Valkyries continue to write great feel good story

Nine time WWCFL champs show sports at its best

The Valkyries celebrate with the WWCFL championship trophy.

The Saskatoon Valkyries have created a space where all feels right with the world.

Definitely, all feels right in the world of the powerhouse Western Women’s Canadian Football League club. The results on the field have certainly proven for that to be true.

On Sunday at Leibel Field in Regina, the Valkyries claimed their ninth WWCFL title downing their provincials rivals the Regina Riot 36-21 in the WWCFL Championship Game. The victory was the 33^rd in a row for the Saskatoon side that went 6-0 overall in 2024. The Valkyries last loss came way back on June 24, 2018 at Mosaic Stadium, when the host Riot claimed a 14-10 victory in that year’s WWCFL title game.

The Valkyries coaches pose with the WWCFL championship trophy.

For the second time in team history, the Valkyries have won four straight WWCFL titles. They took the league title in four straight seasons from 2011 to 2014, which were the first four campaigns of the WWCFL’s existence.

The Valkyries overcame a unique challenge in their current run of winning four consecutive WWCFL championships. The run started with a 25-3 WWCFL Championship Game victory over the Riot on June 29, 2019 at Mosaic Stadium.

Kelsey Murphy returns an interception for the Valkyries.

The 2020 and 2021 campaigns were lost due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that gripped the world. The Valkyries did manage to play a three-game exhibition series against the Riot in 2021 winning all three of those contests.

When the WWCFL returned to regular action, the title wins continued for the Valkyries. On June 25, 2022, the Valkyries downed the Manitoba Fearless 36-6 in the league title game at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Another WWCFL championship came on June 24, 2023 as the Valkyries blanked the Calgary Rage 40-0 in the league title contest held at Griffiths Stadium.

The roll kept going this past Sunday with the Valkyries most recent victory against the Riot.

Alex Wojcichowsky has been with the Valkyries since 2013.

Saskatoon’s success can be attributed to the togetherness of everyone on the club. In a current world where the word “division” has become the defining characteristic of society, the Valkyries provide a space where acceptance is the defining characteristic.

It is the place where the Christian Catholic, the person in a same sex relationship, the African-American, the individual from an Indigenous background, one with Asian cultural roots and various other defining cultures and characteristics all play together. On top of that, everyone becomes best friends and family.

Unfortunately in today’s world, it is becoming more common where some in those backgrounds don’t want you interacting with others outside of the group that defines your characteristics away from the game. In some spaces, those that do are considered very, very bad people.

Alex Eyolfson has played QB for the Valkyries since 2016.

The Valkyries provide the example of where sport can bring everyone together. The family feeling on the team is one of main things that keeps bringing a core group of players together to train during the times of the COVID-19 shutdowns when it wasn’t clear when the team would next play in a real game.

The storied Saskatoon club has hit a point in its history where players from the Valkyries inaugural campaign in 2011 are coaches with the club in co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Marci Halseth, defensive line coach Beth Thompson and linebackers coach Beth Lalonde. Jaime Lammerding, who also an original Valkyries player, is on the team’s board of directors overseeing fundraising, and Rienna Rueve, who joined the Valkyries in their second campaign in 2012, is a defensive backs coach.

Emmarae Dale has suited up at MLB for the Valkyries since 2016.

The players that were once kid youngsters starting their first years after high school graduation are now veteran leaders. That includes Alex Wojcichowsky who has continuously been with the team since 2013 playing centre through most of that time and also serving for a short stint as a trainer.

The list of those who were once youngsters and are now veterans includes defensive back and kick returner Kelsey Murphy, who has played with the Valkyries since 2014, and receiver Reed Thorstad and left tackle Alyssa Funk who have both suited up with the Saskatoon side since 2015.

Haley Girolami has made big plays for the Valkyries since 2019.

The 2016 class of newcomers included quarterback Alex Eyolfson, receiver Ricki Obed and middle linebacker Emmarae Dale. These days, it is hard to imagine any of those seven players were ever rookies, because they’ve all be standouts and stars on the squad for some time.

Also, current physiotherapist Jae Gorgchuk and massage therapist Lakyn Biberdorf were rookie players on that 2016 squad.

 Running back Sarah Wright and O-line standout Lauren Ferguson came to the Valkyries in 2017, defensive back Danielle Girolami first suited up in 2018, while physical defensive end Danaye Holynski and receiver Haley Girolami came on board in 2019.

Jaimyn Mantyka became the Valkyries starting safety in 2023.

Those players have helped guide the way for the newcomers who have joined the Valkyries since 2021 including Jackie Semple-Dyck, Kaylin O’Neill, Lexi Beuker, Julia Smith, Kelli Young, Marissa Glanville, Caitlyn Spurr, Teagan Craig, Jaimyn Mantyka, Arden Kliewer, Kennedy Mann, Jacey Harris, Grace Farthing, Emry Halbgewachs, Sydney Schenn, Brenanna Allegretto, Mykayla Laroque, Kate Boyer, Mackenzie Young and Halle Hindmarsh and a host of other players.

The Valkyries also welcomed back veterans in 2024 who had past good runs with the team in defensive backs Shaylyn De Jong and Phelycia Black and Shae Dixon on the D-line.

Saskatoon has also benefitted from having stability at the head coach position. Jeff Yausie, who is also the long time defensive coordinator of the CJFL’s venerable Saskatoon Hilltops, was the Valkyries head coach from the team’s inception in 2011 through to 2016.

Teagan Craig made big plays as a rookie running back this season.

