The Winnipeg Rifles stretched their winning streak to 3 and claimed a share of top spot in the conference, fending off the defending PFC champion Edmonton Wildcats 33-21 on Sunday afternoon at Canad Inns Stadium.
The Rifles took an early 10-0 lead thanks to an Andrew Wiebe 24-yard field goal 5 minutes into the game, then PFC rushing leader Kienan LaFrance (PICTURE) would run 51 yards to score his 5th TD along the ground. LaFrance would ramble for 191 yards on 26 carries.
The visitors would get the next 14 points as Nick Ross took a 14-yard pass from Andrew Johnson with 3:10 to go in the first frame; and then fullback Kendell Kennedy powered his way in from 13 yards to give Edmonton the lead nearly 2 minutes into the 2nd quarter.
The Green Gunners would take back the lead as Matt Lariviere who had 6 catches for 130 yards, snagged a 16-yard strike from pivot Ryan Marsch to make it 17-14 at halftime.
Wiebe would start the second half by executing an onside kick which his mates recovered. The home side would settle for an 11-yard field goal 90 seconds into the 3rd quarter. The Wildcats took the lead for the second time 6 and-a-half minutes later as Lambert took a 25-yard pass from Johnson for the score. The Donovan Kavich convert gave the champions a 21-20 lead.
Winnipeg took back the lead for good as fullback Bryan Giesbrecht ran up the gut 10 yards to make it 27-21 after the Wiebe point after.
Wiebe would add field goals from 32 and 23 yards respectively to round out the scoring. His 3rd and 4th placements of the day.
Ryan Marsch completed 17 of 27 for 331 yards. In addition to Lariviere’s sensational day, Derek Dean was not outdone, catching 5 for 130 yards.
The teams would combine for 941 yards of net offense with Winnipeg getting 551 and the Wildcats 390.
The Rifles move into a 4-way tie for 1st in the conference with Saskatoon, Calgary and Regina at 3-1. The Wildcats drop to 0-4 on the season.
The Gunners begin the season’s 2nd half by hosting Saskatoon next Sunday at Canad Inns Stadium, with the opening kickoff at noon.
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