By: Mike Still (@mikestill94)

It’s been close to two years since veteran receiver Timmy Solypa and the rest of the Winnipeg Rifles stepped foot on St. Vital Mustangs field for an organized tackle football game. The COVID-19 pandemic put the sport on hold, but last weekend, the streak was snapped as close to 80 players strapped on the pads for a team scrimmage in preparation for the Rifles’ season opener on Aug. 22. 

It’s safe to say that Solypa made his presence felt. Playing for team white – who won the contest 31-1 – the big-bodied pass-catcher scored a touchdown on the squad’s first play from scrimmage, and added a second later on, while recording over 100 yards. He came into camp in spectacular shape, showcased his speed and was nearly untouchable in the open field. 

With over 20 veterans choosing to move on from the sport during the pandemic, the often soft-spoken Solypa – who led the Rifles in receiving yards (475) and receptions (34) in 2019 – knew he’d be taking on an increased leadership role for 2021, something he’s fully embraced after being away from the game. 

“The first thing I did when I stepped on the field was just scream. It was an amazing feeling. It’s great to be back,” he said with a humungous grin post-game. 

“This is what I missed most about football. Being at the bomber game last Thursday, hearing the crowd in person was unreal. I missed that so much. You want to bring it here. You’ve got to get these young guys fired up and be emotional and get loud. If you’re loud, it brings everyone up. That’s a big role I’ve wanted to play. Having two years off, I haven’t really yelled.”

Solypa, a Murdoch MacKay alum who had 677 yards over multiple seasons playing for Kamlooops prior to joining the Rifles, stayed quite busy during COVID. He works full-time from 8:30-4:30 at a chemical plant, and in his free time he was either training or spending time with family. Once the sport came back, he immediately made it his priority, shutting the outside world off. 

“I live outside the city, so I drive in every single day 40 minutes. It’s a quality drive here and back, having practice at night and working the next morning, I come here early every single day because I don’t really have any place to be. Once you’re here, you just focus on football. You don’t focus on anything else like your family issues. It’s all about football, and once you leave, everything comes back.”

Solypa is part of a Rifles’ offence that will see serious changes in 2021. Former starting quarterback Riley Naujoks is suiting up with the Manitoba Bisons in the fall, and the Rifles brought in ten quarterbacks to compete for the starting spot. Of the pivots, fellow Murdoch alum Carter Kutzan – a versatile athlete who’s played all over the field during his career – and multiple-time MMJFL champion Bryson McNeil have emerged as top contenders to start in week one. 

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McNeil took all of the starting reps in the first half for team black, while both of Solypa’s touchdown receptions came from Kutzan, including one where he evaded a defender, keeping the play alive with his feet and eventually finding the fifth-year receiver with a strike down the far sideline. Additionally, Oak Park alum Thomas Hubbard threw multiple touchdown strikes for team white, while CTV Bowl champ Matthew Graham from Miles Mac has also received rave reviews from players and coaches alike, and fellow veteran Kyle Logan took reps at pivot and receiver, making his presence felt with a big gain as the latter.

With reference to the receivers, Solypa, Jake Roger and Luke (Spidey) McMillan are all going to be key to the squad’s success having been with the team for numerous seasons. Still, Solypa has identified aspects of his game, both vocally and performance-wise that he’d like to improve on in order for the grey gunners to execute once the regular season kicks off in a few weeks. 

“Catching every single football. I’ve had a few drops in the past where it’s second and five and you run a hook and you just can’t catch it, so improving my hands was a real big one, and getting off guys, so my hand movements and ripping guys and getting faster hands to get open,” he says. 

“We lost a lot of older people, and we have so many rookies here. Entering into what was supposed to be my fourth year, but is technically my fifth, I’ve learned so much. I’ve been to Kamloops, I’m here now, and just from two different teams, you learn so much and you meet so many people. Who I had to mentor me, I’ve walked into the perfect situation. I’ve taken what I know and I’m just teaching the younger players and am helping them out. I might not be the best at it myself, but I know that it works.”