The Winnipeg Rifles hopes of staying in the Prairie Conference of the Canadian Junior Football League playoff race went to the dogs Saturday night.
Trailing just 8-7 at halftime in a critical match-up with the Edmonton Huskies at Investors Group Field, the Rifles unraveled in the final 30 minutes and were mauled 45-10. As a result, the Rifles – now 2-4 – have fallen two points back of the Huskies who, at 3-3, hold down the fourth and final playoff spot in the PFC standings.
The Rifles only score came on a Jamie Ybarra, Jr. to Xander Tachinski 45-yard pass, while Ian Lee connected on a 29-yard field goal.
Penalties were critical in the Rifles inability to gain any traction, as they were nailed 18 times for 198 yards. It also hurt that star running back Michael Ritchott did not suit up because of an injury, and as a result the Rifles managed just 60 yards on 23 carries and, while being forced to go to the air, saw Ybarra, Jr. and Jonathon Remple combine to be intercepted five times.
Defensively, the Rifles secondary had a busy night led by Stefan Conway who was all over the field with seven tackles and two knockdowns. Andrew Ricard added five tackles while Nathan Dickson had four tackles and one sack. Linebacker Joshua Onyebuchi had three tackles and four assisted tackles.
The Huskies were led by quarterback Brad Launardt who threw for three TDs – to Connor Bergerson, Aaron Abrahamson and Darian Grymaloski – and ran for another.
The Rifles have three games left in the season. Next Sunday, October 2nd, the team travels to Calgary to play the Colts.
