Valkyries storm over Storm, advance to WWCFL title game

Ricki Obed, centre, celebrates her TD catch for the Valkyries.

For Ricki Obed, it never gets old going to the WWCFL Championship game.

On Sunday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, Obed contributed in receiving, rushing and kick return departments helping her Saskatoon Valkyries blank the Edmonton Storm 52-0 in a WWCFL semifinal improving to 6-0 overall. The Storm finished the campaign with a 3-2 overall mark.

Obed scored the Valkyries third touchdown of the contest hauling a 17-yard pass reception from star quarterback Alex Eyolfson early in the second quarter to give the hosts a 24-0 lead.

When the game came to a close, Obed caught three passes for 27 yards including her major score, ran the ball three times for 26 yards and returned four punts for 47 yards totaling 100 all-purpose yards. A member of the Valkyries since the 2016 campaign, Obed will be heading to her fourth WWCFL title game with the team.

Ricki Obed had 100 all-purpose yards for the Valkyries.

In her three previous WWCFL final appearances, Obed helped the Valkyries win the championship in 2016 and 2019 while falling in the 2018 title contest.

Unlike those other three WWCFL title game appearances, this year’s championship game will be held this coming Saturday at 7 p.m. at SMF Field against the Manitoba Fearless (5-1). The Fearless advanced to the championship game taking the other WWCFL semifinal 15-6 over the Rage (3-2) in Calgary this past Saturday.

No matter where the WWCFL Championship game is played, Obed said those opportunities always feel special. She said the fact the Valkyries got everyone on their roster sizable playing time in the win over the Storm heading into a championship game at home puts an extra jump in the step.

Valkyries receiver Ricki Obed (#28) slips past a defender.

“It is very exciting, especially after a game like this,” said Obed. “We got a lot of our rookies in, and they made some big plays, which is obviously so exciting to see.

“Going back to the ‘ship,’ it is so exciting, especially with it being at home.”

Obed started her career with the Valkyries as a running back. Due to the team’s depth at that position, she later moved to receiver and is open to getting on the field any way she can.

“There is a lot of talent on this offence,” said Obed, who was named last month to Football Canada’s National Team at receiver. “Any time you can be a part of it and moving the ball, it is very exciting.

Alex Eyolfson threw two touchdown passes for the Valkyries.

“This offence is so good too. We’re jelling amazingly. We’ve played with each other for a long time, so it is like playing for each other and playing for that person beside you for sure.

“It is awesome.”

The Valkyries offence got rolling early with Eyolfson hitting star receiver Haley Girolami for a 32-yard touchdown pass off a bubble screen play to the right side of the field at the 5:17 mark of the opening quarter for a 7-0 lead. Just over four minutes and 30 seconds later, Valkyries star running back Sarah Wright ran home a major to put the hosts up 14-0.

With 2:07 remaining in the first quarter, the Storm suffered a tough break, when an electrifying 72-yard touchdown run by running back Jaimie Braybrook was nullified by an illegal block infraction. Valkyries head coach Pat Barry said the complexion of the contest could have been altered had Braybrook’s touchdown counted.

Haley Girolami scored the Valkyries first TD on Sunday.

“She (Braybrook) is very fast, and we notice her on film,” said Barry. “It is something that we are aware of there is no doubt about it.

“It was a pretty big play. If they would have scored there, it could have changed things for sure.”

Shortly after Braybrook’s touchdown was called back due to a penalty, Valkyries linebacker Jamie Wingate intercepted Storm quarterback Aria McGowan. That turnover turned into an 18-yard field goal by Valkyries place kicker/receiver Grace McCorriston with 17.5 seconds remaining in the first quarter to increase the Valkyries advantage to 17-0.

Following Obed’s receiving touchdown, second-year running back Drew Lundquist ran home a major score from nine yards out to put the Valkyries up 31-0 and Wright followed with a two-yard touchdown run to push the Valkyries lead out to 38-0.

Sarah Wright (#88) led the Valkyries with 137 yards rushing.

With 31.1 seconds remaining in the second quarter, Lundquist ran in her second touchdown of the contest from seven yards out to give the Valkyries a 45-0 lead at halftime. She rounded out the game’s scoring in the third quarter with a rushing touchdown from 27 yards out for her third major of the contest putting the Valkyries up 52-0.

Lundquist finished the game with 13 carries for 112 yards to go with her three touchdowns.

“I’ve never had that many reps before,” said Lundquist. “The O-line did great.

“Everyone was blocking. It was just a perfect setup for me to be able to play awesome. It was amazing.”

Drew Lundquist runs in one of her three TDs for the Valkyries.

Lundquist is pumped to get the chance to play in her first WWCFL championship game.

“It is just amazing,” said Lundquist. “It feels so good.

“It is so exciting to be able to play at such a high level and just really have this opportunity to just play. It will be really nice having like home field and our crowd, our people and our field. The odds are on our side.

“We’re going to bring it, and it is just going to be a great game.”

Wright had another big game leading everyone with 137 yards rushing coming off 13 carries to go with her two major scores, and she caught three passes for 45 yards. Girolami led all pass catchers with 48 receiving yards coming off three catches.

Rienna Rueve (#7) dives on a fumble recovery for the Valkyries.

Eyolfson completed 14-of-22 passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns, while not throwing any interceptions. Kelli Young, who is a rookie backup quarterback, played the tail end of the third quarter and the whole fourth quarter in relief of Eyolfson.

Valkyries veteran defensive back Rienna Rueve had a fumble recovery and an interception, while defensive end Danaye Holynski led the Saskatoon side with four total tackles.

The Storm were held to minus-six yards in total offence. Defensive back Baylie Kennedy led the Storm with 9.5 total tackles, while defensive back Chantelle Chenard had nine total tackles and an interception for the Edmonton side.

Chantelle Chenard (#9) fights for an interception for the Storm.

McGowan, who plays defensive back on defence for the Storm, also had an interception for the visitors.

Barry was pleased with the overall play of his team. He is looking forward to his squad having the chance to win the WWCFL title at home, which is something the Valkyries haven’t done in some time. The last time the Valkyries won the WWCFL Championship at home was back on July 5, 2014, when they blanked the Lethbridge Steel 53-0 at Griffiths Stadium.

“It is exciting that we have a full season and we get to compete for championship at home,” said Barry, who was an assistant coach in that 2014 WWCFL title win. “It has been a long time since the Valkyries have been in the championship game at home.

The Valkyries collect a WWCFL semifinal trophy.

“I am really, really excited for it. That (2014 WWCFL championship season) was my first year on the club. I’m excited that we’re back in that situation.

“There is a time limit now. We just want to make sure we take of business and make sure we’re prepared. Hopefully, we are playing our best game of the year next Saturday night.”

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