Valkyries’ Day – Saskatoon snowballs momentum for third straight WWCFL title

The Valkyries raise the WWCFL championship trophy in celebration.

Winning WWCFL championships never gets old for the Saskatoon Valkyries, and neither does going on game-changing runs of momentum.

Taking on the Calgary Rage in the WWCFL Championship Game on Saturday at Griffiths Stadium, the Valkyries made the Alberta side pay a huge price for the mistakes they made. The Valkyries rolled three key Rage miscues into a 21-0 lead just 80 seconds into the second quarter of the league championship clash.

Saskatoon proceeded to cruise to a 40-0 victory from that point to claim a third consecutive WWCFL title and their eighth league championship in team history.

Makayla Sader returns an interception for the Valkyries.

“It is a credit to our team,” said Valkyries head coach Pat Barry. “Our athletes, they work so hard.

“We were talking about it before the game. January is when we start. Here at the end of June, we got to our goal, and we were successful.”

The Valkyries claimed their previous league championships in the run of three consecutive wins last year and 2019. The WWCFL’s 2020 and 2021 campaigns were cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that gripped the world. The Valkyries were able to play a three-game exhibition series against their provincial rivals the Regina Riot in 2021.

Saturday’s victory allowed the Valkyries to conclude their 2023 campaign with a perfect 8-0 record overall. The Valkyries have won their last 27 games in a row including two forfeit victories.

Danielle Girolami intercepts a pass for the Valkyries.

“It gets better every year for sure,” said Valkyries defensive back Makayla Sader, who enjoyed her second straight WWCFL title win with the Saskatoon powerhouse club. “I just say it gets more and more exciting.

“Just with the group of girls that I am with and just constantly growing as a team and DBs always having new girls coming and vets going, it is just awesome to always have a good group of ladies to win with.”

At the start of Saturday’s title tilt, the Rage defence came out with an inspired start. The Valkyries had the game’s first offensive possession, and the Rage forced the Saskatoon side to punt after two plays.

On ensuing punt play, the Rage special teams unit was flagged for having too many players on the field giving the Valkyries a first down. The Rage defence came back out on the field and forced the Valkyries defence to punt again after two plays.

Sarah Wright runs in her first of two touchdowns on the ground.

Calgary proceeded to face a punting situation after two plays on its first offensive possession. At that point, the Valkyries momentum began to gather up force.

After a bad snap, Calgary punter Jolene Goulard corralled and fell on the loose ball at her team’s own three yard-line.

Valkyries star running back Sarah Wright ran home a touchdown from three yards out to put the host side up 7-0 at the 3:40 mark of the first quarter.

Later in the first quarter, Goulard looked like she would put a halt to the Valkyries momentum blocking a 28-yard field goal attempt by Saskatoon kicker/receiver Grace McCorriston. Goulard was hurt on the play, but only missed a short spurt of game action.

Morgan Lindstein sets to throw a pass for the Rage.

Her missed time included a punt play on the Rage’s ensuing possession. Rage utility player Erin Walton came in to punt, but her kick was a medium-ranged one that the Valkyries were able to return inside the Calgary 20 yard-line.

The Valkyries capped the ensuing short offensive possession with a second three yard touchdown run from Wright to push the host side’s advantage to 14-0 with 2:42 remaining in the first quarter.

“Obviously, there are always some (pre-game) nerves, and I think that is something that is a part of every good team,” said Wright, who has been with the Valkyries for their last three straight WWCFL title wins. “You’re always preparing for what the other team is bringing, and we know Calgary is a hard team.

Alex Eyolfson fires her second of two touchdown passes on Saturday.

“They come and hit hard. We prepared for that, and we showed what we could do.”

Early in the second quarter, Sader intercepted Rage quarterback Morgan Lindstein to set the Valkyries up inside the Calgary 50 yard-line. The Valkyries ensuing offensive series concluded with star quarterback Alex Eyolfson hitting star receiver Ricki Obed with a 37 yard pass-and-run touchdown reception to increase the Valkyries lead to 21-0.

Sader admitted her interception helped push the Valkyries momentum to another level.

Ricki Obed goes into the end zone on her second TD reception.

“I definitely got winded, but the interception itself it had me going,” said Sader, who had a fumble recovery for the Valkyries in the win. “It had all the ladies going.

“As soon as we got one, our next goal is to get at least two picks. It just riled everybody up to just keep fighting for it, and we did. We got them.”

When Goulard got back into the game, she had to deal with another bad snap on a punt play that went into the Rage end zone. She managed to kick the ball out the back of the end zone giving up a safety to allow the Valkyries lead to grow to 23-0.

With 2:20 remaining in the second quarter, Eyolfson connected with Obed on a 14-yard touchdown toss to push Saskatoon’s lead out to 30-0.

Part of the crowd at Griffiths Stadium that came to cheer on the Valkyries.

In the third quarter, Valkyries defensive back Danielle Girolami intercepted a Lindstein pass and set up the Saskatoon offence inside the Calgary 40 yard-line. Girolami had a team leading six total tackles to go with her interception. With that noted, she was pumped to get her interception.

“It was pretty exciting,” said Girolami, who has also been with the Valkyries for their last three straight title wins. “I wanted one all year.

Emmarae Dale (#45) makes one of her five tackles for the Valkyries.

“To make it in the championship game is obviously a pretty special feeling.”

Girolami said she would have liked to have returned her interception for a touchdown and didn’t realize she accidently stepped out of bounds on the run back.

