By: Mike Still (@mikestill94)
Photo caption: Rifles head coach Geordie Wilson chats with the troops at the end of day one of rookie camp. Photo by Matt Hamilton/Winnipeg Rifles.
Over 100 high school players from across Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ontario convened at the University of Winnipeg RecPlex this past weekend for the 2018 edition of Winnipeg Rifles rookie camp. Below are some quick thoughts from the two-day event.
Benson and Wytinck perform well
There were seven total quarterbacks were present at the camp, but it was Daniel McIntyre’s junior pivot Kieran Benson and University of Manitoba product Julian Wytinck that stood out. Both players demonstrated their arm strength and ability to deliver accurate balls while scrambling outside the pocket.
Benson – who helped the Maroons win their first high school title in 39 seasons as a sophomore – is widely regarded as one of the top quarterback prospects coming out of Winnipeg in 2019-20. Rifles head coach Geordie Wilson said the coaching staff brought him in in order to get the experience of practicing in a junior football-style setting, while also aiding him in his development as a signal-caller.
Wytinck’s case is slightly different. He’s been with the Bisons for the past few years, and is currently surveying his options.
“Julian, this is his last year of junior eligibility, he’s a 22 year-old. He hasn’t really played much with the Bisons, so he’s frustrated and he’s looking for an opportunity,” Wilson said.
“He’s a good kid, and we’re going to see how things work out. He’s talking about playing here perhaps, he might go to BC too, he might go back to the Bisons, I don’t know, but we’re just giving him an opportunity.
Defensive notes
Wilson was pleased with the play of the front seven over the two days, mentioning that “there were some good defensive line players that we were aware of and obviously wanted here, and there’s three of four linebackers that I think can play in our league.”
Tyler Bueckert (Steinbach) stood out specifically from the two positional groups mentioned. He has the size to succeed at the next level, and made multiple plays as well.
Not to be outdone was the secondary, who recorded interceptions in both the pass skeleton and team sessions. Wilson mentioned that the four Dakota defensive backs (Nick Conway, Scott Brackel, Andreas Kastellanos, Everett Lenz) that were present all stood out, while Robert Lussier (St. Vital) and Jordan Chizda (Grant Park) also had strong camps.
What’s next?
Rifles mini camp will take place from April 21-22 at the U of M’s soccer complex. Wilson said that roughly 30 players from this weekend’s camp will be invited, but made sure to add that that doesn’t mean the others have been cut.
“Like I said to the kids, we’re not cutting the ones who weren’t invited, it’s just that we have to get our veterans ready to play as well, and then we want to see some of the younger kids, and see how they compete against our older guys.”