Tag: WHSFL

Leadership a natural quality for Waterloo-bound Gillen

By: Mike Still (@mikestill94)

Featured image by: bluebombers.com

St. Norbert product Charles Gillen prides himself on being a leader both on and off the football field.

On the gridiron, it’s his positivity that’s contagious.

“I love getting the guys hyped up,” he says passionately. “Even if you make a mistake, I’m still going to hype you up for the next play, that kind of thing.”

And Gillen has the productivity to back up his enthusiasm. A constant for the Celtics since grade nine, the six-foot-three, 215-pound athlete has played essentially every position on the defence except for defensive tackle, while offensively he’s been a running back and receiver.

“I just fit both roles,” he says of his versatility. “Offensively, I love making cuts. I want to score. Defensively, I love coverage and I love tackling.”

Gillen’s dedication to the sport was keyed in on early, as he was invited to a Top Prospects camp after his grade nine season. That’s also the first time he started seriously thinking about playing at the next level.

Over the next three years, Gillen began personally sending his mid-season and end of season highlights to every single university recruiting coordinator across Canada.

“One of the things that I heard from the Top Prospects camp, is that you’ve got to go out of your way to send [your tape] to [recruiters], because they’re looking at thousands of kid’s films,” he says.

“And if you’re sending it right to them, there’s a higher chance that they’ll look at yours, so that’s why I started doing that.”

Gillen’s work on the field, and diligence in sending out his highlight tapes every year caught the eye of many recruiters. By his grade 12 season, he had narrowed down his choice of school to Waterloo, Queen’s, Bishop’s, Mount Allison and Saskatchewan.

Off the field, Gillen is just as dedicated. Since grade 10, he’s been part of jack.org – a mental health/peer support network that has a chapter at his school. One of the group’s duties is to provide presentations and workshops that promote positive mental health, while also eliminating the stigma around mental illness.

Gillen says he joined the group after one of his friends expressed feelings of depression. He wanted to be able to do something to help, not only for this individual, but others as well.

“Because everyone kind of knew me from football, I was able to use [the support network] as a platform to promote a really good message,” he says.

“The people who you don’t think could suffer could honestly be suffering, and when it’s too late, you lose someone super close that you love. So that was one of the biggest reasons I joined the group.”

Interestingly, it was the 18-year-old who benefitted from peer guidance in his senior year. His family wasn’t super high on him leaving the city to play football, and he ultimately found himself living with a friend in late April while also working.

“At first my emotions were high and I was kind of on edge, thinking about if this was the best thing. Now I’m pretty calm and it’s just natural for me,” he says of his current living situation.

“We have a lot of help [at St. Norbert]. People are always willing to talk to you. One of the biggest reasons I like St. Norbert is because you can open up. I was talking to the principle and the guidance counsellor and they were giving me advice to figure out everything myself, so it was really good.”

A few weeks after moving out, he took his first, and only official visit to Waterloo.

“I wasn’t exactly planning on committing, I was thinking about it, so I went on a visit,” he says. “And just the atmosphere, right away you just get that feeling that yeah, this is it, this is the place for me.”

Gillen, who will be suiting up at running back for the Warriors, is set to leave the first week of August for his new home. In the meantime, he’ll be working as well as training for the season.

On top of being a varsity athlete, Gillen will also be putting in some serious work in the books, as he knows exactly what he wants to do academically.

“I just love law,” he says. “When I was younger, I watched the trial of OJ Simpson and it made me interested in the legal process. I plan to take psychology and legal studies and eventually get into law school.”

Winnipeg Rifles introduce 2018 rookie class

By: Mike Still (@mikestill94)

Last night, the Winnipeg Rifles announced their 34 member rookie class at the St. Vital Mustangs clubhouse.

Included in the list are 27 members from the Winnipeg High School Football League (WHSFL), three from the Midget Football League of Manitoba (MFLM), two from the Rural Manitoba Football League (RMFL) and one each from the British Columbia Football Conference (BCFC) and Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association (SHSAA). Below is a quick breakdown of each group.

Quarterback

Kyle Logan, St. Vital Mustangs (MFLM)

Notes: Head coach Geordie Wilson and his staff found themselves in a bit of a predicament in the lead-up to the 2018 season, when intended backup quarterback Eric Matthews had to give up the game due to an autoimmune deficiency.

Thankfully, the roster is now stocked with quality depth, due to the additions of Drenin Busch and 2018 rookie signing Kyle Logan out of St. Vital. The latter helped lead the Mustangs to the 2017 MFLM title, finishing the season with 11 passing touchdowns. He also had a notable performance in the spring scrimmage last weekend that earned praise from Wilson.

Running backs/fullbacks

Ayric Dupont, FB, Oak Park Raiders (WHSFL)
Mikey De Leon, FB, Vincent Massey Trojans (WHSFL)
Tristan Kisilowsky, FB, Interlake Thunder (MFLM)
Jarett Hicks, RB, Dryden Eagles (WHSFL)
Erick Rivera, RB, Oak Park Raiders (WHSFL)

Notes: Both running back recruits excelled in their craft at a different position in high school. Rivera, a converted linebacker, was the MVP of this past season’s WHSFL CTV Bowl, rushing for over 200 yards despite playing just three regular season games at running back.

Hicks, on the other hand, was an option quarterback who finished the year with over 900 combined all-purpose yards via the ground and air. He says his biggest strength is his speed, and he isn’t worried about adjusting to being in the backfield instead of handling snaps.

“I had to make a lot of reads in high school, so [being a former quarterback] will help me know what holes to hit, when to hit them, and how to run basically,” he said.

RB Hicks, who signed on the weekend as he’s an out of town player.

Receivers

Eric Adams, Steinbach Sabres (WHSFL)
Aziz Daoud, Maples Marauders (WHSFL)
Luke McMillan, Miles Mac Buckeyes (WHSFL)
Rig Moulebou, DMCI Maroons (WHSFL)
Cody Gushulak, Grant Park Pirates (WHSFL)
Jake Roger, Sturgeon Heights Huskies (WHSFL)
Colt Beswitherick, Kerrobert Rebels (SHSAA)
Mason Rody, Dauphin Clippers (RMFL)
Ethan Paul, Westshore Rebels (BCFC)

Notes: The receiving class is loaded with notable names for various reasons. Wilson stated that of the group, Adams and McMillan both have a strong shot at playing time as rookies. Adams led the WHSFL’s John Potter (AAA) Division in receiving yards with 592, while McMillan finished his senior year fifth in receiving yards (435) in the Kas Vidruk (AA) division.