“I was just so excited,” said Girolami, who won two Saskatchewan female under-18 AAA provincial hockey titles playing defence with the Saskatoon Stars in 2015 and 2016. “I saw Emmarae (Dale) blocking for me, and I just knew with her in front of me I would have kept going.

“I think I got too excited to know where I was on the field. I was just too excited, and I was looking ahead of me. I knew Emma had my back, and I just go too excited.”

Emry Halbgewachs (#52) had a sack for the Valkyries.

Following Girolami’s interception, the ensuing Valkyries offensive series was capped by an 11-yard touchdown run by standout running back Drew Lundquist to put the Saskatoon side up 37-0 at the 5:56 mark of the third. McCorriston booted home a 21 yard field goal attempt before the third quarter ended to round out the 40-0 final score.

The contest ended in the fourth quarter with Lindstein heaving up a desperation pass that was intercepted by Valkyries rookie defensive back Sarah Zeng.

Eyolfson completed 18-of-34 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns, while throwing two interceptions for the Valkyries.

Drew Lundquist (#25) runs in for a touchdown for the Valkyries.

Wright took home player of the game honours for the Valkyries carrying the ball 10 times for 66 yards to go with her two rushing touchdowns. She also caught two passes for 27 yards. The veteran running back said the game MVP for her team could have gone to a number of her teammates on Saturday.

“It is great, obviously, but there are so many other girls who were deserving of MVP,” said Wright. “I think a lot of our defence gets missed a lot of the times.

“Danielle Girolami had a great game. Makayla Sader had a pick. There were just so many people that were really deserving of it today.”

Reed Thorstad (#12) shields the ball from a defender on a catch.

Obed topped the Valkyries with 70 receiving yards coming off five catches to go with her two majors through the air.

Lindstein was named the player of the game for the Rage accounting most of her team’s offensive yardage. She completed 5-of-11 passes for 36 yards, while throwing three interceptions. Lindstein led the Rages with 64 yards rushing coming off eight carries.

Defensive end Emry Halbgewachs had four tackles and a quarterback sack for the Valkyries. Outside linebacker Sydney Schenn had 4.5 total tackles and a quarterback sack for Saskatoon, while star middle linebacker Emmarae Dale had five total tackles.

Grace McCorriston (#82) looks to get past a defender after a catch.

Amira Harb led the Rage with five total tackles. Defensive back Hanna Hachey-Raymond had four tackles and an interception for Calgary, while defensive back Margaret May Rusteika had 3.5 tackles and an interception.

The Rage closed their 2023 campaign with a 4-2 overall record. Their other loss also came against the Valkyries in a pre-season contest in Calgary back on April 22.

Sader said her defensive unit was pleased to be able to pick up a shutout in Saturday’s game.

“It was awesome,” said Sader. “I definitely appreciate all the girls that I’ve played with along the way.

The Valkyries celebrate a third straight WWCFL title win.

“It has been a great few seasons, and I can’t wait to comeback.”

With Saturday’s win in the books, the Valkyries have won the WWCFL Championship Game the last three times they’ve played in it as the host club. They took last year’s title game 36-6 against the Winnipeg based Manitoba Fearless at Saskatoon Minor Football field.

Way back on July 5, 2014, the Valkyries blanked the Lethbridge Steel 53-0 in that year’s WWCFL title game held at Griffiths Stadium.

Barry said he was proud of how his team played this season, and Saturday’s WWCFL Championship Game win was a really satisfying way to end the 2023 campaign.

“It is hard to win your last game,” said Barry. “In any sport, in football, when you win your last game, it means you’ve been successful.

The Valkyries conclude the 2023 season with a perfect 8-0 record.

“It is a credit to the athletes. It is a credit to our coaching staff. It is a credit to the whole organization.

“To see all these people out at Griffiths Stadium, it takes me back to the old days of this team. It is kind of exciting.”

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Valkyries on cusp of last dance for 2023 season

Saskatoon aims to win third straight WWCFL title Saturday

Sarah Wright is having another big season for the Valkyries.

It will all be about taking care of business in the present for the Saskatoon Valkyries on Saturday.

The Valkyries are set to host the Calgary Rage in the WWCFL Championship Game on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Griffiths Stadium on the campus of the University of Saskatchewan. Saskatoon is looking to win a third consecutive league title with the previous wins in this run coming last year and in 2019.

The WWCFL’s 2020 and 2021 campaigns were cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that gripped the world. The Valkyries were able to play a three-game exhibition series against their provincial rivals the Regina Riot in 2021.

On top of going for a third consecutive title, the Valkyries are trying to win their eighth league title in team history having joined the WWCFL in its inaugural campaign in 2011.

With the Valkyries having so much success in their history, head coach Pat Barry was asked how special this opportunity was for the team’s rookies like defensive back Mykayla Laroque. Barry didn’t want to discount how important it is to have the opportunity to play in the WWCFL’s title game for everyone on the team’s roster.

QB Alex Eyolfson aims to lead the Valkyries to another WWCFL title.

“It is special for all of us,” said Barry. “You never know when you are going to get back.

“We do have a lot of new people on our team, especially in our defensive backfield. “Rocky” (Laroque) is one of them. I was sort of counting on our roster earlier in the year, and more than half of our team never played in 2019.

“It is a pretty young team actually that we have here.”

The Valkyries head into this contest having won their last 26 games in a row including two forfeit victories. Their last loss game way back on June 24, 2018, when they dropped a 14-10 decision to the Riot in that year’s WWCFL title game held at Mosaic Stadium in Regina. Saskatoon has a 7-0 overall in the 2023 campaign.

