In typical Saskatchewan fashion, summer has transition into autumn as quickly as the snap of two fingers.
With the Labour Day Classic now in the rear view mirror, the push for the playoffs begin, even though there are some playoff scenarios that could be extinguished on Friday night in the event of a Saskatchewan win, the green and white are more focused on their own agenda heading into their contest with the Edmonton Elk.
After a couple of months of practicing in plenty of sunshine and an abundance of heat, the Riders have worked out in what Riders Head Coach Craig Dickenson calls football weather this week.
“We know fall is in the air, and that’s a good thing cause anytime you’re playing ball late in the season, when it gets cold you’re hopefully playing in the playoffs and you’re season has gone well.”
One team who might not have the chance to play in the postseason is Edmonton. The Elk would be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to the Riders on Friday.
Saskatchewan already claimed the season series between the two clubs with a pair of victories at Commonwealth Stadium earlier this summer.
But even with some playoff implications on the line in the primetime matchup, Dickenson believes that this upcoming matchup is more about the Riders snapping a four game losing streak at Mosaic Stadium instead of the playoff fate of the Edmonton Elk.
“Our motivation is too play our best game and win a game at home.”
The Riders Head Coach added the focus on themselves has been the main point at practice this week.
“We feel like we need to play better and we’re capable of doing that, that’s been the focus all week for the group in the locker room and playing for each other.”
Linebacker Darnell Sankey agreed with his head coach that the Friday’s tilt with Edmonton is not any different from any other regular season game.
“I take every game the same way personally, going every game trying to win, just got to do what we got to do.”
Receiver Shaq Evans says it is important to eliminate the Elk from playoff contention when they have the chance to do so.
“Any time you have an opportunity to knock a team out of the playoff race and make it easier for yourself, you got to take advantage of that.”
Saskatchewan begins Week 15 at 6-7, while Edmonton’s record is 3-10.
The Rider game is also the kickoff to Football Weekend in Saskatchewan with three football games on 620 CKRM over a two day span.
Opening kickoff for the Riders and Elks on Friday game is 7:00.
On Saturday, the Regina Thunder meet the Saskatoon Hilltops with an opening kickoff of 1:00.
That will be followed with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies and University of Regina Rams facing off at Mosaic Stadium which begins at 7:00.
