McCorriston arrives at perfect time for Valkyries

Grace McCorriston hauls in a TD catch for the Valkyries.

Grace McCorriston was ready for the opportunities the hand of fate sent her way in the kicking and receiving games with the Saskatoon Valkyries.

McCorriston played flag football when she was really young before moving over to play soccer for a lengthy period of time. After graduating from Centennial Collegiate, McCorriston started studying in the education program at the University of Saskatchewan.

She wanted to get back into football after watching her boyfriend and now fiancé in Zach Moehler play receiver for the CJFL powerhouse Saskatoon Hilltops. Moehler was with the Hilltops from 2018 to 2021 helping them win CJFL championships in his first two seasons.

McCorriston decided she wanted to join the Valkyries, who are a powerhouse squad in the WWCFL. Originally, McCorriston focused on playing receiver like Moehler. She wanted to wear number 81 like Moehler did with the Hilltops, but she elected to wear #82 as #81 was taken by Valkyries star veteran receiver Rachelle Smith.

Along with becoming a receiver, McCorriston decided to give the kicking game a try with the place kicker and punting positions due to her soccer background.

“I found that when I was younger I could catch the ball quite well,” said McCorriston, who recently graduated from the U of S with her bachelor of education. “I thought I would give it a try.

“That was how I got into receiving. Kicking, definitely the soccer background I knew that I could kick that ball if I needed to and get good at it, if I practised.”

Now in her third season with the team, the 22-year-old is a starting receiver and the squad’s main place kicker and punter. McCorriston first joined the Valkyries for their winter workouts at the start of 2020.

Grace McCorriston (#82) boots a field goal for the Valkyries.

Things came to a halt on that front in March of 2020 as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic gripped the world. The 2020 WWCFL campaign was ultimately cancelled.

The Valkyries got back to practising in 2021, and while the WWCFL campaign was again cancelled that year, they were able to face the Regina Riot in a three-game exhibition series in July of that year. McCorriston said the practices and those contests provided a valuable opportunity to learn and gain experience playing the game.

“It was very new,” said McCorriston, who stands 5-foot-6. “I had a lot to get used to.

“I think the hardest part was blocking and also memorizing all the different calls and what everything meant and different positions and what they meant and how to do those. It was a big eye-opener for me, because tackle football is very much different than soccer and very much different than flag football. It was a huge adjustment, but so far it has turned out pretty good.”

McCorriston received a sizable amount of reps in the kicking game along with running back Drew Lundquist and played receiver during that three-game series in 2021. At the time, Valkyries all-time great running back Sam Matheson and veteran star defensive back Rienna Rueve were penciled in to be part of the kicking game having done those roles at various times during their playing careers with the Valkyries.

When the WWCFL returned to full regular season play in 2022, Matheson was lost to a season ending knee injury in the team’s second regular season game and elected not to return to the club this season. Rueve only played half of the regular season games in 2022, but suited up for all the team’s post-season contests.

Due to some minor nagging injuries, Rueve didn’t take part in the kicking game as much as she did in the past where she often handled the majority of the punting duties. As a result, McCorriston and Lundquist handled a bigger part of the kicking game, where McCorriston took the majority of the field goal opportunities.

“It was definitely something that someone had to step up,” said McCorriston. “I feel like anybody would have, but I think I knew that I had it in me that I could do it.

Grace McCorriston unload a punt for the Valkyries.

“With that when I take things on, I tend to work at it and push to achieve what I want to achieve. Doing that in that season, I used a lot of Rienna’s techniques and all her advice. She helped me quite a bit in the start, and then she kind of eased off more and more.

“I used her words of kindness and wise words to help me out.”

Valkyries head coach Pat Barry said the fact McCorriston could handle all the field goal kicks played a big part in helping the team win a seventh WWCFL title in 2022. As both Matheson and Rueve didn’t rejoin the team this season, McCorriston has handled the Valkyries punting and field goal kicking.

With the departure of team’s two star veterans in Matheson and Rueve, Barry was thankful McCorriston became as proficient in the kicking game as quickly as she did.

“It was a big deal,” said Barry. “She is working her way to being an excellent kicker.

“She is doing punting and place kicking. Drew (Lundquist) still does our kickoffs. It is something to see her (McCorriston) grow as a kicker.

“It is just impressive.”

McCorriston said another thing that helped her with her skills in the kicking game was the fact she got to practise with the Rylan Kleiter, who was the Hilltops proficient kicker who graduated from the team following their 2019 CJFL championship win. Moehler helped set up McCorriston’s practice sessions with Kleiter, when McCorriston was starting out with learning the kicking skills in football.

