From Kelly Sansregret to Bryson McNeil and everyone in between, there have been many East Side Eagles standouts at the quarterback position who’ve brought home hardware at the MMJFL level.

Carter Kutzan is the most recent Eagle to continue the program’s legeacy. The league MVP as a rookie, Kutzan added another trophy to his collection last season, helping the Eagles win their fifth title in program history.

Well known for his toughness, Kutzan isn’t afraid to make plays with his legs to get a first down. He did it all throughout a storied WHSFL career with Murdoch, including his 2019 senior year at the D1 level, where he had over 1300 all-purpose yards.

Not much has changed regarding his playing style, but Kutzan’s leadership has certainly blossomed.

“It’s pretty much the same,” chuckled Kutzan about his fearless playing style.

“[Head coach Stefan] Hirsch has tried to get me to change, but I’ve argued with him about that. Obviously you have to be a little bit smarter when you have guys that are 23-years-old and have played two years of junior in BC, but I make it work.”

Hirsch is working with Kutzan to “choose his moments better” regarding when to take the ball himself and swallow a hit, but at the same time, it’s who he is, and his teammates rally around him.

The proof could be seen in last year’s result, as the Eagles scored a league-best 135 points.

“Carter is a quiet leader who lets his play do the talking,” added Hirsch. “He plays the game fearlessly and is always a big play waiting to happen. He’s someone that our team rallies around and is a big contributor for all things we hope to accomplish.”

With veteran Danny Harris back from injury, along with big-time playmakers in former WHSFL D2 Player of the Year Daniel Wilson and receiver Riley Ho, among others, East Side returned to the pinnacle.

This came just one year after a new staff with Hirsch and company was put in place. Kutzan says the team’s chemistry was a big reason for their success, with Hirsch focusing on team-building outside of regular practices.

That’ll continue this season for an Eagles team that won Coaching Staff of the Year and didn’t graduate that many players from their championship roster.

“Coach Hirsch is a great dude, I love playing for him. He’s trying to build a program rather than a team,” added Kutzan.

“He just likes to make sure we’re prepared. As long as we’re prepared and having fun, he’s enjoying it. We went paintballing last week, and we’re doing a bunch of fundraisers and community markets and team BBQs. When you’re at practice the d-line doesn’t really get to bond with the receivers too much, but when you get outside and do other things, everyone gets to link up.”

Kutzan specifically noted that Ho and former Manitoba Bisons commit Brighton Kwiatek will be players to watch this season.

The former played U16 with Kutzan, and also touch football, and their chemistry will make them one of the top QB-receiver tandems this season, while Kwiatek will lead the boys in the trenches.

“We’re bringing back a lot of guys, which will be good. My guy Riley is a stud, and then you have guys like Brighton who anchors things. There’s not one guy that’s going to do it all. I want to shout out everybody, because we all play well together.”

After scoring the first major of his varsity career in week one against Vincent Massey last fall, senior St. Paul’s running back Dhevin Gajaweera put both hands up to the sky. It’s a celebration many players have used over the years, a way of showcasing their faith. But for Gajaweera, the moment, and gesture meant much more.  

A closer look shows that the Crusader ball-carrier had bunched up his left hand to flash the number three, alongside a single digit on his right hand. It was a tribute to his late friend Alex Samaniego, a reminder that every day is valuable.

Samaniego, Gajaweera’s best friend, passed away in August of 2020. An active member of the Manitoba basketball community, he was Shaftesbury’s 2019 MVP, averaging over 20 points per game.

He left a permanent mark on friends, family and coaches alike, including Gajaweera, who threw up 13, Samaniego’s basketball number, every time he scored.

The past few years had been difficult for the man who wore 24. The death of Samaniego, along with the COVID-19 pandemic, which had cancelled the upcoming WHSFL season, took its toll.

The following year, while preparing for his varsity debut, Gajaweera tore his tricep. It was a gruesome injury that required surgery, putting an end to the 5’8”, 175-pounder’s season before it even started.

It was a moment he didn’t forget, another reminder, much like the passing of Samaniego, that sometimes life doesn’t go as planned. The Crusaders were defeated in the Division 1 semi-finals in 2021, with Gajaweera forced to look on.

In times of trial, it can be easy to give up. In Gajaweera’s case, his career after high school was in question. Entering his senior year, he had no regular season varsity film or any meaningful snaps to speak of. On top of that, he’d lost his best friend.

Instead of giving up, he turned within.

“Rather than questioning it, I focused on how all these experiences gave me a story and a purpose,” he reflected. “It was a reason to make the most of my life.”

Gajaweera embraced his situation, using his pain as passion to fuel his comeback. Everything he did, he did with purpose, including his rehab.

With the help of those at Pan Am Clinic, along with help from SPHS Athletic Therapist James Schroeder, Gajaweera came back with a vengeance in 2022.

“I got surgery a month after [the injury]. It took ten months until I could finally hit upper body in the gym. It was a struggle. I couldn’t run for six months. I didn’t like it at all. I hated it, it was a terrible feeling having to watch, but we went to work.”

In week one, the reminder of Gajaweera’s injury was on his right elbow. It was taped up during the Cru’s 2022 season-opener against defending ANAVETS Bowl champ Vincent Massey, clearly visible after he hit paydirt and threw up 13 for Samaniego.

Gajaweera was visibly emotional after scoring. It’s easy to see why. After two years of emotional turmoil, he’d made it back.

‘I’m capable of achieving great things’

Gajaweera isn’t the biggest player at his position, but he thrives thanks to a stellar work ethic, and a relentless pursuit of greatness on every play. After everything he’s been through, strapping on the pads and laying down the leather is light work.

“I’m a player who has all the fundamentals in his arsenal and is never scared of contact,” he says.

“I’m someone who is dedicated and willing to put in the work to fulfill my potential. My motivation is proving to myself and to everyone around me that I’m capable of achieving great things, especially on the football field.”

A selfless player, Gajaweera contributed over 600 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns entering the playoffs. He averaged 6.8 yards per carry thanks to a combination of speed, vision and overall toughness, and was also used as a blocker for a well-rounded Crusaders passing attack. (Click here to view his highlights.)

