Riot getting a final chance against Valkyries

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It’s been six years and one short-lived retirement since Regina Riot quarterback Aimee Kowalski defeated the Saskatoon Valkyries in a Western Women’s Canadian Football League championship.

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Her team gets another opportunity to upend the reigning, eight-time champions on Sunday, 7:30 p.m. at Leibel Field. The City of Regina allocated the field and game time. Kickoff should be just before the end of the CFL game at Mosaic Stadium between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

“It’s grown to be quite a rivalry, like any Regina-versus-Saskatoon rivalry goes in any sport,” said Kowalski.

“They’re the team to beat and we’re the team they have to prepare for. It’s kind of always been that way and will probably be that way, at least for a little while longer anyway.”

One season after that 2018 victory and eight years into her Riot career, Kowalski retired to rehabilitate a “deteriorating shoulder.” But her job at Football Saskatchewan as the women’s growth and development coordinator kept her involved and enthusiastic, specifically while coaching and organizing a U8 girls team. After attending a Riot playoff game in 2022 and realizing how much she missed playing, Kowalski rejoined the squad in 2023.

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“I kind of took some inspiration from those young athletes and figured I still had some in me,” said Kowalski, 37. “It’s tough to stay away, especially when you’re capable.

“And I learned a lot about the game by coaching. I definitely have been able to improve on some things, other than the physical part, like my knowledge and mental side of the games. It kind of comes with age; it just starts to slow down the more you do it. It’s been nice to be back and be able to give more to the sport, learn more and make some connections.”

There’s been at least one noteworthy change since Kowalski’s return from retirement: Her younger sister, Alex, is no longer a receiver with the Riot. So there won’t be any backyard-football hijinks like there were when they won the 2018 championship together.

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“We’re very fortunate to have Aimee as our QB,” said Riot head coach Kris Hadesbeck. “She’s incredible, one of the best QBs in the country, if not the world, for women’s football.”

In four regular-season games, Kowalski passed for 1,093 yards and eight touchdowns. She had touchdown passes to Hope Jordens, Bethany O’Toole and Jacey Goebel in a 29-0 semifinal victory Saturday against the hometown Calgary Rage, despite losing top receiver Shanelle Rioux (35 receptions for 570 yards and 7 touchdowns in the regular season) with an ankle injury.

“We’re definitely going to be missing (Rioux),” said Kowalski. “But in many aspects we’ve got a lot of other players who are ready to step up.”

The Valkyries also have some offensive weapons. Haley Girolami, Saskatoon’s leading receiver, didn’t play in the first regular-season meeting between the teams, which the Valkyries won 16-9 in Regina. Saskatoon won the rematch 41-7. The Riot is also looking to stop slotback Reed Thorstad and running back Sarah Wright.

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“They’re well-balanced, run and pass,” said Hadesbeck. “We feel good about the athletes we have on defence having the ability to stop both. We did a good job in our first meeting so we’re hoping to get back to that.”

The Riot again plans to wear uniforms supplied by the junior Regina Thunder for Sunday’s game. For the second time in six years the Riot’s gear was stolen during the season.

Most of the jerseys have been found, but not the pants. The Riot is 2-0 while wearing Thunder colours this season.

“I think when they were taken six years ago, we were champions that year as well,” said Kowalski. “So … ”

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