“Kleiter gave me some pointers and tips on how to properly kick the ball,” said McCorriston. “So far, I’ve taken what he has told me and taught me and rolled with it and it has worked pretty well.”

The highlight of playing for the Valkyries so far for McCorriston was helping them win the WWCFL title game last year. In the Valkyries 36-6 WWCFL title game win over the Winnipeg-based Manitoba Fearless on June 25, 2022 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, McCorriston caught a 16-yard touchdown pass and booted a field goal from 30 yards out.

Grace McCorriston (#82) took on kicking upon joining the Valkyries. 

“It was unreal,” said McCorriston. “It is amazing to be part of this team and the dynamic that we have.

“The winning is also very fun. I’ve never experienced a loss with this team, so if that were to ever happen, I’m not even sure what kind of feelings I would feel.”

McCorriston believes she has had an overall better season 2023 due to the game experience she gained in her previous two years with the team. With the Valkyries having topped the WWCFL’s Prairie Conference with a 4-0 record in the regular season, McCorriston is looking forward to the post-season.

The Valkyries host the Prairie Conference final against the Regina Riot, who were 2-2 in regular season play, at Saskatoon Minor Football Field on either Saturday, June 17 or Sunday, June 18 at a time to be announced. Saskatoon advanced to the Prairie Conference title game thanks to a forfeit victory over the Winnipeg Wolfpack.

The Riot downed the Fearless 26-13 in a quarter-final contest on Saturday at Mosaic Stadium in Regina to get to the Prairie Conference final.

The Western Conference final will see the Calgary Rage, who were 3-0 in the regular season, host the Edmonton Storm, who were 2-1 in the regular season, on either Saturday, June 17 or Sunday, June 18 in Calgary at a place and time to be announced.

The conference championship game winners will advance to the WWCFL Championship Game that will be hosted in Saskatoon on Saturday, June 24 at 2 p.m. at Griffiths Stadium.

McCorriston wants to help her club finish out the 2023 campaign with anther league title win.

“It feels like the stakes are a little bit higher,” said McCorriston. “I know that we have a good support system and the fans are great.

Grace McCorriston (#82) makes a TD catch in the 2022 WWCFL final.

“I think that we have a good chance going in. I think that if we keep playing our game and we keep our heads held high and play football how we know how to play I think we will do just fine.”

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Sader finds her groove on Valkyries defence

Saskatoon closes WWCFL regular season at 4-0

Makayla Sader (#8) is making her mark with the Valkyries defence.

For Makayla Sader, it was worth the wait to finally join the Saskatoon Valkyries.

Growing up just north of Saskatoon in the centre Martensville, Sader took part in all sorts of sports. She focused on figure skating for a time in her childhood years, and she took part in basketball, soccer and track and field in high school.

Out of all the sports she participated in, one sport interested Sader to the point she wanted to continue it past high school.

“In high school, I played flag, and I really liked it,” said Sader, who is a Valkyries defensive back. “I actually injured my knee, and I needed surgery.

“I kind of took a few years off, but I did want to play Valkyries. Because of my knee injury, I was scared, because it is contact.”

On Saturday night, Sader and the Valkyries closed out their WWCFL regular season schedule downing the Regina Riot 33-14 at Mosaic Stadium in Regina. Sader had four total tackles and fumble recovery in that encounter with the Riot. 

The Valkyries already had first place in the WWCFL’s Prairie Conference locked up going into Saturday’s contest and now exit the regular season with a 4-0 record. Saskatoon will host the Winnipeg Wolfpack (0-3) in a WWCFL quarter-final at Saskatoon Minor Football Field on Sunday, June 12 at 1 p.m.

The Riot fall to 1-3 to close the regular season and will finish third in the Prairie Conference. They will travel to Winnipeg to face the Manitoba Fearless (2-1) in another WWCFL quarter-final at a date and time to be announced.

The Fearless and Wolfpack meet on Sunday in Winnipeg to close the respective regular season schedules for both of those clubs.

Back in 2018, Sader graduated from Martensville High School, and due to focusing on healing up her knee, she elected to not join the Valkyries in 2019, when they won their sixth WWCFL championship in team history. 

Makayla Sader (#8) was a Valkyries running back in 2021.

The 2020 WWCFL campaign was cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that gripped the world.

The Valkyries were able to get back on the field in 2021 taking on the Regina Riot in a three-game exhibition series. Sader’s boyfriend and fellow Martensville product, Carter Dyck, joined the Valkyries as a position coach for that three-game exhibition series.

Dyck, who member of the CJFL’s Saskatoon Hilltops in 2018, convinced Sader that the three-game series with the Riot would be an excellent time to join the Valkyries, and she dressed as a running back for that three-game set.

