Riders’ St. John excited for chance to start against Ti-Cats

Josiah St. John is looking forward to getting his opportunity on Saturday.

The former first overall CFL draft pick has been the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ sixth offensive lineman for every game this season.

On Saturday against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, St. John looks in line to start his first game at guard in 2021 with the Riders electing to rest a number of key starters. Kickoff for the game is set for 3 p.m.

“It means a lot. We were able to stay healthy this year so I haven’t had an opportunity until now,” said St. John, 29. “I’ve worked hard on my game all year round.”

The game against Hamilton will give St. John a perfect opportunity to show he can play in the CFL, with the Tiger-Cats expected to play all of their starters as they try to clinch a home playoff game.

“I want to play against their best to showcase that I’m a starting-level offensive guard in this league,” St. John said. “Even though I’m the sixth man right now, I’m the type of person who can come into the game and not miss a beat.”

St. John said it’s kind of a weird feeling being the sixth offensive lineman because you never know when you’ll need to get in and contribute if someone goes down with an injury.

“You have to constantly stay ready,” St. John said. “I could go in there at left tackle, right tackle, right guard and left guard, so I’ve got to be ready to play anywhere.”

St. John was taken by then-general manager and head coach Chris Jones first overall in the 2016 CFL draft, but a contract dispute led to St. John missing his first training camp.

“I think it had an impact on my career somewhat. I think being late and missing training camp and me moving positions — I played tackle all my life and I came to Saskatchewan and they moved me inside to guard,” St. John said. “With no preseason games or training camp, I basically (learned) on the fly.

“If I could do it again, I probably would have just came to camp.”

And some bad injury luck also has played a role in his career.

“The crazy part about it was I always had these very knicky-knack injuries that would keep me out. First season, I hurt my ankle; I was going to start some games but hurt my ankle. Second season, I was a starter and I got a concussion and we brought in Pete Dyakowski,” St. John said.

St. John has also dealt with a torn hamstring and partially tore his Achilles in 2019.

Riders head coach Craig Dickenson, who was on the coaching staff that took St. John first overall, said he has noticed improvements in the offensive lineman this season.

“He came into camp in better shape than he has ever been, stronger than he has ever been, lighter than he has ever been and I think he has matured. He’s got a family now. I think he has a little one at home and I think being a father has changed him for the better,” Dickenson said.

“I think Josiah has done a really nice job of just jumping in and understanding his role. I think he’s a starting offensive lineman and he’s a good football player.”

Centre Dan Clark will be given the week off with Logan Ferland moving to his spot. Evan Johnson and St. John are expected to be the guards, with two of Andrew Lauderdale, Brett Boyko or Cam Jefferson starting at tackle. Boyko has been dealing with a calf issue.

Mattland Riley, who was a first-round pick (seventh overall) in the 2020 draft, will be the sixth offensive lineman in the game.

Notes: CFL referee Tom Vallesi has been fined for using inappropriate and explicit language on the telecast of the Riders’ 29-24 win over the Edmonton Elks on Saturday.