Pictured left to right: Andrew Pyle, Zack Wells and Liam Navarro, pictured here with the 2019 Challenge Cup. (submitted photo/Andrea Wells)

By Martin Martinson

Leaving their mark

JPII Crusaders’ trio helps lead Sask. to Challenge Cup

Jul 10, 2019 | 3:00 PM

Three recent graduates of John Paul II Collegiate, Andrew Pyle, Zack Wells and Liam Navarro are 2019 Challenge Cup champions.

All three are committed to the Saskatoon Hilltops for the coming fall and were recruited from the 2019 Senior Bowl in Regina. The trio was asked to join Team Sask for the inaugural Challenge Cup, an event that saw Team Saskatchewan defeat Team Manitoba 22-0 to win the title trophy.

Navarro, a centre and core piece of the offensive line, and Pyle, a linebacker who has also played a wealth of positions for the Crusaders over his high school career, have played on the JPII football team throughout their respective high school years since Grade 8. Wells meanwhile, a linebacker himself, has been with the team since moving to the Battlefords in Grade 10, after playing football in Biggar.

Head coach of the JPII football team Bruce Yockey said all three bring something different to the table as showcased by their inclusion in tournaments such as the Senior Bowl and Challenge Cup.

“Over the years I used [Pyle] at every position imaginable, on both sides of the ball,” Yockey said. “There were games during the season where I used Andrew every down, every snap, every single play the entire game on both sides of the ball.”

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“[Wells] has a great work ethic,” he added. “He loves football, he has a lot of athletic skill and he loves contact, [while] Navarro is incredibly strong and has the size and all the tools to play centre on the offensive line at a high level.”

Yockey, said all three have played a big part in the success of the Crusaders’ football program over the last few years, and will leave some big shoes to fill heading into next season.

“For all three of these boys, it’s not by chance that they got where they’re going,” Yockey said. “They are getting these opportunities because they have put in the time and the work, and have made good use of the abilities they have.”

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1