Juniors Brandon Kubay and Johnny Vagianos combined for 731 yards, while quarterback Cole Anseeuw emerged as a standout, throwing for 1,387 yards. Additionally, Olu Akinola, the team’s lead back in 2021, moved all across the formation as a lethal slotback.

Meanwhile, Gajaweera finished every carry, reminding the opposition of his strength, while also making defenders miss in a phone booth. His body type and playing style draws comparisons to 5’8” NFL alum Maurice Jones-Drew and 5’10” Winnipeg Blue Bombers Hall of Famer Fred Reid.

The ball-carrier’s breakout game came in week four against Oak Park.

He ran the rock just seven times, but had 145 yards and a score, averaging a ridiculous 20.7 yards per carry.

Gajaweera’s touchdown was one for the ages, as he made a man miss in the hole, and then out-ran five more players down the far sideline to give his side a four-score lead.

“After my first run, I knew they weren’t prepared for our run game, as it didn’t seem strong in the first weeks,” he noted. “Having said that, I was hungry for a great game.”

‘I knew it was going to be a big day for the run game’

Gajaweera and the Crusaders capped their season with a 15-11 win over the Dakota Lancers in the ANAVETS Bowl, the school’s first D1 championship since 2019. It was the third time the two teams faced off, after previously splitting two contests and was an absolute thriller that came down to the final possession.

In a contest that featured flurries and difficult footing, Gajaweera thrived. He had 40 of the team’s 111 yards in the first half, 32 of which came on the opening drive, as the Cru established the run early.

Then, with 3:45 to go in the third quarter, Gajaweera scored the game-winner, romping untouched from four yards out to give his side a 15-8 lead. It was his fifth carry of the drive, and he finished with 19 touches for 69 yards and the score.

His work was done in a variety of fashions, including toss and stretch plays to the outside. With the game on the line on second and four with 44 seconds left near midfield, his number was called again.

In textbook fashion, Gajaweera grinded for a hard five yards, using his strength to push forward and move the chains a final time. He was honoured post-game as the Offensive MVP.

“The weather played a factor for sure. It means more run game, in my opinion. I knew it was going to be a big day for the run game. Our team came prepared and we fought,” he recalled.

“None of us had won a high school ring, so this meant a lot. We fought and we worked every day.”

‘I’m still here’

After the game, the emotion was clear as Gajaweera let it all go. He had faced adversity down and come out stronger because of it.

As he winds down his high school career and prepares for the next step, he carries countless memories and lessons with him. He has aspirations of pursuing business as a degree, and is far from done playing football. Whoever lucks out and signs him is getting a relentless competitor with a will unlike most.

“I’m not going to act like [the last two years] were easy. No teenager is ever supposed to go through things like this. However, I’m proud to say I’m still here and still striving for more than just a participation award.”

For the third year in a row, Manitoba Football Feed founder Mike Still is pleased to present the year end awards! There are ten categories this season, and each winner will be given a trophy shortly after the new year. Click here to vote! One vote per person is allowed.

Just over a week ago, six members of the Manitoba Fearless got the call that they’ll be playing for Team Canada in the upcoming IFAF Women’s World Championship in Finland. Taking place in July, offensive linemen Andrea Backlund and Julie Sprague, as well as running back Hallie Eggie, defensive back Nicole Drouin and defensive linemen Brooklyn Dyce and Nura Muhindo will all be looking to help Canada advance to the gold medal game, something they’ve done in each of the three previous iterations of the tournament.

Manitoba’s group of six features a variety of ages and backgrounds, all of whom bring their own unique flair to the Fearless, as well as Team Canada. 

Backlund back for round two, as a player and mentor 

Of the six athletes, Backlund is the only player with previous national team experience on the gridiron, having donned the red and white at the inaugural world championship in 2010. That year, nine players from the Fearless were named to the roster. 

“It definitely feels really good. I’ve been playing football since I was 12 years old. After you kind of grow up and you hit life, you don’t think you can do some of this stuff anymore, but you work hard and you put in the minutes, you can do it,” noted the veteran centre.

“Once I started hitting the gym and I was getting back into shape, I was like you know what, I think I’ve got one more in me.”

Not only does Backlund have experience on the national stage, she’s also one of the most experienced female football players in the province, both as a coach and player. This is her 14th season as an athlete, and she’s also heavily involved as a role model and guide. She’s currently the head coach of the St. Vital Mustangs First Down Program, and helps to provide a positive first experience for young players who are new to the game. 

Backlund has seen first-hand how much the sport has grown for women since 2010, and the different level of athletes that are now showcasing their skills, both at the local and national level. 

One of the reasons for this is the Manitoba Girls Football Association (MGFA), which Sprague and Drouin are both products of. Last year, the MGFA – the first full-contact football program for girls in North America – celebrated its ten-year anniversary, and is open for those aged 10-17. It was started by Lisa Zueff-Cummings and Tanis Wilson, who were also instrumental in the creation of the Fearless previously. 

Backlund coached both Drouin and Sprague, helping aid in their fundamental development as players. The former, who’s also a standout rugby, has blossomed into one of the most physical defensive backs in the country, while the latter – who had Backlund as her first-ever coach – was the Fearless’ Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2014, Most Outstanding Offensive Player in 2018 and a major reason why Eggie has been the WWCFL’s leading rusher each of the last two seasons. 

“If it wasn’t for starting that league, I would not be here, and some of the girls I’ve coached, like [quarterback] Madi [Siwicki], [receiver] Morgan [Moffatt], seeing them, they deserve this,” said an emotional Sprague, who understands just how important equality in football is. 

“Without that league, there would be girls who are lost, because some sports are lame, and they deserve it.”

“It’s so huge,” added Backlund of the MGFA’s importance. 

“Girls never had the opportunity for it, and as someone who never had that opportunity when I was playing football, it allows so many more girls to be like hey, I can actually go out there and do it now. You see them come up through the ranks and you see the talent on the field now because of it. It’s such a great opportunity. This province is just making our way across the country saying we support women in football and we support girls in football and we’re going to get it done.”

Things have come full circle with the trio proudly coming together to represent their nation. 

“I was on [Backlund’s] team in 2014 when we went to South Carolina. She’s coached me since and I’ve gotten to play alongside her. She’s a great coach, she’s a great player. She hypes us up before every game,” said Drouin. 

