Melville’s own John Stoll and the University of Saskatchewan Huskies are preparing for another Vanier Cup appearance after a hard-fought Mitchell Bowl win over Queen’s on Saturday.
Stoll, now in his fifth year with the Huskies, said he was proud of how the team responded in the national semifinal.
“Anytime there’s a challenge, we just buckle down and go to work,” he said. “It speaks to the kids in this province — we don’t back down from a fight.”
Saturday’s championship game in Regina will mark Stoll’s third Vanier Cup appearance in five seasons, an experience that has taught him to stay grounded.
“Enjoy the moment. Don’t let it get too big,” Stoll said. “As a young guy you’re starstruck, but now I just appreciate every second.”
A Strong Parkland Contingent
Stoll won’t be carrying the East Central region flag alone. The Huskies roster also features Yorkton products Jake Farrell, Reece McCormick, and Hayden Russell, along with Summerberry’s Devon Burnham, highlighting the strong talent pipeline the Parkland region continues to produce.
The Huskies will face a well-rounded Montreal Carabins team, one Stoll describes as dangerous both on the ground and through the air.
“They run it well, they throw it well — they’re good everywhere,” he said. “For us, it’s about physicality. That’s our identity.”
A Home-Province Championship
With the Vanier Cup taking place at Mosaic Stadium, Stoll says the opportunity to compete for a national title in Saskatchewan is particularly special.
“This is the heartbeat of football,” he said. “To have the Riders win last week, the Hilltops win the week before — the support in this province is unbelievable. Playing my final university game in Regina is a dream come true.”
Raised in Melville, Stoll says the support from his hometown and across the province has been constant throughout his football journey.
“Ever since I was a kid playing back in Melville, I’ve been supported my whole life,” he said. “People here stick together — it’s a family.”
Rallying Around Their Quarterback
The Huskies have also been playing with extra emotion after quarterback Anton Amundrud was recently diagnosed with lymphoma.
“He’s the best guy you’ll ever meet,” Stoll said. “Even when he heard the news, he didn’t think about himself — he motivated us. We’re fighting hard for him, and we want to make him proud.”
The Final Chapter
Saturday will be Stoll’s final game as a Huskie, though he admits the emotions haven’t fully set in yet.
“I think it’ll hit me after the game,” he said. “I’ve been blessed to play a lot of football.”
When asked how he would script a perfect ending, Stoll laughed:
“Three interceptions and I score all of them — that’d be nice. But honestly, lifting that cup would mean everything.”
The Huskies and Carabins meet Saturday at Mosaic Stadium, where Stoll hopes to help deliver a storybook finish to his university career — and another national championship to Saskatchewan. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM.
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