Element striving to play starring role with Rifles

St. Vital

Winnipeg

Riley Element was looking for a football team, and head coach Geordie Wilson needed a quarterback. The two hope to solve each other’s problems while leading the Winnipeg Rifles to the Canadian Junior Football League’s Prairie Football Conference playoffs.

Element is a 21-year-old, six-foot-four-inch quarterback who spent the past three seasons with the Vanier College Cheetahs of Quebec’s CEGEP program. With his eligibility complete, he was searching for his next football home as he works towards his goal of playing in the Canadian Football League.

Enter Wilson, who was in search of some stability at quarterback after a tumultuous 2024 campaign behind centre. Seeking to expand his recruiting area, Wilson began watching tape of signal callers from La Belle Province. He quickly narrowed his shopping list down to Element and booked a flight out east.

“Coach Wilson contacted me, saying they were looking for a quarterback,” Element said. “He went with me, and I was so grateful. I throw balls similar to the offence they run, so it was a perfect fit.”

Element has worn pads since he was four years old. A football lifer and the son of a football lifer who often coached his son, Element threw his first pass when he was only seven.

“Football’s been in our family forever,” he said.

Wilson is trying to contain his excitement, but he’s clearly excited about what Element brings to the table.

“He’s looking quite comfortable,” Wilson said. “He’s doing a good job for us. I’m cautiously optimistic.”

Wilson said Element is an athletic player, who can run if needed. A fast and accurate pocket passer with a live arm, Element makes good throwing decisions.

“To be a good quarterback, you also have to have that ‘it’ factor,” Wilson added. “Riley has that kind of leadership. And he’s very coachable. When he makes a mistake, he lets us know before we can tell him.”

“He’s been everything we hoped.”

Element moved to Winnipeg in April and feels right at home. He’s made fast friends on the team, and like every good quarterback, gets along with his offensive line.

Together they go out to eat and watch films.

The Rifles will hit teams with multiple packages this season. Element said the system allows him to make proper reads and find an open receiver on every play. He said he has a talented crew to throw to.

“I have the utmost confidence in my football team,”

Element said. “I’ve been throwing to these receivers all summer.”

He also has running back Kaiden Banfield. Despite being targeted by PFC defences every week, Banfield still ran for 946 yards in eight games. With defences now having to contend with the pass, Banfield could post even higher totals in 2025.

“Kaiden will get the ball in the air, too,” Element vowed. “They won’t know what to expect.”

The PFC game is a little faster than CEGEP football, but Element said he’s up to the challenge.

“As a competitor and player, you want that,” Element said. “You want to play with the best. The speed of the game is faster. I’m sure when we play great teams like Regina and Calgary, it will be the same.”

“Guys here want to make it professionally.”

That includes Element.

“I told my dad I’m going to the CFL.”

Element makes his home debut on Sunday, Aug. 10 at 1 p.m. when the Rifles host the Regina Thunder at Maple Grove Rugby Park (90 Frobisher Rd.).