators to their 45-19 victory over the Edmonton Wildcats on Sunday, September 22, which was the best regular season attendance for a Hilltops game in over a decade.

That contest was the team’s Kinsmen Family Day/Young Hilltops Day and the plaza area was filled with inflatable play structures for youngsters. Halftime included a World’s Strongest Man exhibition from Hilltops alum Tristain Hoath and a mascots/superheroes football game.

Dan Clark speaks at the Hilltops End Zone Scholarship Dinner.

Saturday, September 28 was another busy home date for the Hilltops as they downed the Regina Thunder before 2,266 spectators. As it was the final Hilltops home regular season game for 2024, they held their traditional pre-game ceremony where the graduating players made a walk out to the field with their parents. Our lead photo of this photo roundup shows cornerback Justin Adamko, middle, making his walk to the field with mother Josie, on left, and father Doug, on right.

Before that clash with the Thunder, the ’Toppers held their Annual Hilltops End Zone Scholarship Dinner in the main hall at the Gordie Howe Sports Centre building. Dan Clark, who is one of the all-time greats with the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders, was the guest speaker, and the second photo shows Clark holding court with that role.

The third photo comes from that night’s game, and it shows Hilltops second-year receiver Datiel Fountaine catching a 26-yard touchdown pass at the start of the second half.

Datiel Fountaine hauls in a 26-yard TD catch.

The tradition of Hilltops playoff action continues at SMF Field and could potentially run the next three weekends. On Sunday, October 13, the Hilltops host a PFC semifinal at 1 p.m. against the Edmonton Huskies. If the defending CJFL champion Hilltops keep winning, a PFC final could follow on Sunday, October 20 and a CJFL semifinal might materialize on Sunday, October 27.

Along with Hilltops photos, we have pictures from high school football, University of Saskatchewan Huskies Track and Field and the YXE First Responders Fitness Festival.

The pictures in this photo roundup capture some of the memories that are made on our grounds. In this photo roundup, the majority of these pictures were taken by our Communications Coordinator in Darren Steinke along with a check in from another sweet source.

Without further ado, here is a selection of 15 shots we hope you enjoy.

A victory with Soul

The Evan Hardy Collegiate Souls celebrate a 55-14 “Welcome Week” win over the E.D. Feehan Catholic High School Trojans on September 12 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The victory was a welcome one for the Souls.

Crusaders fans get fired up

Fans of the Holy Cross High School Crusaders start to bring the energy in getting excited for their team’s “Welcome Week” game on September 12 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. They cheered their Crusaders to a 42-0 triumph over the Aden Bowman Collegiate Bears.

Guardians meet their faithful

The St. Joseph High School Guardians meet their supporters after their “Welcome Week” game on September 12 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Guardians faithful had to live through a heart stopping clash as their team had to get past a ready Bishop James Mahoney High School Saints side 22-17.

“Get that out of here”

Tommy Douglas Collegiate Tigers defensive back Ariston Klemmer knocks away a deep throw during his team’s “Welcome Week” game on September 13 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Klemmer’s efforts helped the Tigers down the Bethlehem Catholic High School Stars 23-7.

Perfect artistic stroke

Veteran Saskatoon Hilltop Cheerleading Team member Angelica Bandet focuses on making the perfect stroke creating a face painting design for a youngster before the Hilltops CJFL contest on September 22 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The face painting was part of the activities that went along with the team’s Kinsmen Family Day/Young Hilltops Day.

Hilltops alums’ Strongest Man

Tristain Hoath, who is an alumnus of the Saskatoon Hilltops, made a home return at the club’s CJFL regular season game on September 22 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The 32-year-old Hoath now competes in World’s Strongest Man competitions. He put on a display of one of the disciplines of those competitions pulling a truck during halftime of the Hilltops 45-19 win over the Edmonton Wildcats.

Deadpool with the sneak

Deadpool sets to go through a crease to score on a sneak play during action at a mascots/superheroes football game held at halftime of the Saskatoon Hilltops CJFL regular season contest on September 22 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The mascot/superheroes clash was part of the festivities that ran in conjunction with the Hilltops’ Kinsmen Family Day/Young Hilltop Day.

Let it fly

A member of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Track and Field Team works on his form in the hammer throw on September 24 at the Track and Field Track. The Huskies were getting outdoor sessions in through September and early October before moving their training indoors.

Up and away

A member of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Track and Field Team does a conditioning exercise jumping over hurdles that are close together during a training session on September 24 at the Track and Field Track. Along with perfecting skills in their track disciplines, Huskies team members do drills that work on strength and conditioning too.

Milestone win for Mustangs

It was a memorable day for the Mount Royal Collegiate Mustangs on September 27 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Mustangs downed the E.D. Feehan Catholic High School Trojans 26-18 for their first high school football win in a number of years possibly dating back to 2018.

Big block

Bishop James Mahoney High School Saints defensive back Mason Schreffler blocks a field goal attempt by the Marion M. Graham Collegiate Falcons on October 4 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Saints ran off a 42-1 victory in this contest.

Running to daylight

Holy Cross High School Crusaders star running back Aulain Penner runs home for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter of a game against the St. Joseph High School Guardians on October 4 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Penner’s score cut the Guardians lead to 28-27. The Crusaders won the contest 29-28 executing a two-point conversion on the following play.

Two for the win

Holy Cross High School Crusaders defensive back Traven Wiggins, left, gets excited after scoring a two-point conversion late in the fourth quarter against the St. Joseph High School Guardians on October 4 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Wiggins’ score came on a fake one-point conversion play, and it delivered the Crusaders to a 29-28 victory.

Showing off the power

Two members of Team Fire show off their strength using sandbags at the YXE First Responders Fitness Festival held on October 5 to 6 at the Indoor Training Centre. The YXE First Responders Fitness Festival has been held for three straight years at the Indoor Training Centre. A big thanks goes to the YXE First Responders Fitness Festival for this photo.

Team Fire claims championship

Team Fire celebrates taking top spot at the YXE First Responders Fitness Festival, which concluded on October 6 at the Indoor Training Centre. That event has been held at the Indoor Training Centre for three straight years. A big thanks goes to the YXE First Responders Fitness Festival for this photo graphic.