The Rage enter the WWCFL title game with a 4-1 overall record. Their lone loss came in a pre-season game in Calgary on April 22, when they fell 50-2 against the Valkyries.

MLB Emmarae Dale (#45) keeps piling up big plays for the Valkyries.

Calgary’s only appearance to date in the WWCFL final came back on June 10, 2017 taking on the Riot at Saskatoon Minor Football Field in a neutral site clash. The Rage turned the ball over 10 times in that contest and were blanked 53-0.

Despite what has transpired in the past, Valkyries star running back Sarah Wright believes her team can’t be going into the WWCFL title clash thinking everything is going to fall into place. Wright said the Valkyries want to come out and play their best.

“Big last game, (and) we’re excited,” said Wright. “We played Calgary in our pre-season game.

“We’re excited to see them back in the final and to show why Saskatchewan football is so good.”

The Valkyries defensive unit is good at swarming to the ball.

Last year, the Valkyries dumped the Winnipeg based Manitoba Fearless 36-6 in the WWCFL title game held at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The last time a WWCFL title game was held at Griffiths Stadium was way back on July 5, 2014, when the Valkyries blanked the Lethbridge Steel 53-0.

The Valkyries enter this year’s WWCFL title game loaded with talent. Star quarterback Alex Eyolfson is in her prime.

Along with being able to look to Wright and Drew Lundquist to make big plays in the running game, the Valkyries can look to get a boost from a trio of big play receivers in Reed Thorstad, Ricki Obed and Grace McCorriston. Star receiver Haley Girolami has missed the majority of the campaign with a knee injury and is out for Saturday’s game.

The offensive line is anchored by star veterans in Betsy Mawdsley at right tackle, Alex Wojcichowsky at centre, Lauren Ferguson and left guard and Alyssa Funk at left tackle.

Receiver Reed Thorstad (#12) can make big catches in traffic.

Star middle linebacker Emmarae Dale leads the Valkyries defensive unit. Dale’s efforts in the linebacking corps are complimented by Kennedy Mann and Jackie Semple-Dyck. Star defensive end Danaye Holynski also makes a lot of big plays for the Valkyries, while Emry Halbgewachs also brings big pressure from the defensive end spot.

Defensive tackles Carla Stevenson and Michaella Applin are tasked with taking on multiple blocks to occupy players on the opposing offensive line so their teammates can make plays.

Kelsey Murphy, who was a rookie when the Valkyries won the 2014 title, and Danielle Girolami make plays as the veteran presence in the defensive secondary. The Valkyries defensive secondary relies on athletic youngsters like third-year defensive back Makayla Sader, rookie safety Jaimyn Mantyka and Laroque at boundary cornerback.

Barry expects the Rage will be much improved since their pre-season encounter with the Valkyries in April. He is expecting his squad will be in for a physical battle on Saturday.

The Valkyries hope to have a few big play celebrations on Saturday.

“We got to play them in a pre-season game,” said Barry. “We’ll find out how the rest of their season went.

“We think we know a little bit about them. We’ll have to prepare for them. They have some very good athletes on their team, and we’ll have to be ready for them.”

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Laroque takes unique sports path to Valkyries

Saskatoon hosts WWCFL final against Calgary on Saturday

Mykayla Laroque has settled at DB with the Valkyries.

A long and winding road from wrestling with a stop in cheerleading brought Mykayla Laroque to football with the Saskatoon Valkyries.

Laroque, who graduated with her education degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 2022, had been coaching with the wrestling team at Marion Graham Collegiate for five years and coach the wrestling team at Centennial Collegiate one year prior. In June of 2022, she was given The SSSAD Spirit of Service Award for her involvement with athletics at Marion Graham.

Prior to being a coach, Laroque was a member of Centennial’s wrestling team for her four years in high school leading to her graduation in June of 2017. While coaching wrestling this past season, the 23-year-old got the itch to be an athlete once again.

“I was coaching and then I realized I just kind of missed being around a team that I could play on and contact sports a little bit,” said Laroque. “I thought, ‘Why not football.’

“I had been interested in it in high school. For me, it wasn’t really an option. It was mostly guys’ teams.

“There weren’t a lot of girls involved in football, so I stuck with the wrestling side of things. I decided to branch out finally.”

Laroque also had the urge to play tackle football when she was a member of the Saskatoon Hilltops Cheerleading Team in 2018 and 2019. In both those campaigns, she got to see the Hilltops football team win CJFL titles and had an urge to be on the football field as a player.

“I would definitely say that being on the sidelines as a former Hilltop cheerleader did kind of ignite that,” said Laroque. “I miss being in the contact sports, being on the field and being a little bit more aggressive.

“Cheer was a wonderful, wonderful experience. Then, I just kind of watched the football and got really into it and decided that maybe in the future when I settle my education stuff a little bit it would be something I’d be interested in.”

Laroque joined the Valkyries this season as they embarked on a quest to win three consecutive WWCFL titles. She found a home at defensive back and played all the way as a rookie on defence this past Sunday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, when the Valkyries downed their provincial rivals the Regina Riot 19-9 in the Prairie Conference Championship Game. Laroque picked up two solo tackles and a pass knockdown in the win.

Mykayla Laroque (#83) hangs behind Valkyries HC Pat Barry.

Looking back at that outing, Laroque kind of graded her play from the view of a coach.