Pat Barry joined the Valkyries as a position coach in 2014 and has served as the team’s head coach since 2017. The continuity at head coach has allowed the family feeling culture on the Valkyries to continue and allows for consistency in the schemes and strategies the team uses on the field.

Also, defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Wyatt Carleton usually gives some of the best pump up talks and speeches.

While there might seemingly be chaos in the world away from the game, the Valkyries continue to provide an uplifting spot for female players that want to continue or give tackle football a try. Another spinoff is a number of the Valkyries players give back coaching minor football in the community helping to bring their positive culture influence to that level of the game.

Rookie LB Jacey Harris enjoys her first WWCFL title win.

The Valkyries championship success on the field comes from all these numerous things taking place behind the scenes that builds a great forward momentum. When they capture another WWCFL championship, it really does feel for a short time in that moment that all is right with the world.

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

-------

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.

Holynski plays with passion and intensity for Valkyries family

Rookie season in 2019 had big impact on defensive standout

Danaye Holynski (#55) has been a stellar DE for the Valkyries.

Danaye Holynski always tries to live out the belief that one of her early coaches with the Saskatoon Valkyries had in her.

Holynski joined the Valkyries defensive line as a rookie in 2019 after starting on the defensive line with the Tommy Douglas Collegiate Tigers Football Team and toiling on the Valkyries practice roster in 2018. While playing as a starter on a high school boys tackle football team would help Holyski in transitioning to the powerhouse Valkyries of the Western Women’s Canadian Football League, she remembered one position coach wouldn’t let her ride on past accomplishments.

Holynski recalled that as she got going in the 2019 campaign she was really challenged by defensive position coach Justin Filteau. There were times Holynski felt she was doing good but wasn’t doing good enough.

On June 1, 2019, Filteau passed away in a plane crash one day before the Valkyries played their final regular season contest of that campaign against the Riot in Regina. Filteau had been at a social function in Medicine Hat, Alta., and was flying to Moose Jaw, Sask., and planned to meet up with the Valkyries for that final regular season game. The Valkyries would gut out a 22-7 victory over the Riot after finding out the news about Filteau.

Five days later after a team practice, Holynski was named the team’s “Treat of the Week” award winner for her efforts in a 37-0 victory over the Manitoba Fearless in Winnipeg on May 26, 2019. Word came from the Valkyries coaches that Filteau was pushing hard for Holynski to be named the winner of the weekly team award. That would happen to be the last game he coached with the Valkyries.

It hit Holynski at the time how important it was to have had Filteau as her position coach and that feeling has only grown over time.

“It was awesome,” said Holynski, whose Valkyries (2-0) host the Winnipeg Wolfpack (0-2) on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. “He was on me, and it was stressful at times.

Danaye Holynski (#55) is a playmaker of the Valkyries defence.

“Now that I look back, it was because he saw a player I didn’t see yet. Now that I look back, it was awesome. He pushed me past what I thought I was able to do, because he believed in me.

“That I will forever keep close to my heart that he pushed me that hard.”

As a rookie, Holynski made explosive and hard hitting plays to help the Valkyries post a perfect 9-0 record in winning their sixth WWCFL championship in that season. These days Holynski has become a dominate player on the Valkyries defensive line often lining up at one of the end positions.

Her style of play is near identical to that Bobby Jurasin, who starred at defensive end for the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders from 1986 to 1997. Holynski helped the Valkyries win their seventh WWCFL championship in 2022, and she played for Canada that year in the International Federation of American Football’s Women’s World Championship that ran in late July and early August of that year in Vantaa, Finland.

After Filteau’s passing, Holynski said you saw in a big way the Valkyries being family. The team dedicated the 2019 campaign to Filteau.

Holynski said the team’s leadership played a huge role in helping everyone come together and cope with Filteau’s passing. On defence, some of the key leaders from that season included Jaime Lammerding, Beth Lalonde, Emmarae Dale and Ehjae Chan.

That rookie season left at lasting impact on Holynski.

Danaye Holynski (#55) makes a tackle in the 2023 WWCFL final.

“It was an amazing first year,” said Holynski, who stands 5-foot-6. “Unfortunately, we lost Filteau that year, but I think that brought our team together on a whole different level.”

These days the 22-year-old Holynski is one of the Valkyries veterans. She looks to help the team’s newcomers on the field and ensure they feel accepted on the team.

“I feel like I definitely try to,” said Holynski. “I try to be a role model as much as I possibly can.

“I try to help them out if needed.”

Overall, Holynski said the team still has the same family feeling and vibe as it did when she was a rookie. She often still sees herself like she did in her rookie year.

“Honestly, it feels the same,” said Holynski. “It doesn’t feel much different.

“I think everyone we all look at each other at the same level. Obviously, we look up to each other, but we don’t really look down on each other. It kind of feels the same nothing too different.”

Valkyries head coach Pat Barry said you could see early on the Holynski was going to be a gifted player, when she first started practicing with the team.

“I’ve known Danaye for a long time,” said Barry. “She played tackle football in high school at Tommy Douglas with the boys.

Danaye Holynski (#55) teams up on a stop in the 2023 WWCFL final.

“She was a starter on that team. She was an exceptional wrestler. I coached her in junior Huskies for a number of years.

“Just seeing her when she started being a practice roster player for us you could see she was going to be pretty special.”

Barry said experience and being focused on off-season training has helped make Holynski a better player over the years. The sideline boss said his defensive line star causes a lot of matchup problems for opposing teams. Along with what Holynski can do physically on the field, Barry said a leadership role is coming naturally to her as well.

“Even though she is young, she is a leader on our team already, so that is exciting,” said Barry. “She is such a positive person too.

