Bisons announce commitment of six former Winnipeg Rifles

All six players are from the offence side after strong junior football careers with Rifles

The Manitoba Bisons football team is pleased to announce the commitment of six former Winnipeg Rifles players for the upcoming 2012 season. All are on the offence side, receiver Derek Dean, offensive lineman Nevin Gamblin, fullback Bryan Giesbrecht, receiver Matthew Lariviere, offensive lineman Alex McKay and receiver Alex Vitt have all committed to the Bisons for the upcoming 2012 season.

“The most significant and important recruiting area in the nation is right here at home. With that specifically, our top recruiting ground has long been the Winnipeg Rifles junior Football program,” stated Bison football head coach Brian Dobie, entering his 17th season at the helm of the Bison Football program. “Today’s signings of the six starting Rifles offensive players is another example of immediate impact they will have next year along with Rifles QB Ryan Marsch. This recruitment class furthers strengthens our ties between the Bisons and Rifles.”

Dean, 21, played the last three seasons (2009-11) with the Winnipeg Rifles in the PFC (Prairie Football Conference):
* Selected PFC All-Star at receiver position in 2011
* The 6’7”, 235 lbs receiver was second in PFC in receiving with 632 yards on 31 receptions for a 20.4 average along with six receiving TDs in 2011 season
* In 2010 season, he grabbed 13 catches for 269 yards (20.7) and one receiving TD
* Before Rifles, the Winnipeg native played with Dakota Collegiate and also St. Vital Mustangs

Gamblin, 21, played the last two seasons (2010-11) with the Winnipeg Rifles:
* Selected PFC All-Star at offensive lineman position in 2011
* The 6’6”, 315 lbs. O-Lineman protected Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL) Most Outstanding Offensive Player Ryan Marsch last season
* Before Rifles, the Brandon, MB native played with Neelin High School and also St. James Rods

Giesbrecht, 22, played the last three seasons (2009-11) with the Winnipeg Rifles:
* The 5’10”, 235 lbs. fullback protected Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL) Most Outstanding Offensive Player Ryan Marsch last season and accumulated 54 receiving yards on four receptions and had eight rushing attempts in 2011
* Before Rifles, the Winnipeg native played with River East Collegiate and also east Side Eagles

Lariviere, 20, played the last three seasons (2009-11) with the Winnipeg Rifles:
* Selected PFC All-Star – unanimous selection – at receiver position in 2011
* The 6’4”, 220 lbs. receiver was fourth in PFC in receiving with 581 yards on 44 receptions for a 13.2 average along with eight receiving TDs in 2011 season
* Led Rifles in TDs in all three seasons and was 2010 PFC All-Star
* Played for Team Manitoba and All-Star in Football Canada Cup in 2009 and won “AAA’ Winnipeg High School Football Championship in 2008 with Churchill
* Before Rifles, the Winnipeg native played with Churchill High School and also Kildonan East

McKay, 21, played the last three seasons (2009-11) with the Winnipeg Rifles:
* Earned 2011 CJFL All-Canadian selection for Offensive Line position
* Selected PFC All-Star at offensive lineman position in 2011
* Named PFC Outstanding Offensive Lineman for 2011
* The 6’5”, 295 lbs. O-Lineman protected Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL) Most Outstanding Offensive Player Ryan Marsch last season
* Winnipeg Rifles Team Award – Offensive Lineman MVP
* Before Rifles, the Winnipeg native played with Murdoch Mackay Collegiate Institute

Vitt, 20, played the last three seasons (2009-11) with the Winnipeg Rifles:
* Earned 2011 CJFL All-Canadian selection for receiver position
* Selected PFC All-Star – unanimous selection – at receiver position in 2011
* Named PFC Outstanding Receiver for 2011
* The 6’2”, 205 lbs. receiver was first in PFC in receiving with 755 yards on 43 receptions for a 17.6 average along with six receiving TDs (eight overall TDs) in 2011 season
* In 2010 season, he grabbed 20 catches for 315 yards and three receiving TD
* In 2009 season, he had 19 receptions for 337 yards
* Played for Team Manitoba in Football Canada Cup in 2009
* Before Rifles, the Winnipeg native played with St. Vital Mustangs and was Midget Football League of Manitoba (MFLM) All-Star and Championship Game MVP in 2008 and won two MFLM provincial championships in 2007-08

Individual photos courtesy Winnipeg Rifles