“If you hear her in the huddle before the game starts, she’s the reason everyone gets so fired up. It’s amazing. In 2014 I knew that I wanted to make Team Canada. It’s a childhood dream recognized, especially with everyone here.”

As Drouin mentioned, she’s waited a long time for this opportunity, and has had countless mentors along the way. Along with Backlund and others, she’s been aided by her older brother Jeremie, a former ANAVETS Bowl champion with St. Paul’s who also played U SPORTS football with Bishop’s and Manitoba, as well as junior football with the Westshore Rebels. His presence in her life cannot be understated, and she held back tears when discussing just how important his tutelage was in the lead-up to tryouts for Team Canada. 

“He’s everything honestly. Prepping for Team Canada, especially because I live in BC, he was my trainer for seven months. I literally wouldn’t have been able to do it without him. I started playing football because of him. That’s how we became best friends, we’re not just brother and sister. He’s literally the most important person in my life.”

Eggie overcomes adversity to rep the red and white 

Anyone who’s seen multi-sport standout Hallie Eggie run the rock knows that she takes no prisoners. A fearless downhill ball-carrier who isn’t afraid to make contact, she’s accumulated 1,585 yards and six majors over the prior two seasons and is well on track to lead the WWCFL in rushing yards yet again in 2022 for a Fearless team that’s won their last two games in a row, including against top contender Regina.  

Her efforts can be seen on game day, as well as in practice. She seeks perfection on every rep and her standard of leadership helps those around her to be better as well. 

“We have a lot of girls that this might be their first touchdown in a game. We have to hype that up. It boosts confidence. I am so proud of everybody that gets in the end zone or gets a first down or makes a good block or tackle. We’re not successful unless everyone is successful,” she noted. 

“I’m happy for everyone to go out there and kill it at their spot. I’m going to be the first one in the end zone celebrating with them. My arms will go up first if I think it’s a touchdown. If I’m in the backfield and you need a lead block, I am going to try and get up there. We need to talk. It’s a game of communication and the louder you are, I think the better off you are.”

Eggie feeds off of her teammates, as well as her positional coach Matt Henry, a former Vanier Cup champion with the Manitoba Bisons who’s known the running back for 12 years. He’s constantly sprinting up and down the sideline during games and his passion and energy helps fuel one of the most efficient offences in the country. 

The pair also know what it’s like to overcome adversity. For Henry, that came in the 2007 Vanier Cup when he broke his femur on a gruesome play that still gets talked about in football circles to this day. Despite the nasty injury, he was able to come back for the 2008 season and is near the top of every major statistical category in Bisons history. 

Eggie also knows what it’s like to deal with a serious injury. Her career nearly ended two years ago after suffering a complete achilles rupture. Despite severing the largest and strongest tendon in the body, she busted her butt and made it back for 2021, despite the season being cancelled. 

During her recovery process, she showed just how tough she is. She was in a cast for two weeks and then an air cast, but returned to the gym just seven days later because, in her own words, “ain’t nobody got time for that.”

She had to re-learn how to walk and use her muscles for balance, but now stands proudly in her Fearless gear yet again. 

“I worked really, really hard, so when last year didn’t happen it was kind of disappointing, but it was just more time to get better,” she said. “I didn’t know if I’d play again, but I had a really good team behind me at the gym and teammates and I’m back.”

Eggie also had to learn a new position while trying out for Team Canada, but after the setbacks she’s already faced, it was just another day at the office for an incredibly resilient human being who’s looking better than ever. 

“I studied the playbook for a certain position and I got there and I had to learn a new position. I tried to go in with lots of flexibility and with an open mind, and I just did my best with what I could learn in three days,” she recalled. “I’m better for the experience and I hope I was able to show my willingness to do whatever the team needed.”

Dyce and Muhindo bring high performance background to Team Canada 

Two members of one of the most vaunted defensive lines in the nation, Brooklyn Dyce and Nura Muhindo know exactly what it takes to perform at the highest level of their craft. 

Dyce – a three-year veteran of the Fearless who previously played running back for the Crescentwood Grizzlies in the MMFA – was a standout soccer player who went to the states to play for North Dakota State. She made a seamless transition to the senior women’s level, where she’s also the kicker and punter for the team, while also getting in at fullback during goal line situations. 

A nonstop competitor and physical tackler, Dyce sets the tone for the d-line at practice, and also has family ties to the sport, as her brother Trysten (who previously played for the University of Manitoba, St. Paul’s Crusaders and Crescentwood Grizzlies) and dad Bob are both coaches in the CFL. 

“I just want us to be dominant. I want them to show up and bring their best every play, and if they don’t we’re going to beat them,” she humbly mentioned of the d-line’s attitude on a daily basis. “It’s a lot of fun. I love contributing to this team and scoring points is always fun.”

Dyce was part of the national training centre for soccer, and is fulfilling a dream to represent her country this July. 

“I never got an opportunity to play for the team as a soccer player, so when the tryout came up I knew I definitely wanted to try out. I’m just super excited to get the opportunity to represent Canada.”

Muhindo grew up playing many sports, including badminton, track and handball, the final of which she represented her province in in 2017. She’s always been athletic, and has had a passion for football since she was in grade four. 

She played midget and major with the Transcona Nationals and is now in her fifth season with the Fearless, where she uses her speed and strength to lay the boom down on anyone who dares to come run in her direction. 

“It’s about sticking to your assignment and knowing where you need to go and trusting your teammates that they’re going to go in their gap and do their job, and just make sure that you do your job and work together, communicate, call the pulls and the passes and the runs and just talk and be a team together,” she said. 

“That definitely helps us, the communication, and hitting hard. You have to hit hard.”

Muhindo and Dyce fed off of each other during Team Canada tryouts, and are sure to wreak havoc yet again this July. 

“It was phenomenal having teammates there, and having that energy from them and hyping each other up. You go there and you don’t know anybody, so having the other five players on the team and having Brooklyn on the line with me, that was definitely motivating. Seeing her go out there and hit someone, I’m going to go in there and hit just as hard. We were hyping each other up and feeding off each other’s energy. She was a great asset to have there.”

Kris Scoran understands the value of football and what it can do for your confidence, leadership and overall attitude towards life. 