“The rookie camp was a good introduction, getting to play against the top high school players who the Rifles had recruited,” McMillan said of the selection process.

“Then getting the chance to go to vet camp and be with the returning players who are on the roster and have played multiple seasons, and getting to spring camp and having that comfort level with the players, it made things a lot easier.”

Additionally, the receivers group also includes three converted running backs, in Gushulak — who finished second in the AAA division with over 700 yards rushing — as well as CanadInns Bowl winner Moulebou and Ethan Paul, the 2015 AAA co-rushing winner. The latter is a former member of the Sisler Spartans of the WHSFL who spent last year with the Westshore Rebels, giving him a valuable year of junior football experience.

Offensive linemen

Miguel Leano, Tec Voc Hornets (WHSFL)
Mac Lillie, St. Paul’s (WHSFL)
Chase Yestrau, Sunrise Coyotes (MFLM)

NOTES: Coach Wilson has been happy with the progression made by a young offensive line all through camp, and the above three players clearly made a big impression. Lillie stands out, due to playing for the elite-level and two-time defending AAA champion St. Paul’s Crusaders. His relationship with coach Wilson also goes back 10 years to when both were affiliated with the Charleswood Broncos of the Manitoba Minor Football League.

“I think my mental game is pretty good. Definitely in high school, I would’ve liked to consider myself one of the smartest guys on the field,” Lillie says of his on-field strengths. “Going into junior, I just want to soak up as much experience as I can and gain knowledge from the veteran players.”

Defensive linemen

Noah Wilson, Vincent Massey Trojans (WHSFL)
Daniel Kabongo, Dakota Lancers (WHSFL)
Riley Kolodie, Vincent Massey Trojans (WHSFL)
Devyn Turner, St. Paul’s Crusaders (WHSFL)
Dalton Grant, Moosomin Generals, (RMFL)

NOTES: Four of these members in Wilson, Kabongo, Kolodie and Turner played in the AAA division of the WHSFL. Kolodie led the way statistically with 17 tackles and two forced fumbles, while Turner was another member of the Crusaders provincial championship team.

“The defence is really similar to the one we ran at St. Paul’s, so I felt pretty comfortable from the beginning,” Turner said of his overall performance through camp. “I want to play wherever coach tells me to go and do my job.”

Linebackers

Tyler Bueckert, Steinbach Sabres (WHSFL)
Thomas Moline, Dryden Eagles (WHSFL)
Ethan Hetherington, Garden City Fighting Gophers (WHSFL)
Trenton Vieira, Sisler Spartans (WHSFL)
Zane Dear, Sister Spartans (WHSFL)
Nosa Guobodia, Oak Park Raiders (WHSFL)

NOTES: The linebacking group is another major talking point of this recruiting class, led by Bueckert, who finished his senior year fifth in the AAA division with 38 tackles. He also added an interception, a sack, a forced fumble and three fumble recoveries. Wilson noted after the spring scrimmage that he has the chance to “be a day one starter.”

“I just felt confident because I had a lot of good players around me, good vets helping me out and making sure I was lined up right and doing the right things,” Bueckert said in response to his coach’s praise.

“I just have to work hard and show up and do my best to show that I’m capable of getting on the field and getting reps.”

Other notable names are fellow AAA division members Dear — who played both ways for the Spartans this past year — and Hetherington, who had 31 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble in 2017.

Defensive backs

Nicolas Conway, Dakota Lancers (WHSFL)
Everett Lenz, Dakota Lancers (WHSFL)
Scott Brakel, Dakota Lancers (WHSFL)
Bryce Marino, St. Paul’s Crusaders (WHSFL)
Riley Tougas, Elmwood Giants (WHSFL)

NOTES: It’s hard not to take notice of this group as well, which includes a trio of Dakota defensive backs, led by Nicolas Conway, who Wilson could “foresee getting playing time and [pushing] for work.” All three players were instrumental in helping the Lancers make it all the way to the AAA final this past year.

The other two recruits in the secondary, Marino and Tougas, were only present for last weekend’s spring camp, but stood out, especially in the scrimmage on Sunday.

“At St. Paul’s, we do a lot of film study and every week we’re putting in new plays, so coming to spring camp here and having to pick up new plays was a lot easier,” Marino said of his performance from the week prior.

“I kind of knew what to do more, and some of the defensive plays were the same, so it made it easier.”

Akau healthy, excited to help lead Rifles d-line

By: Mike Still (@mikestill94)

Feature photo by: Matthew Hamilton

Machuor Akau’s football journey has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride at top speed.

It all started after a chance encounter in the halls of Oak Park High School in 2011 with legendary head football coach Stu Nixon.

“About tenth grade, I was still playing basketball, and coach Nixon came and talked to me and said ‘hey you should try out for the football team.’ So I went and tried out for the junior varsity team and loved it.”

Interestingly, Akau suited up as a defensive back in his first-ever season of tackle football. At the time, the junior varsity player was 140 pounds and over six feet tall, so positionally it made sense.

Impact of Recruit Ready/Eddie Steele

When the year ended, Akau was hooked on the game. But he also knew he needed to gain some size, as the plan was to convert him to a hybrid linebacker/defensive end. Cue Oak Park alumnus Brad Black, who along with Blaire Atkinson, founded premier football training program Recruit Ready in 2013.

That year, Recruit Ready was doing in-house training at Oak Park, which Akau benefited from greatly.

“Brad Black, who was a huge mentor of mine, brought me into the strength and conditioning program, so I started training with [Recruit Ready],” he says.

“At the time, I didn’t know a single thing about training, and they instilled that work ethic in me and it just grew from there. I don’t think I could’ve done that without the extra help of [Recruit Ready] guiding me through that process.”

On top of his base training, Akau was also receiving valuable knowledge from former Manitoba Bison/current Saskatchewan Roughrider Eddie Steele.