“She has so much fun out here that it is just great to have her in that leadership role.”

Before taking the field for the Tigers, Holynski got her start in the tackle game playing in Saskatoon Minor Football’s six-a-side program, so she has been playing the sport for over a decade. She loves everything about the game and would like to play for Canada at the next women’s worlds, which are set to be held in 2026 with the location and dates still to be announced.

Holynski knows she is hitting that adult age where things can change year to year, but she is planning to keep going in the sport for the foreseeable future.

“I’m planning to play next worlds or at least tryout,” said Holynski. “My body has taken a beating with 12 years of playing.

Danaye Holynski (#55) holds up the WWCFL championship trophy.

“I’m going to try and push it out until the next Team Canada for sure.”

NOTES – Sunday’s game against the Wolfpack will be the Valkyries’ Teal game. The Ovarian Cancer Walk of Hope Committee, Saskatoon, will be on hand to bring more awareness about this deadly disease. The team will be raising funds to fight Ovarian cancer.  

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

-------

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.

Hilltops, Thunder PFC final – A must watch game

Teams to showcase some of CJFL’s best players

The Thunder and Hilltops will square off in the PFC final.

For the casual football or sports fan in Saskatchewan, a PFC final between the Saskatoon Hilltops and Regina Thunder is easy to get into.

On the simple to understand but always compelling front, the two teams are natural provincial rivals who are facing off for a conference title in the CJFL playoffs for the second year in a row. The Hilltops took last year’s encounter 29-9 at Mosaic Stadium in Regina.

After that victory, the Hilltops fell 17-14 in a CJFL semifinal to the BCFC champion Rams at McLeod Stadium in Langley, B.C. The Rams advanced on to win the Canadian Bowl to become CJFL champions.

When the Hilltops and Thunder go at it in this year’s PFC final set for Sunday at 1 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium, there will be a little more on the line. The PFC champion hosts the Canadian Bowl this year, so the winner of the PFC final advances to host the CJFL championship game on November 12.

The followers of both the Hilltops and Thunder are aware of the team’s successful histories in recent years. The Hilltops won three straight CJFL titles from 2010 to 2012 and six straight CJFL championships from 2014 to 2019.

Konner Johnson is the Hilltops big play weak side linebacker.

The run of consecutive CJFL crowns for Saskatoon was interrupted by the Thunder in 2013.

This season, the Thunder once again enter the PFC final with a perfect 9-0 record. The Hilltops placed second in the conference with a 5-3 regular season record and enter the PFC final with a 6-3 overall mark.

Statistics on paper would say the Thunder are the favourites. The observation is backed by the fact the Thunder won both regular season meetings between the two sides. The last encounter saw the Thunder post a 23-7 victory at Mosaic Stadium on September 17, where they were the better team that day on offence, defence and special teams posting a complete solid win.

Of course in rivalry games, anything can happen, and records and statistics often get thrown out of the window. Of course, both sides have prime time players to watch.

One of the best to watch on the Hilltops side is star weak side linebacker Konner Johnson, who was named the PFC’s most outstanding defensive player of the year, most outstanding linebacker and conference all-star. The Melfort, Sask., product just makes plays.

During his team’s eight regular season games, Johnson posted 31 solo defensive tackles, 13 defensive tackle assists, four special teams solo tackles, two special teams tackle assists, two quarterback sacks, five pass knockdowns and four interceptions. Johnson plays in the image of the cerebral Jack Ham, who was the greatest outside linebacker in the history of the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers.

Carter Shewchuk is having a stellar season for the Thunder.

On the Thunder side, their most exciting player is arguably defensive back Justin Mckerracher. Mckerracher topped the PFC with five interceptions to go along with 16 defensive solo tackles, seven defensive tackle assists, one special teams solo tackle, six pass knockdowns and one fumble recovery.

Mckerracher is such a threat when it comes to making interceptions that opposing teams game plan to stay away from his area of the field. He returned one of his interceptions this season for a touchdown, and he has the ability to emulate NFL defensive back all-time great Deion Sanders every time the ball is thrown his way.

On offence, the Hilltops have always been known for their ground game. Star power running back Boston Davidsen had an outstanding 2022 regular season carrying the ball 149 times for 1,037 yards and seven touchdowns.

Charles Sawi, who is a 17-year-old rookie running back, has made some of the Hilltops most exciting plays this season being named the PFC’s rookie of the year and the conference’s all-rookie team. During the regular season, he carried the ball 30 times for 342 yards and scored two touchdowns.

On special teams, Sawi returned seven kickoffs for 168 yards and one touchdown, and five missed field goals for 271 yards that included a 125 yard return for a touchdown.

Offensively for the Thunder, veteran quarterback Carter Shewchuk is the biggest star. For the second straight season, Shewchuk was named the PFC’s most outstanding quarterback and conference all-star at quarterback.

Charles Sawi is making splash plays for the Hilltops as a rookie.

During the Thunder’s eight regular season games, Shewchuk completed 157-of-250 passes for 2,351 yards and 18 touchdowns, while throwing eight interceptions.

The Thunder are loaded with talent at receiver and running back, but Shewchuk’s most explosive playmaker is arguably receiver Isaiah Woodley, who was named a PFC all-star. Woodley has loads of speed to burn having caught 34 passes for 593 yards and five touchdowns.

Both sides are also blessed with elite level coaching. Hilltops legendary head coach Tom Sargeant holds the record for most wins in Canadian amateur post-secondary football at 224, and he has been the Hilltops head coach since December of 1997.

Thunder head coach Scott MacAulay was named the PFC’s coach of the year each of the past two seasons, and he captured that honour at the CJFL level last year too. MacAulay took over the Thunder head coaching role in the off-season before the 2013 campaign.

