The Winnipeg Rifles have long known they had something special in Michael Ritchott from the very moment he pulled on their colours some four years ago.
The gifted running back added another chapter to his legend in Saturday’s 42-28 victory over the Edmonton Wildcats at Investors Group Field, rushing for a club record 358 yards and two touchdowns on 33 carries.
That incredible rushing total is not only a Rifles record, but the fifth-highest in Canadian Junior Football League history.
“We hardly threw the ball because Michael was gashing them every time he got his hands on the ball,” said Rifles head coach Geordie Wilson. “Our other running backs and our quarterback also had good days. It was pretty impressive.
“Collectively our offensive line was blasting open holes and, after a while, it wasn’t like their defence didn’t know we were going to run.
“Out of his 30-plus carries he might have had only two or three that were around three yards. The rest were for seven, eight, 15, 25 yards… it makes it pretty easy for us when he’s going like that.”
“He’s a special kid. I’m trying not to be biased, but I would take him over any back in the country right now.”
The Rifles racked up 440 yards along the ground and 556 yards total net offence to even their record at 1-1 after last weekend’s loss to the defending national champion Saskatoon Hilltops in Saskatchewan.
“That was huge for us,” said Wilson. “We didn’t feel like we were out-classed in Saskatoon. It was 0-0 after the first quarter and we had some breakdowns and mistakes after that and it really cost us.
“That’s why it was good for the kids to get the win here. They just keep working hard.”
After Ritchott’s two scores, the Rifles also got touchdowns from Brendan Naujoks, who led the club with three receptions for 51 yards, along with Jamie Ybarra and Patrick Bissonnette.
Defensive lineman Garrett Beardy led the Rifles defence with five tackles with Dallas Cook adding four. Defensive backs Stefan Conway and Andrew Ricard chipped in with interceptions.
The Rifles are back at Investors Group Field next Saturday, August 27 (7 p.m.) for the first of a home-and-home series with the Regina Thunder that includes a Labour Day weekend clash in the Saskatchewan capital.
TOP RUSHING TOTALS IN CJFL HISTORY
- 405 Greg Morris, Westshore Rebels (BCFC), Oct. 6, 2012
- 383 Levon Hawreliak, Edmonton Wildcats (PFC), Oct. 12, 2013
- 365 Jordan Samoil, Edmonton Wildcats (PFC), Sept. 21, 2012
- 363 Levon Hawreliak, Edmonton Wildcats (PFC), Sept. 8, 2012
- 358 Michael Ritchott, Winnipeg Rifles (PFC), Aug. 20, 2016
