Valkyries end perfect season on perfect note

BY DON RICE, THE STARPHOENIX JULY 7, 2014
Photograph by: Liam Richards , The StarPhoenix

Coaches expected this to be a rebuilding season for the Saskatoon Valkyries, with new players filling almost half their roster.

Instead, the Valkyries wrapped up the most dominant season in league history, winning a fourth straight Western Women’s Canadian Football League championship with a 53-0 thrashing of the visiting Lethbridge Steel at Griffiths Stadium on Saturday night. The Valkyries were a perfect 7-0 this year, outscoring opponents 339-28. It was the third straight year the Valkyries defeated the Steel in the league final.

“I think we put together a complete game,” said Valkyrie starting quarterback Candace Bloomquist. “Our defence scored a touchdown, our special teams scored a touchdown. It’s when you get those types of situations where everybody’s scoring, you feel like everybody’s playing as a team. It really feels nice to see that fourth one in a row.”

Saskatoon quarterback retires after Valkyries win fourth women’s football title

By Morgan Modjeski Metro Saskatoon
Photo By Morgan Modjeski Metro Saskatoon

The Saskatoon Valkyries have won their fourth straight Western Women’s Canadian Football League championship — but for veteran quarterback Candace Bloomquist, the victory is bittersweet.

Bloomquist, who completed 21 of 30 passes in Saturday’s title game — a 53-0 romp over the Lethbridge Steel — at Saskatoon’s Griffiths Stadium, told reporters after the match that she’s hanging up her helmet and cleats.

“It’s just time,” Bloomquist, 35, told Metro of her retirement from football, as the rest of the Valkyries celebrated with the championship trophy to cap off their undefeated season.

“Four in a row is good and I want to pursue other things, so it’s time to move on.”

Harris tackles football as she nears 40

BY DON RICE, THE STARPHOENIX JULY 5, 2014
Photograph by: Colin Chatfield photo

At an age when most people are slowing down, or retiring from contact sports, 39-year-old Melanie Harris is just getting going. The married mother of two was talked into trying out for the Saskatoon Valkyries wo men' s tackle football team three years ago by her young niece. Now Harris is still playing, and her 24-year-old niece has retired.

Melanie Harris "It's just important to let people know that age is not a barrier," said Harris who starts at defensive end. "If you have support from family and friends, you can make it work."

Harris has a chance to help the Valkyries win their fourth straight Western Women's Canadian Football League championship today, as Saskatoon hosts the Lethbridge Steel in the title game at Griffiths Stadium at 7 p.m.

It is a three times a week commute from Outlook for Harris, who is encouraged to play by her husband Brad and two children. Brad, a former hockey referee who never played football himself, serves on the Valkyries' board of directors.

"I think it's been so great for my daughter, who is 10, just to show her that you can do this, said Harris. "She feels sorry for me with all my bruises at the end of a game, and at the end of a week, but she always says she's proud of me.

Valkyries tailback runs wild in the WWCFL

Julie David

BY DON RICE, THE STARPHOENIX JULY 2, 2014

Photograph by: Bridges Photo By Michelle Berg, The Starphoenix

Julie David is a football natural, but she didn't always know it.

She went to her first-ever football practice four years ago. It was a Wednesday. By Sunday, she was playing in her first tackle football game with the Saskatoon Valkyries. She was terrified the entire first year.

"I still didn't know what I was doing half the time," David said.

Since then, she's racked up more than twice as many rushing yards (2,258) and touchdowns (54) as any other Valkyrie. Almost half the Valkyries' touchdowns over the last three years have been scored by David, including many of the lengthy highlight-reel variety. Odds are she is actually the all-time Western Women's Canadian Football League (WWCFL) rushing leader, but records were not kept. She is also at or near the top of the league in receiving and kick return yards. And she is a strong player on defence when called upon.

Valkyries crush Regina to reach final

BY DON RICE, THE STARPHOENIX JUNE 23, 2014
Photograph by: Michelle Berg, The StarPhoenix

The Saskatoon Valkyries proved once again on Sunday they are still the queens of women’s football in Saskatchewan.

For the fourth year in a row, the Valkyries downed the Regina Riot in the Prairie Conference championship of the Western Women’s Canadian Football League. This time it was a 44-15 triumph at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon.

The Valkyries have one more step to go in pursuit of their fourth-straight league title. They face the Lethbridge Steel for the third straight time in the WWCFL championship in Saskatoon on July 5.

“I think we accomplished everything we wanted to as far as getting a lead in the game,” said Valkyries head coach Jeff Yausie. “Then we played all our players for the second, third and fourth quarters. I’m really happy with our team.”

Photos: Saskatoon Valkyries vs. Regina Riot

The Saskatoon Valkyries went against the Regina Riot in a conference final at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon on June 22, 2014.

The starphoenix JUNE 23, 2014

View photo gallery here

Saskatoon Valkyries rout Regina Riot on way to women’s football final

By Morgan Modjeski Metro Saskatoon
Photo By Morgan Modjeski Metro Saskatoon

The Saskatoon Valkyries are on their way to a possible WWCFL four-peat.

After dominating the Regina Riot, their Saskatchewan rivals, 44-15 in the Prairie Conference final at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon on Sunday, the Valkyries will compete for their fourth consecutive Western Women’s Canadian Football League championship.

Valkyries head coach Jeff Yausie said after the game that he’s thrilled about the upcoming title match against the Lethbridge Steel, but noted that getting through the conference wasn’t easy.

“The ultimate goal is to win our conference and Regina is our rival,” Yausie said, “so we’ve had three great physical battles against those guys this year.”

Valkyries advance to final with easy win

BY DON RICE, THE STARPHOENIX JUNE 16, 2014 

Photograph by: Michelle Berg, The Starphoenix

Both teams walked away from Sunday's Western Canadian Women's Football League rain-soaked

playoff game at Griffiths Stadium with smiles on their faces.

The Saskatoon Valkyries were grinning most broadly after handing the Manitoba Fearless a 48-6 setback in their semifinal matchup.

But the Fearless were pleased too. After being shut out by a combined 260-0 score in five previous games against the Valkyries over the last four years, the Fearless finally lit up the scoreboard with a late touchdown of their own.