“Eddie Steele I have a great relationship with,” he says. “In terms of the little stuff like working technique, he would always lend me a hand with that. I talk to him all the time, and any time I need help I shoot him a message.”

Akau had a successful 2013 season, enough so that at the end of his junior year, the Carleton Ravens came calling. Akau built a great relationship with the coaching staff, and they even came to Oak Park to visit him, which he says “meant a lot.”

Returning to the field, when Akau’s senior year came around, he quickly became an unstoppable force at defensive end. He finished the season with 40 tackles, four sacks, two blocked punts and three fumble recoveries — all of which he did in just six games.

Arguably more importantly though, his squad was able to upset perennial powerhouse St. Paul’s for the AAA provincial title in a game that came down to a last-second field goal that was shanked by the Crusader’s kicker.

“I’ll be honest, we thought the game was over, because it was a 15 yard kick,” Akau says with a grin. “But hey, you never know in football. Keep playing until the clock hits zero.”

Carleton experience/injury

Naturally, after such an impressive senior year, Akau started gaining interest from other university programs such as Regina, Calgary and Waterloo. But it was Carleton that “held a place in his heart” because they were the first program that showed interest in him.

He took his official visit to Carleton in February of his grade 12 year, staying for two days with fellow Winnipeger and now former Raven Leon Cenerini.

“After two days, I just loved it,” Akau says with a smile. “I already had a great relationship with the players and coaches, and they saw something in me. Kind of like what coach Nixon saw in me in high school.”

Akau after committing to Carleton for the 2015 season. Photo by canadafootballchat.

With his commitment for the 2015 season made, Akau now had to prove himself at the university level, which, unsurprisingly was difficult at first.

“Going into training camp was a huge jump, not only physically, but just learning the playbook,” he says.

“The game was also a lot faster from high school, so I kind of struggled in training camp, but as soon as training camp ended and we got towards the season, I started picking things up and was beating older veterans.”

By the time week one came around, Akau was set to see time as a true freshman. But that’s when everything started to fall apart.

First, he rolled his ankle and missed game one. Then, the following week, he sustained an injury so gruesome that even writing about it hurts.

“It was the last practice of the week for week two, and we were doing one-on-one pash rush,” Akau says.

“I did one rep and won so I bounced to the other side of the line just to get another rep in. I did an inside swim move, planted my leg, and the lower part of my femur snapped in half. That tore my ACL, MCL PCL and meniscus.”

When Akau went to see a surgeon in Ottawa, it was suggested that he stop playing permanently. Naturally, that didn’t sit well with the native of Kenya, who refused to give up the game he loved dearly.

“I just knew that I could overcome [the injury] and get back, because I saw myself doing it,” he says. “I was like, you did well coming in as a rookie. Once you come back from this injury, you can get back to that level.”

Akau had his surgery in early March in Ottawa, and then returned home at the end of April, giving him the opportunity to do basically all of his rehab in Winnipeg.

“Immediately I went to Elite Performance,” he says.

“I’d never trained there before, so I went and talked to [co-founder] Jeff Fisher, who I have a great relationship with now, and he told me that he would get me back on the field, and that’s all I needed to hear, because the doctor told me otherwise.

“[The rehab] was probably the most grueling year-and-a-half to two years I’ve ever experienced in my life. It was painful and it was long. Most knee rehabs are 7-12 months, but mine took close to two years to fully heal. It definitely took a lot of hard work, but I just kept going after it every day.”

Next steps/Joining the Rifles

Akau chose to take the 2016 season off, de-committing from Carleton in order to fully focus on his rehab as well as spending time with his family.

“At the time, my knee wasnt good enough to play the following season anyways, so I was like, I may as well stay at Elite Performance and continue to work out and train every single day and get my knee better.”

Despite not playing, Akau was still garnering interest from various football programs, including the Canadian Junior Football League’s Winnipeg Rifles.

Head coach Geordie Wilson, as well as defensive backs coach and Oak Park/Manitoba Bison alumnus Justin Kasak were among the individuals who contacted him. He was also getting messages from some of his old friends who now played for the Rifles. This, coupled with Akau’s desire to return to the game slowly and patiently, were enough to convince him to sign with the team for the 2017 season.

”I took it as a challenge to test my knee out, and see if I could still do it,” he says. “Instead of going back to a U SPORTS team, I thought the better route for me would be to play Rifles.”

Akau played in just four regular season games last year, as he continued to be patient with his recovery.

“At times during a game, I’d get rolled on or something, and my knee would instantly swell up,” he says.

“And learning from rehab, you have to be smart with your body, which is something I wasn’t good for before — I would just go, go, go. But after injuring my knee, I took it very, very carefully because I didn’t want to go back to that [original stage of rehab].”

By the time this past offseason rolled around, Akau was finally able to start re-honing his game. He was given the chance to lift heavy again, and has also incorporated yoga and speed work with “guru” Glenn Bruce into his regimen.

“In terms of last season, my offseason program was mostly rehab work, so I didnt have a lot of core or power lifting or strength work. It was moreso mobility, knee rehab specific stuff,” he says.

“This offseason was light years compared to last offseason. I feel healthy, I went on a diet and lost 15 pounds, and I feel way healthier and stronger. It’s definitely going to be a good season, I’m excited.”

Akau during Rifles 2018 mini camp. Photo by Matthew Hamilton.

Akau has every reason to be excited, not only for himself, but his squad as a whole. The defensive line looks to be a particular strength this year for the Rifles, with himself, as well as Hayden Nellis (who’s currently training with the Bombers), Samson Harper and Justin Kwiatowski leading the way.

“We hold each other to a high standard,” Akau says of the relationship the front four has. “We don’t let each other slack off as a unit or take plays off. I think we’ll definitely do very well this year.”

Mature DB Kastellanos ready to settle in with Toronto

By: Mike Still (@mikestill94)

Feature photo caption: Kastellanos evades a defender while with Dakota. Photo by Ruth Bonneville

Andreas Kastellanos is a smart, detailed and team-oriented football player, but his successful career on the gridiron almost never happened.

“I started playing tackle football for St. Vital when I was in grade four. I was put on the offensive line and I hated it,” he says. “I remember the first year, I wanted to quit because I just couldn’t do it.”

