WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Rifles came out firing but were unable to finish, falling 29-23 to the undefeated Regina Thunder in Prairie Football Conference action at IG Field on Sunday.
It was a true heavyweight bout between two of Canada’s junior football powers as the Rifles, ranked No. 5 in the Canadian Junior Football League, raced to a 15-0 lead over the No. 3-ranked Thunder (6-0).
Winnipeg quarterback Bryson McNeil threw two of his three touchdowns in the opening six minutes of the game — a 6-yard strike to Everett Findley and a 42-yard bomb to an outstretched Eric Adams at the goal line that contributed to his game-high 88 receiving yards.
Canadian Junior Football League passing leader Bryson McNeil drops back to throw against the Regina Thunder in Prairie Football Conference action at IG Field on Sunday, September 25, 2022.
McNeil continues to lead the conference and the entire CJFL in passing with 2,033 yards, and finished Sunday with 339 through the air while going 26-of-40 (65%) with three touchdowns and no interceptions.
Regina responded with 20 points in the second half, sparked by a 55-yard Isaac Woodley catch-and-run touchdown off the arm of Thunder quarterback Carter Shewchuk.
Shewchuk, who is second only to McNeil in passing this season (1,952 yards), led four Thunder scoring drives in the second half. Shewchuk went 21-of-36 (58%) for 290 yards, two touchdowns, and was intercepted on a deep ball by Rifles safety Josh Yanchishyn in the first quarter.
The game’s leading rusher, Regina’s Ryland Leichert, averaged 5.6 yards-per-carry on his way to 89 on the ground and a touchdown. Rifles workhorse tailback Brady Meeks turned 14 touches into 70 all-purpose yards to average five yards per run/reception.
Winnipeg Rifles receiver Adam Fast (88) pulls in one of his game-high six receptions against the Regina Thunder in Prairie Football Conference action at IG Field on Sunday, September 25, 2022.
Winnipeg scored late in the fourth when Luke McMillan pulled in an impressive 19-yard diving touchdown in the back of the end zone, part of 58 yards receiving for the former Canadian Football League practice roster player. Fellow Rifles receiver Adam Fast had 57 yards on a game-high six receptions.
“Most of the errors we made today were unforced and that was on us,” said Winnipeg head coach Geordie Wilson following his club’s first loss since Aug. 21, a 24-22 defeat in Regina. “We’ll get better from it, and we’ve gotten better every week. I have every confidence in these guys.”
“We’ll see them again, and we’ll remember.”
The Rifles (3-3) now travel to Edmonton to battle for second place in the PFC against the 4-2 Huskies on Oct. 2. Winnipeg completes their regular season schedule following their second bye week when they host the 0-6 Edmonton Wildcats at IG Field on Oct. 16.
– RiflesFootball.com
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