Photo courtesy of Matthew Hamilton

The Winnipeg Rifles tore out of the gate last season winners in three of their first four games.  However they cooled in the month of September and lost three in a row before finishing 4-4.

They entered the playoffs losing three of their final four and faced the Saskatoon Hilltops in the Prairie Conference semi-final.

The experience however the younger Rifles received has been invaluable as they have high hopes for the 2018 campaign which opens on Saturday on their home field.  They will host the Edmonton Wildcats at St. Vital Mustangs Field at 7:00pm.

Head coach Geordie Wilson speaks to Ryan Watters about his veteran team and the optimism they have entering the new CJFL season.

Head Coach: Geordie Wilson (3rd Season)

2017 Result: 4-4, lost in the Prairie Conference semi-final in Saskatoon

Starting QB: Riley Naujoks

Key Departures: Micheal Ritchott, Alexander Tachinski, Odun Ogidan

Expected Team Strength: Defence and depth.  With a number of players from last season returning the defence is expected to slow opposing offences and give their own offence good field position.  Coach Wilson believes this could be the deepest roster in team history.

2018 Schedule Quirk:  The Rifles will play their first two home games at St. Vital Mustangs Field, then will play their final two at Investors Group Field.  They will also make back-to-back trips to Edmonton to face the Wildcats and Huskies on September 15 and 23.