But Kastellanos pushed through. Naturally, as the years went along, he got taller and fitter. Originally he was placed at receiver and running back, not moving to defensive back until grade eight.

“I wasn’t a fan of [defensive back] at first, but I learned to really love it,” he says.

“I remember my first year playing defensive back, my mom told me to try out for the provincial U16 team, and I was super scared that I would get cut and didn’t want to do it, but I actually made it as an under-aged player.”

The following season in grade nine was when Kastellanos realized he wanted to take football as far as he could. He was going to school at Glenlawn Collegiate at the time, but played for St. Vital because Glenlawn didn’t have a team. The season with the Mustangs ended in success as he claimed a provincial title.

But at the end of the year, he made the move to Dakota Collegiate.

There were a number of factors involved in his decision.

First off, a large bulk of his championship teammates from the year prior were also planning on heading to Dakota. They knew if they stuck together, they could have a core built together for a championship team a few years down the line.

Secondly, Kastellanos knew that in order to get noticed and possibly get a U SPORTS offer, he’d need to say goodbye to community football.

“Most people know, if you want to go somewhere, you have to play high school football,” he says. “Club football is a good time and it’s still competitive, but scouts and coaches won’t really look at you unless you’re exceptional.”

And finally, there was his step-dad Rick Watts, who had made a name for himself at Dakota as an all-star in volleyball, basketball and high jump.

Kastellanos credits Watts — who was named the Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association Male Athlete of the Half Century in 2012 — as a massive influence in his development as a football player throughout the years.

“I just call him the guru,” he says. “He was a freak athlete and having him as a support and a guru has helped so much. I can’t thank him enough.

“He’s helped a lot with my fundamentals, so my press technique, where you line up, how much pressure you should have on your toes, all the details. It’s something that you don’t really learn anywhere else, unless someone tells you.”

With the aid of Watts, as well as valuable training from Recruit Ready and former NFL and CFLer Lamar McGriggs, Kastellanos was able to turn himself into a shut-down defensive back throughout high school.

He started in AAA as a sophomore for Dakota, and despite winning just two games over the span of his grade 10 and 11 seasons, he knew something big was coming.

Cue the core of St. Vital alumni, which included linebacker/Manitoba commit Noah Paulic and fellow defensive back Nick Conway. Along with a number of others, the Lancers battled their way to a provincial final berth.

“We all knew throughout the process that by grade 12, we would have a solid foundation of seniors and we’d be able to compete,” Kastellanos says. “And sure enough, grade 12 comes along and we make it to the championship.”

Kastellanos (far left) after winning the 2018 WHSFL Senior Bowl. Photo by Diana Foxall.

Toronto comes knocking

After a stellar high school career, it’s no surprise that Kastellanos garnered U SPORTS interest. He had sent his tape out to many universities, and one team that was quite high on him was the University of Toronto. He initially started talked to the U of T in the summer of 2017, but their head coach was then fired early that same fall.

The Dakota product didn’t talk to Toronto for a while after that, until February of 2018 when he got a text from Bob Mullen, the defensive coordinator/DB coach who got the ball re-rolling on Kastellanos’s U to T opportunity.

He went on an official visit in mid-March, and on March 31 — his birthday — he signed on the dotted line to become a Varsity Blue.

“I just look at it as opportunity, that’s all I see right now,” he says of his decision to head out east.

“Everyone knows that Toronto, they don’t play around. They have so many full-time coaches who know what they’re doing. The facilities are top-tier facilities as well. All aspects when I went there were covered, and it just satisfied me a lot.”

Banares parlays flag football passion into spot on Team Canada

By: Mike Still (@mikestill94)

At age six, Julian Banares got the football itch, and to this day, it hasn’t gone away.

“I think I was watching a CFL game on TV, and then I told my dad, I want to play this. He’s like, ‘okay,’ so as soon as he found sign-ups, he took me over and signed me up to play football. That’s been my sport ever since.”

Banares began his tackle football career as a running back, before gravitating to the quarterback and receiver positions as he got older.

While he wasn’t playing tackle football though, he was fully immersed in the flag version of the sport, something he started participating in when he was eight.

“I think it was just something to do honestly, when the football season wasn’t around,” he says. “It was a spring league, so you still wanted to play football all year round, and as soon as the snow melted, I could remember wanting to play flag football.

“It’s just a fun sport and it’s fast-paced because you’ve got five-on-five. It’s the closest thing you can get to tackle football without contact.”

And boy was he good at it. For example, when Banares was in grade eight, he represented Team Manitoba at U14 nationals. He did the same thing in grade 10.

“I’ve had some pretty good experiences playing flag at the national or provincial level,” he says.

“It was really just exposure to a higher level of competition. Playing against different teams from different provinces and seeing how they play, and being able to see where your strengths as a team were, or even as an individual player. It was really good exposure in that sense, to play against a higher level of competition and to improve your game.”

Banares’s grade 10 year at Sturgeon Heights was memorable for more than one reason though.

It was that season, in 2008, that the Huskies rolled to the Winnipeg High School Football League (WHSFL) AA championship. Their roster included the likes of Ryan Marsh, one of the greatest pivots in WHSFL history. On top of that, there was also Grey Cup champs Kienan LaFrance and Anthony Coombs. Banares also earned the division’s Rookie of the Year nod.

“It was crazy,” Banares says of the 2008 season.

“You maybe take a little bit of it for granted, just because we blew every team out. There really were no close games. Realizing the talent we had, looking back on it now, it was crazy what we were able to do and produce. To be able to be a part of that championship team was pretty special.”

Fast-forward to present day, and Banares is still making his presence felt on the field, as he was part of the Team Manitoba roster that captured gold at last weekend’s senior men’s flag football nationals in Saskatoon.

Team Manitoba’s gold medal-winning flag team.

Among the competition was a Team Canada roster that included Chris Bauman, a former first overall pick in the 2007 CFL draft, as well as former Grey Cup champ Chris Getzlaf.

To top it all off, Banares was named tournament defensive MVP, earning him a nod to Team Canada’s roster for the World Flag Football Championships, which take place later this year in Panama City.

“To be completely honest, getting selected was completely unexpected,” says the soft-spoken Banares.

