4 hours Ago By Thomas Friesen
The Brandon-to-Kamloops pipeline continues. Read this article for free: Already have an account? As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed. Now, more than ever, we need your support.
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Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community! The Brandon-to-Kamloops pipeline continues. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? The Brandon-to-Kamloops pipeline continues. Gibson McNarland has committed to the Kamloops Broncos of the Canadian Junior Football League’s British Columbia Division, joining Vincent Massey Vikings teammates Cole Ericson and Brayden Smith.
The Grade 12 linebacker was in contact with a handful of teams, including other B.C. clubs, the Winnipeg Rifles and a few American colleges.
But it was clear the Broncos, who were the first to contact McNarland during Week 4 of the Winnipeg High School Football League season, were his best fit. Vincent Massey Vikings linebacker Gibson McNarland (20) has committed to the Kamloops Broncos of the Canadian Junior Football league for the 2025 season. (Submitted) “I just love the coaching and all the coaches I got to talk to from Kamloops,” McNarland said, adding his teammates committing helped cement his plans.
“I know me and Cole especially, we talked about it quite a bit and were working together to make our decision. “Definitely helped make the decision a little easier. I’m not going to be all by myself trying to meet all the guys, so it’ll be a good way to start.
” McNarland followed an unusual path to junior football, starting with the Rural Manitoba Football League’s Neepawa Tigers for his sophomore year in 2022. He attended Forrest’s Elton Collegiate, which doesn’t have a football program. McNarland played linebacker and defensive end in the nine-man game but decided he wanted to give the Winnipeg High School Football League a shot.
So he transferred to Massey in 2023 when it took just two games for his “welcome-to-the-big-league” moment. McNarland was used to getting past the man across from him more often than not, but six-foot-seven Grant Park tight end Carson Thomas was a different beast. “I just couldn’t beat him.
It definitely shocked me a little but a good challenge,” McNarland said. “Any time we tried to send a blitz, I just could not get past the block. A big, strong guy and Grant Park as a team was good too.
We struggled the whole way.” The six-foot-one linebacker put a ton of work in from his Grade 10 to Grade 11 season. Starting football at 175 pounds, he said he made his Vikings debut at 225.
He was a strong presence on the Vikings’ defence, helping the team to a pair of Vidruk Bowl (ninth-place) titles. While most players’ fondest memories of high school ball are those championship games at Princess Auto Stadium, a once- or twice-in-a-lifetime chance to grace the same turf as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, McNarland’s favourite game was a week before the title game in 2023. “My parents always laugh when I tell the story,” McNarland said.
“My favourite moment was getting to play in the snow last year against Garden City in the playoffs. I love a good snow game. “It was really exciting, a good atmosphere, first playoff game with Massey .
.. Snow games are a different game, lots more running and a different atmosphere.
” The biggest adjustment from the RMFL wasn’t as much the style of game, but the size of the offensive players he faced. Now, he might be one. The Broncos have talked about moving him to fullback this fall, which could put him behind Ericson, a guard, and in front of Massey’s star tailback Smith.
“The coaches like my size and are taking a shot that I can do something good there,” McNarland said, “so we’ll see.” » [email protected] » Instagram: @thomasfriesen5 Advertisement Advertisement.
