Mustangs linebacker Tyler Riviere picked for Team Alberta

Tyler Riviere

Chris Davis

The 2014 football season won't end for Pincher Creek's Tyler Riviere until late January 2015.  "As a former grade nine Bantam player Tyler has been selected to the U16 Team Alberta that will travel to Dallas Texas in January of 2015 to play in that year's International Bowl," explained Team Alberta Assistant Coach Brad Brown in an email.  Brown is also the Head Coach for the Lethbridge Bantam Bulldogs.  "Tyler was selected for his outstanding play as an outside linebacker and will play against a very good Texas U16 team," said Brown.


"Team Alberta will travel to Dallas Texas January 25th for one week. We will practice all week with a controlled scrimmage on the 28th against Team Texas and then a full game at the AT & T stadium, home of the Cowboys on the Saturday January 31. Brady Sillito from the Raymond Comets has also been selected and will play tailback for Team Alberta. The roster is made up of players from all over the province making up a 43 man roster. Head Coach is Al Copper from the Calgary Cowboys, last year’s tier 1 Bantam Provincial Champions."

In July of this year Riviere was a member of the Zone 1 Sunny South Football team that participated in this year Alberta Summer Games in Airdrie, along with fellow Mustang Austin Bruder.  Brady Sillito also participated.

Riviere was also one of five Mustangs to participate in the annual Southern Alberta Minor Football Association (SAMFA) All-Star Game in May 3 of this year, held at University-Community Stadium in Lethbridge.  He won three awards at that event,  including Defensive MVP for the game, Top Linebacker for his team, and Linebacker of the Year for the league.  He was the Bantam Mustangs MVP for the 2013 season.  He was the Defensive Back of the year in 2012, his last season as a Peewee.  The season before that he was the Running Back/Receiver of the year.

Here at home this season Riviere has graduated to the Senior Mustangs, under Head Coach Wayne Alexander.  I chatted with Coach Alexander and Riviere during a Senior Mustangs practice at Matthew Halton field yesterday, in preparation for their upcoming away game against Taber.  "He is having a very good year, a great year in fact," said Alexander.  "He's been a Linebacker for us, and he's running as a Slotback.  He always comes to practice and practices hard and it comes out in his play on the field.  He actually makes outstanding tackle.  He hits hard,  he runs the ball on offense, and he tackles hard on defense."

Riviere is a 15 year-old St. Michael's School grade 10 student (16 in April).  Of his Alberta Summer Games experience he said "I think it was pretty fun, it was hard.  It was definitely harder than Bantam."  Of the upcoming opportunity to play in Texas he was highly optimistic.  "I think it will be super fun.  I think it will be cool to play in a big stadium."

"He (Coach Brown) phoned me I think it was four days ago and said I could make the team.  Two nights ago he phoned me and said I made the team, and I was going.  I think I went as a Linebacker."

Seeing Riviere play, his enthusiasm for the game is obvious.  His dedication to it, and to the Mustangs, has also been consistent.  "I played one year of Peewee, then my two Bantam years, and this will be my fourth year," he explained.  "I've got two more years (as a Senior).  This is a lot harder, but it's fun."

Related stories:
Local Mustangs participate in Alberta Summer Games
Five Mustangs attend SAMFA All-Star game, Tyler Riviere receives three awards
Mustangs hold 2013 Football Awards Night
Mustangs hold 2012 Banquet and Awards ceremony
2011 Pee Wee Mustangs Awards