By Rob Vanstone,
Regina Leader-Post
Jeremy Seidlitz is primarily a straight-ahead runner, but don’t discount his moves.
Seidlitz made one of the biggest moves of the season — from starting quarterback to featured tailback — leading up to the Thom Trojans’ Regina Intercollegiate Football League game against the LeBoldus Golden Suns.
Seidlitz wasn’t exactly eased into a new position despite only three practices as Thom’s tailback. He carried the ball 40 times for 175 yards Friday as the Trojans lost 20-2 in Schwann Conference action on Taylor Field.
“I love playing running back,” Seidlitz said. “I love having the ball in my hands and being able to hit people. At quarterback, there isn’t enough contact for me.”
Seidlitz relished plenty of contact on Friday, being that he also played linebacker.
“I didn’t expect (40 carries), but the boys up front did the job and opened the holes,” Seidlitz said. “My fullback, Ricky Shanks, is the man.
“I do whatever the coaches ask. If they want me to run the ball, I run the ball. If not, I block.”
His versatility extends beyond football.
In November, Seidlitz will be a third-year starter for Trojans senior boys basketball coach Mick Panko. Seidlitz is also a member of Thom’s rugby team.
Given those credentials, he is a natural for the position of boys’ sports rep on Thom’s SRC. He is in his second year in that capacity.
Seidlitz also excels in the classroom, where he is in the International Baccalaureate accelerated-learning program. He plans to study mechanical engineering, likely at the University of Saskatchewan.
In the meantime, Seidlitz is enjoying his final season of high school football, even though it can be punishing.
Seidlitz, who also caught one Colby Boehmer pass for six yards, had 181 of Thom’s 237 yards from scrimmage.
“I don’t like running outside,” Seidlitz said. “I just put my head down and run up front and follow the big boys.”
LeBoldus relied upon its passing attack to improve its record to 2-2. Golden Suns quarterback Jared Kozey completed 13 of 21 passes for 205 yards, including a touchdown strike to Jon Probe. LeBoldus also got a TD run from Jacob Carr.
In the nightcap, the Riffel Royals overcame an early scare from the Winston Knoll Wolverines and registered a 29-6 victory.
Riffel extended its winning streak against RIFL opposition to 27 games. Overall, the Royals have won 23 consecutive games, with the last loss coming against the Saskatoon St. Joseph Guardians in the 2003 Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association 4A final.
Winston Knoll went ahead 6-2 when Reid Quest scored on a 15-yard run, but the Royals responded with 29 unanswered points.
Taylor Kidby put the Royals ahead to stay at 4:43 of the second quarter when he scored on a 94-yard run. That play followed an interception by Josh Barrett — whose father, Danny, is the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ head coach.
Kidby gained 172 yards on nine carries. Garrett Bolen added three catches for 116 yards, including a 67-yard touchdown. Kade Kelly and Chris Kampman had seven receptions apiece for Winston Knoll.