Both coaching staffs will likely have some plays in the bag they haven’t used but will be waiting to be used in this game.

On the weather front, Environment Canada is predicting a mix of sun and cloud with a temperature of 9 C for game time on Sunday. Those are balmy conditions for this time of year in Saskatchewan, which means both clubs will be able to use their entire playbooks.

Isaiah Woodley is the Thunder’s speedy, big play receiver.

There is hope the pleasant conditions on Sunday will be the perfect ingredient to attract casual ticket buyers. For the past eight years, fans in Canada seem to stay away from going to outdoor football games when it gets a touch cold even at the temperature of 1 C, which isn’t even that cold.

The only exceptions seem to be fans of the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers and supporters of Quebec’s U Sports football teams, who still attend contests in frigid conditions.

With that noted, you can expect the Hilltops and Thunder to put on a football showcase at Mosaic Stadium. In Canada’s current media cut era, please do spread word about this game.

If you are not in the stadium for this year’s PFC final, you will be missing out.

Thunder sweep PFC player of the week awards

Eric Maximuik, right, was the PFC’s special teams player of the week.

The Regina Thunder swept the PFC’s player of the week awards this week.

On Wednesday, Thunder players took the PFC’s offensive, defensive and special teams player of the week awards after the team’s 23-14 PFC semifinal victory over the Winnipeg Rifles this past Sunday in frigid conditions at Leibel Field in Regina.

Thunder running back Ryland Leichert was named the PFC’s offensive player of the week. Leichert carried the ball 52 times for 390 yards. Leichert’s 52 carries are a record for a CJFL post-season game surpassing the old mark of 44 carries set by Hilltops running back Ben Abrook on October 27, 2019, when Saskatoon downed the Edmonton Huskies 30-14 in that year’s PFC final.

Defensive end Reece McCormick took honours as the PFC’s defensive player of the week. McCormick had four quarterback sacks and a fumble recovery in the win over the Rifles.

With the four sacks McCormick was one sack away from equaling the record for most sacks in a CJFL post-season contest. Roger Rourke of the Richmond Raiders of the then BCJFL had five sacks in a post-season game on October 12, 1985 for the CJFL record.

Finally, Thunder kicker Eric Maximuik took honours as the PFC’s special teams player of the week. In the win over the Rifles, Maximuik made all three of his field goal attempts coming from 35, 18 and 19 yards out.

Maximuik made both his converts. In the punting department, Maximuik kicked the ball seven times for 225 yards for an average of 32.1 yards per kick. He also kicked off three times for 122 yards for an average of 40.7 yards per kick.

McCormick and Maximuik accounted for three of the 13 PFC all-star selections the Thunder picked up this season. McCormick was an all-star on the defensive line, while Maximuik earned all-star selections as both a place kicker and punter.

The Thunder’s other PFC all-stars on defence included Reed Rabbetz on the defensive line, Stephen Smith at linebacker and defensive backs Justin Mckerracher and Adam King.

The Thunder’s PFC all-stars on offence included quarterback Carter Shewchuk, offensive linemen Riley Schick and Connor Klassen and receivers Isaac Foord, Rylan Sokul and Isaiah Woodley.

Thunder offensive lineman Ben Schmidt and defensive back Cooper Filazek were named to the PFC’s all-rookie team.

The Thunder also took home five of the PFC’s major awards with Shewchuk being named the most outstanding quarterback, Klassen the most outstanding offensive lineman, Foord the most outstanding receiver, McCormick the most outstanding defensive lineman and Maximuik as the most outstanding special teams player.

Thunder head coach Scott MacAulay was named the PFC’s coach of the year.

No conference awards for 1,000-yard rusher Davidsen

Hilltops RB Boston Davidsen was shutout of awards from the PFC.

Saskatoon Hilltops star power running back Boston Davidsen was the recipient of the top snub, when the PFC handed out its major awards and all-stars.

The 21-year-old led the PFC in rushing carrying the ball 149 times for 1,037 yards and seven touchdowns in eight regular season games. Davidsen was the only player in the PFC to reach the 1,000-yard plateau in rushing yards.

Despite the lofty numbers Davidsen put up, he didn’t receive any awards. He should have been at least one of the PFC’s two all-star running backs.

To be fair, Edmonton Huskies star running back Alex Gayle earned full marks for the PFC awards haul he had. He finished second in the PFC in rushing with 150 carries for 923 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also caught 18 passes for 193 yards and two touchdowns during the regular season.

Davidsen wasn’t the same threat making catches out of the backfield hauling in three passes for 20 yards during the regular season.

Gayle was named the PFC’s most valuable player, most outstanding offensive player and most outstanding running back as well as a PFC all-star.

While Gayle was deserving of all his big honours, Davidsen should have still been a conference all-star.

WWCFL champion Valkyries hand out awards

Jaime Lammerding won the Valkyries Green and White award.

The WWCFL champion Saskatoon Valkyries handed out their team awards on October 15 in the main banquet hall at the Gordie Howe Sports Centre building with established stars taking the three big honours.

Quarterback Alex Eyolfson was named the Valkyries offensive MVP. The 25-year-old had a career campaign putting up numerous big games. If she hadn’t before, Eyolfson cemented herself was one of Canada’s best quarterback in the female game.

Defensive end Danaye Holynski was named the Valkyries defensive MVP. Holynski has the gifts of both power and speed. She is able to sack the quarterback, make devastating hits and even run down receivers in the passing game.

Holynski made plays all over the field this past season for the Valkyries.