“I went out to Saskatoon with no expectations whatsoever besides going there and playing and winning the championship. Aside from the personal achievement, I really didn’t expect the invite, so now it’s just going to be preparing for that tournament, and playing at another level of competition which I haven’t experienced before.”

Prendergast helps Team Steeves knock off Team Henkewich 17-8 in WHSFL Senior Bowl

By: Mike Still (@mikestill94)

Prior to the 2018 Winnipeg High School Football League (WHSFL) Senior Bowl, Sturgeon Heights quarterback Liam Prendergast knew what the game-plan would be for his squad.

“Honestly, the game-plan was [to be an] airshow, and to get the ball out there,” the Team Steeves pivot said.

“I had a rough first practice, but my second practice, I had a good time out there and the boys were all linking up, so today I was just excited. By the second and third quarter, I got into my rhythm and from there on, the game slowed down and got easier. Everyone was catching balls, getting open and doing their assignments.”

That’s exactly what happened for Team Steeves — named after the late Doug Steeves, who was a mentor and coach at all three Brandon-area high schools (Crocus Plains, Vincent Massey and Neelin) — as Prendergast and company outscored Team Henkewich 11-2 after halftime, utilizing a diverse passing attack.

Team Henkewich — named after long-time WHSFL advocate and current league commissioner Rick — took the initial lead with 2:23 to go in the first half after Oak Park/University of Saskatchewan commit Charlie Ringland called his own number. The conversion failed to make the score 6-0.

That’s when Prendergast and company started rolling. Demonstrating great clock management, the QB was able to find dynamic Steinbach receiver Sheycoy Selent on multiple plays to get Team Steeves into scoring range.

Then, with six seconds left in the half, he tossed a rocket into the bread-basket of Vincent Massey-Brandon’s Sam Steeves, who fell to the two yard-line. One play later, Fort Frances’s Sekina Scheibler was in the end zone and the game was tied after a failed two-point convert.

Prendergast would go right back to work on his unit’s opening drive of the second half, thanks to an interception by Team Steeves defensive MVP/St. Paul’s product Bryce Marino.

Two passes into tight windows to St. Paul’s receiver/Manitoba Bison commit Noah Dornn got his squad in field goal range, and shortly after, Steinbach’s Eric Adams cashed in with the triple as Team Steeves took a 9-6 lead that they wouldn’t surrender.

The remainder of the game was filled with massive defensive stops as well as turnovers — five of which were forced by Team Steeves.

But despite getting stuffed offensively, Team Henkewich’s defence also stood their ground, led by three players who will be taking their talents to other provinces in 2018 in Vincent Massey Winnipeg/McMaster commit Eryk Bujalski, Grant Park Pirate/U of S commit Chris Mushenza and Garden City/Calgary Dinos commit Tyrece Viner-Cox.

“Obviously this was my last game in Manitoba and I wanted to come out and make a statement with five sacks,” Viner-Cox said postgame. “Hopefully I can do that with Calgary, but I’m just going to keep training and be ready to go.”

Viner-Cox (25) pushes the play for Team Henkewich.

The only other major of the contest occurred with 6:37 to go in the fourth quarter, after a blocked punt set Team Steeves up at Team Henkewich’s three yard line. Three plays later, St. Paul’s running back Quinn Mulligan was in the end zone on a touchdown reception.

It’s no surprise that after the game, Prendergast had a personal conversation with Winnipeg Rifles head coach Geordie Wilson, who was clearly impressed by Team Steeves’s offensive MVP. But the mature, senior pivot appears to have his career ambitions mapped out already, as he hopes to enter the sports media field.

Prendergast with his offensive MVP sweater, alongside commissioner Henkewich.

Prendergast will be taking a year off from school this year, in order to save money to attend Camosun College’s digital communications program in Victoria, BC — a program he was previously accepted into, but deferred until 2019.

“It’s pretty much everything,” he said. “You’ve got editing on some computers, you’ve got some journalism classes. There’s a lot. I take media production at Sturgeon, so it’s basically that, plus journalism, editing and writing.”

Manitoba’s senior men’s flag football team win nationals in Saskatoon

Team Manitoba’s senior men’s flag football team gained a measure of revenge this past weekend in Saskatoon, capturing gold at nationals after settling for bronze two years prior in Halifax.

This year’s edition of the tournament featured seven other teams. Five of the squads – including Team Canada’s roster – were from Saskatchewan, while there was also one team representing Alberta and BC, respectively.

Returnees from Manitoba’s 2016 roster included PIT Football co-founder Jon Franklin, as well as former Winnipeg Blue Bomber receiver and well-acclaimed Saikel instructor Taylor Renaud.

The process of assembling Manitoba’s roster began in February, with the squad consisting of a number of players who were already key members of the PIT league.

“A lot of the trip was self funded by Mike Laping the head coach,” says Jamie Ybarra Jr., who spent this past season with the Vancouver Island Raiders of the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL).

“Jon Franklin also gave us enough preparation and playing time by going through (the PIT league).”

Manitoba rolled through their first two opponents in the four-team Pool A, defeating their competition by a combined score of 90-0. Former Winnipeg High School Football League Rookie of the Year Julian Banares was the catalyst during the day one drubbings, playing shutout defence all day long.

“Something clicked, I guess. I was pretty zoned in during all of our games,” he says. “It was pretty much the want and will to win.”

On the second day, Manitoba ran into the powerhouse Team Canada, which, among others, consisted of Chris Bauman, a former first overall pick in the 2007 CFL draft, as well as former Grey Cup champ Chris Getzlaf. Neither team had lost a game to this point, and the outcome would decide the winner of Pool A.

Team Canada got the best of the Manitoban’s in their round robin matchup, defeating them by more than two scores. Despite the loss, ‘Toba remained optimistic.

“It wasn’t that they outplayed us, we were just making little mistakes, and those end up costing you big in a condensed format,” Ybarra Jr. says.

“We knew we had the talent and chemistry to compete with Team Canada, we just needed to make sure we played an almost perfect game, and stayed committed to what we were doing.”

Following a 2-1 record in round robin play, Manitoba crossed over to Pool B, where they squeaked out a 16-13 win. Yet again, their defence came up clutch.

