St. Joseph Guardians won the 2024 6A provincial football championship, defeating the Campbell Tartans 52-16 on Saturday.

The win was a big one for Saskatoon Saint Joseph after losing the championship in 2022.

Coach Chad Palmer said the experience carried the team to victory.

“That’s what it takes in this sport, you have to build it,” he said. “You can’t just go into your first game and win. Because we experienced that two years ago, we knew we’d be ready to go for this game.”

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The match had a windy start for St. Joseph, who scored a field goal and a touchdown early in the game.

Unfortunately, the game ended early for Guardians middle linebacker Jack Baier, who was taken from the game by EMS with a serious leg injury.

From receiving treatment from medical personnel to the arrival of EMS on the scene, the incident delayed the game approximately 45 minutes.

I heard from the spectators that it’s a broken leg. Both teams moved to opposite end zones to warm up. @CJMENews @CKOMNews pic.twitter.com/qE6OLqnz9x

— Nicole Garn (@garnnic) November 9, 2024

This gave the St. Joseph team more motivation to finish the job.

“I got the guys together and said, ‘I know you’re already motivated, but if you don’t have enough motivation for the rest of this game, that’s what we need right here. That’s motivation enough to win for Jack,” Palmer said. “And they did.”

St. Joseph dominated the first two quarters of the game, going into halftime with a score of 17-0.

After St. Joseph got another touchdown early in the third quarter, Campbell eventually answered with a touchdown of his own from senior Treysen Perras.

However, it was not enough to hold St. Joseph, who responded with two more touchdowns, one from Sam Larfeniere – who scored a total of three touchdowns in the game – and the other from Zak Cardell in the fourth quarter.

The final score was 52-16 for St. Joseph.

Palmer said both teams played a good game despite what the scoreboard said.

“Yes, things went well for us, but they tested us,” he said. “Their offense scored 14 points, but they tested us all game. I think it kept our guys on their toes because of that.”

Defender St. Joseph Dawson Gusikoski was a playmaker on the field, scoring a touchdown of his own, running the ball and connecting with his teammates.

After the match, victory had not hit him.

“Words can’t describe how I feel right now,” he said. “Ever since 9th grade, that’s all I’ve ever wanted. I just watch the older guys play and now I finally get to do it. It just means the world.”

Quarterback Dawson Gusikoski (third from right) is a senior with St. Joseph Guardians. He is proud of his team and says this is a moment he will never forget. (Nicole Garn/980 CJME)

This was the last time he wore the St. Joseph jersey, as he will graduate from high school in the spring.

“It’s bittersweet,” he said. “I can’t describe it though. I will cherish this moment forever and it will be something I will never forget in my life.”

He plans to continue his football career in college.

Campbell disappointed but still proud

After winning against the Leboldus Golden Suns in the city high school championships earlier this month, Campbell was ready to take home the big prize.

It was Campbell Collegiate’s first championship since 2017, however, its defense was not strong enough to hold off St. Joseph back on Saturday.

Coach Kelly Adams is still proud of his team despite the result.

“These 12th graders came through a undefeated 10th grade season and worked really hard to get us to this point,” he said. “I feel bad that I couldn’t make it to the finish line.”

The team is ready to regroup and come back even stronger next year.

“We have a lot of good 10th grade classes and we have a lot of kids and we just have to get to work and see if we can get back here again next year,” Kelly said.

Another senior hanging up his jersey is Campbell’s Colin Bueckert, who played on the team that went 0-6 in 2022.

“I’ve been on this team since 10th grade when we didn’t win,” he said. “It’s great to see us come this far, but it hurts even more to lose at this stage.”

Regardless of the outcome, it’s a moment he won’t forget.

“I’m proud of us for coming out and giving it our all,” he said. “I like this team. I’m proud of us regardless of the result.”

Bueckert is eager to continue his football career and has committed to the University of Alberta Golden Bears.

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