Last dance in 2024 for Valkyries versus Riot rivalry

Provincial foes go at it for WWCFL championship

Alex Eyolfson, right, calls a play in the huddle for the Valkyries.

Alex Eyolfson believes it is fitting the WWCFL season will end with a clash between her Saskatoon Valkyries and the Regina Riot.

Since the start of the WWCFL in 2011, the Valkyries and Riot have had the circuit’s biggest and most storied rivalry. The two sides go at it one last time in the 2024 campaign in the WWCFL Championship Game being held on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at Leibel Field in Regina.

“They’re always our rivals,” said Eyolfson, who is the Valkyries star quarterback. “We expect this us and Regina.

“We just prepare hard, and we’ve prepared all season. We’re just excited, and we’re really excited for Sunday night to play them.”

The Valkyries enter the contest with a 5-0 overall record, while the Riot are 3-2 overall. Saskatoon took both regular season meetings between the two sides. On April 28, the Valkyries down the Riot 19-6 at Leibel Field, and Saskatoon rolled to a 41-7 victory at Saskatoon Minor Football Field on May 18.

The Valkyries will be trying to win a fourth consecutive WWCFL title and to keep their 32 game winning streak alive too when they face the Riot. Saskatoon’s last loss came way back on June 24, 2018 at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, when the host Riot claimed a 14-10 victory in that year’s WWCFL title game.

The two clubs last met in the WWCFL title game on June 29, 2019 at Mosaic Stadium. The Valkyries took that encounter 25-3 in a campaign where they were playing to honour the memory of their late defensive position coach Justin Filteau, who passed away in a plane crash on June 1 of that same year.

“It has been a long time since we played a championship game in Regina,” said Valkyries head coach Pat Barry. “That (2019 WWCFL championship season) was an emotional year for us.

Aimee Kowalski (#12) passed for 1,093 yards in the regular season.

“It is exciting to be in this situation again. There are only a couple of teams in the country still playing, and they both happen to be from Saskatchewan. That is pretty exciting, and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”

Eyolfson is one of a strong group of core players that was with the Valkyries in 2019. While they’ve experienced sizable turnover since that 2019 season, the signal caller said the veterans continue to keep Filteau’s memory alive and pass along memories to the team’s newcomers.

“We always play for Filteau,” said Eyolfson. “He is always in our hearts.

“This one, I think we just try and treat every final kind of the same. We’ve prepared all season so well. We’re just coming with lots of energy, and we’re just so excited.

“It is always a big deal.”

Last Sunday, the Valkyries routed the Manitoba Fearless 48-14 in a WWCFL semifinal at SMF Field. One day earlier, the Riot claimed the other WWCFL semifinal blanking the host Calgary Rage 29-0 at Cochrane High School in Cochrane, Alta.

Eyolfson believes her squad is climbing to a spot where everyone is peaking. She said the Valkyries were pleased with their semifinal win over the Fearless.

“I think we just want to build on that game, and we really came together as an offence,” said Eyolfson. “We had a couple of rocky games this season.

Reed Thorstad (#12) is a sure-handed pass catchers for the Valkyries.

“We’re just building on last game. We’re just practicing really hard, and we’re coming together. I think we are going to peak, hopefully, in the final. Our best is yet to come.”

Barry believes the Valkyries are in a good place on all fronts heading into the WWCFL championship game.

“We’re pretty healthy knock on wood,” said Barry. “We’ve got some experienced players.

“We’ve got some young players who are making big efforts for us, and it is really exciting to see.”

During the Valkyries four regular season games, Eyolfson completed 71-of-114 passes for 899 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. Wright has had a big season for the Valkyries carrying the ball 60 times for 326 yards.

Haley Girolami topped the Valkyries with 320 receiving yards coming off 19 catches. Reed Thorstad led the Saskatoon side with 24 catches that went for 291 yards.

Riot star quarterback Aimee Kowalski completed 104-of-184 passes for 1,093 yards and eight touchdowns, while throwing three interceptions in the regular season. 

Star receiver Shanelle Rioux had an outstanding campaign for the Riot hauling in 35 passes for 570 yards and six touchdowns.

The two squads were near even in total offensive yards in the regular season with the Valkyries posting 1,446 yards and the Riot collecting 1,442 yards. Defensively, the Valkyries gave up just 805 total yards in the regular season, while the Riot allowed 1,371 yards.

Riot R Shanelle Rioux (#16) battles Valkyries DB Jaimyn Mantyka.

Outside linebacker Sydney Schenn, who played a three game exhibition series for the Riot in 2021 before joining the Valkyries in 2022, is pumped her Saskatoon side gets to see the Riot once again.

“It is exciting, because it is a big rivalry,” said Schenn. “I came from there too, so it is really exciting.

