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AMBER BRACKEN \/ THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES<\/p>\n
Winnipeg Blue Bombers kicker Sergio Castillo said he\u2019s always been a big believer in taking the time to pass along knowledge to younger players on the roster.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think of myself as a veteran, maybe because I\u2019m still a kid in my mind,\u201d said Castillo, who at 35 is entering his 10th CFL season. \u201cBut I remember being that kid when (Justin) Medlock was here (in 2015), just constantly asking him questions. We all have a platform and there are going to be times when you\u2019re going to be the one asking.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut at some point, you\u2019re going to have to show that gift and lead others. I\u2019ve always been a big believer in that and I\u2019ve had a lot of people help me along the way. I\u2019ve been helped a lot and I\u2019ve been blessed, so if people think enough of me to ask for some wisdom, I\u2019ll give them my two cents.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lidster, who spent the past four seasons with the University of Windsor and was named a U Sports First-Team All-Canadian in 2025, is enjoying the training camp experience, even though he isn\u2019t quite sure where it\u2019s going to take him.<\/p>\n
Whether it\u2019s returning for another season of U Sports eligibility or potentially sticking around on the practice roster, Lidster is keeping his focus on the task at hand.<\/p>\n
That next task includes suiting up in Friday\u2019s pre-season finale against the B.C. Lions (7:30 p.m. kickoff).<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m approaching it as I approach any game. Whenever my number is called, I will be ready and do the best that I can in that given situation,\u201d said Lidster, who started playing football in Grade 7 and was chosen by the Blue Bombers in the eighth round (69th overall) of the CFL Draft last month. \u201cReally, I\u2019m just taking it day by day and we\u2019ll see what happens moving forward. Anything could happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
No matter what happens, the former high school quarterback is grateful for the things he\u2019s been learning from Castillo, from the on-field activities to the time in the meeting room to picking his brain about the art of kicking.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been able to be a sponge and take in as much as I possibly can,\u201d said Lidster. \u201cTo see things through his perspective, as well as adding a little bit of my insight. But mostly, taking what he is saying and trying to successfully apply it as quickly as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lidster has been thoroughly impressed by Castillo\u2019s mental approach to the game.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs far as his thought processes and how he\u2019s thinking about the wind and how he\u2019s going to hit the ball,\u201d said Lidster. \u201cEverything that goes into him being successful has been key to me to take that in and apply it to myself.<\/p>\n
\u201cI couldn\u2019t have asked for a better opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n
His prior experience as a quarterback caused Lidster to pay close attention to the most minute details, which is a benefit while working at his current position.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously, there aren\u2019t many plays that a kicker has to learn but there are a lot of other things that go into being successful on the field,\u201d he said. \u201c(As a quarterback), I was able to make plays when stuff broke down and to just play. But I don\u2019t necessarily miss anything. I enjoy where I\u2019m at.\u201d<\/p>\n
Castillo has been impressed by his pupil.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe wants to grasp things, which is great,\u201d said Castillo.<\/p>\n
O\u2019Shea had no trouble identifying Lidster\u2019s strengths when asked about him this week.<\/p>\n
\u201cBig leg,\u201d said O\u2019Shea, who mentioned that there\u2019s a long history of up-and-coming kickers who get released before eventually becoming CFL All-Stars, given the number of veterans and the limited number of spots available to crack the rosters. \u201cIt takes a long time for kickers to break in.<\/p>\n
\u201c(Kicking) is so technical. They are looking at the minutiae of why that kick did what it did. So, it is certainly a great opportunity for Brady to make huge advances in his game.\u201d<\/p>\n
As for Castillo, he\u2019s excited to get the new season going on June 5, when the Bombers travel to Calgary to face the Stampeders in the Week 1 opener.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love the pressure,\u201d said Castillo. \u201cI hope in Calgary next week, it\u2019s a game-winner. I\u2019m hoping for it and I\u2019m praying for it. I hope every game is a game-winner. That\u2019s me.\u201d<\/p>\n
O\u2019Shea would prefer to avoid needing to hit last second field goals each week, but is thankful to be able to turn to Castillo when those situations do arise.<\/p>\n
\n\t\tWinnipeg Free Press | Newsletter\n\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\tThe Warm-Up<\/p>\n
Winnipeg Jets Game Days<\/p>\n
On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop.<\/p>\n
\t\t\tSign up for The Warm-Up<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t \u201cHe\u2019s a security blanket,\u201d said O\u2019Shea. \u201cYou just know that if you get close, you can trot him out there. He\u2019s a gamer and he\u2019s willing to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros appreciates what it means to have a kicker on the roster he can rely on during those occasions when a drive doesn\u2019t lead to the end zone.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a calming feeling. You know that when you cross a certain threshold that you have three points,\u201d said Collaros. \u201cSo, you always keep that in the back of your head as a quarterback, in understanding that you can\u2019t have any negative plays and no turnovers because you (basically) have three points, because you have such an accurate guy that can kick from distance.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s also just a great presence in the locker room and a great guy.\u201d<\/p>\n winnipegfreepress.com\/kenwiebe<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t Ken Wiebe Ken Wiebe is a sports reporter for the Free Press, with an emphasis on the Winnipeg Jets. He has covered hockey and provided analysis in this market since 2000 for the Winnipeg Sun, The Athletic, Sportsnet.ca and TSN. Ken was a summer intern at the Free Press in 1999 and returned to the Free Press in a full-time capacity in September of 2023. Read more about Ken<\/a>.<\/p>\n Every piece of reporting Ken produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print \u2014 part of the Free Press\u2018s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press\u2019s history and mandate<\/a>, and learn how our newsroom operates<\/a>.<\/p>\n Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber<\/a>.<\/p>\n Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.<\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Reporter
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