“It was tiring,” said Laroque. “It took a lot of effort, energy and at points sometimes the mental overrides the physical a little bit more in those situations.

“I would definitely say that it took a really big defensive effort and offensive effort on everything and supporting each other as a group. Hearing the cheering on the sidelines from the ‘O’ and then cheering on the ‘O’ from the sidelines just that big team effort really helps on that.”

With the win, the Valkyries advanced to face the Calgary Rage in the WWCFL title game, which Saskatoon hosts on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Griffiths Stadium on the University of Saskatchewan campus. The Valkyries were 4-0 in regular season play and sport a 7-0 mark overall, while the Rage were 3-0 in the regular season and 4-1 overall.

Playing in the league’s championship game will be another new experience for Laroque, and it is one she wants to soak in being a part of.

“It is an unreal experience,” said Laroque. “(There are) a lot emotions obviously.

“I am nervous, excited, ready and just having my teammates’ support 120 per cent, having that close knit bond really helps.”

Valkyries head coach Pat Barry has been a wrestling coach for a lengthy stretch. When Laroque decided to join the Valkyries, Barry was curious to see what she could do in football.

“I knew her from wrestling, because I’ve coached wrestling for many years,” said Barry. “I’ve seen her around in wrestling circles as an athlete, and of course, as a coach now with her being in education.

“I was excited to see her come out to our winter practices. She is a positive person, and she does a lot of things well. She has learned the position of DB.

“We’ve kind of thrown her into the fire, and she has done well.”

Mykayla Laroque will play in her first WWCFL final on Saturday.

Barry said Laroque has picked up things quickly and was impressed with her improvement as the season has progressed.

“It is a significant amount,” said Barry about Laroque’s improvement. “I don’t think she has ever played tackle football before.

“To have someone come on to our team which is pretty veteran in a lot of places to come in and compete and contribute like she has, it is exciting for our coaching staff.”

Laroque said there are skills she learned in wrestling transferred over to football.

“I would say the tackling side of things,” said Laroque. “It is a little bit like a double leg (take down), if you look at it that way.

“I definitely say certain intensities, training hard, staying focused and both are really mental sports. Engaging the physical side and the mental side is something that I would say is the cross over definitely between the two.”

She also received extra motivation to join Valkyries after seeing one of her former Hilltops Cheerleading teammates suit up for the WWCFL powerhouse in Breanna Allegretto. Allegretto played really well substituting on to the offensive line helping the Valkyries win their seventh WWCFL title in team history last season.

Allegretto didn’t return to the Valkyries this season as she is starting a family with former Hilltops star centre Luciano Jolly.

“I did definitely see her play, and it did kind of persuade me kind of a little bit seeing one of my former cheer teammates out there getting in there,” said Laroque. “I would definitely say that she had a big impact on me getting out to the Valkyries.”

Once she was with the Valkyries, Laroque said her teammates have gone the extra mile to bring her into the group. That has provided a big lasting memory for the entire 2023 campaign.

“It was really different, but the energy was amazing,” said Laroque. “The ladies were really, really welcoming the second I walked into the change room.

Mykayla Laroque (#83) does a break down with her teammates.

“I was greeted with smiles, introductions, and they made sure that I felt comfortable and understood what I was doing taking the time to explain things. They were just taking that extra time helping me out on little things here and there or walking me through things with the help of the coaches as well. That was really, really awesome.”

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Huskies good and feeling alright as Hardy Cup champs

U of S repeats as Canada West Conference title winners

The Huskies raise the Hardy Cup as Canada West champs.

Scott Flory didn’t want to break up the party.

The head coach had just guided his University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team to a 23-8 victory over the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds before 1,916 spectators at Griffiths Stadium in the Canada West Conference championship game on Saturday. With the win, the Huskies captured the Hardy Cup for the second straight year and 21^st time in program history.

Following the trophy presentation, the players celebrated with their family and friends on the field getting various pictures taken. After about 25 minutes, Flory with a big smile on his face started rounding up his players for a quick team meeting.

Kicker David Solie is pictured with some family members.

Flory was telling his players as he rounded them up the meeting wouldn’t take long and then they can get back to celebrating. He would tell parents with a big grin that he just needed their sons for a short time, and then they can get back together after the meeting was held.

Even Huskies team staffers were chuckling as they tried to help rounding up players. It felt like an exercise in herding cats.

Overall, it might have been -15 C throughout the conference championship game, but you couldn’t miss the warm family feeling that existed between the host side and their supporters. Once again under the direction of Flory who became the Huskies head coach before the start of the 2017 campaign, the U of S side is off on another long playoff run.

Huskies HC Scott Flory holds court with a post-game TV interview.

The next stop on the ride will be the Uteck Bowl this coming Saturday, when the Huskies (9-1) travel to Antigonish, N.S., to take on the St. Francis Xavier University X-Men (9-0). A big contingent of Huskies supporters will make the trip across about 75 per cent of Canada to that contest at StFX Stadium, which will also be shown on CBC Gem and CBC Sports.ca and heard by local broadcasters on HuskieFAN at 11 p.m. Saskatchewan time.

Last year, the Huskies claimed the Uteck Bowl with a 14-10 victory over the Universite de Montreal Carabins at The CEPSUM in Montreal, Quebec. U of S then advanced to the U Sports title contest – the Vanier Cup – where they fell 27-21 to the University of Western Ontario Mustangs at Stade Telus – Universite Laval in Quebec City, Quebec.

QB Mason Nyhus has won all of his 16 career home starts.