“It is always a big week to play against them just to play against old teammates and really show what our preparation can do.”

Eyolfson said the Valkyries have a good mix of veterans and newcomers this season. The mix keeps the Valkyries driving forward.

“There is so much talent on our whole team,” said Eyolfson. “With offence, we have so many options to go to.

“If someone is not open, someone else will be. I have so much trust in our receivers and my o-line and Sarah (Wright) and Teagan (Craig) and all the running backs and Drew (Lundquist). I have trust in everyone, and it is just exciting to see all the talent we have.”

The signal caller said her squad has the right type of confidence too heading into the WWCFL title clash with the Riot.

“If we execute and we’ve prepped so hard this season this week just going in and doing what we do best it should be our game,” said Eyolfson. “You have to stay grounded too.

OLB Sydney Schenn has become a Valkyries standout on defence.

“I think it should be a good game. It will be exciting.”

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Defence delivers in clutch time for Valkyries

Saskatoon advances to WWCFL final with 19-9 win over Regina

Valkyries MLB Emmarae Dale takes down Riot R Shanelle Rioux.

The Saskatoon Valkyries lived out the cliché that “defence wins championships” on Sunday.

Taking are their provincial rivals the Regina Riot at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Valkyries took a 19-0 lead into the fourth quarter in the WWCFL’s Prairie Conference Championship game. With a strong wind at their backs, the Riot trimmed the Valkyries advantage to 19-9 with 4:30 remaining in the frame.

The Valkyries defence shut the door at that point to make the 19-9 score to hold up as the game’s final outcome and allowed the Saskatoon side to claim the conference title. The Valkyries advance and will host the WWCFL Championship game this coming Saturday against the Calgary Rage at 2 p.m. at Griffiths Stadium on the campus of the University of Saskatchewan.

Valkyries MLB Emmarae Dale chases down Riot QB Aimee Kowalski.

“That was a really fun game honestly,” said Valkyries star middle linebacker Emmarae Dale, who led her squad with 10.5 total tackles in the contest. “I think we even kind of expected them to come out like that.

“We knew that they were going to get better. At the end of the season, everybody has made their tweaks. That was a big game for us defensively for sure.

“I think we stepped up in the ways that we needed to. We luckily were able to hold on at the end, so that was a really big game for us to kind of jell as a unit. I’m excited to go forward for the final.”

Danaye Holynski (#55) and Emry Halbgewachs (#52) team up on a sack.

The Valkyries built a 15-0 lead at halftime and saw their advantage increase to 19-0 in the third quarter after the Riot conceded a pair of safeties due to bad field position. While the Valkyries were seemingly in control on the scoreboard, their offence had stalled out in the second half.

In the fourth quarter, the Riot offensive unit started to get some confidence. With 7:12 remaining in the fourth quarter, Riot star quarterback Aimee Kowalski hit shifty receiver Shanelle Rioux on an intermediate route.

Rioux proceeded to juke her way past a host of Valkyries defenders on her way to a 37-yard catch and run touchdown play to cut the host side’s lead to 19-7.

Valkyries DT Carla Stevenson tackles Riot RB Bethany O’Toole.

The Riot proceeded to recover an onside kick. The Valkyries defence stopped the Riot offence on the ensuing series forcing a punt.

With 4:30 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Valkyries conceded a safety due to be trapped in bad field position trimming their advantage to 19-9.

On their ensuing series, the Riot drove to the Valkyries 35-yard line, where they turned the ball over on downs. Regina had one last series on offence, but turned the ball over on downs at the Valkyries 50-yard line with less than 40 seconds remaining on the clock.

Valkyries DB Sydney Beaudette stops Riot QB Aimee Kowalski.

As the Riot were out of timeouts, the Valkyries were able to run out the clock with kneel downs to finalize the 19-9 outcome in their favour.

“It is hard to beat a team three times in row,” said Valkyries head coach Pat Barry. “We mentioned that to our team a lot, and it came true today.

“Regina is a good football team, one of the best teams in the country, and they are well coached. They were prepared. We are happy with the win.

“We have a lot of things to fix up for next weekend.”

Valkyries star running back Sarah Wright said there were some nerves once the Riot got a touchdown, but she was confident her team’s defence was going to shut the door at that point.

Sarah Wright (#88) runs in a touchdown from two yards out.

“There were nerves a little bit, but honestly, we have the best defence in Canada I would say,” said Wright. “We always have our faith in them, and they always come out on top.

“We can always rely on them.”

Dale was proud of how her defensive unit rebounded after Rioux made her long touchdown reception.

“Those are the moments in a football game that are do or die,” said Dale. “You have to step up.

