Football | The Star Phoenix

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The Aden Bowman Bears were undefeated in local football league play last year, capping their season off with the 5A city championship. T

The Bears fell one game shy of a perfect season, losing in the provincial final to Weyburn Comprehensive. At 1-3 so far this year, they are underdogs to repeat as city champions but they are one of eight Saskatoon teams in the running for the city championship. Tommy Douglas leads the way at 3-1 so far.

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In 6A play, the Holy Cross Crusaders look to return as city champions after losing in last year’s provincial final. The Crusaders are tied at 4-0 with the St. Joseph Guardians for top position so far this year, with a head-to-head regular season showdown between the two clubs scheduled for Friday, October 4 at 7:30 p.m. at SMF Field.

The regular season will conclude on Oct. 17 with playoffs starting the following day. The 5A city season wraps up on Oct. 25, while the 6A season final goes Nov. 1. Both provincial finals will be contested on Nov. 9 with the 5A finals in Saskatoon and 6A in Regina.

The StarPhoenix presents our team-by-team snapshots for local football teams with coaches who chose to participate providing their insights about their team.

Aden Bowman Bears

Head coach: Will Redl

Players to watch

• Atticus Lu — Grade 12, RB. Downhill runner.
• Charlie Gray — Grade 12, RB. Tough and composed.
• Elijah Doleman — Grade 12, RB. Balanced athlete.
• Carter Kelly — Grade 12, Rec/DB. Pure football player.
• Eastan Loshack — Grade 12, DB. Ball hawk.
• Liam Mescall — Grade 12, LB. Disruptive playmaker.

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Previous results

“5A city champions.”

Expectations for this season

“We expect to be a more balanced offence and a swarming defence that will steadily improve throughout the season and hope to challenge for a city championship by the end of the season.”

Bedford Road Redhawks

Head coach: Dylan Andreychuk

Players to watch

• Parker Bond — Grade 11, LB. Talented and smart. Returning starter poised to lead the way as a playmaker on Defence.
• Teerth Patel — Grade 12, RB. Versatile, physical athlete who will be a dependable leader for the team.
• Naafi Uddin — Grade 12, LB. Three-year vet and a key run-defender who is set for a productive senior season.
• Guillermo Rodriguez — Grade 12, QB. A veteran receiver moving to the quarterback position this season. “G” is a dynamic athlete and the unquestioned leader of the offence.

Previous results

“5-2. Defeated E.D. Feehan for the Division 3 championship.”

Expectations for this season

“With some key veterans returning and a lot of turnover at several positions, we hope to improve significantly as the season goes on. Our aim is to defend the Division 3 title, and look forward to embracing the underdog role in a couple of tough matchups.”

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Bishop Mahoney Saints

Head coach: Donnie Davidsen

Players to watch

• Kyren Houmphanh — Grade 12, QB.
• Race Marcinkiw — Grade 12, Rec.
• Lucian Verity — Grade 12, DL.
• Wyatt Laroche — Grade 12, RB.
• Treagan Green-Edmonds — Grade 12, LB.
• Jackson Andrews — Grade 12, DB.
• Nick Cooke — Grade 12, OL.
• Emelio Rodriguez — Grade 12, OL.
• Ronan Alexander — Grade 12, DL.

Previous results

3-4 in the regular season. Tied for 4th.

Expectations for this season

“To compete weekly and improve everyday.”

E.D. Feehan Trojans

Head coach: Steve Kovach

Players to watch

• Tyrin Swiftwolfe — Grade 12, Lineman. A large and powerful athlete and three year starter. Plays on both sides of the ball, kicks, punts and was a member of Team Sask Indigenous.
• Zach Heiser — Grade 12, QB. A leader on and off the field for the Trojans. His work in the offseason to improve as a quarterback and athlete has paid dividends. His stalwart dependability and team-first attitude is also contagious.
• Prince Quilapio — Grade 12, RB. Brings track speed and a taste for contact. Will be a linchpin of the offence.
• Aiden Omani — Grade 12, LB. A fleet-footed and physical player, he has grown enormously as a student and football player. Plays with great toughness and a love of the game.
• Gerrett Toutsaint — Grade 11, Rec. Smart and steadfast returning starter. Led the team in receptions and touchdowns in the first game. Can be counted on to block, catch, return or compete in any other duty the team requires him to.
• Irvin Moore — Grade 11, LB. Plays an aggressive and instinctual brand of linebacker. Can be counted on in difficult situations to rise to the occasion and make a big play.