When he was seven years old, his dad introduced him to the sport, and while he had reservations at first, his attitude quickly changed. 

“I was the kid that didn’t want to go to football. My dad made me go. I was crying when he dropped me off for practice. Part of it was I was the fat kid, so you don’t get picked first for stuff like that. All of a sudden I’m playing football, and it’s we love this. You’re the biggest kid out here, this is fantastic,” he recalls.

“Football changed me. It sent me into a different direction, which is where I started to love the game. I’m appreciated for being a big dude. You get those players who maybe don’t fit in in other sports, and then they come to football, and there’s always a spot for you.”

Scoran has been involved in the sport ever since, investing his time over the last three decades as a player, coach and leader. This season, he embarks on a new journey, assuming the role of head coach for the first time, with the WWCFL’s Winnipeg Wolfpack. He’s no stranger to the program, having been a positional coach previously. He’s also been involved as a coach with the Manitoba Fearless.

“I absolutely love the girls. They’re fantastic. They’re always what can I do to get better? When you have players like that, it makes me excited to coach,” he noted. 

“I want to be a good example for my kids, and a good example for my girls. My wife is the equipment manager on the Wolfpack, so it’s a family thing. She’s never been involved in football in her life, but she wants to come be with me, and be part of something that’s really important to me. I think the team sees that too. We’re invested as a family into this. I care about every single person on that field as a person.”

History in the game 

An offensive lineman, Scoran’s minor football days were spent with the Transcona Nationals, and when he was 19 he went to BC to play junior football with the Okanagan Sun, where he won at national championship in 2000 alongside the likes of fellow Manitoban Adam Eckert, who still holds the Sun’s single-game and season records for all-purpose yards. He was also drafted by the Oslo Vikings of the European Federation of American Football in 2001. 

“Me and Adam are really tight. We’re really good buddies. I made some lifelong friends from that, and the coaches there and the coaches I had with the Nationals, we had guys there that followed you the whole way through. Younger guys, fantastic coaches and it just made me love the game. That’s what I want for any team that I coach. I just want them to grow and be better people. Football doesn’t last your whole life. Being a great person will last you your whole life.”

As a positional coach, Scoran has won championships at the high school and major junior levels, and he’s also coached women in volleyball, basketball and hockey. At the suggestion of former Manitoba Fearless and current St. Vital Mustangs majors head coach Derek Mills, he got involved with the senior women’s game as well. 

“He asked me if I wanted to coach, and I love coaching. I’d never coached women at that level of football before, and so I was like sure. I’m in. The girls over there that I coached made me fall in love with coaching women, because of how much they want to learn. It’s amazing to see, especially the older women who didn’t have the opportunity to play when they were kids. Now you get to see them play. That’s fantastic.”

Scoran quickly learned the differences in learning style between the women’s and the men’s game. 

“You’ll get the guys who will go out and say I don’t care, I’ll put my head down and go. The women want to know what’s happening, they want to be invested in it,” he said. 

“I’m not a screaming coach anyway. I’ve got three daughters at home, and screaming doesn’t do any good for anybody. A lot of the guys respond to the screaming. They get fired up about it, whereas women are just like why are you screaming at me? Just tell me. The guys want to learn, but the women will go home and study their playbooks. I love that. It’s one of the biggest things I like about the women’s game is their willingness to learn.”

Community engagement 

Scoran loves the process of getting better, but he also understands that importance of giving back to the community. 

As part of the Fearless’ staff, he partnered with the Four Crowns Inn and a women’s shelter to raise money for Christmas presents, while also wrapping and collecting them. The aspect of community engagement is something that he wants to continue as head coach of the Wolfpack.

“You kind of see that there’s more to the people you’re with every day at football than just football. You want to be around those people. When I see people like that I gravitate towards them,” said Scoran. 

“One of the girls on our team, she works at Main Street Project. What do you guys need? Can we come help paint? Is there a weekend we can help serve soup or do anything that stuff? We want to really get involved in the community. If you invest in your community it invests in you. That’s what I’m hoping for with my players. If I invest in them, they’re going to invest in me as a coach.” 

Former Springfield Sabres and Sunrise Coyotes standout Tommy Walls had plenty to be excited about at the turn of the new year, after announcing that he’d committed to play university football for NCAA Division 3 Eastern University in Pennsylvania. Walls will be amongst the first crop of recruits for the program, which has been building towards their pigskin debut for roughly a decade. 

Walls’ commitment is a testament to his hard work and resiliency in the face of adversity. After his junior season at the WHSFL level with the Sabres was cancelled due to COVID-19, he took matters into his own hands, moving down south for his senior campaign as he didn’t want to risk losing two years of game film and playing time. 

Walls’ program of choice for grade 12 was, interestingly enough, also Springfield. The Cougars’ program is based out of Pennsylvania, which was an easy decision as Walls’ aunt lived ten minutes away from the school. His roots can also be traced back to the states. Walls’ dad Tom is from New York, where he played high school and college football. Tommy and his dad moved to Winnipeg when the former was six, and he started playing the sport not long after. 

Building a base in Winnipeg

Tommy had the pleasure of witnessing his dad build two different programs. First, the Coyotes at the MMFA level and then the Sabres, who made their WHSFL debut in 2019, winning a Division 2 title this past year. A natural leader, he started playing quarterback at age ten, leading the Coyotes to a provincial title just prior to high school. Then, as a sophomore, he earned WHSFL Rookie of the Year honours, as the Sabres went undefeated in the regular season before being upset in the semi-finals. 

“I started playing in Transcona, but there was a need for players in the Springfield area, so we had that club started and just as I was getting into high school, we had a bunch of these Sunrise kids who had nowhere else to play. I really got fortunate with my dad starting those initiatives and it kind of just fell into place for me,” Tommy said. 

“In my early high school years, I remember me, the receivers and my dad, just that core of Sunrise Coyotes and the SCI group, in the offseason probably twice a week, we would go in the Springfield Collegiate gym and try to run routes and one-on-ones when there was really never enough space. That’s probably one of my best football memories, being in the gym in the winter because that’s one of the only places we could run routes.”

Walls’ work ethic has always shone through, and that included his sophomore year, when he began training with Big Air Academy. The skills he learned there were critical for his eventual move to the states, as the Sabres ran an on-ball offence that wasn’t as reliant on the pass. 

