Rifles aim to shoot down Wildcats at home

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 14/08/2009 (6235 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

EVEN though the Winnipeg Rifles gave up a ton of points to the Saskatoon Hilltops in a 44-21 season-opening loss last Sunday, coach Paul Normandeau isn’t worried.

"We’re not unhappy with our defence, even though the score might not indicate that," said Normandeau. "We just gave up some big plays and once we correct those errors, I think we’re going to be a very good defensive team."

As well, the Rifles’ defensive blanket was a little threadbare on Sunday with linebacker Jack Miller out with a hamstring injury. The Rifles were also hampered by a league rule where visiting teams dress only 40 players to the home team’s 55.

Normandeau expects his team to bounce back at home, and is counting on the veteran defensive core to help keep the Rifles competitive in the tight Prairie Football Conference.

"We’ve changed our philosophy a little bit, given that we have a young offence at the quarterback and running back spots," said Normandeau. "We’re aggressive on defence — try to make some plays to improve our field position, get turnovers, that kind of thing.

"We’re more experienced on defence as well, so you’re going to see throughout the year, us bringing more pressure and maybe changing things up a bit more than we did in the past."

Miller, a third-year player, and fourth-year linebacker Eric Vincent are the defensive heavyweights for the Rifles, who will battle the Edmonton Wildcats (1-0) in their home opener on Saturday.

"They certainly make our defence better, so we’re looking forward to having Jack back for this game against the Wildcats," said Normandeau. "They’ve evolved into being team leaders, and I think they stabilize our defence.

"They basically epitomize what our team is all about in terms of hard work and character."

Even though the defence is led by a veteran group, it was a rookie making a major contribution on Sunday. Linebacker Mike Hauptkorn totalled six tackles while playing the majority of snaps taken on both defence and special teams.

"He nearly stayed on the field the whole game," said Normandeau. "He’s been a real godsend to us. I think he’s going to turn into a great player.

"He’s very athletic and he’s just got a great character."

As a member of the Murdoch MacKay Clansmen, Hauptkorn led the Winnipeg High School Football League’s Currie Division with 69 tackles. The Currie Division is the league’s third division, so Hauptkorn is trying to get up to speed with the PFC’s bevy of talent.

"The competition level is a really big step up for me," said Hauptkorn. "Everybody’s way bigger, way faster.

"I played the third division, and there are not exactly amazing players. There were some good ones, but for the most part, not the greatest players there."

Hauptkorn has said he was welcomed in by the team’s veterans, who have helped him adjust to the bigger, stronger game.

"When I was new, they were all like ‘let’s take you in’," said Hauptkorn. "It’s a big family over there."

daniel.falloon@freepress.mb.ca