“It is a good group of girls to play with for sure,” said Sader, who stands 5-foot-6. “I felt very welcomed.

“I liked how high intensity it was. I didn’t know what to expect if it was going to be more slack, or if it was going to be pretty aggressive. It was actually a pretty aggressive team, which was awesome.

“Everybody gives a 100 per cent effort, and that is what I really liked about it.”

In the second game of that series played on July 16, 2021 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, Sader got to see some decent action carrying the ball seven times for 38 yards and scoring one touchdown in a 42-7 Valkyries victory. The playing time she did receive gave her the itch to return to the Valkyries in 2022 for a full WWCFL campaign.

“I just really wanted to try like an actual season,” said Sader. “Last year wasn’t really a season.

“We played three games against the same team in Regina. I think we really only had like maybe two months of football.”

At first, the 21-year-old thought she was going to play running back in her second year with the team. Due to the fact the Valkyries were returning veteran star running backs Sam Matheson and Sarah Wright for the 2022 campaign, the team’s coaching staff was looking for a better way to get Sader on the field.

Makayla Sader (#8) is piling up the tackles on defence.

They pitched the idea to her about converting to a defensive back, and Sader jumped at the opportunity to see the field more often. Sader had her biggest outing in the Valkyries third regular season game on May 28 leading the team with 7.5 total tackles when they downed the Riot 46-7 at SMF Field.

“When you think about that, she (Sader) has played three games of defence in her life,” said Valkyries head coach Pat Barry about that contest. “I think she had seven-and-a-half tackles, which was unbelievable.

“That is hard to do as a defensive back. It was an impressive game she had. She is picking it up quick.

“Clovis (Lumeka) our defensive backs coach is really pleased with how she is doing.”

Sader quickly became fond of playing defence, especially the tackling and physical play on that side of the ball.

“I’m really liking it,” said Sader. “It is a lot more aggressive on that end.

“I’m not the punching bag I have to be (as a running back). Of course, I’m punching the bag, so it is way more fun.”

Barry said Sader is doing well in pass coverage too.

“In practices, she is jumping routes,” said Barry. “She is anticipating throws already, which is exciting for a young player.”

Sader said she encountered a huge learning curve during her first two games playing defensive back. She felt comfortable in the May 28 win over the Riot and was able to clue into what the Riot were doing strategically on offence.

“We just focused on a lot more on what I was struggling with in the games,” said Sader. “Honestly, the second half was a lot better for me than the first half, because I kind of figured out the team a little bit better.

Makayla Sader (#8) enjoys making big hits on defence.

“After they run a few plays, you can kind of pick up what they are doing. Something just clicked. I read the game a lot better.”

Sader also enjoys the family feeling that exist in the Valkyries team unit.

“It is sweet,” said Sader. “I feel like a lot of the sports that I played have been awesome.

“There is something about this group of girls. We’re just a lot closer and tight knit. Everybody gets along.

“I’ve never had any issues with any of these girls. I think that is huge when it comes to a group of girls. Definitely, everybody getting along and being able to play together and have a good competitive side is just huge.”

Going forward, Sader is excited to take part in her first post-season with the Valkyries. She would like to help them win a seventh WWCFL title this season.

Saskatoon is scheduled to host the WWCFL championship game on June 25 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field with an expected start time of 1 p.m.

When this season wraps up, Sader plans to continue play for the Valkyries for the foreseeable future.

“I definitely plan to come back,” said Sader. “I think I will for sure play for at least a few more years if not more than that.

“Growing up, I never had a really full aggressive sport that I had to play. Soccer was as close as it got. This is kind of right up my alley.

Makayla Sader (#8) loves the upbeat vibe the Valkyries have.

“I’m definitely coming back next year for sure.”

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Perfection for Valkyries at 9-0, Blitz fall in exhibition clash

Alex Eyolfson (#15) smiles after making a touchdown reception.

    Alex Eyolfson hoped the good times would never end.

    The fourth-year quarterback was star attraction for the Saskatoon Valkyries on Saturday afternoon at Saskatoon Minor Football Field as they capped a perfect season with a 9-0 overall record.

    Eyolfson completed 11-of-20 passes for 299 yards, three touchdowns and had no interceptions in a 39-12 exhibition victory over the Montreal Blitz. She also had a touchdown reception on a quarterback throwback gadget play to go along with her passing efforts.

    “It was fun,” said Eyolfson. “I was throwing the ball lots, and I got a touchdown and that was fun.”

    The 21-year-old wanted to make good on the trick play after failing to finish it during the Valkyries 25-3 victory over the host Regina Riot in the WWCFL title game on June 29 at Mosaic Stadium.

