Brandon wide receiver growing as a leader with Rifles

The Winnipeg Rifles misfired in their Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL) season debut against the Saskatoon Hilltops last Sunday, but their Brandon connection is aiming for better days ahead.

Though the Rifles lost the game 38-13, former Crocus Plains wide receiver and quarterback Simon Leckie showed he is taking a step forward in his second year playing for Winnipeg.

“We just shot ourselves in the foot and missed on a lot of little plays,” said Leckie. “I don’t think they beat us off them being better. They beat us because they were the more organized team, and once we get to that level of having all the little things click, we can start to fight against them.”

In the game against Saskatoon, the 19-year-old Leckie started for Winnipeg alongside Jalen McDonald and Jarome Penner. With just 139 receiving yards in the contest, it was a tough day through the air for the Rifles.

McDonald led all Winnipeg receivers in yards (73) and receptions (6), but it was Leckie who finished the day as the most efficient of the group, bringing down one target for 17 yards.

Last season, he played in a handful of games for Winnipeg while still attending Crocus Plains in Brandon: He made three receptions for a total of 41 yards during the two games he played as a receiver.

As a kick and punt returner he saw more action, using his speed to jet down the field. In five games as a kick returner, Leckie managed seven returns for a total of 129 yards. His longest return went for 96 yards.

“Year one was definitely a big learning curve for me,” said Leckie. “I knew I was athletic enough to be on the team, just a lot of mental stuff … Year two is much more fluid. I already knew most of the playbook so I could really just focus on the little things.”

Along with that knowledge has come confidence and a willingness to step into more of a leadership role.

“He has a lot of energy and he’s a great guy to have around,” said Winnipeg’s wide receiver coach Brendan Naujoks. “He’s always smiling … and he’s become a better leader this year for sure … He’s just become more mature.”

As an athletic receiver, Leckie is the kind of player who likes to make plays on the ball. While he enjoys the technical side of running routes, he prefers it when the quarterback throws up the ball so that he can make a play on it.

“He plays athletically, he’s definitely an athlete,” said Naujoks. “I compare him to watching a basketball player play wide receiver a little bit so it’s a lot of fun to watch him.”

Anyone who knew Leckie during his days at Crocus Plains could tell you about his athleticism. A multi-sport athlete, Leckie played receiver and quarterback during his time with the Plainsmen. He also played basketball and competed in the long jump and the high jump in track and field. It’s safe to say the man knows how to jump.

Now that high school is over, he’s dedicated himself to football. He’s gone as far as to move to Winnipeg in order to play for the Rifles.

“I’m not going to lie, I’d much rather live in Brandon,” said Leckie. “But sometimes you have to do what you have to do to play football.”

Playing for the Rifles gives Leckie the opportunity to learn from some great receivers. Penner is a former CJFL All-Canadian who was invited to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers training camp this season and suited up for the Bombers’ preseason game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

“Jarome is pretty good,” said Leckie who added he is taking any tips Penner gives him. “He knows a lot of releases, a lot of little stuff you can use during your route.”

As the youngster of the group, Leckie — a 2007-born player — has a lot of time to learn and grow while playing with the Rifles. He says the key is to be open minded and listen to those around him.

“Just be open minded to any tips. Don’t be too cocky,” said Leckie. “Be willing to learn from anyone who has something to say because they might be seeing something you’re not. That’s how you improve the most.”

The Rifles will play their next game on the road against the Edmonton Huskies at noon on Sunday. The Huskies won their opening contest 27-6 against the Calgary Colts.

Since the CJFL season is only eight games long, it will be very important for the Rifles to bounce back as quickly as possible. After this weekend, there will only be six games remaining in Winnipeg’s season.

“A lot of these guys are mentally tough they’re excited to get back at it on Sunday, have some fun and try to turn it around and get back to .500,” said Naujoks.

»rmccarthy@brandonsun.com