The Valkyries Green and White award for dedication to the team and the overall women’s game went to defensive tackle Jaime Lammerding. Lammerding is an original member of the Valkyries joining the team in their inaugural season in 2011, and she served as president of the WWCFL.

She retired as a player following the completion of the 2022 WWCFL campaign, which was a winning one. The Valkyries posted a perfect 7-0 record in 2022 taking the WWCFL title game 36-6 against the Manitoba Fearless on June 25 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

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

-------

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.

Love for the game makes Valkyries go

Family feeling and championships result from football bond

The Valkyries celebrate a Grace McCorriston (#82) TD.

The Saskatoon Valkyries love the game of football, and the game has loved them back.

The base commonalty between everyone on Saskatoon’s storied Western Women’s Canadian Football League team is that they love the game. That has allowed players from all sorts of backgrounds to be able to come together.

Ultimately through that initial bond of the love for the game, the family atmosphere on the team developed.

On Saturday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Valkyries completed a perfect 7-0 season taking the WWCFL Championship Game 36-6 over the Winnipeg-based Manitoba Fearless. The win marked the seventh time the Valkyries have won the WWCFL title dating back to the team’s and the league’s inaugural season in 2011.

The Valkyries celebrate winning their seventh WWCFL title.

Actually, the last time the Valkyries lost a game was way back on June 24, 2018, when they fell 14-10 to the Riot in Regina at Mosaic Stadium in that year’s WWCFL title game. Since that setback, the Valkyries have won 19 straight games including one contest by forfeit.

The winning streak included capturing the WWCFL crown on June 29, 2019 with a 25-3 victory over the Riot in Regina at Mosaic Stadium. The Valkyries dedicated that perfect 9-0 season to defensive position coach Justin Filteau, who passed away in a plane crash on June 1, 2019 with that campaign still in progress.

Jaime Lammerding (#21) carries the Valkyries flag to the field.

Filteau’s parents in father, Ron and mother, Nancy, took part in the coin toss before the Valkyries WWCFL title winning game on Saturday and were presented with Justin’s championship ring from 2019.

Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that gripped the world, the 2020 and 2021 WWCFL campaigns were cancelled. The Valkyries were able to take the field in 2021 winning every outing in a three-game exhibition series against the Riot.

This season the Valkyries returned to the field with a great mix of veterans and first and second year players. The second-year players all got their first taste playing for the squad in the 2021 exhibition series against the Riot.

Ashley Viklund (#65) locks up on a block for the Valkyries.

The fact that so many veterans returned after two years of not playing an actual regular season or post-season games speaks highly to the culture on the team. On top of loving the game, the family atmosphere is so good you couldn’t imagine not having the teammates, coaches and staff on the Valkyries in your life.

For the newcomers that are in their first and second years, they found an atmosphere that was so welcoming they immediately felt a sense of belonging. It is another aspect that adds to the Valkyries machine and allows it to go.

The atmosphere is so good on the Valkyries that you see someone like star defensive tackle Jaime Lammerding return to the field year after year playing a position that is taxing physically. She took the field with the Valkyries in their first season back in 2011.

Rienna Rueve punts the ball for the Valkyries.

When she let it be known the 2022 campaign would be her last ride season as a player, the Valkyries made sure she went out on a high note. Lammerding has added the most to the Valkyries upbeat culture over the years.

Away from the field, she took up a leadership role serving as president of the WWCFL taking on countless volunteer hours that go with that role.

Linebacker Beth Lalonde has been with the Valkyries since their inaugural season and would have played in 2022 had it not been for an injury she sustained before the start of the regular season. She still remained with the team helping coach the linebackers throughout the season.

Another hero that has kept the Valkyries motoring along behind the scenes has been Michelle Duchene, who help found the team and has been the club’s general manager since its inception. Usually, someone in a volunteer leadership role like Duchene holds stays in that spot for about five years before taking a break.

Emmarae Dale (#45) and Danaye Holynski (#55) team on a tackle.

With the Valkyries, no one has to worry about who is at the helm, because Duchene has always been there. A lot of the family feeling with the team starts there with her.

Players who were once rivals have been adopted into the Valkyries family like former Riot members in left guard Ashley Vikland and receiver Rachelle Smith. Life brought Vikland to Saskatoon in 2018 and the Smith to “The Bridge City” in 2019.

Vikland was a member of two WWCFL title winning teams with the Riot, and Smith was with the Regina side for all three of their WWCFL championships.

When they came to the Valkyries, it seemed like they played their entire football lives with the team earning two more WWCFL championships in 2019 and 2022.

Alex Eyolfson had arguably her best season with the Valkyries.

Like Lammerding, Vikland has elected to hang up the cleats on a stellar playing career following the completion of the 2022 campaign.

Veteran quarterback Alex Eyolfson radiates a vibe that makes you feel like everything is going to be alright even if things go wrong. She arguably had her best season guiding an offence that was veteran heavy with players like receivers Reed Thorstad, Ricki Obed, left tackle Alyssa Funk, centre Alex Wojcichowsky, right tackle Betsy Mawdsley, right guard Lauren Ferguson and running back Sarah Wright.

Saskatoon got a lot of key performances from big play third year receiver in Haley Girolami.

All-time great Valkyries running back Sam Matheson suffered a season ending knee injury in the team’s second regular season game but remained with the squad helping coach the running backs.

Valkyries LB Sydney Schenn (#57) pressures the quarterback.

The defence was led by the veteran presence of middle linebacker Emmarae Dale along with Lammerding. The defensive secondary got a boost when Rienna Rueve, who has been with the club since 2012, elected to return to the lineup as a player after two games as injuries started to add up. Rueve handled punting duties too upon her return.