Alex Eyolfson threw for 299 yards and three touchdowns on Saturday.

    On the gadget play in question, Eyolfson hands the ball off to a running back, who gives it to slotback Reed Thorstad for a reverse handoff. Thorstad is the Valkyries other talented quarterback.

    When Thorstad gets the ball, she throws it Eyolfson, who by that time is running a streak pattern down the sideline. In Regina, Eyolfson caught the pass, but fumbled the ball and managed to recover it.

    Against the Blitz on Saturday, the Valkyries executed the play perfectly with 6:51 expired in the second quarter. Eyolfson was wide open when she caught Thorstad’s pass and went into the end zone untouched on a 23-yard reception to give Saskatoon a 15-6 lead.

    “I caught the ball,” said a gleeful Eyolfson. “I just held on to the ball really tight.”

    Eyolfson’s touchdown reception came at a time when the Valkyries really started to roll.

Ricki Obed is set to take off on a 96-yard touchdown reception.

    Saskatoon exited the first quarter with a 1-0 lead on a 32-yard punt single from safety Rienna Rueve.

    The Blitz jumped ahead 6-1 with 2:44 expired in the second quarter when star quarterback Maude Lacasse capped a long touchdown drive with a one-yard sneak play. Montreal’s ensuing two-point convert attempt was unsuccessful.

    Just 63 seconds after that score, Eyolfson hit star running back Sam Matheson on a screen pass, and Matheson broke about four tackles on 37-yard touchdown reception that gave the Valkyries an 8-6 edge.

    After Eyolfson’s touchdown catch gave the Valkyries a 15-6 lead, the Blitz looked to have gotten back in the game, when Lacasse hit star receiver Anrelie D’anjou Drouin on a 37-yard bomb pass for a major score. D’anjou Drouin’s score was taken off the board, when the officials ruled she was offside on the play.

Maude Lacasse threw for 343 yards for the Blitz.

    Montreal’s drive continued, but it ultimately stalled on the Valkyries 14 yard line.

    On the first play of the ensuing Saskatoon possession, Eyolfson hit fourth-year receiver Ricki Obed on a deep flag pattern on the left side of the field. Obed raced the rest of the way for a 96-yard major score to give the Valkyries a 22-6 advantage.

    Obed finished the contest with three receptions for 107 yards to go with her one touchdown.

    “That was awesome,” said Eyolfson. “I kind of threw it to a spot, and she (Obed) just came out of nowhere and just ran it.

    “It was definitely a turning point I think. We used that as motivation. We kind of got a spark going.”

    With 45 seconds remaining first half, the Blitz capped another long drive with a one-yard touchdown run from running back Emilie Belanger to cut the Valkyries lead to 22-12. 

Emilie Belanger, right, runs in a one-yard touchdown for the Blitz.

    Montreal was unsuccessful at trying a second two-point conversion attempt.

    The Valkyries pulled away in the game’s second half. Early in the third quarter, Matheson caught another screen pass from Eyolfson and dashed 49 yards for a second touchdown reception.

    In the fourth quarter, Carmen Agar ran the ball in from a yard out for the Valkyries final touchdown to put the hosts up 36-12. Agar topped the Valkyries in rushing with 43 yards on six carries.

    Rueve hit a 12-yard field goal late in the fourth to round out the game’s scoring.

    Lacasse finished the contest completing 26-of-47 passes for 343 yards to go along with two interceptions. She ran the ball nine times for 60 yards.

    The Blitz, who were formed in 2001, played out of women’s tackle leagues in the United States for most of their history. 

Aurelie D’anjou Drouin, right, makes a deep catch for the Blitz.

    They have been playing a schedule of exhibition contests last season and this season while trying to find another league to compete in.

    Lacasse, who has played for Canada’s national women’s tackle football team, enjoyed Saturday’s contest despite the final outcome on the scoreboard.

    “It was awesome,” said Lacasse. “Honestly, it is awesome for us to come and play a good game.

    “If we had a real season with these kinds of games every time, I feel like we would have been way better today. That was the first time this season that we had to play against a great team. I think if we had games like this all the time we would get much better.”

Emmarae Dale (#45) had 12.5 total tackles for the Valkyries.

    The pass-happy Blitz provided a different challenge to the Valkyries, who usually face opponents that are more run oriented.

    Rueve, who had both interceptions off Lacasse, said the Valkyries defensive backs enjoyed being really active in Saturday’s contest.

    “It is fun for us,” said Rueve, who is in her eighth season with the Valkyries. “We are used to going against some teams who don’t throw very much.