The following day, it was onto the semi-finals, where Manitoba defeated one of the Saskatchewan teams, the Blackshirts, 36-13. Team member Brandon Poulin, a former member of the Manitoba Bisons, and recent recruit of the Valley Huskers in the CJFL, was the star of the game.

[Brandon] Poulin had 3-4 touchdowns and nobody could touch him,” says team member and current Manitoba Bison Riley Harrison, who’s been participating in the PIT league for the last three years.

“That one was the Poulin show.”

Manitoba’s victory set up a rematch with Team Canada, and there’s no doubt that the ‘Tobans had revenge on their mind.

“No one wanted us to win, and no one thought we were going to win,” Harrison says. “It was kind of that vibe, because there were a lot of Saskatoon players on that team, and since we were in Saskatoon, they had a bunch of fans there.”

Manitoba set the tone early, getting a key defensive stop. On the ensuing drive, Harrison punched in a major, and Poulin secured the convert. The next series was much the same, with Poulin scoring, followed by a successful convert.

Despite a valiant effort from Team Canada, it wasn’t enough, as the Manitoban’s earned the gold medal with a 16-13 win. There were three and outs and interceptions both ways, but Team ‘Toba was ultimately able to get the job done.

“When we got the opportunity to play against [Canada] in the gold medal game, we knew what kind of adjustments we needed to make, especially defensively, and the offence also figured out which formations they needed to run to be successful,” Ybarra Jr. says. “We started out really strong in the gold medal game and then the defence held up huge.”

To top it all off, the soft spoken and humble Banares was named Defensive MVP of the tournament. His performance earned him a selection to Team Canada’s roster for the World Flag Football Championships, which take place later this year in Panama City.

Banares after receiving individual recognition.

“To be completely honest, getting selected was completely unexpected. I went out to Saskatoon with no expectations whatsoever besides going there and playing and winning the championship,” he says.

“Aside from the personal achievement, I really didn’t expect the invite, so now it’s just going to be preparing for that tournament, and playing at another level of competition which I haven’t experienced before.”

Team Canada connection helps lead Viner-Cox to Calgary

By: Mike Still

Just under a minute into a conversation with local product Tyrece Viner-Cox, it quickly became evident that he eats, sleeps and breathes football.

“Football, really that’s it for me,” he says passionately. “This is the only thing I really care about. I decided when I was a young kid that I would put my best foot forward and try to go as far as I want.”

Since age seven, the versatile player – who’s suited up as a running back, defensive end, receiver and linebacker – has lived up to his words. For example, when he was still in junior high, he made Team Manitoba’s U16 provincial team as a running back.

“My dad said, ‘you’re probably not going to make this team. You’re big, but you’re the youngest kid.’ And I told myself, I told my dad and I told my uncles, no, I’m doing this, and I’m going to make this team.”

High school recognition

Viner-Cox continued to prove that he was one of the best prospects in the country throughout his high school career. In his grade nine season with Dakota in 2014, he was named Winnipeg High School Football League (WHSFL) Rookie of the Year after starting on both sides of the ball as a receiver and defensive end.

“My expectations for Dakota were to play a lot, and be someone who could make a difference, but I never expected to play both sides early,” he says.

“But as I got there and as I was playing, my expectations for myself shot up. I wanted to go in there and make as many plays as I could. I knew I was the youngest kid, but that never really bothered me.”

Viner-Cox after winning the WHSFL Rookie of the Year award. Photo by Shane Cox.

The following year, Viner-Cox took his game to the next level, moving to Welland, Ontario to play for Canada Prep Academy – the only high school in the nation to play a full season of American football exclusively against US high schools.

“I wanted to go [NCAA] Division 1, so I was like, I’ll go there [to Canada Prep],” he says. “I didn’t know how much I would play, because I was the youngest kid again.

Despite his age, Viner-Cox started both ways yet again, making plays at receiver and defensive end. It also didn’t take him long to get acquainted with his new surroundings.

“[Playing for Canada Prep] was really cool for me,” he says of his time in Ontario. Leaving home was never really a big deal for me. Since I was a kid, I knew I was going to live on my own, and my dreams were to leave Winnipeg, so it was cool to see how I developed, not only on the football field, but as a person.

“My second month in, I was like, whatever. My friends, yeah cool I’ll see them another time. I’m trying to chase something for myself right now. I never really had home sickness or anything like that.”

At the end of the 2015 season, Viner-Cox returned home at the request of his parents. He finished his high school career playing two seasons with the Garden City Fighting Gophers.

His defensive numbers with Garden City were in the top five for both his junior and senior years, as he amassed 84 tackles and six sacks. He also tacked on over 200 yards receiving. Additionally, Viner-Cox was recognized by CanadaFootballChat (CFC) as the 41st ranked prospect in all of Canada during his senior year.

The hard-nosed athlete’s performance – specifically in grade 11 – was even more impressive, considering the fact that he was coming off of an MCL injury from the spring.

International bowl and commitment to Calgary

Viner-Cox’s abilities also extended beyond the local high school ranks in his senior year, as he was named to Team Canada’s U18 roster for the 2018 International Bowl series against the United States in early January. His selection was due to a stellar performance at the Canada Cup earlier in the summer.

Canada made a statement in the contest, defeating the Americans 44-26. Viner-Cox contributed to Canada’s victory with a sack.

“I just felt comfortable,” he says of his performance in the contest.

“After my sack, my teammates were all happy for me. We were all motivated, so that was big. I was waiting for a sack for so long in that game, and after I got it was just a relief.”

With all of his accolades, it’s no surprise that, starting in grade 10, Viner-Cox garnered interest from university programs in Canada and the United States. American teams such as Maine and UConn were interested in his services, and it seemed like his Division 1 dreams would become a reality.

Unfortunately, his grades weren’t where they needed to be, and just like that, the American options began to fizzle. But when one door closed, another one opened – this one in the form of the 2017 Hardy Cup-winning Calgary Dinos.

The Dinos were interested in a number of players from Team Canada’s U18-winning roster, and Viner-Cox at defensive end was one of them. After some discussions with his International Bowl comrades, he made his decision.