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Previous results

“2-4 in the regular season. Defeated Mount Royal in the Division 3 city semifinals. Was defeated by Bedford Road in the second annual Rusholme Bowl.”

Expectations for this season

“We have a small but committed group of seniors who will lead our young roster to become better players and people. With our youth, we expect a season of growth and fun.”

Evan Hardy Souls

Head coach: Pat Barry

Players to watch

• Reece Woods — Grade 12, DB/RB. Great athlete, hard worker and he leads by example.
• Jordan Brown — Grade 11, Rec. Excellent hands and a very smart athlete.
• Dax Zary — Grade 11, LB. Exceptional tackler and a leader on defence.

Previous results

“We ended up with 4 wins and 4 losses last year and lost a close game to Bethlehem in the Division 2 city championship.”

Expectations for this season

“We are a pretty young team and we are hoping to keep improving every week. We have a very resilient team and I am very proud of our players, staff and coaches for how they have reacted to start our season.”

Marion Graham Falcons

Head coach: Addison Dewar

Players to watch

• Riel Prangi — Grade 12, QB/S/P. Tremendous athlete. After a strong season at slotback last year, Prangi finds himself playing on both sides of the ball and will be the motor of the team.
• Sam Dean — Grade 11, LB. Three-year starter on the team. Has a great sense for the ball and is an elite playmaker.
• Wolfgang Berg — Grade 12, DB/WR. A true difference maker on both sides of the ball. He has elite ball skills and is an exemplary student and athlete.

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Previous results

“Lost in the semifinal.”

Expectations for this season

“Compete in all of our games this season and grow as a team throughout the year.”

Tommy Douglas Tigers

Head coach: Leo Grosjean

Players to watch

• Gino Frassetto — Grade 12, LB/K. Has been a 3-year starter with the program and is looking to go out with a bang this year. If he is not laying big hits on defence, he’s kicking the ball through the uprights.
• Kalbe Mohr — Grade 12, QB. A 2nd-year starter with the program and is ready to showcase why he was chosen as starting QB. He looks a lot calmer in the pocket this year and has increased his arm strength through the off-season.

Previous results

“Lost in the semifinals.”

Expectations for this season

“We return a strong group of Grade 12s. We found it hard even to pick two people to watch during the season as a number of them are going to be dynamic on the field this year. Our goal this year is to be in the city and provincial finals.”

Bethlehem Stars

Head coach: Brad Schnitzler

Players to watch

• Tyson Dale — Grade 12, QB.
• Jace Courchaine — Grade 12, Rec.
• Xavier Conley — Grade 11, LB.
• Grayson Hofstra — Grade 12, LB.
• Brett Slusar — Grade 12, DB.

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Previous results

4-3 in regular season and 3rd overall.

Expectations for this season

“Looking to continue to develop a roster with some returning players for a chance to compete in the 6A playoffs.”

Centennial Chargers

Head coach: Brent Schneider

Players to watch

Offence

• Matt Saul — Grade 11, OL. Great size, smart, very physical, excellent potential.
• Nathan Mark — Grade 12, OL. Smart, great technique, very physical.
• Quinn Hess — Grade 12, Rec. Very smart receiver, good hands, dependable, runs good routes.

Defence

• Keagan Anderson — Grade 12, LB. Good athlete, quick, physical.
• McLaren Hein — Grade 11 DB. Good size, good cover, smart player.
• Owen Kolisnyk — Grade 12 DB. Good athlete, quick, physical.

Special Teams

• Marcus Chesters — Grade 12, P/K. Very good at punting, field goals, and kickoffs.

Previous results

1-7, 5th place in regular season.