“There aren’t really any Canadian teams running anything similar to it, but it’s super good because it’s such a flexible offence, so my ninth grade and tenth grade years, when we didn’t have all the tools to be a successful passing team, that was fine, because it was so flexible and we could run the ball and run the option,” he noted.  

“Big Air was huge for me on the mechanical aspect of things. Every Saturday we would practice in the Garden City Community Centre and coach [Aaron] Giesbrecht was really the first person to establish my mechanics. When I look back at those old videos from my sophomore year, it’s really a night and day difference. It not only increased my efficiency but also my general arm strength.”

Overcoming adversity 

Walls faced adversity in his debut for the Cougars. There was already a class of 2023 pivot there who’d earned the starting job, so it was an uphill climb for the versatile gunslinger, who also had to adapt to a much different offence. 

“Our offence changed a lot during the season. The general philosophy was let’s run five wide and throw the ball as much as we can. It worked for us. We had some pretty talented receivers and a pretty solid o-line. It was definitely a change of pace from the SCI style, but it was something that was good for me,” he said. 

“When I was playing for SCI I never really had to break down a defence or find windows. When I came to Pennsylvania, there were all these progressions and reads and I really had to learn how to read a defence, instead of just throwing the ball to who was open.”

Nonethless, he battled on. An injury to the team’s starter in a game against Unionville meant that he got his first start, and a week later he proved himself against Bishop O’Hara, leading his side to a 21-8 win after throwing for 168 yards and two scores, while also rushing for 24 yards. 

“That I really felt was my chance to prove myself, because against Unionville I really didn’t have any reps in practice, and I wasn’t comfortable with the offence, but then when I got to start against O’Hara I really felt comfortable and I really got to show that I could play football there.” 

Walls’ perseverance and overall skill-set earned him a look for Eastern, who are just down the road from Springfield. As he looks back on his long and winding journey to post-secondary football, he can’t help but be thankful for the lessons he’s learned about determination and commitment. 

“I’m just thankful for the opportunity I got. I learned that you have to stick through things, because when I came down here I knew I was going to have to compete and things really didn’t work out for me for the vast majority of the season, but I just learned that if you see things through and you stick it out, it’s going to go your way eventually, you just have to keep working at it.”

In the dictionary, the literal meaning of being fearless is to lack fear. But when you look outside the box of the definition, and figure out what it means to call someone fearless, it becomes evident that there’s a lot more at play than just two words. This person is bold, brave, courageous in the face of fear and undaunting in their pursuits. All four of these characteristics define defensive lineman Maggie Yestrau perfectly. 

A single mother to long-time offensive lineman Chase (member of the Sunrise Coyotes, Winnipeg Rifles and St. Vital Mustangs), Maggie has demonstrated exceptional resilience her entire life. She lives with anxiety and depression, facing her biggest fears with spirit and tenacity every single day. On top of that, in 2013 she was thrown from a sled into a tree and shattered her pelvis, broke her back and snapped her coccyx off.

At the time, he was declared permanently disabled, but through immense commitment she’s been able to throw that prognosis out the window. She went from wheelchair to walker to cane, and by 2016 she was walking on her own. That’s when she started going to the gym, which is what helped get her back to where she is today. 

Facing another fear 

Two years later, Maggie faced another massive fear when she signed up to play for the Manitoba Fearless in the Western Women’s Canadian Football League (WWCFL), available for those aged 16 and up. 

“I just really saw how much it meant to Chase to be on a team,” she recalled. “I’d never had that my whole life so I wanted to try. After the first year, I just loved the culture, the coaching, the environment and the work ethic.”

The first practice was admittedly “terrifying,” because of Maggie’s battles with anxiety and depression, but she had Chase by her side. She wasn’t originally going to come back because she didn’t know anyone, but just like in her rehab journey, she chose not to give up and pushed herself. The reward was immense. 

“It was another one of those mental health things where you have to kind of step out of your box and realize things are going to be okay. The tenacity you need to play football was the same thing I needed to get mobile and get my range of motion back. Mentally for me, it’s a happy time now. I look forward to being at practice. It’s aggressive, busy and fast but I love being there. You can walk in feeling like crap and walk out feeling good because you gave it your all.”

Playing on the line has helped foster Maggie’s understanding of the sport, because “you’re on every play and you have to be on it all the time.” She’s been mentored by like the likes of defensive line coach Rob Baillie and head coach and defensive coordinator Brett MacFarlane, who’ve helped her go from being “in a fog” to understanding what she needs to do. 

“Coach Baillie was amazing and patient with me, and Brett is always finding a way for you to improve for the better of the team and he never makes you feel stupid,” she noted. “When he explains stuff and I kind of tilt my head like a puppy, he just explains it again in a different way. He’s super smart.”

MacFarlane also fostered Maggie’s growth in the offseason by encouraging her to train with teammates at Crossfit Corydon. It’s made a difference in her strength, both on and off the field and also improved her range of motion from the sled accident. 

“Year one, coach Brett asked me if I wanted to come back. I said I do, but I want to be an athlete. I want to be like [running back] Hallie [Eggie] and I want to be like [lineman Lori] Turski and I want to be like [defensive lineman] Brooklyn [Dyce]. Tell me what to do. That’s when I started with the group,” she said. 

“Coach Brett suggested that we do that if we wanted to get stronger and better, so that’s what I did. I just did what my coach told me. I’ve been doing it ever since. This year I feel like I have the ability to be a real asset to my team and not just fill a spot.”

‘The teacher is now the student’

When Maggie stepped on the field for team sessions in 2022, she “actually knew what was going on, and feels like is “her year.” It helps having Chase to practice against in her spare time. He also goes through her playbook with her and films her practices, which has “saved my coaches from having to answer lots of questions. 

“It’s kind of neat. I’ve told him a couple of times that the teacher is now the student. He started at seven and all the times I drove him to football, now he drives me to my games. Game day, it doesn’t matter what’s going on, Chase drives me to my games. He spends the hours that it takes on game day to prep for a game and then drives me home and we usually go eat after,” Maggie recalls fondly. 