    “For us as defensive backs, it’s nothing but fun. You have an opportunity to get beat now and then, especially when you have a quarterback who can look you off like she (Lacasse) does. It is what I would ask for.”

    D’anjou Drouin led all receivers catching 12 passes for 197 yards. The Blitz had 93 yards rushing as a team to go with Lacasse’s 343 yards through the air for 436 yards of gross offence.

Sam Matheson (#22) breaks a tackle to score a major on a 49-yard catch.

    The Valkyries dominated in the turnover department recording seven takeaways on three fumble recoveries, two interceptions and two turnovers on downs.
    The Blitz had one takeaway coming off a turnover on downs.

    Middle linebacker Emmarae Dale topped all players with 12.5 total tackles, while recovering a fumble and sharing a sack with rookie defensive end Danaye Holynski.

    “We rallied when we needed to,” said Rueve. “I feel like we kind of put everybody in spots where we needed too, and (we played) bend don’t break.”

    Overall, Valkyries head coach Pat Barry was pleased with Saturday’s season-ending contest for his club.

    “It was pretty exciting,” said Barry. “We knew it was going to be one of our most competitive games and it was.

    “They (the Blitz) are a very talented football team. We’ve never seen a quarterback like that who can make every throw on the field and look off our safety. She (Lacasse) is extremely talented.”

Rienna Rueve (#7) returns a punt for the Valkyries.

    The Valkyries were pumped they were able to complete the 2019 campaign with a perfect 9-0 record. The milestone came in a season that they had dedicated to their late defensive position coach Justin Filteau, who passed away in a plane crash on June 1.

    The nine overall games the Valkyries played in the 2019 were the most contests the squad hit the field for in one campaign.
    It started back on March 23 with a 34-6 victory over the Sin City Trojans in and exhibition game in Las Vegas, Nevada. 
    The Valkyries won their sixth WWCFL title when they downed the Riot in this year’s the league final.
    Saturday’s win provided a perfect cap to the season.

    “It is ridiculously unreal,” said Rueve. “To go 9-0 in a season and to be healthy, you can’t ask for much more.”

The Valkyries celebrate finishing 9-0 overall in 2019.

    “That is really exciting,” said Barry. “It is hard to do.

    “Nine football games is a lot. We’re ready for a break now. It has been a great season.”

    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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Matheson cherishes MVP season with Valkyries, ready for curtain call game against Blitz

Sam Matheson had an MVP comeback campaign for the Valkyries.

    Sam Matheson is the Emmitt Smith of the Saskatoon Valkyries.

    When she returned after a year off to play her fifth season as a running back, it was a big boost for the powerhouse WWCFL team. Her playing style mirrors that of the retired Football Hall-of-Fame running back from the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys in Smith.

    Matheson runs tough between the tackles and is a deadly pass catcher out of the backfield. She sat out the 2018 campaign to allow her body to heal from various injuries.

Sam Matheson (#22) powers her way to a touchdown.

    The 24-year-old was named the Valkyries most valuable player for the 2019 season. She played a key role in helping the club post an 8-0 overall record.

    The Valkyries won the Western Women’s Canadian Football League title 25-3 over the host Regina Riot last Saturday at Mosaic Stadium. In that contest, Matheson ran the ball 21 times for 176 yards and scored two touchdowns.

    “Honesty coming into this year, I really didn’t know what to expect (after) a year off,” said Matheson. “My body definitely felt better than it had in previous years.

    “I felt coming into the first game I was a little lost as to how to play again. I think I quickly found my footing, and it turned out to be such a fun year.”

    It was a fun year, but it was challenging season too in an unforeseen way. On June 1, Valkyries defensive position coach Justin Filteau passed away tragically in a plane crash a day before the squad’s final regular season game.

Sam Matheson, left, ran for 176 yards in the WWCFL title game.

    The Valkyries dedicated their season to Filteau and proceeded to win the WWCFL title. Matheson helped the Valkyries win WWCFL titles in 2014 and 2016 and noted this year’s win was obviously the most unique.

    “I know it was a very hard year for our team considering the circumstances, but it brought us all together so much closer,” said Matheson. “It made winning the championship so much more special this year.”

    With the WWCFL championship trophy in their hands, Matheson and the Valkyries are set to take the field for a curtain call to close the 2019 campaign. On Saturday, they host the Montreal Blitz at 1 p.m. in an exhibition contest at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

Sam Matheson (#22) is congratulated after a touchdown run.

    The Blitz were formed in 2001, and they have played mainly out of leagues based in the United States. In 2012, the Blitz defeated the Sacramento Sirens 28-27 in the championship game in the top tier of the Independent Women’s Football League.

