Riders ready for pre-season debut against Lions

For the first time since October, the Saskatchewan Roughriders are set to hit the field at Mosaic Stadium.

The team is leaving its training camp home of Saskatoon to play the B.C. Lions in a CFL pre-season game Saturday. Kickoff at Mosaic Stadium is set for 5 p.m.

The Green Zone Game Day pre-game show is to start at 3 p.m. on 650 CKOM and 980 CJME.

It’s been a long wait for members of the Riders to play a game. Veterans have been practising for nearly two weeks while rookies and the quarterbacks have been waiting since May 8.

Defensive back C.J. Reavis says he can’t wait to hit the field on Saturday.

“Man, it’s fun. We finally get to defend a new team and opponent and actually tackle now. I think that’s the best part about it,” Reavis said after the team held their final walk-through at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon on Friday.

Reavis will be looking to get back in the rhythm of a real game as he’s listed as the No. 1 option to replace the injured Derrick Moncrief if he isn’t ready to go for Week 1 against the Edmonton Elks.

While there could be some added pressure moving into Moncrief’s spot, Reavis says he’s feeling more comfortable in the starting spot after serving as the starter in Moncrief’s absence a couple of times last year.

“Last year it was kind of the same thing. I was taking most of the reps in the (starting defence) and he was kind of out last year as well, so it’s kind of the same feel as last year,” Reavis explained. “I just know more now and am more comfortable on defence.”

While Reavis will be trying to find his rhythm again, running back B.J. Emmons will be trying to discover his.

The 25-year-old has never played in the CFL and comes to Saskatchewan following a stint in the USFL and bouncing around NFL practice squads.

Emmons feels confident in his ability to figure out the Canadian game.

“I can’t lie, I was (feeling) a little timid on the way up here, but blessed for the opportunity,” Emmons said on the eve of playing in his first CFL pre-season game. “The game of the CFL is so different from the States – especially with an additional man on the field – but I’ve got accustomed to what we have going on right now and I’m real comfortable with the offence.

“I feel like whenever I’m in, I put us in a great position to win the game.”

On paper, the Riders’ depth at running back looks strong. While he’s a rookie fighting for a spot with the Green and White, Emmons feels everyone has been working together so they can succeed.

“The running back room is great. The way we come together, I feel like any man that’s on the depth chart can come on the field and start,” Emmons stated. “It’s been a blessing having the guys that I’m around with surrounding me. It’s a great vibe.”

Jake Dolegala is listed as the starting quarterback for the tilt against the Lions. He says he’s excited to finally face a different defence.

“Coach (Kelly) Jeffrey let us know that I’ll be starting the game — (I’m) not sure how long I’ll play — but I’m really just excited to get out there,” Dolegala said following the team’s walk-through. “I’m excited for all of us in the QB room to get out there and, like I said, go up against somebody other than our own defence.

“(I’m) just looking forward to getting out there (and) getting those first butterflies out of the system and settling into the game.”

While Dolegala is scheduled to get the start, head coach Craig Dickenson says Dolegala, Mason Fine and Shea Patterson will all get equal playing time on Saturday.

Trevor Harris won’t be with the team as he’s still at home celebrating the birth of his son.

In terms of what Dickenson will be looking for, he says there’s two things that stand out.

“I want to see guys hustling in and out and being on the field when they’re supposed to be on the field,” he explained. “We’re trying to find guys we can count on. There’s two evaluations in these pre-season games: Athletically, can they compete at this level? And two, can you trust them? There’s a lot to look at, but those are the two things we’re going to look out for.”

When it comes to the offensive line and the battle for spots, Dickenson expects those players to be physical.

“I’m expecting a physical bunch. We put a big emphasis this off-season on finding physical, tough guys up front and that’s been our emphasis since training camp,” he said. “We want a physical nasty bunch out there.”

According to Dickenson, no players have to be cut after the first pre-season game.