Chestermere quarterback signs with CJFL squad

By Eric
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Updated: June 27, 2016

Former Chestermere Cowboys quarterback Morgan Hides will continue his football career this summer after he was signed to a contract with the Westshore Rebels of the Canadian Junior Football League.
Andrew Halipchuk/Rocky View Publishing

Andrew Halipchuk – Rocky View Weekly – Monday, June 27, 2016

Chestermere quarterback Morgan is heading to the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL) after signing with the Westshore Rebels June 14.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling for sure,” Hides said. “Thinking back to my Grade 11 season, I don’t think I’d imagine I’d be at this point right now.”

Hides joins a relatively new CJFL team and said he is excited for the challenges that come with establishing a young team in the British Columbia Football Conference (BCFC).

“I love facing challenges like these. It just drives me to play how I like to play,” Hides said. “It’s going to be amazing to be surrounded by all that positive energy and the competitive atmosphere.”

Since joining the league in 2011, the Rebels made the BCFC post-season in 2011 and 2012, had one season with a winning record in 2012 (7-3) but have missed the playoffs three straight years since then.

Currently, there are just two quarterbacks signed to play for the Rebels next season – Hides and second-year quarterback Ashton Mackinnon, who played in seven Rebels games in 2015.

Heading into camp, Hides said he hopes to compete for a starting role with his team but is also open to taking a few years to grow into the league before taking the reigns.

Hides said football has been a big part of his life, especially through high school. The young quarterback played all three years of high school football with the Chestermere Cowboys in the Rocky View Sports Association.

He also played spring midget football with the Airdrie Northern Raiders in the Calgary Area Midget Football Association.

“High school football was the dream,” Hides said. “If I could go back and play all three years again, I would.”

Quarterback wasn’t always Hides’ primary position – he started as a wide receiver in his first year of high school before becoming the team’s backup in his Grade 11 season. He finally took over as starting quarterback in his senior year with the Cowboys.

During his one season with the Raiders, Hides played as a running back and served as the team’s backup quarterback. With such diversity in positions, Hides athleticism may be the biggest factor for his success in Victoria.

“I want to bring in a competitive attitude and be that guy that you can look at in a leadership role,” Hides said. “I am really excited that I have been given this opportunity to play at the next level.”

Although his high school football career came to an end in October 2015, Hides has kept busy in preparation for his move to Victoria. He is currently playing with the Airdrie Irish of the Alberta Football League, where he has started in a pair of games. He said these games have helped prepare him for the eventual jump in speed and strength involved with junior football.