Rifles aiming at stronger season in 2014

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This article was published 19/08/2014 (4353 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Ahead of kickoff for their 2014 Canadian Junior Football League season, the Winnipeg Rifles trotted out their new threads this past week.

New jerseys and helmets usher in a new age for the Rifles, who combine a strengthened relationship with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, as well as a number of improvements to its existing organization, heading into the new season. The jersey night was held at Charlie Krupp Stadium (581 McPhillips St.) Aug. 14.

“They’re all brimming with excitement,” head coach Ryan Karhut said of his players. “The new logo looks sharp, the matte black helmets, they all love that stuff. They are all really, really pumped for it and are excited to put it on and come running out of the tunnel. It’s all they keep talking about.”

The new helmets sport the familiar Bombers ‘W’ along with the Rifles’ revamped signature logo which are matted to the Rifles’ menacing matte black helmet.

The jerseys — both home and away — move away from the traditional green, red and white of yesteryears to a fresh new look — dark grey on black for the home fatigues and white on dark grey for their away uniforms. Both jerseys have “Rifles” prominently displayed on the upper-chest and each have their own unique, blue and gold number patterns.

“Oh my goodness, everything looks great,” Rifles quarterback Tyler Vieira said. “It’s so much better than what we had last year.”

The Rifles boast a new coaching staff this year, have upgraded practice facilities at Charlie Krupp Stadium, and have a 15-member board of directors, up from two, that includes CFL and Rifle alumni and community and business leaders. And, on top of all of that, they have the benefit of playing in Investors Group Field.

For Karhut, being able to put his stamp on the team in his second year as a coach is something he hopes to translate onto the field.

“(We’ve) got guys that are willing to come in everyday, prepared to work their butts off,” he said. “It is more of a blue collar team, guys are here just ready to grind it out.”

The Rifles, who have graduated the likes of Blue Bombers receiver Brett Carter to the CFL, are looking to put a 3-5 record in 2013 behind them in the upcoming year and have taken great strides over the off-season to do so.

“We’ve changed a lot of things, everything from the top down of the organization,” said Karhut. “Change is something we needed to get us out of a rut and I think it is going to help lead us moving forward especially in recruiting.”

The Rifles will also be boosted by the return of Kurt Goodrich, who has since recovered from a calf injury he picked up in Bombers rookie camp this past spring.

Goodrich said his time with the big club has allowed him to bring back a few tips to the Rifles.

“It was a great experience being with the Bombers,” said Goodrich. “They taught me a lot while I was there and I feel smarter on the field. When I was there, it was a lot of high-tempo pace, I am trying to bring that here.”