“Either you break from the pressure, or you do step up and make magic happen kind of thing. It was intense. It was nice to actually have a look like that in the season.

Sarah Wright carried the ball 23 times for 131 yards and two TDs.

“I think it was good to see that our defence can step up to that kind of pressure and those kinds of situations. We were able to adapt and handle it.”

The defences on both sides ruled the first quarter of Sunday’s contest as the game was scoreless after 15 minutes of play.

Just 59 seconds into the second quarter, Wright ran home a score from two yards out on a toss play to the right side of the field to give the Valkyries a 7-0 lead.

With 6:20 remaining in the second quarter, the Valkyries inched their lead up to 8-0 from a single on a 29-yard missed field goal attempt from kicker/receiver Grace McCorriston.

Shanelle Rioux caught 8 passes for 88 yards and one TD.

The Valkyries pushed their advantage out to 15-0 with 3:12 remaining in the second quarter, when Wright ran a toss play to the right side of the field into the end zone on a long 46-yard romp. Wright had a huge day on offense leading her team in both rushing and receiving yards.

On the ground, Wright ran the ball 23 times for 131 yards to go with her two rushing majors. Through the air, she caught three passes for 45 yards.

“We were just taking our holes hard,” said Wright, whose squad closed the regular season blanking the Riot in Regina 41-0 on June 4. “We knew that they would watch film on us.

“We knew that us showing a lot in our other Regina game in Regina they would come for us. We had to make minor adjustments, and those worked for us too.”

The Valkyries begin celebrating their conference title win.

After Wright’s long touchdown run to put the Valkyries up 15-0, that set things up where the Valkyries defence rose to the occasion to seal victory for the Saskatoon side.

Between both the regular season and post-season, the Valkyries improved to 6-0. The Riot finished out with a 3-3 record in combined action in the regular season and post-season.

Valkyries star quarterback Alex Eyolfson completed 12-of-25 passes for 119 yards and carried the ball once for 23 yards. Kowalski completed 18-of-40 passes for 166 yards and one touchdown and carried the ball three times for 22 yards.

Riot players hug after falling in the Prairie Conference final.

Rioux caught eight passes for 88 yards to go with her receiving major for Regina.

Defensive end Danaye Holynski had a pair of sacks for the Valkyries, while defensive end Emry Halbgewachs had a single sack for the Saskatoon side.

Linebacker Emilie Belanger topped the Riot with 10.5 total tackles.

Now, the Valkyries will turn their attention towards the Rage, who have a 4-0 record between both the regular season and post-season. The Valkyries go into that contest having won their last 26 games overall including two forfeit victories, and they will be looking to win a third straight WWCFL title.

“It feels really, really good,” said Dale. “It will be my first chance with the Valks for an attempt at a three-peat.

The Valkyries receive the Prairie Conference championship trophy.

“I’m really, really excited to try that. We’re all just going to keep trying to keep ourselves healthy as much as we can, but I think we are all very, very excited. We can’t wait.

“We’re excited to see what Calgary comes out with.”

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Valkyries lock down first in WWCFL’s Prairie Conference

Saskatoon has monster day in the air in win over Regina

Sarah Wright (#88) is all smiles after making a second TD catch.

In football, sometimes the wide open play feels like it can be the hardest play to make.

On Saturday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Saskatoon Valkyries were leading the visiting Regina Riot 15-0 midway through the second quarter, when an opportunity to make a big play came calling on offence. The Valkyries called a pass play that saw star running back Sarah Wright slip out of the backfield and jet down the right sideline on a deep route.

Valkyries star quarterback Alex Eyolfson launched a long distance throw hitting Wright, who didn’t have a defender anywhere in the vicinity around her. Wright took the reception to the house for 61-yard touchdown reception to put the Valkyries up 22-0.

Alex Eyolfson threw for 434 yards and four TDs for the Valkyries.

Saskatoon rolled from there for a 46-7 victory to improve to 3-0 and lock up first place in the WWCFL’s Prairie Conference with one regular season game remaining on their schedule. The Riot fell to 1-2 with the loss.

Eyolfson said she felt like that deep sideline touchdown toss to Wright was one of those plays that felt like everyone on offence was in the zone, but the signal caller admitted the potential is there to over think that situation.

“Sometimes those are hardest throws, when they are so open,” said Eyolfson. “I just saw it, and she was gone.

“It just felt right coming out of my hand, and I had lots of time. That was a fun one. I knew when she (Wright) got it she was gone.”

Sarah Wright caught seven passes for 195 yards and two TDs.

On that long touchdown toss, Wright said it can seem like the ball is in the air forever, when she was as wide open as she was. She only one thought when the ball came into her hands.

“I was just trying to make sure I didn’t drop it,” said Wright. “It was a great play.

