2019 standouts inducted into SRSS Sabres football hall of fame

The 2020 Steinbach Regional Secondary School Sabres varsity football team is an exercise in what could have been. The year before the team had made an appearance in the provincial semi-finals, with a four-year starting quarterback entering his senior season.

Instead of another run at a top-four finish, led by the program’s best quarterback, the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to all football activities, and the program is still looking to crack the top four.

The program still honoured some of those would-be seniors at their 2025 banquet earlier this month, inducting quarterback Sawyer Thiessen and linebacker/wide receiver Payton Falk into their hall of fame.

Falk was a two-way standout, staying on the field for most of the games he played, even as a grade 10 player in the top division.

Program coordinator Jamie Peters said Falk was a star in all three phases of the game in his grade 11 year, as he was named a league all-star.

“(It was) an incredible all-around performance that highlighted his skill and leadership,” Peters said.

Falk scored touchdowns on the ground, through the air and even on defense, while racking up 49 tackles.

“Standing here tonight as an inductee to the hall of fame is one of the greatest honours of my life,” Falk told the crowd.

“When I think back to where this journey began, early mornings, late nights, muddy fields, makeshift sidelines and bus rides… I realize it wasn’t the wins or trophies that changed me the most, it was the people.”

Falk thanked his teammates, family and coaches in his speech.

“High school football gave me more than just a chance to compete,” he said.

“It taught me how to work, how to lead, how to persevere, how to carry myself.”

Thiessen would have become the only four-year varsity player for the program had the pandemic not wiped out his final year.

The responsibility of leading the Sabres into the top division of high school football was placed on the shoulderpads of a grade 9 quarterback, and Thiessen grew into a superstar.

“Sawyer was more than just a football player, he was a multi-sport athlete, and a true competitor,” Peters said, noting he also played volleyball and hockey for SRSS.

“Through it all, Sawyer balanced multiple sports, maintained strong leadership and set an example of dedication and resilience for his teammates.”

He’s most accomplished quarterback the program has produced, throwing for more than 1,800 yards 11 touchdowns while chipping in with nearly 500 yards on the ground and 12 touchdowns in his grade 11 season. Thiessen was named the best quarterback in the province that season.

After graduating high school, he suited up for Prince George in the Canadian Junior Football League.

“Playing varsity at such a young age was the best and greatest decision for my development,” Thiessen told the audience, while delivering his thanks.

“I’m so proud to be a Sabre and teaching me how to be better each and every day.”

Players need to be five years removed from their time with the program to be inducted into the hall, and a selection committee picks the players to be inducted.