Riders beat Lions to punch ticket to CFL West final
Nov 03, 2024
The Riders are back in the West final for the first time since 2021.
Two Saskatchewan products will remain with the Roughriders for the next two season.
The team announced it has signed centre Dan Clark and left guard Brendon LaBatte to contract extensions that will keep them with the team through the 2022 season.
Clark enjoyed his first season as a CFL All-Star in 2019 and was the anchor on an offensive line group that was dealt a bevy of injuries. He joined the team in 2009 as a territorial junior and a member of the Regina Thunder. Clark has played in 112 games for the Riders as well as six playoffs games and the 2013 Grey Cup.
LaBatte has been considered one of the best offensive lineman in the CFL over his career, winning the Most Oustanding Offensive Lineman award in 2013. The 34-year-old has also been named a CFL All-Star six times (2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018).
The Weyburn product was taken by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the first round (sixth overall) of the 2008 CFL Draft. He played four seasons for Winnipeg.
LaBatte joined the Riders 2012 and has gone on to play 112 games with the team.
In 2019, LaBatte received surgery for a sports hernia and missed most of the season before returning to the starting lineup on Sept. 28.
The 2019 offensive line allowed 37 sacks, tied for fourth fewest in the league, and paved the way for 2,030 rushing yards and a league-leading 26 rushing touchdowns.