Expectations for this season

“We expect to be a much better football team this year. Improving upon last year’s results is the goal. The offence should be improved with first year QB Riley Harrison stepping in as the starter. The offensive line should be the strength of the team. On defence, we might be a little under sized but should make up for it with good team speed. Look for this unit to improve each week as the season goes along.”

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Holy Cross Crusaders

Head coach: Tom Schnitzler

Players to watch

• Aulain Penner — Grade 12, RB. Explosive running back who can break a big play any time he touches the football. Team captain, will lead the offence this year.
• Matthew Elash — Grade 12, OL. Team captain and the leader of the offensive line. Plays centre and is responsible for making line calls. He will be a big part of the run game and pass protection.
• Britton Tabler — Grade 12, Rec. A team caption this year and is looking to build on a breakout season last year. He is an excellent route runner and can make defenders miss in open space.
• Scotty Broker — Grade 11, QB. His first season as the starting quarterback for Holy Cross. He showed up to camp ready to compete and full of confidence after a summer of hard work in preparation. Has a big arm that can stretch the field. We look forward to seeing his growth this year as the leader on offence.
• Ryker Hanson — Grade 11, LB. Second year starter as middle linebacker and defensive leader. Team captain this year. He reads the game very well and can react with speed. He can do it all — from run stopping, to blitzing with great timing and speed, to dropping into coverage. Being counted on to lead the defence this year.
• Keegan Martins — Grade 12, LB. A team captain and leader on defence. He plays weak side linebacker. He has had a great offseason and looks poised for a breakout year.
• Owen Topping — Grade 12, DL. A team captain, he is a versatile defensive lineman who can play inside or edge. He brings a physical element to defence. We will look to him to lead the pass rush and to stop the run this year.
• Traven Wiggins — Grade 10, DB. Traven is an exciting young player on defence. He played Kinsmen football last year, and has jumped right into the starting defence as a Grade 10 player this year. He has a great mix of speed and physicality. A very coachable player. We are excited to see him develop this year. He is also the place kicker and punter this season.

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Previous results

“City champions. Lost the provincial final to Regina Miller, 12-10”

Expectations for this season

“We are excited to have several key starters from last year’s city championship team return. We hope to hit the ground running and improve each week. Our goal every year is to win our league. We hope to get back to where we were last year to give ourself an opportunity to play in the city and provincial finals. There are some great teams this year so we will have our work cut out for us. We believe we have the athletes to compete.”

St. Joseph Guardians

Head coach: Chad Palmer

Players to watch

• Dawson Gusikoski — Grade 12, QB/DB. A smart, explosive athlete. Will play two ways. Is an impact on both sides of the ball.
• Noah Yasinski — Grade 12, Rec. Strong physical athlete. Played U18 Team Sask. Will anchor the receiver group.
• Sam Lafreniere — Grade 11, RB. Fast, elusive athlete. Played U17 Team Sask. Will make teams pay that don’t tackle well with his speed and patience.
• Jack Baier — Grade 11, LB. Big very physical player. Returning to team after missing Grade 11 with an injury. He will cause problems for defenses all season.

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Previous results

“Lost 6A city final.”

Expectations for this season

“We always have high expectations. Even though we’ve turned a lot of talent over that graduated in June, our team is reloaded with lots of great football players.”

Walter Murray Marauders

Head coach: Taylor Johnson

Players to watch

• Tate Hoffman — Grade 12, DB. Length and high football IQ. Look for him to shut down the passing game.
• Kalob Higgs — Grade 12, DL. Size, power and speed. A powerful lineman that can disrupt any offence.
• Grayson Clement — Grade 12, WR. Fantastic route runner. Clement catches everything thrown his way. Look for him to get plenty of targets.
• Alexander Dunlop — Grade 12, OL. Amazing technical blocker. Look for him to be able to block anyone that lines up against him.

Previous results

“3rd place in 6A. Semifinal loss.”

Expectations for this season

“The Walter Murray Marauders look to improve from last season and compete at a high level each game. A combination of veteran leadership and young talent, Walter Murray should improve with each game they play.”

drice@postmedia.com

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