Geordie Wilson and his coaching staff can handle the Xs and Os and teaching the game of football to the troops.
In many ways, that’s the easy part.
But what the first-year Winnipeg Rifles coach wants more than anything from his squad this season is to change their collective mindset; to stop settling and start chasing what every team in the Canadian Junior Football League is after: a championship.
The bones are there – the Rifles were 4-4 last year and lost their first playoff game to the Saskatoon Hilltops, the eventual CJFL champs – but that kind of thinking can’t be a once-in-awhile thing.
It has to be daily.
“If you look at the history of the Winnipeg Rifles, this is the 14th year on the field,” said Wilson. “And in reality they’ve had one really good year back when Mike Watson coached.
“But other than that, at best this program has been about mediocrity. That’s what we want to change. We want to run a more professional operation and hopefully that carries over onto the field.”
To that end, Wilson had the Rifles buy in to a significant offseason training program that began last December, not long after he was hired. The winter began with 65 returnees, and by the end, 20 had fallen by the wayside. Rookie camp opened with 120 players and the roster has been whittled down to 70, of which only 40 will travel to Saskatoon for this weekend’s season opener.
The Rifles come from all over Manitoba; from Brandon to Portage, Swan River to Steinbach and, of course, Winnipeg. The roster features three players from Saskatchewan and two from Ontario but Wilson calls his crew ‘truly Manitoba’s team.’
“We’ve got to believe we belong. That’s what we’re about now,” Wilson said.
“The slogan we’re going to use all year is ‘We Will’ and you can use that in a bunch of different things. ‘We Will’ work to become a champion… ‘We Will’ make this play…”
“But the big thing we want to get across, and it’s cliché, is will beats skill. That’s what we have to get across: you have to have the will to fight.
“We’re going to expect to win every week. We’re not going in hoping to win, we expect to win. It comes from competition in practice and making sure our players are mentally prepared.”
Now comes the hard part, beginning Sunday in Saskatoon against the defending national champs. The Hilltops, as Wilson points out, don’t rebuild, they reload. And they have 18 national titles to show for it.
“I’ll give you a stat: we’re 1-34-1 all-time against the Saskatoon Hilltops,” said Wilson. “That tells you what we have to change. This is a gorilla we have to get off our back. Saskatoon is the equivalent of the New England Patriots – they’re in the hunt all the time and they believe they’re going to win. We have to get them to believe they belong and they can win. It’s a hard thing to do but you’ve got to keep pounding the rock on it.
“Our expectations going into this weekend? We expect to win. We have to think that way. We’re anxious to see how we stack up against them.”
5 TO WATCH
A look at five Rifles players to keep an eye on this season, with a quick scouting report from head coach Geordie Wilson
#27 Michael Ritchott, RB
Last year: Led the Rifles in rushing with 801 yards in eight games; added 12 catches for 182 yards and had nine TDs.
“He’s the best player on our football team. He went to Bombers rookie camp and I didn’t think he looked out of place. He’s an athlete, he can change direction at full speed and with his quick feet almost looks like he’s floating. As a fan of football you should come watch the Winnipeg Rifles play because of this kid; he’ll make you get out of your seat at least once a game. I really believe he’ll be the leading rusher in the country.”
#11 Ian Lee, Receiver
Last year: Named a CJFL All-Star after pulling in 30 passes for 501 yards and five TDs.
“He’s the ultimate cool dude. Kids refer to it as ‘chill.’ That’s who Ian Lee is. He’s laid back, a happy-go-lucky dude but he makes plays. He’s not fast, but he runs good routes and he’s got exceptional hands. He’s one of those guys that if he touches the ball, he’s going to catch it.”
#82 Xander Tachinski, Receiver
Last year: Played in five games, finishing with 10 catches for 240 yards and two TDs.
“Another guy who was in Bombers rookie camp. He’s not fast, but he runs OK. But he could be a Cory Watson-type player in that he’ll put the body on guys. We’re going to throw, but we need our receivers to block and Xander has really bought into this. He’s got good hands, runs good routes and is super smart with great leadership skills.”
#52 Dallas Cook, linebacker
Last year: Played two games with the Calgary Colts, registering three special-teams tackles.
“He’s that linebacker that messes you up and that everyone wants to have on their team. He’s that guy. He’s a super polite, humble kid off the field, very respectful. But when he gets in between the chalk he is a nasty dude. He brings the lumber. He was released by Saskatoon and ended up playing with the Colts last year.”
#20 Nathan Dixon, defensive back
Last year: A Kelvin High School product via the University of Alberta.
“He never really got a chance to play at Alberta and he said he wanted to come home. He’s tough. He’s the kind of guy who when a receiver catches it will bring the guy down or go hunt him down. He’s going to be a disruptive force in our secondary.”
Winnipeg Rifles 2016 Schedule
Sunday, Aug 14 – Winnipeg Rifles @ Saskatoon Hilltops
SMF Field at Gordie Howe Bowl, 1:00 PM CT
Saturday, Aug. 20 – Edmonton Wildcats @ Winnipeg RIfles
Investors Group Field, 7:00 PM CT
Saturday, Aug. 27
– Regina Thunder @ Winnipeg Rifles
Investors Group Field, 7:00 PM CT
Saturday, Sept. 3 – Winnipeg Rifles @ Regina Thunder
Mosaic Stadium at Taylor Field, 7:00 PM CT
Saturday, Sept. 17 – Winnipeg Rifles @ Valley Huskers
Exhibition Stadium, Chilliwack B.C.,1:00 PM PT
Saturday, Sept. 24 – Edmonton Huskies @ Winnipeg Rifles
Investors Group Field, 6:00 PM CT
Sunday, Oct. 2 – Winnipeg Rifles @ Calgary Colts
McMahon Stadium, 1:00 PM MT
Saturday, Oct. 8 – Winnipeg Rifles @ Edmonton Huskies
Clarke Field, 12:00 PM MT
Sunday, Oct. 16 – Saskatoon Hilltops @ Winnipeg Rifles
Charlie Krupp Stadium, 1:00 PM CT
