By: Mike Still (@mikestill94)
It was a successful weekend for the Winnipeg Rifles football club, as they took to St. Vital Mustangs field for their annual spring camp. Friday and Saturday were comprised of practices, while Sunday the squad competed in a Team Black vs Team White scrimmage, which Team Black won 14-6 on the strength of two Drenin Busch touchdown passes. Below are a few comments from camp.
Running back depth
One area that the Rifles won’t have to worry about this season is running back, as they’re loaded at the position. Veterans Brandon Urciuoli and Mathe Mitayango both had great camps, demonstrating their power and athleticism.
It was fellow vet Austin Klein that head coach Geordie Wilson pointed out specifically however. Klein shone during the scrimmage at times, and is a versatile player who can line up in the backfield or at receiver.
“Austin Klein is kind of like our swiss army knife,” Wilson said after Sunday’s scrimmage. “If we go to a [five receiver package], he can go right into it, we don’t have to substitute anyone onto the field, and he did a great job on blitz pickup today too.”
Along with the three above mentioned players, Wilson was also high on rookies Jarrett Hicks of Dryden and Erick Rivera of Oak Park.
Update on the offensive line
As has been discussed in the past, the biggest area of focus for the Rifles heading into spring camp was the offensive line.
“They’re getting better,” Wilson said of the hoggies. “I’m feeling fairly confident to about eight [offensive lineman] deep that we would feel comfortable putting out on the field.”
Wilson also noted there are some younger 18 and 19-year-olds with great potential who simply need to increase their consistency.
“We have a couple players on our team that we could get to 10 with [depth-wise], but it comes down to self-motivation for a couple of them,” he said. “They’re good kids and they have the potential to be good, but they’ve got to get a little more fire in them, and consistency.”
New faces, big plays
Two rookies that stood out during the scrimmage were defensive backs Bryce Marino out of St. Paul’s, and Riley Tougas out of Elmwood — the same school that produced impact cover-man Andrew Ricard.
Marino — one of two defensive MVP’s in this year’s Winnipeg High School Football League Senior Bowl — was all over the field, both as a cover man and while stepping up in the run game, while Tougas knocked down virtually anything thrown his way.
“Both of them played well today,” Wilson said postgame. “Neither one of them were at our mini camp, but they both came in here and had good games.”
Steinbach sensations
Two players who’ve stood out during the entire team selection process, from rookie camp all the way to today, are Steinbach’s Tyler Bueckert and Eric Adams. The former, a linebacker, has great size at six-foot-three and well over 200 pounds, and has seen first and second team reps. The latter has phenomenal hands, and is versatile.
“We like them,” Wilson said of the Steinbach ballers.
“[Head coach] Jamie Peters has done a good job with them in Steinbach. Bueckert’s a kid who could be a day one starter, and Eric will push for work, but he’s also a very good placekicker, which helps when we get on the road. They’re both very good players and we’re quite happy with them.”
Getting some back-up
Wilson was thrown a massive curveball in the offseason, after learning that intended back-up quarterback Eric Matthews would have to quit the game due to an autoimmune disease. Cue 22-year-old Drenin Busch, who at one time was one of the most highly sought after quarterbacks in the province.
He made his debut this weekend, and threw touchdown passes to Griffin Shillingford and Eric Klein, while also kicking the converts on both scoring plays.
“He relaxed,” Wilson said of Busch’s performance.
“Last year he was stressed out about everything else, but he just kind of played today. He kind of knows his role, we’ve told him you’re in a backup position, but he’s also a very good place kicker and punter, so it puts you in a good spot when you have a kid that can travel with you and play as a quarterback, but can also kick for you.”
What’s next?
Next up for the squad will be the announcement of their rookie class, which will take place this Thursday at 7 p.m. at the St. Vital Mustangs clubhouse.