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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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.”

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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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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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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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“This game was 100 per cent for him” - Valkyries win WWCFL title in memory of late coach Filteau

Ron Filteau holds the WWCFL title trophy for the Valkyries team picture.

    REGINA, Sask. - It was far from an ordinary Western Women’s Canadian Football League championship for the Saskatoon Valkyries.

    On Saturday, the Valkyries downed the host Regina Riot 25-3 to capture their first league title since 2016 and sixth WWCFL championship since the team first hit the field in 2011. 

    The Riot entered Saturday’s game looking for their third straight league championship having won the WWCFL title in 2017 and 2018.

    The Valkyries were playing to honour the memory of their late defensive position coach Justin Filteau, who died in a plane crash on June 1. After learning about Filteau’s passing, the Valkyries dedicated their 2019 season to their late coach.

Sam Matheson (#22) jets off on a 16-yard touchdown run.

    Following Saturday’s win over the Riot, the Valkyries brought Filteau’s father, Ron, on to the field to share in the celebrations. The team had a big group hug with Ron, and he took part in a team picture with the squad.

    “This feels unreal, especially with everything that has happened this year, the adversity our team has experienced and overcome on this field,” said sixth-year defensive back Ehjae Chan. “It means so much like more than words can even express.

    “For us to be here to have played in this game and pulled through, we really felt coach (Justin) Filteau here today. This game was 100 per cent for him. I think for us it just felt fitting.”

    The Valkyries improved to 8-0 overall with the win.

Haley Girolami makes a tough sidelines catch.

    They still have one more exhibition game this coming Saturday at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field against the Montreal Blitz, who play out of a women’s league in the United States.

    The Riot, who won two straight road playoff games to make the WWCFL final, finished off with a 3-4 overall mark.

    Valkyries quarterback Alex Eyolfson, who was named her team’s MVP for the title game, said she couldn’t find the words to adequately say how she felt regarding all that her squad had to persevere through.

    “It is just amazing,” said Eyolfson. “It is a great feeling.

    “Everyone just has so much heart on this team. It just showed today at the end. We just pushed through and got it for Filteau.”

    The Valkyries actually closed their WWCFL regular season schedule one day after Filteau’s sudden passing on June 2 at Mosaic Stadium against the Riot. Saskatoon prevailed in that contest 22-7.

    “When we found out about Justin’s passing, we were playing our last regular season game here on June second, and it was a challenge,” said Valkyries head coach Pat Barry. “I had never been involved in anything like that.

Ehjae Chan (#24) celebrates a fourth quarter interception.

    “The resiliency of our athletes is incredible. I am so proud of them. Their mental toughness is something I will never forget.

    “I will remember it all of my days.”

    Saturday’s clash was a typical physical affair that traditionally occurs between the Valkyries and Riot. The defences on both sides force their share of turnovers.

    The Valkyries ultimately made their takeaways count scoring 24 points off turnovers.

Saskatoon went ahead 1-0 early in the first quarter on a 40-yard punt single from Rienna Rueve.

    In the second quarter, Valkyries rookie defensive back Kori Herner intercepted Riot star quarterback Aimee Kowalski.

    The Valkyries turned that turnover into a short scoring drive that was capped by a four-yard touchdown run by star running back Sam Matheson to give the visitors an 8-0 edge.

    Near the end of the second quarter, Chan intercepted Kowalski and made a long run back into Regina’s end of the field.

Valkyries LB Beth Lalonde sacks Riot QB Aimee Kowalski.

    A short drive resulting from that turnover ended with Rueve hitting a 15-yard field goal to give the Valkyries an 11-0 lead with 14 seconds remaining before halftime.

    “As a DB, anytime you get to have an interception it’s really meaningful, especially when it kind of changes the tide of the game,” said Chan. “Our whole team has been playing unreal.

    “Our defence, we were working together, so I feel like that was just a reflection of how well our defence was playing as a unit. I just happened to get to take the glory for that moment, but it was really the whole team working together to make that happen.”

    Early in the third quarter, the Riot appeared to seize the momentum, when defensive end Jessie Noname blocked a punt and recovered the ball at Saskatoon’s 34 yard line.

QB Alex Eyolfson (#15) threw for 200 yards for the Valkyries.

    On the ensuing Regina offensive series, Kowalski appeared to hit receiver Kyla Krenbrink for a nine-yard touchdown pass, but the score was called back due to an off-side penalty against the Riot.

    That series ended with Krenbrink hitting a field goal from 20 yards out to cut the Valkyries lead to 11-3.

    In the fourth quarter, the Valkyries got the ball on their own 45 yard line after stopping the Riot on a third down gamble.

    Saskatoon proceeded to drive the ball downfield for a scoring march that was capped by a one-yard sneak by short-yardage quarterback Reed Thorstad. Thorstad’s score gave the visitors an 18-3 lead with 6:47 remaining on the clock.

The Valkyries held Reed Thorstad (#12) up after she scores a touchdown.

    After stopping the Riot on another third down gamble, the Valkyries mounted another scoring march that was capped by a 16-yard touchdown run by Matheson to put Saskatoon up 25-3 with 2:35 to play.

    Chan made her second interception of the contest on the ensuring Riot offensive series to cap the Valkyries victory.

    “It is always nice to come and battle,” said Chan, who had three tackles to go with her two interceptions. “We always have great games when we play the Riot.

    “We appreciate that, because football is more fun when it is a challenge and you aren’t sure what is going to happen. Obviously, it is great. We’re so proud of the football community in Saskatchewan.

Valkyries head coach Pat Barry gets the ice bucket shower.

    “Obviously, we love keeping it (the WWCFL championship) in the province and battling it out.”

    Matheson had a monster game for the Valkyries running the ball 21 times for 176 yards to go with her two scores.

    Eyolfson, who was named her team’s MVP for the game, completed 13-of-27 passes for 200 yards with one interception. Valkyries rookie receiver Haley Girolami led all pass catchers with six catches for 65 yards, which included a key 24-yard sideline catch in the fourth quarter.

    “We had a great group of receivers this year,” said Eyolfson. “I think it was probably like one of the strongest years we’ve had as an offence for sure.

    “We’ve played flag before, so it is good. I can connect with them. I know how they run.”

    The Riot were limited to 199 yards of total offence as a team. Kowalski completed 14-of-37 passes with four interceptions.

Ron Filteau, centre, gets emotional from a warm greeting by the Valkyries.

    Linebacker Emmarae Dale and defensive end Danaye Holynski each had 10.5 tackles for the Valkyries.

    Defensive tackle Brittany Boschman was named the game MVP for the Riot making 3.5 tackles and recovering one fumble.

    Barry spoke to Justin Filteau’s mom, Nancy, before the contest and she said to tell the players to have fun. The side boss reminded his players of that bit of advice at halftime, and he thought they were more upbeat with how they played in the second half.
    With all the Valkyries had to go though, Barry was overjoyed to see his team win the WWCFL title.

The Valkyries raise the WWCFL championship trophy.

    “I’m a little speechless right now,” said Barry. “I am so proud of these players.

    “I am so proud of these athletes. I am really excited for them. They had a great day.”

    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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