Saskatoon 4A high school preview

Aden Bowman Bears
Last year: 7-0; first in 4A league; won city and provincial final
Key returnees: Many key players return from last year’s championship team, including third-year quarterback Drew Burko (PICTURE) who led Saskatchewan to a gold medal at the under-18 Canada Cup this summer.

Wideout Davis Mitchell provides a potent weapon for Burko while converted running back Dylan Defosse is a tough runner. Team captain and middle linebacker Quinn Pierce will lead the defence.

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Rookies to watch: Converted soccer player Ryan Verity will take up receiving and kicking duties for the Bears. Head coach Mark Andrews has been impressed with the intensity from defensive backs Jake Digout and Julian Fritz.
A look ahead: With a core of veteran returness, the three-time defending city champions from Aden Bowman are again the team to beat this season. “Every off-season we talk about reloading and not rebuilding,” said Andrews. “When you’re the defending champions you already know the teams are gunning for you, and that’s something we accept and look forward to.”

Bethlehem Stars
Last year: 4-3; fourth in 4A league
Key returnees: Kim Pasloski and his coaching staff are hoping Garett Dyck will continue to impress in the backfield for the Stars. Linemen Jordan Hydomako and Ben and Lawrence Swerhorne will lead from the trenches as well.
Rookies to watch: Under pivot is green quarterback Aiden Kerslake, but the coaching staff has been impressed with his continued improvement and are excited to see his progress throughout the year.
A look ahead: Few gave the Stars a hope last season, but they surprised with a record above .500 and a nailbiting quarter-final loss to Centennial. Pasloski is hoping for more of the same this season.

Centennial Chargers
Last year: 3-3-1; fifth in 4A league; lost in city final
Key returnees: Chargers feature plenty of familiar faces on offence including Grade 11 quarterback Jared Andreychuk, running back Kent Rempel and slot back/kicker Sean Stenger. Linebacker Michael Bue returns on defence, among others.
Rookies to watch: Welcome new faces include linebacker Cam Schnitzler, defensive end Kyle Sonntag and wide receiver Preston Olson.
A look ahead: They surprised many with a berth in the city final last year, but the Chargers won’t be flying under the radar this season. Head coach Dave Fisher is hoping they can take can the next step this time around.

Holy Cross Crusaders
Last year: 5-1-1; second in 4A league
Key returnees: Back in the fold for Scott Hundseth’s Crusaders on offence include quarterback Derek Sadownick, running back Stephen Baumann and slotback Jordan Spooner. The defence will be bolstered by the return of linebackers Kayle Best and Landon McKay.
Rookies to watch: Newcomers looking to make an impact on the defensive side are Brendon Kuemper at defensive back, Liam Mulligan at linebacker and Brennen Nieseen on defensive line. Mack Zeiler will see time at offensive line, as well as Scott Kary at tailback.
A look ahead: The Crusaders are looking to make amends for last season’s disappointing first-round playoff loss to Walter Murray. Hundseth is mixed on what he expects from his squad, but hopes the Crusaders keep competitive in the league. Other coaches peg them in the league’s upper echelon.

P.A. Carlton Crusaders
Last year: 0-7; eighth in 4A league
Key returnees: This year’s edition of the Crusaders are young, but have some quality returning on defence. Graham Pederson is a “relentless pass rusher” at defensive end while fellow lineman Nick Krishan is a leader on defence. Cole Puetz, a speedy DB, is back as well. On offence, both slotback Brady Niemanis, running back Jordan Gabriel-Cannon and quarterback James Thorpe return.
Rookies to watch: First-year head coach Rylan Michalchuk points out linebacker Lucas McConechy and wide receiver Scott Pichula as welcome additions to the team.
A look ahead: Michalchuk understands his team will be playing in an underdog role this year, but hopes they’ll steal a win or two by season’s end.

P.A. St. Mary Marauders
Last year: 2-5; sixth in 3A league
Key returnees: Plenty of players graduated from last year’s Marauders squad, but they’re not depleted. Bryce Ehtier returns at running back while receivers Evan Kopchynski and Johnny Kusheriuk should make some catches at wideout. Gaetan Lalonde is back at linebacker as well as Andrew Hemsworth on defensive line.
Rookies to watch: Among a plethora of newcomers, head coach Curt Hundeby is looking to get contributions from offensive tackle Chris Udey, defensive back Robert Stefanyshyn and linebackers Lee Gignac and Cody Sjorgen.
A look ahead: “We graduated at a lots of players and therefore have a very young team this year,” said Hundeby. “We are a much more athletic team than last year, but at the cost of most our size. We feel that if we can play well and improve throughout the season we could finish in the top five or six.”

St. Joseph Guardians
Last year: 5-2, third in 3A league
Key returnees: Head coach Darin Wist has moved safety Fabian Dale to quarterback and likes the mobility he provides. The Guardians’ leader will be the big fella’ at centre, Dillon Thiermann. On defence Sean Splawinski heads the linebacking crew, while Emmanuel Ojukwu provides some bulk at nose tackle.
Rookies to watch: Wist will be working in some young talent at running back and hopes for big things.
A look ahead: The Guardians are young, having graduated plenty of starters, but that doesn’t mean Wist isn’t optimistic. He doesn’t know what his team is capable of and believes that could be a good thing.
“We have to figure out what we do well and try and be confident in things that we’re doing,” he said. “Once you get a little bit of confidence I think the game’s an awful lot easier.”

Walter Murray Marauders
Last year: 1-6; seventh in 4A league
Key returnees: Head coach David Earl points to middle linebacker Brad Janzen as an integral part of his team in terms of leadership and ability. Calen Auckland will complement Janzen at linebacker. Two slotbacks, Zach Reddekopp and Mack Murtland, should help the offence.
Rookies to watch: Quarterback and kicker Austin Johnson should have a say in the Marauders’ success. Ben Leier could see time in the pocket as well. On defence, Matt Janzen will step in at safety and Cole Benkic will operate at linebacker.
A look ahead: “We have too many new guys in key positions to be super sure or confident,” said Earl. “But we couldn’t be happier with the work ethic that’s been established in week one.”