    The Blitz are playing various Canadian teams in exhibition contests this season.

    Montreal’s roster contains star quarterback Maude Lacasse and Emilie Belanger, who plays running back and linebacker. Belanger was a member of Riot when they won the WWCFL title in 2017.

    Matheson knows some of Montreal’s players having played against them as a member of Saskatchewan’s provincial team and with them as a member of Canada’s national women’s tackle football team.

Maude Lacasse is one of the stars of the Blitz.

    “I think it will be really fun,” said Matheson. “I think this is a really good opportunity for them to come together, and it is a really good opportunity for us too.

    “I know that those girls are amazing players, and I’m so excited to have some really hard competition tomorrow.”

    Following the win in the WWCFL title game, Matheson didn’t expect to be named her team’s MVP for the season during the post-game festivities. She took the honour as a nice bonus.

    “I think in the off-season I did work pretty hard,” said Matheson. “Coming back into this year, I knew my body was in pretty tip top shape.

    “It has been better than it has been in previous years.”

    Valkyries head coach Pat Barry said it was big to have Matheson back on the team. He was impressed with how well she played in her comeback season.

    “She’s a dynamic player,” said Barry. “She’s someone that I am very proud of.

    “She’s an explosive athlete, a Team Canada member. I’m so pleased she is on our team.”

    The sideline boss is looking forward to seeing how his team matches up against the Blitz. As this is an exhibition game, five members of the Riot are joining the Valkyries for this one contest.

Sam Matheson (#22) was happy to celebrate her third WWCFL title win.

    Barry believes the exhibition clash will provide a good memory for everyone who is involved with the contest.

    “It is a unique experience,” said Barry. “They are not normally in Saskatchewan, and we don’t normally host them.

    “It is a really unique experience, and we’re proud to host them here at this great facility here at SMF Field.”

    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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Valkyries resolve remarkable

The Valkyries won their sixth WWCFL title in memory of Justin Filteau.

    The Saskatoon Valkyries had a season that could have come off the rails, but they were able to rally around an unexpected tragedy.

    The Valkyries came in with a team in 2019 capable of winning the Western Women’s Canadian Football League title for the first time since 2016.

    On May 11, the Valkyries downed the Regina Riot 38-13 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field ending a four game head-to-head skid against their provincial rivals. The Riot won the WWCFL title in back-to-back years in 2017 and 2018.

    The Valkyries rolled to a 4-0 start that included winning a pre-season game in Las Vegas and had first place in the Prairie Conference locked up going into their final regular season game on June 2 against the Riot in Regina.

The late Justin Filteau, left, during a Valkyries win on May 11.

    At that moment, the unthinkable happened on the night of June 1 involving the team’s beloved defensive line coach Justin Filteau.

    Filteau was in Medicine Hat, Alta., and boarded a small American Aviation AA-5B plane with Moose Jaw, Sask., residents Jim Wilk and Kerry DePape. All three visited Medicine Hat for a bachelor party for Wilk’s son, who was marrying DePape’s daughter.

    Shortly after takeoff, the plane crashed east of Medicine Hat, and all three men perished in the crash.

    Filteau, who was just 26 years of age, was supposed to fly into Moose Jaw and drive out to Regina on Sunday to coach with the Valkyries in their final regular season game against the Riot.

    The Valkyries found out about the tragedy before they hit the field that day.

    Filteau had deep ties to the football community in Saskatchewan, especially in Saskatoon where he played for the CJFL’s Hilltops (2010-14) and the Huskies (2015-17) in the U Sports ranks. He joined the Valkyries originally as a linebackers coach in 2017.

Alex Eyolfson’s leadership ability continues to grow with the Valkyries.

    He had deep ties to the provincial judo community as well and was honoured with a posthumous presentation of his black belt at is celebration of life on June 14.

    For the Valkyries, they had to deal with the fact one of the coaches held so closely in the hearts of everyone involved with the team was suddenly no longer there, when a season was in progress.

    On that June 2^nd day, it would have been understandable if the Valkyries lost that game or their season came to a crashing end. Instead, the Valkyries took the Mosaic Stadium turf that day holding hands vowing to play the rest of the season to honour their late coach.

    At that moment, the hashtag term “#ForFilteau” was born.

Sam Matheson (#22) was in prime form returning after a year off.

    The Valkyries came away with a 22-7 victory that day.

    Into the playoffs the team went. Players wore “JF” stickers on their helmets and often inscribed the “#45” Filteau wore with the Hilltops and Huskies on their uniforms.

    The team’s coaches and support staff made up “Filteau’s the Worst” T-shirts, which they wore during games. They also inscribed the initials “JF” and “#45” on various spots of their clothes.

