Brandon connection remains bright amid Rifles’ uneven start
The Winnipeg Rifles began their Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL) season with a 38-13 loss to the Saskatoon Hilltops, but one Brandon product emerged as a developing leader despite the defeat.
Former Crocus Plains Collegiate player Simon Leckie, now in his second season with the Rifles, started the game and showed signs of growth even as the team struggled to execute. Leckie — listed as a wide receiver and previously also seen at quarterback during his Crocus Plains tenure — was one of three starters in the receiving corps, alongside Jalen McDonald and Jarome Penner.
"We just shot ourselves in the foot and missed on a lot of little plays. 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."
The comment, attributed to Leckie after the game, underlined the Rifles’ view that organization and attention to detail were decisive in the loss. The team amassed only 139 receiving yards in the contest, a total described as a tough day through the air for Winnipeg.
What this means for Brandon’s football pathway
Leckie’s progression from Crocus Plains to a starting role with the Rifles is a reminder of the CJFL’s role as a regional development route for young players from Brandon and across Manitoba. For local coaches, parents and players, his experience highlights both opportunity and the adaptation required when stepping up in competition.
- Opportunity: Leckie’s starting role in a CJFL launch game demonstrates that local high-school talent can earn meaningful playing time at the junior level.
- Development needs: The Rifles’ loss exposed areas — notably consistency and execution — where junior teams must improve to contend with established programs like the Hilltops.
- Local pride: Brandon spectators and Crocus Plains alumni can track Leckie’s season as an example of the city’s ongoing contribution to prairie football.
Photographs from exhibition play last season show Leckie wearing No. 85 for the Rifles. While statistics from the opener beyond the team’s receiving total were not provided, the available details frame a narrative of individual progress amid team challenges.
| Game | Result | Rifles receiving yards |
|---|---|---|
| Rifles at Hilltops (season opener) | Loss, 38-13 | 139 |
Next steps for Leckie and local supporters
Leckie’s assessment about the team needing to clean up small errors suggests internal focus will be on fundamentals as the season continues. For Brandon’s football community, his journey remains a concrete example of the pathway from high school fields to junior competition and the adjustments required at the next level.
As the CJFL season progresses, fans in Brandon and at Crocus Plains Collegiate will be watching for how Leckie and his Rifles teammates translate lessons from this opener into stronger performances. The game offered a clear takeaway: talent from Brandon is reaching the junior ranks, but team cohesion and execution will determine whether the Rifles can turn potential into wins.
This report is based on coverage published Aug. 14, 2026, detailing the Rifles’ season-opening loss and comments from Simon Leckie.