In 2022, the Huskies, who have won three Canada West championships under Flory’s watch, are intent on getting back to the Vanier Cup and winning the U Sports championship for the first time since 1998, when U Sports was still known as the CIAU.

On these journeys, the Huskies and their supporters don’t get ahead of themselves and always stay mindful to be in the present. Everyone with the team knows that time goes by too fast when you’re linked to something good.

The first order of business was to take care of business in the Hardy Cup. Saturday’s game was your classic frigid tilt that is commonly held on the Prairie Provinces in November.

A mix of the Huskies veteran and young generations would all have big moments to ensure the Hardy Cup continued to reside at the U of S.

David Solie made all three of his field goals on Saturday.

After playing through a scoreless opening quarter, the Huskies took a 9-0 lead after veteran kicker/punter David Solie hit field goals from 30, 24 and 21 yards out. The second field goal was set up by Huskies veteran defensive back Charlie Ringland forcing a fumble that was recovered by a massive pile of teammates who dove in to get the loose ball.

The Thunderbirds didn’t go away as they are guided by one of U Sports all-time great sideline bosses in head coach Blake Nill. Late in the second quarter, the Thunderbirds put together a 70-yard drive the concluded with a one-yard touchdown dive by running back Lucas Mastrodomenico with 30.6 seconds remaining in the frame to cut the Huskies edge to 9-7.

Lucas Mastrodomenico (#30) squeaks in a UBC major score.

At the 5:37 mark of the third quarter, the Thunderbirds had a chance to jump in front, but kicker Owen Brown pushed a 25 yard field goal attempt wide for a single point that trimmed the U of S advantage to 9-8. That was as close as the Thunderbirds would get.

Huskies fifth-year star quarterback Mason Nyhus, who was named the player of the year for Canada West, proceeded to engineer a game-turning scoring drive that ran 14 plays, covered 67 yards and ate the final 7:31 of the third quarter.

On the final play of the third quarter, Nyhus hit first-year receiver Jordin Rusnack with an eight-yard outlet pass for a touchdown to push the Huskies lead out to 16-8. 

Jordin Rusnack scores a TD on an eight-yard reception.

That touchdown catch was Rusnack’s only reception of the contest, but it came at a critical time for the Huskies.

In the fourth quarter, the Thunderbirds offence had difficulty sustaining any drives.

Thanks to a well placed Solie punt and a key special teams tackle by veteran defensive back Logan Bitz, the Thunderbirds were forced to start a drive at their own seven yard line with 9:05 remaining in the stanza.

On the first play of that drive, Thunderbirds second year starting quarterback Derek Engel was intercepted by Huskies defensive back Finn Marcotte-Cribb, and Marcotte-Cribb had an uncontested nine-yard run for a touchdown to push the Huskies lead out to 23-8.

Finn Marcotte-Cribb (#27) returns an interception for a TD.

The Thunderbirds proceeded to turn the ball over on the first play of their ensuing offence series, when Engel was picked off by Huskies veteran star defensive back Nixen Voll. Voll returned the ball 27 yards to the UBC 28 yard line.

The Huskies weren’t able to convert Voll’s interception into points. Nyhus was intercepted by first year Thunderbirds defensive back Ben Sangmuah at the UBC 15 yard line on the ensuing U of S series.

While there was still 6:41 remaining in the fourth quarter, it felt like the 23-8 score was going to be cemented as the final outcome which it was. The Thunderbirds were unable to advance past their own 45 yard line the rest of the contest.

The game ultimately ended with a knee down by Nyhus to spark the post-game conference championship celebration by the hosts.

Ryker Frank, right, had 63 yards rushing and 70 yards receiving.

Nyhus quietly put together a solid outing competing 22-of-28 passes for 232 yards and one touchdown, while throwing one interception. Set to graduate from the team once their playoff run concludes, Nyhus played his final home game on Saturday, and he won all 16 of his U Sports home starts during his time with the Huskies.

Huskies second year running back Ryker Frank led his side in both rushing and receiving yards. Frank carried the ball 23 times for 63 yards and caught a game high eight passes for 70 yards.

Engel connected on 15-of-31 passes for 149 yards while throwing two interceptions for the Thunderbirds.

The Huskies faithful salutes their team at game’s end.

Running back Isaiah Knight topped the Thunderbirds in rushing with 17 carries for 54 yards, while receiver Edgerrin Williams was the top pass catcher for the visitors hauling in six passes for 68 yards. UBC was held to 231 yards of total offence.

Huskies second-year linebacker Seth Hundeby led the hosts with 7.5 tackles to go with a quarterback sack. Thunderbirds second-year linebacker Ryan Baker topped the visitors with 10.5 tackles.

Saturday’s win allowed the Huskies to run their home winning streak up 18 games. Their last loss at home came back on September 14, 2018, when they dropped a 37-28 decision to the University of Calgary Dinos.

The Hardy Cup victory on Saturday added another memorable moment to the rich history of the Huskies football program and another milestone for all involved with the team in recent years.

The Huskies celebrate winning the Hardy Cup.

After the Hardy Cup game on Saturday, the Huskies took time to soak in their accomplishment. Come Sunday morning, the focus turns towards making another lifetime memory at the upcoming Uteck Bowl.

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WWCFL Final makes a great time to reconnect with Valkyries

Jaime Lammerding, left, and Betsy Mawdsley lead the Valkyries to the field.

The last time the Saskatoon Valkyries won the WWCFL title at home was 2014.