    The Valkyries players gave Filteau that exact T-shirt as a joke gift during the team’s wrap up banquet in 2017, and he loved it.

    Saskatoon opened the post-season blanking the Winnipeg Wolfpack 66-0 on June 9 at SMF Field.

Danaye Holynski (#55) impressed in her rookie season with the Valkyries.

    The Valkyries dumped the Lethbridge Steel 53-0 in a semifinal match on June 23 at SMF Field.

    Last Saturday, the Valkyries won their sixth WWCFL title with a 25-3 victory over the host Riot in Regina. Saskatoon received a pre-game message from Nancy Filteau, who is Justin’s mother, to go out and have fun.

    Following the game, the Valkyries brought Ron Filteau, who is Justin’s father, on the field for the celebrations. There was a group hug with the team, and a team picture with the trophy.

    The team also present Ron with a game ball that was signed by every member of the club from the win on June 2.

    The Valkyries had so many great storylines to help build their 8-0 overall record.

Valkyries staffers and coaches wore “Filteau’s the Worst” T-shirts.

    Quarterback Alex Eyolfson at age21 has become a leader in the image of former San Francisco 49ers great Steve Young. If one of her receivers had a drop or someone on her offensive unit had a bad play, she is there immediately talking to them to pick them up.

    In those moments, the players Eyolfson talked with got uplifted right away. It was fitting that she was named MVP of the WWCFL title game for her team.

    Star running back Sam Matheson returned after a year off to allow her body to heal. She ran in prime form and was named the Valkyries season MVP.

    Rookie Haley Girolami turned in some strong performances in the post-season as a receiver.

    The starting offensive line of right tackle Betsy Mawdsley, right guard Lauren Ferguson, centre Eden Rakochy, left guard Ashley Viklund and left tackle Alyssa Funk were dominant in the trenches.

Members of the Valkyries offensive line push Riot players into the end zone.

    The defence was anchored by playmaking middle linebacker Emmarae Dale, while rookie defensive end Danaye Holynski emerged as a dominant force on the field.

    Long time Veterans Jaime Lammerding, Beth Lalonde and Ehjae Chan provided a steady hand on the defensive side of the ball.

    Rookie defensive back Kori Herner showed she could win at football too like she did with hockey and softball.

    Head coach Pat Barry and his staff did a marvelous job navigating the team through tough waters you don’t expect.
    Offensive coordinator Jordan Walls and defensive coordinator Wyatt Carleton shined as play callers.

Ron Filteau, left, walks to the field with Jordan Walls.

    Of course, the 2019 campaign will always be remembered as the season the Valkyries rallied to honour the memory of Justin Filteau.
    This WWCFL title win was unlike the five others the team had.

    Even now, everyone involved with the team is still dealing with Filteau’s loss in their own way, and they are at different points in the process of healing and moving forward.

    They have one more game to play. This coming Saturday at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Valkyries will host the Montreal Blitz in an exhibition game.
    It will be a curtain call opportunity for the Valkyries and their fans to salute all that the team accomplished in 2019.

The WWCFL champion Valkyries pose for a team picture with Ron Filteau.

    They have to know that somewhere Filteau is smiling with pride of what the Valkyries were able to do.

    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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Herner experienced season like no other with Valkyries

Kori Herner (#27) secures an interception for the Valkyries.

    REGINA, Sask. - Kori Herner’s rookie campaign with the Saskatoon Valkyries was a season that was unique to any she had encountered in team sports.

    Herner is associated the most with the sports of hockey and softball. In hockey, she played for the Saskatoon Stars female midget AAA team for two seasons from 2011 to 2013 and was the club’s captain in her final campaign.

    Following her time with the Stars, Herner played five seasons with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies women’s hockey team from 2013 to 2018, and she helped them win a Canada West Conference title and a bronze at U Sports nationals as a rookie in 2013-14.

    The Kindersley, Sask., product has been coaching in both hockey and softball since her Huskies playing days wrapped up.

    With the competitive juices still flowing to be a player, Herner was persuaded to join the Valkyries, who are a powerhouse team in the Western Women’s Canadian Football League, by the squad’s head coach, Pat Barry, and veteran safety, Rienna Rueve.

    Herner, who recently turned 24-years-old, never played competitive tackle football before. She became a starting defensive halfback for the Valkyries and aided them in capturing the WWCFL title with a 25-3 victory over the host Regina Riot on Saturday at Mosaic Stadium.

    Besides learning a new sport and the ins and outs of the nine-year-old WWCFL, Herner dealt for the first time ever of the sudden passing of one of her team’s coaches as the season was in progress.

