By: Mike Still (@mikestill94)
Feature photo: Timmy Solypa is back in town and looking to make a difference for the Rifles
Over 80 players spread across the rosters of the Winnipeg Rifles and various teams from the Winnipeg High School Football League (WHSFL), Midget Football League of Manitoba (MFLM), Rural Manitoba Football League (RMFL) and Northern Ontario came together this Sunday at Dakota Collegiate to cap off a stellar two weeks of Rifles rookie camp with a team scrimmage.
One of the players present was Timmy Solypa, who helped pace team blue in their 24-18 victory with a touchdown reception on a go route and was all over the field, lining up at both wideout and slot.
A standout in the WHSFL with the Murdoch MacKay Clansmen, he spent the past two seasons with the Kamloops Broncos in the British Columbia Football Conference (BCFC), hauling in a combined 45 receptions for 677 yards and two scores.
A coaching change this offseason resulted in Solypa looking to explore new opportunities and he seems to have found his niche with Winnipeg.
“Playing here, you see from the scores and the standings that the competition is so much higher,” he said of the Prairie Football Conference where the Rifles are a member.
“There’s definitely some great players here starting and they’re only first or second-year guys. I think this season is going to be a fun one and I’m looking forward to it.”
It was an air show all afternoon, with Solypa and Ethan Schnerch (DMCI) picking up touchdown receptions for team blue, while team white found the end zone on big plays from receivers Ethan Danell (Dakota) and Brock Gates (Kelvin) as well as running back John Alade (St. Vital). The latter showcased his jets on a catch-and-run that went roughly 50 yards for the biggest play of the day offensively.
When all was said and done however, it was team blue’s defence that played arguably the biggest role in the outcome of the game. Defensive end Lucas Coreia (Miles Mac) started the scoring off by forcing a fumble that was recovered in the end zone, while defensive back Alex Minor (Grant Park) registered a critical pick six with the game tied at 12.
“I never got the opportunity to play that much wide receiver in [the WHSFL] season,” Minor — who has received interest from both York and Queen’s in the OUA — joked postgame. “This time I got it and made no mistake.”
Other players from the secondary that stood out from team blue included Josh Patterson (Garden City) — who had an interception — along with Brandon Kamenz and Teagan Simon from Vincent Massey Winnipeg’s ANAVETS Bowl-winning squad. Defensive end Spenser Pilon (River East, CTV Bowl champs) who’s “worked his ass off in the gym” according to former head coach Sean Oleksewycz, also wreaked havoc in both the run and passing game.
One the other side, defensive end Nathan Poetker (Steinbach) was all over the ball with two sacks, while second-year Rifles linebacker Treyton Viera had an interception.
Next up for the Rifles is their spring camp, taking place from April 24-May 4 at Dakota Collegiate. Things will wrap up on May 5 with a contest against Augsburg University, an NCAA Division III team. That game goes from 12-3 at East Side Eagles field.