“It’s kind of cool. I raised him by myself so we kind of have a friendship but there’s also a mutual respect there. I said to him the other day, Chaser, coach said I did a good job, I was explosive and aggressive. I’ve been waiting for that, and he goes ‘no mom, you haven’t been waiting. You’ve been working for that.’”

Over the last few seasons, the University of Manitoba Bisons’ secondary has rightfully earned the nickname of ‘DBU.’ Under the leadership of long-time positional coach Richard Urbanovich and defensive backs guru Sean Oleksewycz (first year on staff was 2019), Manitoba has produced three conference all-stars over the last two seasons (Shae Weekes, Arjay Shelley and Marcel Arruda-Welch). Additionally, in 2019 the Herd tied for fifth in the nation in interceptions, with 11, while this past year they were eighth in the nation in passing yards per game, giving up just 200.2. 

One of the keys to Manitoba’s success on the back end has been their versatility. In 2021 for example, the group’s combination of speed, physicality and length caused significant problems for the opposition. Locking down the field corner spot was Shelley, whose 6’4” length was desirable on the strong side. Six-foot-four true freshman Jake Nitychoruk also saw time at corner. He and Shelley both played multiple positions in high school, with their well-rounded skills sets playing a factor in their development,

This offseason, the Bisons were in the market for another long and rangy corner to provide depth in the secondary, as Shelley’s eligibility will run out after 2022. They found their man in 6’3” Brayden Parker, a Thunder Bay, Ontario native who’s played every position except on the line during his lengthy football career. 

“My grade nine year I played quarterback, my grade ten year I played receiver and in grade 12 I played DB. I’ve played all over the field and I just feel like my understanding of the game was so good, which was what separated me back in grade ten when I wasn’t the biggest guy. I was able to use my IQ,” he noted. 

“I love always being on my toes. In all of my years, I never really knew what my position was going to be. I’ve always played different positions and I’ve always enjoyed doing the best I could for the team.”

Team Manitoba changes the course of Parkers career

Parker’s progression from an unheralded athlete to a U SPORTS commit can be credited in part to his experience with Manitoba’s high-performance program. In 2019, he was one of 11 players from Ontario that made ‘Toba’s U16 roster for the Western Challenge. 

That year was monumental for Parker. His parents had divorced, which forced him to grow up and mature in a big way. Up to that point, he wasn’t really taking football seriously, but when he earned a roster spot, it opened his eyes to the possibilities of playing at the next level. 

“It was a great way to not only get better as a player, but it was just an all-around great experience for maturing,” he noted. “If you make it all the way to phase three and travel, it’s a big jump. Your whole life you’re spending time with mom and dad and staying at home, but then you’re sent away to do the two-a-days. It’s a really good experience. It’s tough, but once you’re done you really feel accomplished. You have to grow up, or at least learn to grow up.”

Parker, who was a long 5’11” at the time, went to tryouts with the intention of playing receiver. The roster was low on defensive backs though, and in response, Oleksewycz – who was on the team’s staff – reached out to him just prior to the black and gold game (the final stage of tryouts) to see if he wanted to make a positional switch. His high-point abilities and overall ball-skills intrigued Manitoba’s staff, and after seeing him do a quick backpedal, the decision to shift to defence was made. 

Parker considered the move to be “what changed the whole course of my football career.”

“That was my first time really playing DB to be honest,” he said. “I used to have a pretty wonky backpedal, but once [Oleksewycz] took me in and coached me up, I feel like I’ve tightened it up a little bit more. Coach Ollie also has a thing for where your eyes are at. I still struggle with it. It’s probably one of the hardest things you can do as a DB is training and disciplining your eyes, I’m still trying to perfect it.”

Upon returning home, Parker quickly put his newfound skills to use. As a member of the St. Ignatius Falcons, he recorded 27 tackles and two interceptions. Then, this past summer, he filled out his frame and was a force for the Hammarskjold Vikings varsity team as a senior who played on both sides of the ball. 

It certainly helped that Parker gained four inches, while packing on roughly 50 pounds over the prior two years. He’s currently training five days a week in the gym and spent a decent portion of 2021 carrying lumber and shoveling with his uncle while on a reserve that was six hours away. 

“I gained all this weight and all this height, and I stepped on the field at the beginning of September for the start of training camp, and I hadn’t ran for a while, but I had all of this speed too. I kind of just embraced it all and did the most I could to make sure I had a good tape.”

Parker’s upside and prior relationship with Oleksewycz were contributing factors in his recruitment to the U of M. His length reminds Oleksewycz of Shelley, Nitychoruk and starting safety, 6’4” Stephen Adamopoulos. 

“His ball skills are the strength of his game so far. He has tons of upside and we’re hoping he turns into a diamond in the rough for us in the future,” the positional coach said.

“The few weeks we got with him we could see the strides in his game coming from Northwestern Ontario. It was super beneficial for myself and him to start that relationship with the high-performance program.”

Parker is stoked to be reunited with Oleksewycz. He had offers from schools such as the University of Toronto and Queen’s, however his familiarity with the coach ended up being a significant factor in choosing UM. 

“I’ve had a lot of coaches who’ve had an impact on my life, but coach Ollie has been the most impactful in terms of my positional play. He was the one who put me at corner, he was the one who was always giving me advice on what to do better. It wasn’t just about being at the University of Manitoba either. It was that he appreciated me as a player and I appreciated him as a coach and we kind of just bonded over that. I feel like I’m pretty lucky to have that connection.”

By: Mike Still (@mikestill94)

Vincent Massey Trojans head coach Kelsey McKay is no stranger to success in the Winnipeg High School Football League (WHSFL). Prior to the 2021 season, he’d helped lead Massey to ANAVETS Bowl wins in 2015 and 2018 and was also the lead man when Churchill was victorious in 2008. And while he acknowledged that each of the championship seasons were all “a little bit different,” his school’s most recent win in 2021 was “a bit more special.”

In considering the context around this past year’s WHSFL campaign, it’s easy to see why McKay would made such a comment. After all, his entire roster (much like the rest of the league) missed out on a critical grade 11 development year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which cancelled the season. With this in mind, his team would be going into ’21 having never played a down of varsity football.

Despite the inability to practice as a team in a tackle setting, the Trojans kept to their grind. Essentially their entire roster participated in two seasons of flag football put on by Pro Prep Academy in order to get reps, and they were just as active off of the field.

