Former Cochrane High Cobras star and current University of Regina Rams wide receiver Kyle Moortgat has been selected to participate for Team West in the 2018 U Sports Valero East-West Bowl, which will be hosted by University of Laval on May 12. The East-West Bowl features U Sports football players heading into their Canadian Football League (CFL) draft year. The event also includes four days of practices, a combine for participating players, and a CFL free agent camp. Moortgat said he was overwhelmed by joy once he heard the news that he'd be selected to represent the west at such a prestigious event. "I was very honoured and extremely happy that I got selected. At the beginning of this past season, one of my goals was to to make the East-West Bowl," Moortgat said. "When I found out that I had actually been selected to the team, it was such a great feeling." Moortgat, who is heading into his fifth season with the Rams, enjoyed a breakout campaign with the team during the 2017 season. Seeing time on the field at both wide receiver and slotback, Moortgat caught 37 passes for 408 yards (an average of 11 yards per catch) and two touchdowns in eight conference games last year, while also adding one catch for five yards in the Rams' 28-21 playoff loss to the University of British Columbia (UBC) Thunderbirds. Moortgat also scored his first career USport touchdown in front of his friends and family when Regina took on the University of Calgary Dinos back in Sept. It was a huge jump for the 21-year-old from the previous season where the local product hauled in three receptions for 45 yards in conference play while also adding four catches for 34 yards in the Rams Canada West semifinal loss to the UBC. "I was really happy with how the season played out for myself. I started every game this year and I believe I made my presence known across the USport community," Moortgat said brimming with confidence. "It was a good starting point for me and gets me more excited for this next season. Team wise, I think our team played very well as a whole throughout the year. Unfortunately, we lost to UBC again in the first round of playoffs, but that only makes us want to work harder for next year." Moortgat said it was a goal of his to play in the CFL as soon as he finished his senior season with Cochrane High and signed on with the Rams in 2014. "Ever since I signed with Regina, playing pro football in the CFL definitely became a goal of mine," Moortgat said. "Now that I got selected for the East-West Bowl, I'm realizing that it might actually come true. I think that if I keep working hard and give it everything I've got, I have a shot to make it." Practice for the game began on May 7, and while he's been preparing for the big showdown, the former Rocky View Sports Association (RVSA) Most Valuable Player said he's just excited to get out on the field and show what he can do. "I just really want to show all the scouts, the other players and fans what kind of player I really am," said Moortgat. "I really just want to go out, make my presence known and make an impact on the game. That would be huge for me." The young Cochrane receiver will be joined by two of his teammates at the East-West Bowl in defensive back Cord Delinte as well as fellow receiver Ryan Schienbien. Moortgat said he thinks the Rams should be a force to be reckoned with once the fall season hits. He also has some ambitious personal goals that he'd like to achieve. "For next season, I want to be one of the best receivers ... not only in the Canada West, but in the entire league," Moortgat said. "I believe our team is really going to make waves next season. We have had added a great recruiting class this off-season, which is only going to make our team stronger and more of a threat." "We are a tight unit where everyone wants to play for the person next to them, which I think will be a huge advantage for us heading into the new year."
