Taylor Shire
Regina Leader-Post
It’s all systems go for the Saskatchewan Roughriders this week.
After deploying backups for the majority of their final two regular season games and earning a bye in the first round of the CFL playoffs, the Roughriders now have their full arsenal ready as they are set to host the B.C. Lions on Saturday (5:30 p.m., TSN) at Mosaic Stadium in the West final with the winner earning a berth in the Grey Cup in Winnipeg on Nov. 16.
The Lions, who enter action having won seven straight games, are coming off a 33-30 win over the Calgary Stampeders in the Western semifinal while the Roughriders earned a bye in the first round of the playoffs after securing first place in the division on Oct. 10.
“They’re in this game for a reason, no doubt,” Roughriders head coach Corey Mace said of the Lions, who kicked a field goal as time expired to beat Calgary. “Like most weeks though for us, we know, regardless of whoever the opponent is, if we’re not on top of our stuff, it’s always going to be a tough day, and certainly we’re in this part now with the final four teams, it’s even more intensified.”
And while there’s a playoff vibe around the team this week, it’s not like the team took their foot off the gas over the last month after clinching top spot.
“It’s one of those things you can just feel in the air,” said Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris. “(But) I don’t approach right now any different than I do training camp, and I don’t approach it any different than I do the regular season.
“If you do, then you’re not trying your hardest. That has never made sense to me. It’s like, ‘I’ll turn it up a notch.’ You better try your hardest at all times; it’s pro football. There’s a lot on the line.”
After clinching first place, the Roughriders have had plenty of time over the last month to ensure they’ve got a healthy lineup for Saturday’s game.
As Saskatchewan returned to the practice field on Tuesday following a few workouts last week during the bye week, halfback Rolan Milligan (foot/knee) was working with the starters for the early portion of the workout before leaving midway through while all-star receiver Dohnte Meyers (ankle) was back with the starting offence.
While fellow receivers Kian Schaffer-Baker and Samuel Emilus, who have also dealt with injuries this year, were also with the starting group, all-star receiver KeeSean Johnson (knee) was still sidelined. However, nothing has been determined when it comes to his status for Saturday.
“Like I told you guys last week, all the guys were trending in the right direction,” said Mace. “KeeSean is going to be one of those guys where (we’ll see what it) will be looking like over the next couple days. But I mean he’s been running around and stuff like that, so it’s good.
“We’ve got everybody trending in the right spot.”
Cornerback Marcus Sayles (ankle) was a full participant while defensive end Shane Ray (neck) and running back Mario Anderson (knee) missed the workout.
After joining the team on the field last week, short-yardage quarterback Tommy Stevens (knee) also appears good to go along with offensive lineman Trevon Tate (shoulder), who has been out since suffering an injury in Week 4.
For the Roughriders, who finished with a 12-6 record this year, this will be their fourth meeting of the season with the Lions. Saskatchewan won in Weeks 4 and 7 but lost in the regular-season finale when they were resting many starters for the second half of the game.
Saturday’s game also marks the first time B.C. will visit Mosaic Stadium in a single-game West final, although the Lions did travel to Regina last year for the divisional semifinal, which the Riders won 28-19.
While the Roughriders have been in the divisional final 32 times over their history, this will be just the fourth West final Saskatchewan has hosted since 1976, with the last coming in 2019.
Meanwhile in the East final, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats host the Montreal Alouettes, who beat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 42-33 in the Eastern semifinal.
