The Fort Frances High School Muskies football team is gearing up for its 77th season, which will start with speed and strength training in mid-August.
Training kicks off on Monday, Aug. 17, running until Friday, Aug. 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the high school and is mandatory for all new and returning players.
The team offers free equipment to all players, and equipment fitting will take place during the week of speed and strength training.
Any interested new players are welcome; no experience is required.
The team dives into training camp practices the following week with full equipment, starting on Monday, Aug. 24 and running weeknights from 6 to 8:30 p.m. until Monday, Aug. 31.
Training camp practices start promptly at 6 p.m. with change rooms opening at 5 p.m. at the west side doors of the high school. Practice runs weekdays from 6 to 8:00 p.m., followed by team meetings nightly from 8:10 to 8:30 p.m.
School starts Tuesday, Sept. 1, and after-school practices run from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m.
The Muskies will kick off their season with back-to-back home games, as they look to bring an 18th championship to one of the most storied football programs in Northwestern Ontario.
The Muskies went 6-1 in the regular season last year, good enough to tie for first place, after the regular season, losing only in the season finale to the Churchill Bulldogs. The Muskies went on to the playoffs, where they beat the St. John’s Tigers in the quarterfinals but fell to Ontario rivals the Dryden Eagles 31-24 in the semifinals. The Eagles would go on to fall in the final at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg 10-0 to the St. Norbert Celtics.
The 2026 season begins on Friday, September 11 at 3 p.m., when the Muskies renew hostilities in one of the region’s great high school sports rivalries against the Beaver Brae Broncos out of Kenora. The long-standing battle, which began in the 1950’s has produced decades of memorable moments.
The following Friday, Sept. 18 at 3 p.m., the Muskies welcome the defending champions, the St. Norbert Celtics, who are led by former Muskie standout Adrian Huntley.
Huntley’s return to Fort Frances as a head coach adds another compelling storyline to what promises to be an emotional and highly competitive matchup. Last season, the Muskies edged the Celtics in an exciting game 37–31 in Winnipeg.
The annual Homecoming Game is the Muskies’ final home game of the regular season will be on Friday Oct. 9, when they host the Churchill Bulldogs. Alumni, families, former players, coaches and community supporters are invited to wear their black and gold to celebrate while cheering on the new generation of athletes.
Head Coach Lou Gauthier said he knows the players feed off big crowds.
“There’s nothing like Friday Football in Fort Frances,” he said. “Our players feed of the energy of the crowd and we encourage everyone to come out, wear black and gold, and help make our home field one of the toughest places to play.”
According to a press release, Gauthier expects at least 22 returning players from the 2025 team in the Winnipeg High School Football League’s AAA division and are looking to see new players who can step into starting positions as well.
The Muskie football program strives to provide students with the opportunity to represent their community and school while improving their physical fitness, social skills, and learning the importance of punctuality, persistence, great effort and preparation.
2026 schedule:
Pre-season: Friday, Sept. 4 Black and Gold intersquad game at FFHS, 4 p.m.
Week 1: Friday, Sept. 11 Beaver Brae Broncos at FFHS, 3 p.m.
Week 2: Friday, Sept. 18 St. Norbert Celtics at FFHS, 3 p.m.
Week 3: Friday, Sept. 25 Bye week
Week 4: Friday, Oct. 2 FFHS vs. Portage la Prairie at Fort Garry Football Club
Week 5: Friday, Oct. 9 Churchill Bulldogs at FFHS, 3 p.m. (Homecoming)
Week 6: Friday, Oct. 16 FFHS at Dryden Eagles, 2 p.m.
Week 7: Friday, Oct. 23: FFHS at Daniel McIntyre Collegiate, 3 p.m.
