Huskies, Rams open Canada West football playoffs on road
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"The thing with the playoffs is every play gets amplified," said Huskies head coach Scott Flory.
It’s back to work for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
The Green and White was back on the field Wednesday after a bye week to prepare for the annual Labour Day Classic against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Kickoff for Sunday’s game at Mosaic Stadium is set for 5 p.m.
“It’s great. The guys enjoyed their time off but everyone is happy to be back and everyone is excited to start playing again,” Saskatchewan head coach Craig Dickenson said after Wednesday’s workout.
The team was able to head into its break with some positive momentum after a 34-29 win over the B.C. Lions on Aug. 20.
“It allowed us to feel a little better about our team going away and give you a good taste in your mouth when you are doing something other than football,” Dickenson said. “I think it was just what we needed.”
For the second straight week, Jake Dolegala will be the Roughriders’ starting quarterback in a game against one of the CFL’s top teams.
In Saskatchewan’s game against B.C., Dolegala threw for 239 yards and three touchdowns.
But despite the trifecta of touchdowns and no interceptions, the 26-year-old quarterback knows there are things he needs to improve on.
“(There was some) accuracy stuff — a couple of easy ones that I missed in the game,” Dolegala said. “For the most part, I feel good and the body feels good so I am ready to go.”
Dickenson said what has helped the second-year CFLer so far is his charismatic personality that has teammates wanting to play for him.
“Guys like to hang out with him, not just here but off the field. Some guys are more social than others and he is more of a social person,” Dickenson said.
Dolegala is also familiar when it comes to preparing for rivalry games. When he was at Central Connecticut State University, the Blue Devils would take on their rivals, the Sacred Heart Pioneers.
But he admits this professional one has extra feeling to it.
“This one (in the CFL) is obviously special with going back-to-back weeks with them,” said Dolegala, referring to the rematch — the Banjo Bowl — on Sept. 9 in Winnipeg.
“I was here last year and the pure excitement and joy from the fans, it’s so electric in the stadium. I am really pumped. I think everyone is pushing that little bit extra just to be as prepared as possible.
“There is definitely a little bit more there.”
Notes: Dickenson said quarterback Mason Fine (hamstring) is progressing and the team is optimistic he will return to the lineup in the near future … Linebacker CJ Reavis (hamstring), defensive back Nelson Lokombo (knee) and linebacker Justin Herdman-Reed (quad) didn’t participate in Wednesday’s practice.