With all that has happened in the world, the feels like an eternity ago.

In 2014, Stephen Harper was the prime minister of Canada and Barack Obama was president of the United States of America. Hit songs from that year included “Happy” by Pharrell Williams, “Fancy” by Iggy Azalea featuring Charli XCX, “Shake It Off” and “Blank Space” by Taylor Swift and “All About That Bass” by Meghan Trainor.

The Seattle Seahawks won the Super Bowl, the Los Angeles Kings claimed the Stanley Cup, the San Antonio Spurs captured the NBA title, the San Francisco Giants got their hands on the World Series and the Calgary Stampeders took home the Grey Cup.

The Valkyries celebrate winning the WWCFL title in 2014.

Beily’s Ultralounge and The Sutherland Bar were jumping night hotspots in the City of Saskatoon. Both of those places no longer exist.

The opportunities to win the WWCFL title at home are rare even for the Saskatoon Valkyries, who have won the league championship six times.

The last time the Valkyries won the WWCFL Championship game at home was on July 5, 2014 in a 53-0 romp over the Lethbridge Steel. That contest was played at Griffiths Stadium on the University of Saskatchewan campus.

That was also the farewell game for Valkyries star quarterback Candace Bloomquist. She was named the game’s MVP completing 21-of-30 passes for 341 yards and three touchdowns.

Bloomquist was calling signals for the Valkyries, when they won the WWCFL title the first four times it was contested from 2011 to 2014.

QB Alex Eyolfson and the Valkyries offence has been stellar.

For the 2015 campaign, the Valkyries moved into their new regular home venue in the newly renovated Saskatoon Minor Football Field. On Saturday at 7 p.m., the Valkyries (6-0) host the Manitoba Fearless (5-1) in this year’s WWCFL Championship game at SMF Field.

If you haven’t seen the Valkyries play in some time, Saturday is the perfect time to reconnect with Saskatoon’s elite level women’s football squad that has built a storied history since first hitting the field in 2011.

Since 2014, the Valkyries have won the WWCFL title twice. On June 25, 2016, they romped over the Edmonton Storm 81-6 at University of Lethbridge Community Stadium in Lethbridge, Alta., and on June 29, 2019, the Valkyries downed the host Riot in Regina 25-3 at Mosaic Stadium.

The Valkyries also made it to the WWCFL Championship game on June 24, 2018 falling 14-10 in classic defensive battle to the host Riot in Regina at Mosaic Stadium.

Since 2014, the Valkyries played host to the WWCFL title contest on one occasion leading too this season back on June 10, 2017. The Valkyries didn’t make it to the championship clash that year and a number of players were on hand to watch the Riot hammer the Calgary Rage 53-0 at SMF Field.

Emmarae Dale is one of the Valkyries leaders on defence.

For the longest time, the Valkyries used to draw about 800 to 1,000 spectators to each of their games. With the mainstream media outlets cutting their sports departments in Saskatoon to one or maybe two persons in recent years and the folding of the Saskatoon Metro daily commuter newspaper in late 2014 and the Saskatoon Express weekly in May of 2019, word about how well the Valkyries are doing has been harder to spread.

During the team’s first six seasons of existence from 2011 to 2016, mainstream outlets used to do a number of feature stories on Saskatoon’s women’s football squad that takes the field during the spring season.

The spring season allowed the Valkyries to avoid schedule conflicts with the CJFL and U Sports and the CFL a lot of times. Thanks to the timing of their season, they were able to build interest in their team locally.

This year’s Valkyries squad has been a fun as ever to follow. On the field, they play the game extremely well, and off the field, they are as personable as ever.

They are the perfect bunch for young girls to look up too as role models. The Valkyries players have a great uplifting positive vibe that young girls will come away from interactions with them feeling they can do anything.

Haley Girolami is one of the many Valkyries offensive playmakers.

The offence under the guidance of veteran quarterback Alex Eyolfson, who has been with the team since 2016, might rank with one of the best the Valkyries has ever had. She has numerous playmakers to get the ball out too in running backs Sarah Wright and Drew Lundquist along with receivers Haley Girolami, Reed Thorstad, Ricki Obed and Rachelle Smith.

The Valkyries lost all-time great running back Sam Matheson to a season ending knee injury during their second regular season game in 2022, but she has remained with club lending a hand with coaching her teammates that play her position.

The offensive line is veteran heavy with Lauren Ferguson, Alyssa Funk, Betsy Mawdsley, Ashley Viklund, and Alex Wojcichowsky, and they have played at a super human level all season. Rookie Breanna Allegretto has played well seeing some significant time on the offensive line as an injury replacement, and she has looked like she has played for the Valkyries for a number of years.

On defence, middle linebacker Emmarae Dale might be the unit’s most famous player having played with the historic CJFL powerhouse Saskatoon Hilltops last season. Dale along with third-year linebacker Jamie Wingate kick a bunch of butt on the field and have hearts of gold as persons.

Danaye Holynski brings intensity to the Valkyries defence.

Defensive end Danaye Holynski is arguably the hardest hitter on the Valkyries defence and brings great intensity every game. Second year defensive end Arden Kliewer has taken to the physical aspect of the game too and her sharp focus from playing goal for the University of Regina Cougars Women’s Hockey Team has transferred over to the football field.

The Valkyries have had a number of first and second year players step up and be playmakers as injuries piled up on that side of the ball. Linebacker Sydney Schenn, Grace Farthing on the defensive line and defensive backs Makayla Sader and Jackie Semple-Dyck have ensured the Valkyries defence hasn’t missed a beat.

