Demski’s homegrown talent shines

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This article was published 13/10/2021 (1425 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Blue Bombers brought in some impressive wideouts with NFL experience at the beginning of this season.

There was Cameron Meredith, a 6-3 receiver who nearly had 1,000 receiving yards with the Chicago Bears back in 2016-17.

There was also ArDarius Stewart, a national champion at Alabama in 2015 who was drafted in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the New York Jets.

Neither one of those signings panned out as Meredith and Stewart ended up getting released, but it hasn’t mattered at all thanks in part to a receiver from Winnipeg — Nic Demski.

The former University of Manitoba Bisons star is the CFL’s ninth leading receiver with 33 receptions for 512 yards and three touchdowns this season. It’s not exactly a surprise as Demski has had solid seasons before, but 2021 has been his best showing by far. In 2017, Demski had a career-high 554 receiving yards in 17 games and he’s already a game or two away from eclipsing that despite having only played in seven this season.

“At the end of the day, we’re all human. I don’t really try to compare myself to anybody like that. I just try to come out here, work hard, and take as much knowledge as I can and transfer it onto the field. If motivational words are what it’s about, then yeah, I’m a guy that came from Winnipeg, Manitoba, played in my hometown for the University of Manitoba Bisons and here I am having success in the CFL,” Demski said on Zoom after Wednesday’s practice at IG Field.

“I just want to show every Canadian dude and grassroot player that you can do it. So, I’m just working hard for my team and for the upcoming football community as well.”

Demski’s numbers also top all Canadian pass catchers this season.

“Honestly, I’m not that big of a stat guy or anything like that, but obviously, that’s something you keep in the back of your mind. At the end of the day, I know if I keep getting these different stats that’s going to be helping out my team and getting us to 1-0 every week. Being the best Canadian receiver, that’s definitely something I want to do, but at the same time, that’s not something I really jot down at the beginning of the year,” Demski said.

It’s clinching time: With a win on Friday against the Edmonton Elks, the Bombers will become the first team in the CFL to clinch a playoff spot.

Big whoop, says head coach Mike O’Shea.

“It has not come up once nor will it. I believe they are still pretty focused and it is still early in the season. I shouldn’t say they’re pretty focused, they are focused… They understand what they need to look at and what’s important and that’s not one of those things,” O’Shea said.

Harris top performer for Week 10: Running back Andrew Harris has been named a CFL Top Performer for Week 10 for his work in last week’s win against Edmonton.

Harris ran the ball 24 times for 150 yards and two touchdowns, and added one catch for 24 yards, in the club’s 30-3 victory.

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @TaylorAllen31