The Dauphin Clippers football team has been practicing throughout the month of August in preparation for the 2025 season.
Numbers have been steadily increasing to the point where they now have 30 to 33 players out for practices.
“We could always use more. But there’s a lot of veterans that are still out working, doing their summer jobs. So it will increase,” said Clippers coach Gerald Lopez.
Noting the Clippers lost some key players last from last season, Lopez said Nathan Thacker has returned to the team as offensive co-ordinator along with former Clipper Mitchell Prawdzik.
“Both who are offensive gurus. They’re using back-to-the-basics terminology and building from there. Watching those two grow is quite neat,” he said.
Robbie Tomkins is the defensive co-ordinator and Lopez said he, too, is starting with the basics.
The Rural Manitoba Football League will be comprised of two divisions.
The Clippers are in the Doug Steeves Division, along with the Interlake Thunder, Moosomin Generals, SouthWest Sabres, St. Vital Mustangs, Swan Valley Tigers, Virden Golden Bears and Winnipeg Falcons, while the ParkWest Outlaws, Neepawa Tigers, Neelin Spartans and Transcona Nationals will make up the Murray Black Division.
The eight-team Doug Steeves Division will be the Tier 1 group, while four-team Murray Black Division is the Tier 2 group.
Dauphin opens the season, Sept. 7, against the Falcons in Winnipeg.
Lopez said the Clippers will focus on their passing game under quarterback Cody Zurba.
“I think we’ve picked up some great wide receivers. And running the ball, that will come with the cold weather,” he said.
“Defensively, Regan Clyde is having such a great camp, along with Blake Thacker and Julien Lopez and Morgan Fleck. We’ll build up on those four key cogs there. It will be good.”
Lopez is looking forward to getting the season going.
“We’re all starting to get antsy. There’s only so many reps we can do. All the kids are all looking forward to the next weekend coming up,” he said, noting the Clippers only have three home games this year.