“We had such a great group of kids. We had a couple of seasons of flag football and summer workouts, and our guys just stuck with it,” commented McKay.

“They stayed together as a group and we came back, and we were strong. It just was a question of learning the basics and the situational part of football, but in terms of as a team, they were great together, and they stuck together. They were a great group of friends who just really wanted to finish grade 12 and have the opportunity.”

Dominant defence 

Defensive back Josh Banman personified his team’s dedication. The senior – who was a captain this past year and only allowed three catches (man or zone) – worked out in his basement almost every day while gyms were closed and put on 20 pounds of muscle. When the season came around, it was evident how much work he’d put in, not only in the passing game but also the run game, where his speed and aggressiveness set the tone for a versatile secondary that also included the likes of two-sport star Caleb Thiessen, Kyle Schepens and Owen Latour.

The front seven was also rangy and athletic, led by captain Max Shippam and fellow ‘backer Grayson Williams, while defensive end Ben Orajekwe – the WHSFL’s Defensive MVP – set the edge all season.

Each of these athletes, along with the rest of the D, made timely plays when it counted. They relied on each other and executed their assignments soundly, which is really what tells the story about this group.

For example, in week one against St. Paul’s, Latour made one of the biggest plays of the game when he forced a fumble that his side recovered. The play was made in the final two minutes of the first half. St. Paul’s was down 4-0 but had driven into Massey territory. Their pivot Chris Clarkson rolled to his right and had some room down the sideline, but was tracked down by Latour. Had the defensive back not made that play, the outcome of the contest (which ended 20-7 for Massey) could’ve been different.

Then, a few weeks later against Dakota, it was the Orajekwe show. Massey entered the contest at 2-1 after another defensive battle the week prior against Grant Park, and needed to defeat the Lancers in order to get some space in the standings for second place.

Dakota loves to stretch out their opposition defensively and had plenty of offensive weapons to do so in ’21, but Orajekwe closed the door on that possibility. He had a forced fumble, a sack, a pass breakup and was nearly un-blockable on contain as the Lancers won 25-5.

Then, in an incredibly physical championship game against Grant Park, it was Thiessen’s time to shine. The Trojans led 11-0 with three minutes left in the first half on the strength of running back Siju Bodunrin and a dominant ground game, but the Pirates were looking to answer. Pivot Solomon Bond aired out a swing pass for running back Coen Graham, however Thiessen read it perfectly and went 30 yards the other way for the pick six that put momentum firmly in Massey’s favour.

“Our defence was probably the best in the league, I thought the whole year,” McKay said. “They gave up 11 points in the first game to Grant Park and that was the most they gave up. Oak Park got 20, but it was late in the game in running time, but against the other team’s top players, they barely gave up any points. They sort of carried our team.”

Thalman and Reid offer chemistry for deep offence 

That’s not to say that the offence didn’t do their part. Fellow captains Luke Thalman (quarterback) and Everett Reid (receiver/defensive back/returner) – who have been best friends their entire life and live a block away from each other in Royalwood – consistently found time to get in reps together at the local park during COVID. But that doesn’t tell the full story regarding their chemistry on the gridiron.

When the pair were in grade ten, Thalman severly injured his wrist and elbow after being hit on a roll-out. Three months were spent in a cast, and it took four months overall for the injury to heal. Instead of getting down though, Thalman showed his character by mentoring Reed, who was thrust into starting quarterback duties for the remainder of the year.

“Originally I just tried to stay there and help out Everett at the game,” Thalman recalled.

“I felt there was probably something wrong when [athletic therapist] Madi [Ridgen] had to go sprint inside to get a splint to hold my arm in place. I decided from there that I was going to take a different mindset for that season and to pretty much try to be the best leader that I could, and help out the boys by doing my part off of the field.”

Thalman played a major role in game-planning for his team. Along with aiding Reed, he formed a great relationship with offensive coordinator Jason Huclack, who taught him about the integrity and structure of an offence.

“[Reid] is my best bud and I knew I had to help out him and the team as much as I could, so I’d run through plays with him and what I’d look at, and I’d tell him what I saw during plays. I’d look at all the coverages during the game and I’d try and tell him what I’m seeing and ask if he was seeing it too,” he noted.

“I also called some plays for him, with coach Huclack. It was just a great environment, and us three along with our quarterbacks coach Shane Latour were just awesome together. I ran some indy sessions too, it was great. I was still very involved despite being injured.”

Having been through the ringer together, the pair were more than ready to help foster a team-first approach in ’21. With the powerful Bodunrin in the backfield and a bevvy of weapons at receiver such as Reid, fellow senior Cole McQueen and junior Jalen McDonald, Massey gained confidence each week.

Perhaps their most versatile showing on O came in a 38-7 win in the semi-finals against Dakota. Reid set the tempo with a big return on the opening drive and finished it off with a spectacular catch in the end zone that was facilitated by Thalman. The floodworks opened after that, with McDonald also finding paydirt, while Bodunrin wore down the opposition thanks to supreme blocking from the likes of Odin Peterson, Sean Marchello, Colin Parsons, Josh Tardiff and Tobi Sokunbi.

The week after, Bodunrin continued his momentum, running the rock for over 150 yards in the first half alone, including a drive where he had nine carries in a row as Massey topped Grant Park 25-2 to gain redemption from an early season loss. It was a fitting end to the season for a back, and roster that’d adopted a team-first approach all year.

“[Bodunrin] just had a phenomenal game. This is a championship game, why wouldn’t you want the ball every play? Why wouldn’t you want to be the guy? All year he’s been patient, because we’ve been giving the ball to Everett and to Cole and to Jalen and all these guys, but I said to him this is playoff weather,” remarked McKay. “This is tailback weather right here. Our offensive line took a lot of pride in that. It wasn’t pretty, but those guys aren’t pretty anyways. They’re happy with that.”

The Brandon-based Vincent Massey Vikings – led by Mike Steeves at the varsity level and Kevin Grindey in the JV ranks – list pride, effort, teamwork, commitment, perseverance and character as core values of their program. These attributes are rooted in their own experiences playing at the high school level, where the pair were part of an undefeated 1987 Crocus Plains roster that was the first from outside city limits to win a Winnipeg High School Football League (WHSFL) title. 