Ninth-year defensive back Shaylyn De Jong also helped out in the coaching department after her season came to an end with a leg injury.

Receiver Kelsey Murphy, who has been with the Valkyries since 2014, and fourth year pass catcher Danielle Girolami bolstered the defensive playing safety and defensive halfback respectively.

Sarah Wright breaks downfield on a long run.

Defensive end Danaye Holynski and linebacker Jamie Wingate, who both joined the Valkyries in the 2019 WWCFL championship season, solidified star status with the big plays they made in 2022.

The first and second year players brought spunk and a kick butt youthful energy to the team. The second year players that brought spark included defensive back Makayla Sader, defensive end Arden Kliewer, running back and kicker Drew Lundquist and receiver and kicker Grace McCorriston.

Defensive back Jackie Semple-Dyck, Grace Farthing on the defensive line, linebackers Kiara Willick and Sydney Schenn and offensive guard Breanna Allgretto made immediate big impacts on the team as rookies.

About eight first or second years players on average usually started on defence as injuries piled up on that side of the ball this past season.

The Valkyries start celebrating their WWCFL championship win.

In practice under the watchful eyes of the coaching staff led by head coach Pat Barry, defensive coordinator Wyatt Carleton and offensive coordinator Caleb Dueck, the Valkyries efficiently get a tonne of work done in practices and video sessions.

When no one is watching, the Valkyries are doing what they need to do to get better and the results show up on the field.

Overall, the Valkyries are able to go from the simple fact that they love the game of football. From there, the family atmosphere and the stellar play on the field comes around naturally.

The Valkyries have fun with the WWCFL championship trophy.

Even when world events beyond anyone’s control causes stoppages and prevents championship games from being played for a couple of years, the Valkyries come back better than ever.

The memories and culture that was in place before those stoppages was remembered and helped the Valkyries move forward like no time had passed when everything started rolling again.

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

-------

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.

Valkyries give Lammerding WWCFL title winning sendoff

Saskatoon downs Fearless 36-6 for seventh league crown

Jaime Lammerding raises the WWCFL championship trophy.

Jaime Lammerding’s playing days with the Saskatoon Valkyries wrapped up with a familiar championship high.

On Saturday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Valkyries romped past the Manitoba Fearless 36-6 in the WWCFL Championship Game. The Valkyries have won the WWCFL title seven out of the 10 times it has been handed out, and Lammerding has played on all of Saskatoon’s championship teams.

The star defensive tackle began playing for the Valkyries in their inaugural season back in 2011 when the first WWCFL season was played. She was elated to wrap up her playing career with a championship win at home.

Jaime Lammerding runs off the field for the final time.

“It is just an extra special treat,” said Lammerding, whose Valkyries completed the 2022 campaign with a perfect 7-0 record. “I remember starting with the Valkyries 12 years ago.

“Just to be able to do it at home and go out on top, it is almost undescribable it is so great.”

Inside of the game’s final 10 seconds, the Valkyries head coach Pat Barry ensured Lammerding got a final salute from the crowd in attendance. With the Valkyries on defence, Barry called a timeout to substitute Lammerding out of the game.

She came off to the sideline to a rousing ovation from the crowd and her teammates on the Valkyries sidelines. Once she reached the Valkyries bench area, Lammerding hugged defensive coordinator Wyatt Carleton, Barry and then numerous other coaches and players on the squad.

Jaime Lammerding, left, hugs Valkyries DC Wyatt Carleton.

“The original plan was that I was going to go take the victory formation as quarterback, so I was going to get my old rep as quarterback in my career with negative yardage,” said Lammerding. “It just didn’t work out that way, so it was nice that they pulled me out to just have an emotional kind of run off kind of thing.

“It was great.”

Barry said the Valkyries were pretty motivated to help Lammerding, who is also the president of the WWCFL, conclude her playing days on a championship winning high.

Jaime Lammerding, left, hugs Valkyries HC Pat Barry.

“We all feel very strongly about her,” said Barry, who team has won 19 straight games overall. “She is such a great leader.

“She is a great mentor for the athletes on our team. She is just going to be the next in line of someone who is working with women’s football. We have a number of coaches on our team who are former players, and they are great coaches.

“They are grass roots coaches, and they do a lot of great things. I see ‘Dinger’ (Lammerding) being that in the future.”

In the WWCFL Championship game itself, the Valkyries steadily pulled away from the Fearless in order to win by a convincing margin.

Jaime Lammerding (#21) is pictured with the Valkyries D-line.

At the 9:27 mark of the first quarter, Valkyries star running back Sarah Wright ran home a touchdown from six yards out to give the host side a 7-0 lead. Wright’s major score capped a drive that covered 94 yards.

That drive was also kept alive by Wright running for a first down on a third down gamble.

Before the first quarter came to an end, the Valkyries extended their lead to 14-0, when star quarterback Alex Eyolfson hit veteran receiver Ricki Obed with an 18-yard touchdown toss.

Sarah Wright runs in the Valkyries first touchdown.

Just 59 seconds into the second quarter, Eyolfson hit second-year receiver Grace McCorriston on a beauty over the shoulder fade pattern in the end zone for a 16-yard scoring strike. The Valkyries lead stood at 20-0, when the ensuing conversion attempt was muffed.

With 4:45 remaining in the second quarter, the Valkyries defence hit the scoreboard with middle linebacker Emmarae Dale returning an interception 64 yards for a touchdown. The Valkyries went for a two-point conversion attempt, but Eyolfson’s pass attempt was incomplete to make the score sit at 26-0 for the host side.