Saturday’s WWCFL title contest will be the final game for defensive tackle Jaime Lammerding, who has been with the Valkyries since 2011. She has served as president of the WWCFL and has played a huge role in helping women’s football gain traction in Western Canada and move forward.

Defensive back and punter Rienna Rueve returned to the team at first to help with the kicking game with Matheson, who also punts, went down with her knee injury. Besides looking after the punting department, Rueve has returned to her past star form in the defensive secondary.

The Valkyries offensive line has had an outstanding season.

Linebacker Beth Lalonde, who has been with the Valkyries since they started in 2011, hasn’t played this season due to injury but continues to help out the team in any way she can.

The Valkyries again have a stellar coaching staff led by head coach Pat Barry, defensive coordinator Wyatt Carleton and offensive coordinator Caleb Dueck. The Valkyries players constantly make big improvements during practices and film sessions thanks to the outstanding work by the team’s coaches.

Behind the scenes, Valkyries general manager Michelle Duchene ensures all the administration and details off the field are never a worry.

The Valkyries are a group that always makes you feel good.

When adversity comes, you almost know and expect the Valkyries to find a way to persevere. Witnessing those types of storylines play out again brings back memories of their past season and feels right and familiar.

Jaime Lammerding (#21) will play her final game on Saturday.

For residents of Saskatoon, you know that the Valkyries are going to make you feel proud, and the chance to see them win the WWCFL title at home on Saturday is something that is too good to pass up.

If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.

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Hardy turned into party for Huskies and their fans

U of S wins 20^th Canada West football title in program history

The Huskies celebrate winning the Hardy Cup.

A home win hadn’t felt this good for a long time for all involved with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies football team.

On Saturday, the Huskies romped to a 45-17 victory over the Manitoba Bisons to capture the Hardy Cup to become Canada West Conference champions for the 20^th time in program history. A vocal, raucous, engaged and supportive crowd of 2,500 turned out at the Huskies long time storied home in Griffiths Stadium to revel and soak in the conference title win.

The win allowed the Huskies to capture the Canada West title for the second time in the past three seasons.

Adam Machart, right, tears upfield for the Huskies on a run.

With U Sports electing not to host any nationals and the Canada West season getting canceled in the 2020-21 campaign due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has gripped the world, the Huskies previous Canada West Championship win came on November 10, 2018, when they traveled to Calgary, Alta., and thumped the host University of Calgary Dinos 43-18.

However, it has been an even longer time since the Huskies and their faithful were able to enjoy a home conference championship win. 

Before Saturday, the last time the Huskies won the Canada West title at home came way back on November 12, 2005 when the Huskies downed the University of Alberta Golden Bears 30-17.

The fans at Griffiths Stadium cheer on the Huskies.

The 2,811 in attendance at Griffiths Stadium that day likely didn’t know 16 years would pass before the Huskies won the Canada West crown at home again. Back in 2005, the Huskies were carrying expectations to win the Hardy Cup and even the Vanier Cup as U Sports champions year in and year out.

In 2005, that Canada West title win was a primer to a heavyweight battle that was to come in the Huskies next home game, when they hosted the Universite Laval Rouge et Or in the U Sports semifinal Mitchell Bowl.

QB Jackson Tachinski had a rushing TD for the Bisons.

On November 19, 2005 in one of the all-time greatest games played at Griffiths Stadium and a U Sports all-time classic, the Huskies slipped past the Rouge et Or 29-27 before 5,147 spectators.

The Huskies advanced on to face the Wilfred Laurier University Golden Hawks in the Vanier Cup that was played on November 26, 2005 at Ivor Wynne Stadium in Hamilton, Ont., in a battle of undefeated 11-0 teams.

U of S fell in heartbreaking fashion 24-23, when Golden Hawks kicker Brian Devlin nailed a game-winning field goal from 32 yards out with 19 seconds to play in the contest.

Even with that end result in the Vanier Cup noted, the Huskies 2005 victory over the Rouge et Or in the Mitchell Bowl was the team’s biggest win at Griffiths Stadium until this season’s Huskies squad claimed the Hardy Cup on their fabled home field.

Michael Ritchott had a 53-yard TD run for the Bisons.

Add in the fact the Huskies weren’t able to take the field in 2020-21, the Dogs and their fans had every reason to feel elated and joyful over the win against the Bisons. The celebration was well deserved.

After winning the Canada West title in 2018, the Huskies fell in the Mitchell Bowl 47-24 to the host University of Western Ontario Mustangs in London, Ont.

Coming back in 2019, belief was high amongst the Huskies that they would win the Hardy Cup again and advance even further in the post-season. They faced the Dinos again in the Canada West final in Calgary, but fell this time 29-4.

The Dinos advanced on to win the Vanier Cup.

Riley Pickett celebrates making a sack for the Huskies.

Still, optimism was high surrounding the Huskies that the best was yet to come, and 2019 was a learning experience with the squad having to deal with some untimely key injuries. One of those injuries was an especially gruesome dislocated right ankle injury to star utility player Colton Klassen in the squad’s last game of the regular season.

When the 2020 football campaign was lost for the Huskies, one had to wonder who would be back in 2021 and what would the actual season look like?

Despite the questions and uncertainty, a number of key players returned to the team. All 10 Huskies players that were named Canada West all-stars for the 2021 campaign were returnees.