“It’s funny, because when we were playing Team Canada, we were all like, we don’t want this to stop. So a couple players were like ‘lets go to Calgary.’ And we all agreed,” he says.

“I’m just really comfortable going there, and I feel like I can contribute, and they’re going to get me right.”

With his commitment, Viner-Cox became another key piece to a Dinos recruiting class that was ranked first overall by CFC for the 2018 season. The class includes 12 other players in CFC’s 2018 top 100 rankings, as well as seven other members that suited up alongside Viner-Cox for Team Canada.

Arguably the most important fact for the Winnipeg native though, is the fact that Calgary graduated four defensive linemen, which increases his chances of starting as a true freshman.

This opportunity isn’t lost on Viner-Cox, and knowing his track record, he should be right in the discussion for a starting spot depending on how training camp later this summer goes.

“My goal is to go in and be a true freshman. I’ve been saying this, I really, really want to be a true freshman,” he says. “I’m a very versatile player, and I feel like that will be an advantage.”

Grant Park linebacker Chris Mushenza ready to make Saskatoon his new home

By: Mike Still (@mikestill94)

Chris Mushenza is no stranger to adaptation, both on and off the gridiron.

He’s travelled frequently in his life, living in locations such as Hamilton, Ontario, and St. Lazare, Manitoba, before settling in Winnipeg for his senior year of high school in 2017.

Mushenza spent most of his teen years in St. Lazare, which is a small community roughly three hours away from Winnipeg.

“There’s not much to say about [St. Lazare] actually,” he says. “There’s probably a population of less than 300, so it was really secluded.”

Growing up, Mushenza always played sports. He was a basketball guy for the most part, but that all changed when he moved to Manitoba.

“There wasn’t a lot of basketball in St. Lazare, so I had to find another sport, and I started playing football,” he says.

“I just fell in love with it from there.”

Mushenza’s first taste of organized football occurred in grade 10, where he played two seasons with the Park West Outlaws of the Rural Manitoba Football League. He suited up as a receiver for his squad, where he was able to display his athleticism.

Prior to his senior year, Mushenza was forced to adapt once more, as his family moved to Winnipeg. One of the first things he did that summer was find a high school that was offering a receivers camp. Grant Park fit the bill.

“When I came to Winnipeg I didn’t really know anybody,” he says. But in the summer at the receiving camp I made a couple friends, and then I went to the training camp at Grant Park after deciding to come to school here, and it just went on from there.”

Mushenza was quick to point out the role that Grant Park head coach Doug Kovacs had on him during his transition to a new school.

“He was really great. The first day I met him he gave me his number and we were texting back and forth. He also gave my parents a tour of the school, and really helped us with applying and getting into school.”

The coaching staff threw a curveball at Mushenza prior to the season however, asking him to start both ways as a receiver and linebacker. While he’d never played the latter before, he trusted in the coaching he was given.

“I just love playing football,” he says. “Obviously I was more used to playing receiver, but coach Kovacs and [linebackers] coach [Steve] Silver and all the defensive coaches really helped me learn the position of linebacker.”

Mushenza noted that playing both ways helped him learn the game more, while also increasing his intensity. The results on the field showed, as Grant Park was regarded as one of the league’s best defensive teams. Mushenza contributed 16 tackles, three sacks, a forced fumbled and a fumble recovery.

“I was always a physical receiver, but hitting on defence was a lot different,” he says. “I felt like I became a more aggressive player as the year went along, because you have to be when you’re playing linebacker. Overall, it felt like my whole football IQ went up.”

When the season ended, Mushenza started sending his highlights to various university football programs. Scott Flory – the head coach of the Saskatchewan Huskies – got back to him expressing interest. The two met, and Mushenza was impressed with their interaction.

“Coach Scott Flory is a really genuine guy, and overall I hear good things about him. He just seems like he cares about the players and is trying to get to not only play football but gain an education too.”

For Mushena, the 2018 season will signal another adjustment to a new city. But the linebacker is ready for what’s ahead.

“I just felt like it was a good fit, based on the type of linebacker [Saskatchewan] want me to be,” he says.

“They want me to play more of an outside/DB type linebacker, which I feel more comfortable with, because I don’t feel I’m big enough to be a rush end or inside linebacker. I’m big enough and fast enough to cover receivers and running backs, so I felt comfortable there.”

Ritchott hurdling his doubters one step at a time

By: Mike Still (@mikestill94)

Image caption: Micheal Ritchott evades an Edmonton Wildcats defender. Photo by mytoba.ca

Running back Micheal Ritchott didn’t have it easy growing up. But he’s honest about his past. It’s what has moulded him into the football player, and man he is today.

“I grew up in the north end of Winnipeg for the first nine years of my life. It was a little bit rough,” he says.

“I have six brothers and sisters as well, so things were a little bit tight on the budget, and my mom was a single parent for most of her life, so coming from that background, that’s definitely one of the things that was motivating for me and always made me want to get more in life.”

When Ritchott was going into grade six, he, along with his siblings were taken to Child and Family Services, as his mom was struggling to provide for the entire family. Unfortunately, the home that he was put in until grade eight was less than ideal.

“Things were a bit rough there,” Ritchott remarked.

“We didn’t have access to our fridge the entire time that we were there. We were never allowed to cook for ourselves, and I would be doing house chores regularly and extended amounts of school work just to keep us busy when they didn’t know what to do with us. They would find ways to do things that weren’t completely necessary, and looking back on it, some of it was actually kind of wrong.”

Ritchott coped with his surroundings by taking up football.

“When I got to foster care, I knew they said I could play any sport that I wanted,” he says.

“I found football, because my friends had said the practices were long, and I just had to do something to really stay out of the house.

“I knew football would be a good getaway for me. I wasn’t the nicest person at young age and was definitely more aggressive. Football let me control my emotions and was a big outlet for me.”

Just under two years after taking up football, Ritchott was able to move back home with his mom, who had gotten her life together.

“That’s when football started to take off,” he says.

Success with Grant Park

Beginning in grade nine at Grant Park High School, Ritchott started training with elite level speed coach Glen Bruce, who was also a teacher at the school.

Bruce had helped local CFL stars such as Andrew Harris, Anthony Coombs and Nic Demski elevate their game. He did the same for Ritchott, while also becoming a valuable male role model.