Wright thought the Valkyries got great contributions from everyone on their roster.

“Honestly, the Fearless are a great team, and they are getting better each year, and we can’t take that for granted,” said Wright. “As we came into this week, we knew that everyone had a job to do, and they are obviously watching film and studying us.

Alex Eyolfson threw three TD passes for the Valkyries.

“We kind of had to come up with some different plays and different looks, and those worked today.”

In the third quarter, McCorriston hit a field goal from 30 yards out to increase the Valkyries lead to 29-0. Before the stanza expired, Eyolfson connected with Obed for a 14-yard touchdown pass to give the Valkyries a 36-0 advantage.

The Fearless got on the scoreboard at the 3:50 mark of the fourth quarter when quarterback Madison Siwicki hit receiver Morgan Moffatt with an eight-yard touchdown toss. The ensuing conversion attempt was blocked making the final score round out at 36-6.

Before Saturday’s contest, the Valkyries won the WWCFL title the last time it was contested back in 2019.

The 2020 and 2021 WWCFL campaigns were cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has gripped the world. The Valkyries were able to get on the field in 2021 winning all the contests in a three-game exhibition series against the Regina Riot.

Grace McCorriston (#82) sets to make a touchdown catch.

Barry said it meant a lot to the team to win the champions at home with everything that has happened over the past couple of years, because the moment could be enjoyed with family and friends. The Valkyries also hadn’t won a WWCFL title at home since 2014, when they captured the league crown at Griffiths Stadium on the campus of the University of Saskatchewan.

The Valkyries began playing their home games out of SMF Field at the start of the 2015 campaign.

“It feels so good to have something that feels kind of normal again,” said Barry. “We’re super excited about it.

“We’ve never won a championship on this field. It has never happened. This is a first for us for our team.

The fans at SMF Field cheer on the Valkyries.

“I’m very happy. I’m so proud of the whole team.”

Wright was named the game’s most valuable player for the Valkyries carrying the ball 20 times for 157 yards and one touchdown. She also had a 14 yard catch to go with her production along the ground.

The multipurpose running back was surprised to be named the game’s MVP for her team.

“I definitely think that there were a few other girls that played their heart out today, and we’re very deserving of it,” said Wright. “I’ll take it, but again, it was definitely a team environment and group.

Danaye Holynski (#55) had 12.5 total tackles for the Valkyries.

“There were a handful of girls that should have got that too.”

Having joined the Valkyries in 2017, Wright was part of the championship win in 2019, and she pumped to win the WWCFL title in 2019.

“I’m so happy,” said Wright. “It is so great to be at home actually.

“Having everyone come on to the field and we’re able to talk to everyone, it means the world. When they (the hometown fans) are cheering so loud in the stands, that brings that environment, and I feel like that definitely played into the game today.”

Eyolfson finished the contest completing 16-of-27 passes for 239 yards and three touchdowns without throwing any interceptions. 

Ricki Obed had 107 yards receiving and two TDs for the Valkyries.

Obed led all receivers with eight catches for 107 yards and scored two touchdowns. She also carried the ball twice for eight yards and returned three punts for 24 yards.

Siwicki completed 11-of-23 passes for 106 yards and one touchdown, while throwing two interceptions for the Fearless. Running back Hallie Eggie was named the game MVP for the Fearless carrying the ball 18 times for 60 yards.

Valkyries defensive end Danaye Holynski piled up a game high 12.5 total tackles in the win. Dale had eight total tackles to go with her interception for a touchdown.

Saskatoon safety Kelsey Murphy had an interception, while defensive backs Rienna Rueve and Kendal Matheson each had one fumble recovery.

Kelsey Murphy (#85) makes an interception for the Valkyries.

Defensive back Taylor Post topped the Fearless with 7.5 total tackles.

The Fearless entered Saturday’s game riding a five-game winning streak and finished the 2022 campaign with a 5-2 mark.

For the Valkyries, the biggest memory from Saturday’s contest will be the fact that Lammerding was able to conclude her playing time on a championship winning note. Wright was pleased she could help Lammerding go out on a high.

“She (Lammerding) means pretty much everything,” said Wright. “She has been around since the inauguration of our team.

The Valkyries celebrate winning the WWCFL Championship Game.

“Every year she has been sort of a grounding person and honestly the focal point of our family environment. She is pretty much the program, so we will take her in the future however she can come coach wise or anywise. She is just an anchor point.”

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

-------

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.

Valkyries aim to make good on rare home WWCFL title game

Saskatoon faces Fearless in Saturday championship showdown

Rienna Rueve (#7) reacts to making an interception for the Valkyries.

The 2022 Saskatoon Valkyries season has been a bonus one for Rienna Rueve.

Having played with the Valkyries since the start of the 2012 campaign mainly at safety while taking on duties in the kicking game, Rueve was not expecting to suit up this season.

“I thought I was taking this season off as I got surgery on my foot in December,” said Rueve. “Somehow, (Valkyries head coach) Pat (Barry) got me sneaking in to help with some kicking coaching, and from there, he was like, ‘I bet maybe you could try punting.’”

The request about punting came when the Valkyries lost all-time great running back Sam Matheson, who handles punting duties, the season due to a knee injury in the team’s second game. All of a sudden, Rueve found herself donning her customary number seven jersey.

Rienna Rueve punts the ball for the Valkyries.

From that point, injuries started to pile up on defence, and Rueve was back in the mix taking on a starting role at cornerback. In the Valkyries 52-0 victory over the Edmonton Storm last Sunday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, Rueve had an interception and a fumble recovery.

