A pair of CJFL teams will battle American collegiate teams this weekend in a cross-border exhibition game with bragging rights on the line. 

As documented previously the Ottawa Sooners will face the Montclair State University Red Hawks from New Jersey on Friday night in the nation’s capital.  This is the first time these two teams will meet and will see a mix of Canadian and American rules as the players face live action for the first-time this year.

On Saturday afternoon the Winnipeg Rifles will host the Saint John’s University Johnnies from the Minnesota intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC).  They’ve been touted as the Alabama of Division 3 as the most successful Division 3 school in US history with a win percentage of .723 in their storied 100+ years of existence.  This is the second time the Rifles and Johnnies will meet after the Johnnies scored a victory in their last tilt. 

This will be a unique game will rules changing with each offensive set.  When the Rifles offence is on the field, the teams will play Canadian rules with 12 players on the field.  The rules will flip to American when the Johnnies hit the field and the teams will play 11 aside.  Special teams will play 12 on 12 in the kicking game.  It should take the Johnnies a bit more time to get accustom the width and length of the playing surface that will stay consistent regardless of who has the ball. 

Don’t expect players to pull any punches either. Both teams will play in full pads and play at 100% because for some, jobs can be won or lost in this exhibition game on both sides.  Rifles head coach Geordie Wilson says, “If you want to get better, you play good competition.  We are looking forward to it.”

This if the fourth time the Rifles will face American competition in the preseason, and are currently 1-2 overall.  Kick off on Saturday is set for 1:00pm in Winnipeg. 
 

The CJFL and Prairie Conference (PFC) are pleased to release their 2025 schedule that will see the six-member Conference open the CJFL season on Sunday August 10, 2025 with a full slate of games.

With the CJFL Canadian Bowl scheduled to be played in the Prairies this November, stakes are even higher for all six teams coming into the new campaign. 

The defending Conference champion Regina Thunder will open up their quest for another title on the road when they visit the Edmonton Huskies.  The Saskatoon Hilltops also kickoff on the road when they travel to Winnipeg to meet the Rifles and the Calgary Colts entertain the Edmonton Wildcats in Week 1.

Each team will play an eight-game regular season schedule concluding on Thanksgiving Sunday, October 12th.  The top four teams will then advance to the Canadian Bowl Playoffs which will begin the following weekend with a pair of semi-finals before the PFC title game on October 26th.  The winner of that game will host the 2025 Canadian Bowl national championship. 

Their opponent will be the winner of the CJFL National Semi-Final game between the BC Conference and Ontario Conference champions.  That game will also be held on October 26th in British Columbia for the first time since the 2021 season. 

The BC and Ontario Conferences continue to work on their schedules and do anticipate releasing them in the coming weeks.