“[Bruce] is one of the biggest mentors I have. He really showed me what it’s like to be a professional athlete,” Ritchott says.

“He pushed me, and saw something in me at a younger age that I didn’t quite see. I don’t have many male figures in my life, so he was instrumental for me. I don’t think I’d be looking at the opportunity I’m looking at, or be the football player I am today without him.”

With the guidance of Bruce, as well as long-time varsity, and current junior varsity head coach Mike Kennedy, Ritchott tore up the Winnipeg High School Football League (WHSFL).

He helped his team make it to the inaugural junior varsity title game in 2010, thanks to a last second missed field goal return for a touchdown. The following year, he won the AA Offensive Player of the Year award, while also leading Grant Park to their first-ever championship in team history. In his senior year, he won top offensive player once again.

Ritchott during his time with Grant Park. Photo by Winnipeg Sun.

Move to Vancouver Island

Despite all of his accolades, Ritchott was never ranked in the top 100 at any point in high school, and received no offers from any U SPORTS schools. His size may have been a factor, as he stands at just five-foot-nine and a little over 180 pounds.

“That’s a chip I carry, but it’s not something that affects my game,” he says of his lack of U SPORTS offers.

“It’s definitely something that makes me better, because if you know me, you’ll know that I’m one self motivated guy, and I don’t need anybody else’s motivation, but if you’re going to give me that motivation, it’s just more fuel to the fire.”

One man that was high on Ritchott’s abilities however, was former Vancouver Island Raiders/current Langley Rams head coach Matt ‘snoop’ Blokker.

“Coach snoop was one of, if not the only coach in Canada to legitimately say, I want you on my program. I want to give you an opportunity,” Ritchott says.

Blokker flew Ritchott out for the BC junior football team’s 2013 spring camp, where the duo hit it off.

“After meeting the man, I just knew that it was fate, and that I needed to learn from and build off of him.”

The Raiders utilized a three back system that year, with Ritchott contributing 406 yards as a rookie while also making his presence felt as a return specialist. As a team, Vancouver Island made it all the way to the national championship, with Ritchott being named offensive player of the game in the national semi against Windsor.

“[Vancouver Island] ran such a pro style offence, and the way they ran their program as a whole was more professional than I could have ever imagined before heading out there,” Ritchott says with passion. “Going there, junior football was like the pros to them, that’s how they treated it.”

Off the field, life was more challenging, as Ritchott had trouble with the cost of living on the west coast. At just 17, managing bills was difficult. Thankfully, Blokker was right there to provide support, while also pushing Ritchott at the right times.

“After a couple weeks with [Blokker], he pulled me aside and told me, ‘you better start taking this seriously. You have more than an opportunity here.’ He told me point blank, you choose what you want to do here. You can be a pro athlete or you can play your five years and be done.

That really kicked the switch in my head that made me realize there’s a guy out here that sees an opportunity in me, and that was huge. It was one of the things that made me commit completely to football.”

Ritchott evades a defender while with the Raiders. Photo by Aaron Hinks.

The end of the 2013 season threw a minor wrench into Ritchott’s plans, as Blokker made the move to the Prairie Football Conference (PFC) to coach the Calgary Colts.

With his most valuable mentor out west gone, Ritchott was forced to adjust. While his rushing numbers decreased, his return yardage didn’t. He finished the season averaging 24.1 yards per punt return and 25.3 yards per kick return and also added three combined touchdowns.

He also made history in a 52-44 win in week five against Langley, becoming the first-ever Canadian Junior Football League player to return two 100-plus yard kickoffs for touchdowns.

Return home/debut with Winnipeg Rifles

Unfortunately, things weren’t going well back home. Ritchott’s grandpa was sick with cancer and his mom wasn’t taking it too well. At the end of his second season, he knew it was time to come back home and be with his family.

Not long after returning, the PFC’s Winnipeg Rifles got in contact Ritchott after finding out he had cut ties with the Raiders. The coaching staff helped him secure a job and made his transition to the team a seamless one.

“The transition to joining the Rifles was very easy. I don’t think I brought a negative impact to the team, I think a lot of guys were excited, and I got things fired up for those guys coming back home,” he says.

“I thought it was really exciting to be back home as well, and to get to be able to play in front of my mom and my family.”

Personally, Ritchott’s most grounding experience with the Rifles occurred during his fourth year, as his child was born.

He was in a position where he was working full time during the season in order to provide for his family. He’d go to work from 8-4 during the week, and then head straight to practice. He wouldn’t get home until around 9 p.m., when he would spend quality time with his son.

“[Having a child] brought things into perspective about what’s more important, and what to prioritize,” he says passionately.

“Before him, I saw nothing but football. But bringing him into my life created a different diversity for me. It was actually more motivating for me as a football player, father and support worker. It brought the best things out of me and made me a better person than I am today.”

On the field, Ritchott’s play was consistent. He recorded at least 800 yards rushing in each of his three seasons, and finished with 3,173 combined all-purpose yards, as well as 23 touchdowns.

Ritchott during his time with the Rifles. Photo by blue bombers.com.

He also got the opportunity to attend the Winnipeg Blue Bombers rookie camp in both 2016 and 2017. Ritchott impressed the coaching staff so much in his second go-around that they extended his stay for three weeks into main camp.

“[Practicing with the Bombers] was one of those phenomenal experiences,” he says.

“I was literally living like a bomber and doing everything they did. That was a huge step for me, just seeing everything these guys do on a daily basis to keep their bodies and minds right.

I matured from that and learned from that, and everything that I would receive as knowledge, I took it in and brought it as far as I could into my program as well.”

Recently, Ritchott was given more good news, as he was invited to participate in the CFL’s Western Regional Combine, taking place on Thursday, March 22 in Winnipeg. If he performs well enough, he’ll be invited to the national combine which takes place in the ‘Peg two days later.

For Ritchott, it’s just another chance to prove the doubters wrong, and make his CFL dream a reality.

“I do not do this for anybody except myself and my family now. I know there’s going to be a lot of people who say he’s too small and he can’t do this or that, but that’s just something I’m going to have to keep dealing with and having to prove people wrong until they get the sense that this is exactly what I’m meant to do.”