FCC2018 PREVIEW: Manitoba
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Manitoba is ready to make a splash at the 2018 Football Canada Cup.
With Ryan Karhut taking over the head coaching duties, the team is looking to build and minimize errors on the field.
“Our goal is to put our best foot forward, get on the field and compete and learn from their mistakes as much as possible,” Karhut said. “We hope that at the end of 48 minutes we are at the right end of the scoreboard.”
This year’s Manitoba squad is hungry to improve on their seventh-place finish from 2017.
“Manitoba hasn’t put out their best foot forward every year at this tournament,” Karhut elaborated. “We have struggled in recent years with our finishing positions.”
“It’s no knock to anyone that has been in the program before; it’s just been a bit of a rough patch for us. I think with the group of guys that we have this year, I think they are just hungry to prove what they can do.”
Karhut is excited to see how this year’s team will fare on the field.
“We have some kids that like to fly around the field and make plays,” Karhut said. “I think we are going to be a real competitive team.”
“We have been pushing them really hard here during camp to raise their level of compete and make sure we are ready to go once we get to the national tournament because everyone is really, really good and we want to try to be as ready as possible.”
Offensively, Manitoba will be led by two quarterbacks – Te Jesse and Jackson Tachinski.
“They are very similar quarterbacks,” Karhut described of the duo. “They are both big strong athletes; they’re both very mobile and very good football players.”
“They push each other each and every day and they both work extremely hard. It’s been fun to watch those two compete on the field.”
Karhut adds that the offence is boasted by great athletes at different positions. Two running backs to watch for are returning players Breydon Stubbs and Vaughan Lloyd. On the offensive line, Gavin Reid is returning and is expected use his size to make an immediate impact.
Defensively, Manitoba will be physical and the linebacking core will be strong for the team. The secondary will be led by Austin Balan who is expected to make a difference with his skills set. Additionally, Jarrett Alcaraz and Elijah Rivera are two players to watch for on defence.
Manitoba’s opening game of the 2018 Football Canada Cup will be Monday July 16, 2018 when they square off against Saskatchewan at 10:00am MST.
“I kind of know a little bit about them because I am from Saskatchewan,” Karhut said of their opponent. “They are going to be tough no matter what you do; they’re always a good football team.”
“Their lows are really, really good and their highs are really good. They are one of the teams that is in the top four every year. We know we are going to get their best shot and it’s about trying to prepare our guys as best as we can for that moment.”
TEAM MANITOBA:
2017 RESULT: defeated New Brunswick 43-10 to finish seventh
HEAD COACH: Ryan Karhut
NUMBER OF RETURNING PLAYERS: 7
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
| Player | Position | School |
| Te Jesse | QB | St. Paul’s |
| Jackson Tachinski | QB | Vincent Massey |
| Vaughan Lloyd | RB | Vincent Massey |
| Austin Balan | DB | Sisler |
| Elijah Rivera | DB | Garden City |
| Breydon Stubbs | RB | Vincent Massey |
| Gavin Reid | OL | Vincent Massey |
