Cancelled game led to coaching opportunity for two Yorkton Terrier hockey players
Nov 30, 2024
'Helping out the kids, it probably means a lot to them,' said goalie Callum Creig.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are preparing to take on a normally strong team that started the 2021 CFL season on the wrong foot.
The Green and White are set to host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday. The Tiger-Cats are coming off a 19-6 Week 1 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who had beaten Hamilton 33-12 in the 2019 Grey Cup game.
On the other hand, Saskatchewan comes into the matchup off a season-opening 33-29 win over the B.C. Lions.
In Hamilton’s loss to Winnipeg, the Tiger-Cats gave up 149 rushing yards. While that might seem encouraging for the Riders, running back William Powell doesn’t want to get cocky.
“Hamilton has a great defence and they’ll be ready this week. They’ll go back and make some corrections … And they’re going to improve on defence,” Powell said. “So we (have) to be ready for the Hamilton that has been against us throughout the years.
“We know they’ll be ready, and we have to be up for the challenge.”
However, there will be a new look on the offensive line in front of Powell.
A group that was decimated by injuries during training camp now has lost left tackle Brett Boyko to illness. He’s to be replaced by Andrew Lauderdale, who will be playing in his first CFL game.
Fellow O-lineman Mattland Riley is still out with a case of mono.
Head coach Craig Dickenson said the Roughriders really had to work hard to get the unit up to speed.
“It’s a challenge, for sure,” he said. “The way you build chemistry is you play and you practise together, the same group of guys. Without actually doing it, it’s difficult. But I think Coach (Stephen) Sorrells does a good job of rotating players in practice … Even if you’re not necessarily on the active (roster), you’ve played a lot of football.
“There’s going to be moments where they struggle a little bit, but we’re going to try to help them out as coaches … But there’s no shortcut to building chemistry.”
Guard Evan Johnson is confident the Roughriders can succeed against Hamilton if they keep up their quality of play from the season-opener.
“(It’s) not a different mindset for us,” he said. “We’re aware that they’re going to be a very good defence, a very good team all around, especially on the defensive line.
“They’ve got a lot of really quality players. So we’re just coming in with the same mentality that we have to be ready. We have to be prepared and really take it to them.
“It’s going to be another good football game. Hamilton is really competitive, they’re a really strong team, especially on the defensive front. So it’s going to be a big game, (it’s) going to be physical, and I can’t wait to see it.”
One major issue the Riders struggled with against the Lions was stamina. Saskatchewan stormed out to a 31-0 lead in the first half, but tapered off in the second half.
It’s an issue Dickenson doesn’t think will go away overnight.
“We’re walking that fine line,” he said. “We’re trying to practise hard, practise fast and get them in shape through practice. I think conditioning is going to come through playing games, I really do.
“The reality is, every team is going to have some issues with it early in the season. We’re hoping that by practising hard, we can get some of our legs back. But I don’t think it truly comes back until about Week 4 or 5.”
Powell was also less active in the second half against B.C. — he had just one carry for two yards after halftime — but he doesn’t think he needs to run the ball at all times for the team to be successful.
“We’re not keyed in on just focusing on force-feeding me the ball or anything like that. So whatever my assignment is on each and every play, I make sure that I do that to the best of my ability,” he said.
Quarterback Cody Fajardo will be playing against Hamilton for the first time since his iconic winning touchdown on Aug. 1, 2019. He said then he was inspired by “a sprinkle of Jesus” and rewarded himself with a corndog after the game.
Unfortunately, the Queen City Ex isn’t on this year until Aug. 20, so if he repeats his heroics this time around, he’ll have to settle for a different post-game treat.
“It’s the grenadine and Pepsi. That’s the go-to. Anytime we win, that’s my treat to myself. It’s tough when we lose, because it’s staring me in the face. Got to have a lot of self-discipline not to drink it when you lose,” he said with a laugh.
Game time at Mosaic Stadium is set for 8 p.m. The Green Zone pre-game show starts at 6 p.m.