‘A whale of a season’ for Hilltops receiver
Ryan Turple has emerged from the shadows as Mr. Consistency on the Saskatoon Hilltops.
Turple has turned into the team’s most reliable receiver this season. He has 21 catches for a team-leading 295 yards and a touchdown.
“He’s probably been our most consistent player and he’s definitely made plays,” said Hilltops assistant coach Brent Turkington, who filled in for head coach Tom Sargeant at Thursday’s practice.
“You watch him on blocking assignments and, when he does get the ball, he’s making plays. He’s just playing with more confidence. He’s not a big guy, but he’s playing pretty physical out there. He’s been awesome and he’s been a good comfort zone for (quarterback) Jordan Walls. He knows if he’s going to throw the ball to Ryan, Ryan is going to make a play.”
Turple and the Toppers (4-1) return to SMF Field on Sunday afternoon to play the Winnipeg Rifles (3-2) in Canadian Junior Football League Prairie Football Conference action at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex. Game time is 1 p.m.
Turkington said he’s not surprised Turple has developed into a prime receiving target in his fifth and final season with the Hilltops.
“That’s just the Hilltop way,” said Turkington. “They spend their time watching and developing and eventually get to the point where it’s their time to get onto the field. He’s embraced that. You can tell that the game has slowed down for Ryan. That’s the biggest thing I’ve noticed, as a defensive backs coach, from watching him a lot among the receivers.
“Ryan understands the game and Ryan understands his role and he’s had a whale of a season so far.”
Turple showed flashes last season, finishing with a career-high 23 receptions for 375 yards and three TDs in nine games and six catches for 120 yards and one TD major in the playoffs.
Prior to that, in his first two seasons combined, Turple had only seven catches for 73 yards and one TD.
“A lot of it is confidence,” said the five-foot-nine, 180-pound wide receiver.
“In my fifth year, I have more experience. I was lucky enough to travel since my second year, so that’s experience under my belt. And having Wallsy (QB Walls) back there is also nice, too. We have some chemistry from high school (Tommy Douglas High School Tigers). That’s another thing I’m familiar with and it’s helped me out.”
Like most members of the Hilltops, Turple had to be patient and wait for his turn and his moment.
“Coming out of high school is probably the hardest, waiting that rookie year and not really playing because you’re just on scout teams. But I’m fortunate to have made a lot of good relationships on the team and I’ve had a lot of fun for the last five years,” said Turple.
“It’s been a good buildup and now the fifth year is here and we’re just ready to rock and roll.”
After a blip and a loss to the visiting Regina Thunder, the Hilltops rebounded last week with a big win over the Calgary Colts and hope to carry that momentum forward to make amends at home this weekend.
“We’re going to have a tough game on Sunday afternoon,” Turkington said. “Our guys had better show up and be prepared and play with that pad level that we’ve been preaching. That’s one of those things when you talk about our game from last weekend. Guys played with a lower pad level (for hitting and tackling) and they were more sound, fundamentally, than they have been.”
You can count on Turple to be in the mix, offensively, whatever the game plan may be.
“It’s pretty special to have that feeling (of being a go-to guy), to have the team rely on you and making big plays for the team,” said Turple.
“It’s kind of what you dream about growing up as a kid. It’s been awesome so far, but I’m looking to keep improving on the season and continue to do better.”