That included Klassen, quarterback Mason Nyhus, running back Adam Machart, receiver Sam Baker, centre Connor Berglof, right tackle Nick Summach, left tackle Noah Zerr, punter David Solie, and defensive ends Riley Pickett and Nathan Cherry.

Mason Nyhus threw two TD passes for the Huskies.

Solie handles all the Huskies place kicking duties along with the punting duties.

Credit goes to head coach Scott Flory for ensuring the strong culture that existed with legendary retired head coach Brian Towriss continued in the Huskies program in the current day to create an environment that players still wanted to comeback even with unprecedented uncertainties.

In a shortened six-game regular season, the Huskies topped the Canada West standings with a 5-1 record. They downed the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds 39-17 in a Canada West semifinal on November 13 to set up Saturday’s clash with the Bisons.

The Bisons finished second in the Canada West regular season with a 4-2 record and fought through lots of adversity themselves to get to the Canada West title game.

Adam Machart scores his first TD on a 10-yard reception.

They had to deal with more strict restrictions Manitoba had in place to battle the COVID-19 pandemic that created a later start on when they could get together as a team. Receivers coach Scott Naujoks passed away from cancer in late September and star fifth-year quarterback Des Catellier was lost to a campaign ending ankle injury in the Bisons first game of the regular season.

First year quarterback Jackson Tachinski took Catellier’s place as the starter.

Under veteran head coach Brian Dobie, the Bisons have traditionally found ways to play good with emotion.

They stormed out to a 16-0 lead in the first quarter on Saturday. Tachinski scored a touchdown on a one-yard quarterback sneak, the Huskies had to concede a safety due to a bad punt snap, and Bisons running back Michael Ritchott ripped off an electrifying 53-yard touchdown run in the image of Willard Reaves, who was the star running back of the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 1980s.

Sam Baker fends off a defender after making a catch.

Defensive back Arjay Shelley made a long return after an interception to set up Tachinski’s major.

Huskies supporters had to wonder if a Bisons upset was in the cards.

With just over five minutes to play in the first quarter, Pickett sacked Tachinski down at the Bisons one-yard line to force U of M to conceded a safety. While that only cut the Bisons lead to 16-2, Pickett’s play provided the traction moment to get the Huskies going.

That safety started a run that saw the Huskies score 38 points to take a 38-16 lead at the 6:45 mark of the fourth quarter.

In the second quarter, Machart hauled in a 10-yard touchdown catch from Nyhus and Solie booted a 44-yard field goal to trim the Bisons lead to 16-12 at halftime.

Lane Novak, left, returns an interception for the Huskies.

The Huskies took the lead for good, when Machart ran home a major score from three yards out to give the hosts a 19-16 advantage at the 4:01 mark of the third quarter. Machart added a four-yard touchdown run before the third quarter ended to increase the Huskies advantage to 26-16.

U of S started the fourth quarter forcing the Bisons to concede a safety, scoring a major on a 17-yard touchdown toss from Nyhus to Klassen and Solie hitting a field goal from 26 yards out to take a 38-16 lead.

The Bisons interrupted the scoring run with a long punt single from kicker Cole Sabourin to cut the Huskies advantage to 38-17.

Huskies rookie running back Ryker Frank concluded the game’s scoring with 50-yard sprint up the middle touchdown run.

Colton Klassen, right, celebrates his 17-yard TD reception.

Machart had a huge day carrying the ball 20 times for 223 yards and two touchdowns, while catching two passes for 28 yards and a major score. Frank almost broke the 100-yard mark in rushing carrying the ball seven times for 97 yards to go with his major score.

Nyhus completed 20-of-31 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns, while throwing one interception.

Cherry and linebacker Seth Hundeby had sacks for the Huskies. Linebacker Lane Novak, defensive backs Nixen Voll and Cam Skinner each had single interceptions for U of S.

The Bisons, who finished the campaign with a 5-3 overall record, were limited to 288 yards of total offence as a team for the contest.

The Griffiths Stadium faithful salutes the Huskies at game’s end.

When the Huskies were pouring on the points, the crowd at Griffiths Stadium cheered louder than it had all season. The park had quite the atmosphere, and at the final gun, all on the Huskies side were enjoying the day.

After the trophy presentation, the Huskies players celebrated with their families, who came on to the field. Many pictures were taken on camera phones as the moment was soaked in on the field for a lengthy stretch of time.

Now, the Huskies will hit the road to Montreal, Quebec, to face the Universite de Montreal Carabins (9-1 overall) in the U Sports semifinal Uteck Bowl this coming Saturday.

Clovis Lumeka, left, and Adam Machart, centre, receive the Hardy Cup.

The Carabins will be well rested as they knocked off the Rouge et Or 28-19 in Dunsmore Cup on November 14 to become champions of the Reseau du Sport Etudiant du Quebec.

With that noted, the Huskies win Saturday over the Bisons to capture the Hardy Cup at home was a big moment for the team, especially in recent history.

It might spring the Huskies, who are 7-1 overall, to bigger moments and wins over the next two weekends even with the rest and home field advantage the Carabins will have.

The Huskies raise the Hardy Cup as Canada West champs.

Still with what the Huskies have already been able to accomplish, they’ve shown the team is back on track successfully navigating the unprecedented hurdles brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The celebrations and good vibes that took place at Griffiths Stadium were a fitting memory to create.

If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.

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If you like what you see here, you might want to donate to the cause to keep independent media like this blog going. Should you choose to help out, feel free to click on the DONATE button in the upper right corner. Thank you for stopping in.