Kori Herner tries to rip away from a Riot tackler.

    On June 1, Valkyries defensive position coach Justin Filteau passed away in a plane crash. Filteau joined the Valkyries coaching staff in 2017 as a linebackers coach and was a defensive line coach this season.

    “We went through a really hard time, but I think overall it brought us closer together,” said Herner. “We did it for (Justin) Filteau.

    “We wanted to win this championship for Filteau. Everything we did and every play we did, everything was for him. I think that is what drove us to win this game.”

    In Saturday’s WWCFL title game, Herner had one of the key turning point plays that ultimately turned the contest in favour of the Valkyries.

    With Saskatoon holding a slim 1-0 lead over Regina in the second quarter, Herner intercepted Riot star quarterback Aimee Kowalski setting up the Valkyries in Regina’s half of the field.

    On the ensuing offensive series, the Valkyries manufactured a scoring drive that was capped by a four-yard rushing touchdown by star running back Sam Matheson.

    “It was pretty sick,” said Herner, whose team has an 8-0 overall record. “We talked before, and I said I wanted to get another one against Regina.

    “I did when we played them at home. I just saw it coming, and it was just right there. It was a good feeling. It was great.”

Kori Herner (#27) is all focus after a pick by Ehjae Chan, middle.

    Herner, who stands 5-foot-5, had an interception off Kowalski back on May 11, when the Valkyries downed the Riot 38-13 in a regular season encounter at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

    Going into those games against the Riot, Herner was oblivious to the fact Kowalski was a career member of the Riot, who has played on Saskatchewan’s provincial and Canada’s national women’s tackle football teams.

    Herner said not knowing the reputations players had in the WWCFL might have slightly helped her, but she doesn’t overly concern herself on that front.

    “I just came to play,” said Herner. “Not really knowing a lot about her (Kowalski), it doesn’t really matter either way, if I did or didn’t.

    “I just went and did my job.”

    Barry was happy Herner elected to join the Valkyries this season. The sideline boss was proud to see Herner step up in a big moment.

    “It was a big factor for sure,” said Barry. “It did switch the momentum.

    “They were starting to make some plays. It was a big play. She is a first year player, and it was pretty exciting to have her make that play.”

Kori Herner (#27) enjoys a WWCFL title win with her teammates.

    Herner worked with both Barry and Rueve as a teaching intern at Walter Murray Collegiate. Barry and Rueve are both teachers at that Saskatoon high school.

    Herner and Rueve also played flag football together during the winter.

    Barry and Rueve kept selling Herner on the Valkyries and telling her the squad had a road trip to Las Vegas for an exhibition game. That turned out to be one of the selling points that helped bring Herner to the club.

    In that March 23 pre-season game, Herner played linebacker helping the Valkyries post a 34-6 victory over the Sin City Trojans.

    “Off the hop, I was pretty nervous,” said Herner, who earned her kinesiology and education degrees from the U of S. “I didn’t know a lot about football.

    “I didn’t know what to expect. They (the coaches) related everything to hockey. It just started making sense to me.

    “I really enjoyed it.”

    Herner found that she was good fit at defensive back. She said Valkyries defensive backs coach James Vause was really good at teaching the ins and outs of the position.

    Vause played safety for the Saskatoon Hilltops on four straight Canadian Junior Football League championship teams from 2014 to 2017, and he is currently a safety with the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds football team in the U Sports ranks.

Kori Herner and the Valkyries are all smiles after their WWCFL title win.

    Herner was pumped to be part of a Valkyries league championship winner in her first campaign with the team.

    “F*&^$&# awesome,” said Herner. “It was nice.

    “Before, I was talking to my grandpa and how he always bugs me. He is like, ‘You’ve won so many championships.’ I’ve never won a football one before, so that would be nice to add to the shelves.”

    The Valkyries will hit the field for one more game before their 2019 campaign comes to an end.

    This coming Saturday, they host the Montreal Blitz at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field in an exhibition contest. The Blitz play out of a women’s league in the United States.

    When that contest concludes, the question posed to Herner was would she return to the Valkyries in 2020 for a sophomore season?

    She is teaching at Bedford Road Collegiate as well as continuing to coach hockey and softball.
    Herner is an assistant coach for Saskatchewan’s under-16 female team provincial hockey team, and she is taking on an assistant coach role with the Stars.

    With all that going on, Herner expects she will return to the Valkyries next season.

Kori Herner (#27) enjoys a fun moment with the Valkyries DBs.

    “I am pretty busy with playing ball and coaching hockey,” said Herner. “I want to come back.

“I will make time.”

    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.