On Saturday at 7 p.m. at SMF Field, Rueve will be trying to help the Valkyries (6-0) win their seventh WWCFL title taking on the Manitoba Fearless (5-1). Rueve was a member of five out of the Valkyries previous six WWCFL championship teams helping the Saskatoon side win league titles in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2019. The 2014 title victory marks the last time the Valkyries won the WWCFL crown at home.

Unlike those previous title winning campaigns, Rueve wasn’t training with the Valkyries in the off-season to take the field with the team in 2022.

“It is different,” said Rueve. “I still don’t feel like I have been as invested as I am regularly from start to finish just as this hasn’t been my season.

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

“Everything is kind of a bonus. I’m still playing football, and for every game I get to play, I’m super thankful for. It is still a championship game.”

Rueve is used to making big plays on defence. The big plays she made against the Storm helped her feel more like she normally feels on game days taking on roles on defence and special teams.

“It makes punting better,” said Rueve. “It is hard for me just to punt.

“I don’t feel like that is my primary position, so I need to be moving around in order to kind of clear my mind enough to do (punting) and it is good. It was fun moving around. It (playing cornerback) was a different position from what I have been playing the last few years.

Rienna Rueve is playing cornerback on defence for the Valkyries.

“I think it has kind of been nice just to focus on a couple things at a time and take my time and no real pressure to get into the full swing of things. It is all a bonus.”

Saturday will mark the first time the WWCFL Championship game was held since June 29, 2019, when the Valkyries downed the host Riot in Regina 25-3 at Mosaic Stadium. The 2020 and 2021 WWCFL campaigns were cancelled due to the world being in the grips of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Valkyries were able to play a three-game exhibition series against the Riot in 2021.

This season, the Valkyries and Fearless met once way back in Week 1 on May 1, when Saskatoon claimed a 43-14 victory at SMF Field against the Winnipeg-based club. Since that encounter, the Fearless have won five straight entering the WWCFL Final.

Hallie Eggie has had a strong season for the Fearless.

They advanced to the WWCFL title game for the first time in team history downing the Rage in Calgary 15-6 in the other WWCFL semifinal that was held this past Saturday.

Barry expects the Fearless to provide a tough challenge. Fearless running back Hallie Eggie has had an outstanding season, while quarterback Madison Siwicki has provided steady leadership calling signals.

Andrea Backlund and Julie Sprague are the cornerstones of a strong offensive line.

Brooklyn Dyce and Nura Muhindo anchor the Fearless defence from the defensive line, while defensive back Nicole Drouin keeps things steady in the secondary.

Eggie, Backlund, Sprague, Dyce, Muhindo and Drouin are all members of Football Canada’s National Women’s Team.

“On defence, they have some outstanding players, and they are a problem,” said Barry. “We have to account for them.

The Valkyries defence will aim to clamp down on the Fearless offence.

“Eggie number 20, she is an outstanding running back. She gets better the more carries she gets, so that is always a concern. Their quarterback, she is willing to throw it, and she has some receivers. 

“On special teams, they have players who cover hard, work hard, they block and they catch. They do a lot of things right. They are well coached.”

Of course, the Valkyries have a loaded roster with 12 players cracking the main roster Football Canada’s National Women’s Team. That list includes Emmarae Dale (MLB), Lauren Ferguson (OL), Alyssa Funk (OL), Haley Girolami (R), Danaye Holynski (DL), Arden Kliewer (DL), Beth Lalonde (LB), Betsy Mawdsley (OL), Ricki Obed (R), Reed Thorstad (QB/R), Ashley Viklund (OL) and Sarah Wright (RB).

Alex Eyolfson (#15) is having arguably her best season for the Valkyries.

Matheson was placed on the reserve list with her knee injury.

On top of the presence of National Team players, Valkyries quarterback Alex Eyolfson is having arguably her best season ever.

Saturday’s WWCFL title game will be the last game veteran defensive tackle Jaime Lammerding plays for the Valkyries. Lammerding has played for the Valkyries since their first season in 2011.

“It is a mix of emotions,” said Lammerding. “It is kind of odd feelings.

DT Jaime Lammerding got to run the ball in a WWCFL semifinal.

“I know some things are going to be my last things that I am doing. It is weird to kind of make it all make sense in my head like when I do my speech here it all kind of jumbles together. I want to be happy, and I am still sad.

“It is just tough.”

Lammerding enjoyed the fact she got to carry the ball a couple of times on offence in the Valkyries WWCFL semifinal win over the Storm.

“I started off playing running back with the Valkyries,” said Lammerding. “It was kind of more of a throwback.

“It was a treat of course, but it was kind of a throwback to my early days. It was great to get in there. Luckily, they gave me a simple play, where I just had to run left or right and just take the ball so that was good.

Jaime Lammerding (#21) lines up at defensive end.

“It was great to get in there. It is always so nice. Everybody is always behind you so much whenever anybody gets to do something neat and different.”

She added it is cool that her final game will be in a WWCFL title game at home.

“I think it is extra special,” said Lammerding. “It wasn’t really a thought when I decided this was going to be my final year was that we would have the championship here, because who knows if we were going to make it or not.

“I think it ends off everything on just that extra special note that cherry on top.”

Barry said he has been thankful for what Lammerding and Rueve have done for the team over the years. He expects both will play key roles in helping the Valkyries try to win the WWCFL Championship game on Saturday.

The Valkyries aim to raise their helmets for victory on Saturday.

“They are quality people, and they know what they are doing,” said Barry. “We can put them in various situations, and they excel.

“When they are both on the field, it is just their confidence. Their confidence spreads, and it helps everybody on the field.”

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

-------

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.