By: Mike Still, MMJFL communications coordinator (@mikestill94)

Feature photo: Nathaniel King-Wilson (20) makes a tackle during 2018 WHSFL play.

St. James Rods head coach Caleb Goudie — an alumnus of the clenched fisters as well as multiple Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL) programs — is gearing up for the 2019 Manitoba Manitoba Junior Football League (MMJFL) season with a number of impact recruits. 

Two of the squad’s most recent additions represent the epitome of heart and fearlessness in Riley Tougas and Nathaniel King-Wilson. 

Despite weighing in at around 155 pounds, Tougas is as tough as they come. 

The product of Elmwood High School started playing football at the end of grade eight and fit in with ease due to his wrestling background. He was part of Team Manitoba at the 2017 Canada Games along with winning the provincial title in the 70kg division in his grade 12 year in 2018. 

With a hunger for physicality already instilled in his mind, it’s no surprise that Tougas decided to play on the defensive side of the ball for the Giants. While his initial plan was to play defensive back, logistics forced him to the more active strong side linebacker position. 

“I wanted to play halfback, but since Elmwood didn’t have a guy that would step up through the hole and make contact, I would have to play SAM,” he says. 

“I was perfectly fine with it. I think I fit well there.”

To say Tougas fit in well would be an understatement. He was a multiple-time MVP for Elmwood and finished his senior year with 68 tackles as a heat-seeking missile in the front seven. 

Following his time with the Giants, Tougas took his talents to the Winnipeg Rifles. Despite being slightly undersized, he was one of the standouts at halfback during the team’s rookie scrimmage and earned a spot on the team for the 2018 season. 

“Honestly I knew the speed and physicality would pick up,” he noted of his play during rookie camp. “So I was just telling myself to not back down and to step up pretty much.”

Tougas made it his mission last season to befriend his Rifles teammates and also increase his football IQ. He accomplished both tasks, however he was also stuck behind veterans in the secondary such as Troy Wilson, Jake Richardson, Dominic Horvath and Tyson Wood. 

With a desire to get playing time in 2019, Tougas decided to make the move to the MMJFL, as Goudie had been interested in his services ever since high school and continued to show love to the promising prospect during junior.

“Riley brings a year of experience playing with the Rifles last year out of high school and has the gifts to play anywhere in the secondary and also contribute on offence,” Goudie says. 

“The kid has got a seriousness about him when it comes to football that I don’t see from a lot of young men.”

While Tougas will help provide the thunder for St. James, King-Wilson will add much needed lighting on both sides of the ball, along with critical leadership skills. 

A two-way player due to low numbers in both grade 11 and 12 for Daniel MacIntyre, he helped the Maroons snap a 39-year championship drought in 2017 by claiming a 30-0 victory in the CanadInns Bowl against Kildonan East. 

“Having short numbers we were all really close and all pushed each other on and off the field,” King-Wilson says. 

“We had a lot of guys who didn’t want to go to class, so we had to push them so that they could play during the week.”

King-Wilson further cemented his legacy during his senior year this year, finishing with 1,122 yards and 12 touchdowns as DMCI’s lead back along with 35 tackles, six forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two interceptions at defensive back. He was honoured for his efforts at season’s end as a Nissan All-Canadian. 

The versatile athlete had a strong showing at Winnipeg Rifles camp a few weeks ago, however he wasn’t selected to the team. Goudie was genuinely shocked with the move and was quick to bring King-Wilson into the fold for this season. 

“Nate King is a beast in his own right. This kid is a two way offensive and defensive machine. A true grinder, this kid has U SPORTS and CFL potential.”

Tougas and King-Wilson will be two of the names taking part in the St. James majors’ spring camp from May 30-June 1, which will wrap up with a scrimmage from 3-5 on the final day.