“It was a lot of fun. It couldn’t have worked out better.”

Ultimately, the Valkyries made many big plays in the passing game in Saturday’s win over the Riot. Eyolfson completed 23-of-29 passes for 434 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions.

Wright hauled in seven passes for 195 yards that included two major scores. She made an impact on the ground too carrying the ball 10 times for 84 yards and two touchdowns.

Makayla Sader (#8) made 7.5 total tackles for the Valkyries.

Third-year receiver Haley Girolami kept the first down sticks moving for the Valkyries too hauling in eight receptions for 134 yards and one touchdown.

Defensively, the Valkyries limited the Riot’s offence to 290 total yards. Regina piled up most of that total on the ground on big games from running backs Kasey McCombs and Rebekah Hove.

McCombs ran the ball 16 times for 110 yards and one touchdown, while Hove carried the rock 11 times for 119 yards.

Riot quarterback Shanelle Rioux completed 13-of-26 passes for 66 yards, while throwing two interceptions.

Defensively, defensive back Jackie Semple and middle linebacker Jamie Wingate had interceptions for the Valkyries, while third-year defensive tackle Carla Stevenson had a fumble recovery. 

Haley Girolami caught eight passes for 134 yards and one TD.

Second-year defensive halfback Makayla Sader led the Valkyries with 7.5 total tackles.

Veteran linebacker Ray-Lynn Schaffer topped the Riot with six total tackles. Defensive back Shantel Englot and Jaia Guy on the defensive line had fumble recoveries.

“I just love the tenacity and the resiliency of our team,” said Valkyries head coach Pat Barry. “They really do a good job of playing in the moment, worrying about the next play and trying to forget about the last play.

“We did make some mistakes today. I’m the special teams coordinator, and we’ve got some work to do. We have some things that we have to fix up.

“Regina has some talented players, so we have to be ready for that.”

Sarah Wright ran the ball 10 times for 84 yards and two TDs.

The Valkyries took an 8-0 lead in the first quarter off a 28-yard missed field goal single from kicker Drew Lundquist and two-yard touchdown run by Wright.

At the 5:42 mark of the second quarter, Eyolfson hit Girolami with a six-yard touchdown pass to increase the Valkyries advantage to 15-0. 

That set the stage for Eyolfson to hit Wright on the deep sideline route to push the Valkyries lead out to 22-0.

The Riot were able to get the Valkyries into some bad field position. After a bad Saskatoon punt, the Riot put together a short 29-yard touchdown drive to cut the Valkyries lead to 22-7.

McCombs capped the Riot scoring march with a 19-yard touchdown run with 1:21 remaining in the second quarter.

Kasey McCombs ran in the Riot’s lone TD.

Saskatoon responded with a well-executed two-minute drill drive capped by Wright scoring a two-yard rushing touchdown as the second quarter clock expired to give the Valkyries a 29-7 lead at halftime.

The Valkyries offensive surge continued with a 17-point outburst in the third quarter that rounded out the scoring in the contest. 

Just 1:40 into the third quarter, Eyolfson hit Wright with a short-range pass, and Wright took that reception 61 yards for Saskatoon’s third major score through the air in the contest to increase the host’s lead to 36-7.

“She (Wright) is so agile,” said Eyolfson. “She can run, catch and do everything.

The Valkyries defence limited the Riot to 290 total yards.

“It is fun to throw to her, and she can just run. She is a great player.”

Just over two minutes later, Eyolfson hit veteran receiver Ricki Obed with a 28-yard touchdown pass upping the Valkyries lead to 43-7. 

Before the third quarter expired, Lundquist hit a 25-yard field goal to round out the 46-7 final score in Saskatoon’s favour.

Due to the fact Saskatoon will host the WWCFL championship game on Saturday, June 25 at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Valkyries will have home-field advantage throughout the WWCFL playoffs thanks to their first place finish in the Prairie Conference.

Ricki Obed (#28) makes a catch on her way to a TD score.

“That is huge,” said Wright. “Having the crowd with us and cheering for us, it makes the environment and the game go by a lot quicker and a lot better.

“It just brings momentum too. It is really nice to know that we’ve clinched that spot.”

The Valkyries and Riot close out their respective regular season schedules with one more head-to-head encounter. The two sides go at it again this coming Saturday at 7 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium.

Barry said the Valkyries will look to reset this coming week to exit the regular season with a good outing.

“We’re going to be focusing on small goals,” said Barry. “We want to make sure that people who haven’t played a lot we have to make sure they play a lot.

The Valkyries celebrate their win over the Riot on Saturday.

“Having said that, we don’t have a big roster this year. A lot of people are playing a lot, and they are getting meaningful reps in games. We want to make sure that continues.”

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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