“There’s so much more to sport than just the running and the tackling and the scoring. Score boards shouldn’t define who you are. It’s the relationships that you build with the players that will last forever,” noted Grindey, who relaunched Vincent Massey’s program in 1997 and coached the likes of Israel Idonije and Chris Bauman. 

“I felt accepted, I felt like I had a place. The coaches and players made me believe that I could do something that I didn’t think was possible. To instill that into a young kid in a safe, nurturing environment is a gift that lasts forever. It’s the reason why I coach. I want to give back, because I want that same feeling put onto kids who come through our program.”

“You kind of get that feeling where if I can affect a kid that positively and help them as much as he helped me, I pay tribute to that guy,” added Steeves. “You see kids now who are from our program, and coach Grindey was their head coach, and now they’re helping out. They’re on that same page of this really helped me, so I want to be that role model for another kid and keep this train of love and respect going.”

The duo love what they do, and their passion continues to rub off on each and every athlete that puts on the Vikings helmet, including the current crop. Dating back to 2019 in the JV ranks, Vincent Massey is undefeated, having most recently won the WHSFL’s Westman Championship against stiff competition that included Division 1 mainstay Steinbach, as well as Division 2 powerhouse Portage and city rival Crocus Plains. The four squads were placed in a bracket together due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, with the Vikings outscoring their opposition 228-76. 

Massey’s 31-23 win over the Sabres in the championship marked just the third undefeated season in the last 22 years for the school (their second being the 2019 campaign) and placed them right into the conversation with Crocus as one of the greatest Brandon teams to suit up in the WHSFL.

Staying Sharp 

The best part? They’re not finished yet. With the exception of a few key playmakers, the team returns most of its roster, led by incoming senior Justin Sharp, a three-sport star who was recently named this year’s winner of the Brandon Sun’s H.L Crawford Award as the Most Outstanding Athlete in Westman. It’s just the second time in the 64-year history of the award that the recognition has gone to a football player, the other being Idonije, an NFL alum.

What stands out about the 5’9”, 178-pound pivot – who has a cannon of an arm, can throw the wide out with ease and is more than capable of making plays outside of the pocket – is his character. When asked about the season, instead of directing the praise towards himself (which he had every right to after amassing 1814 all-purpose yards in seven games), he instead chose to talk about his offence as a whole, and what made each individual player so beneficial to the team’s overall identity. 

“I don’t think our offence had too much of a weak point. We had [seniors] Nolan Bowers and Jacob Doerksen in the backfield, two very good linebackers who can also lay some pretty mean blocks and will punish you when running the ball. And every single one of our receivers, you have to respect their abilities,” he noted. 

“Matthew Escoto, (led the team with 55 receptions for 562 yards and ten scores) I met when I started playing quarterback when I was nine. We’ve had that connection ever since. We’re brothers, we work hard and feed off of each other. Slotback Aaron Pasaporte, he probably doesn’t pass the eye test, but he’s very fast and gets open on almost all of his routes and doesn’t drop the ball. 

Same with Lucas Cels. He’s a very fast, shifty guy. He’s undersized, I think he’s about 5’5. The best receiver I could compare [him and Aaron to] are Weston Dressler. Other wideouts like James Li and Brady McDuffe are big, physical. Brady is 6’1”, James is 5’11.” We had a very versatile receiving corps. They didn’t have many weaknesses that defences could use to their advantage.”

Sharp’s not wrong. The group was locked in on both sides of the ball all season, in part because of their long-term chemistry. Most of the roster grew up playing youth football together, and in their spare time, they’d be training either on the field or in the weight room. That didn’t stop during COVID-19 and was a major reason why they didn’t miss a beat once tackle returned. 

“Individually or in small groups, we’d go to local gyms. We’re all friends outside of football. We still talk in the hallways when we see each other, we’re still brothers. It’s more than just football, it’s family,” says Sharp.

“With the receivers, there was lots of work done in the offseason, just going to the field and even just doing one-on-ones or having little drills going, I’ve gotten to know a lot of them very well, and I’ve played with all of them for a long time, so that helps too. I found the chemistry with the receivers really grew in the offseason, because we were choosing to come out just us, and throw the football around and get some work done. It was very enjoyable, you really get to learn a lot about the players from stuff like that.”

For Sharp, the work didn’t stop when he was at home. He’s always done additional film study, and when he’s at practice or in a game, it’s like having another coach on the field, as Massey didn’t have a quarterbacks coach. He’d bounce ideas off of Steeves and offensive coordinator Brady Dane, all of whom shared a cohesive relationship. 

Sharp also got into great shape thanks to a dedicated nutritional plan. During COVID, he got up to 240 pounds and realized that if he wanted to develop into a well-rounded pivot, he’d need to shed some weight. For his diet, his found leaner sources of protein while staying on a calorie deficit and eating low calorie foods at high volume. He also found other ways to stay active, such as playing basketball or going to the rink. 

The hard work paid off. He got down to 163 pounds at one point, and then bulked back up to 180 for the football season. His mobility was on display all season, including in the championship where he scored what turned out to be the game-sealing touchdown on a 20-yard quarterback keeper where he made five Sabres defenders miss in space, before scrambling to hit paydirt. 

“I knew I needed to taker this more seriously if I wanted to play at the next level. Changing my body and the way I move on the field has opened up a whole new playing style for me. I’m starting to run the ball and create more time by escaping the pocket. It’s keeping the linebackers more honest. They can’t just drop back into zone, but at the same time they can’t just keep their linebackers up, because I can still throw a ball,” he says. 

“I don’t want to say [losing the weight] was easy, but once you get going it sort of figures itself out. At that point you just need to stay disciplined.”

Excitement for 2022 is already building in the halls of Vincent Massey, as the squad looks for a three-peat. They’ll miss U SPORTS calibre starters in Bower and Doerksen, but have the rest of the core intact, including an offensive line led by 6’4”, 320-pound tackle and guard Carter Moore. 

Regardless of what happens, Sharp and company will continue to embody the character traits instilled in them by Steeves, Grindey and company, enjoying the process every step of the way. 

“We work together and we have respect for everyone because of how we work as a team. It’s a very welcoming atmosphere that our players and coaches create. Work isn’t taken for granted, but it’s enjoyable.”