Bombers’ Liegghio ready for clutch kicks

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This article was published 06/11/2022 (1297 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

If next weekend’s West Division final goes down to the wire, do the Winnipeg Blue Bombers trust that Marc Liegghio can make a clutch kick?

It’s not an unreasonable question to ask as Sunday will be Liegghio’s first time handling field goal duties in a playoff game.

The young Canadian, who strictly focused on punting in the last half of the 2021 season after the Bombers signed Ali Mourtada and later traded for Sergio Castillo, assures that he’s ready for the bright lights.

“Oh yeah, for sure. I’ve put in the work for 20 games this season, including the preseason, and the offseason as well. It all leads up to this moment where you can show what you got,” Liegghio said after Sunday morning’s practice at IG Field. The team practised early to watch the East and West semifinals in the afternoon.

“It’s an awesome opportunity. Obviously, I wish I had the opportunity last year, but I’m glad they stuck with me throughout the year and I’m just excited to get out there and kick in front of our home fans for the West final.”

Liegghio started the 2022 campaign 10-for-10 on field goal tries before finishing the year at 32-for-39 for an 82.1 conversion rate. The only kicker in the playoffs with a lower hit rate is Boris Bede of the Toronto Argonauts at 78.2 per cent.

“There were a lot of ups and downs and stuff to learn from, but I’m pretty happy with the season,” said Liegghio.

“Obviously, there’s a lot of things that I wish I done differently and some things go a different way. But I think with the opportunities that I was given that I made the most of them.”

Long snapper Mike Benson is quick to point out that Liegghio fared well at Western University during postseason play. In his final two seasons with the Mustangs, Liegghio went 10-for-12 in four playoff games. Although Liegghio, a second-year pro, doesn’t have the experience at this level, Benson believes he can handle it.

“We’ve been prepping really well in the last week and a half during our bye week there,” said Benson. “He’s been kicking it really well during practice. We had a lot of wind today and he made all of his kicks with room to spare. He’s been doing a great job and acting as a seasoned vet.”

With the last two West finals being one-score games, there’s a good chance Sunday’s tilt could come down to Liegghio’s boot. If it’s up to him, that won’t be the case.

“It would be an awesome thing for it to come down to that, but obviously I’d rather it not. That means we’d be in kind of a tight situation,” said Liegghio. “But if we’re up by 40 or need a last second field goal, I’m ready to just go out there and get the job done for the team.”

Bighill misses Sunday practice

Linebacker Adam Bighill and wide receiver Nic Demski collided on a deep pass towards the end of Saturday evening’s practice. Bighill was slow to get up and ended practice on the sideline. Bighill missed Sunday’s practice entirely, leading to Mike O’Shea being asked if he’s concerned about the star linebacker’s status for the West final.

“No. Not at all,” said O’Shea.

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @TaylorAllen31