The fantasy of the Saskatchewan Roughriders playing in front of home crowd may be over, but there are some players originally from Regina that are looking to completing a new dream, of winning the Grey Cup in their hometown.
One of those players is Josh Hagerty, defensive for the Toronto Argonauts. Earlier this week, Hagerty was a guest on the SportsCage with Michael Ball, with Hagerty just one victory away this weekend from competing in a championship game back in Regina.
Hagerty was selected by the Argonauts in the 6th round of the 2021 CFL Draft. Over the last two seasons he has mostly contributed on special teams.
But even though he’s not listed atop of the depth chart, the defensive back keeps a starter’s mentality.
“It could be at any moment, at any game, you could be third on the depth chart you might have to go in because of a bunch of injuries ahead of you, so you always got to be locked in. ”
One of the early tough lessons that Hagerty has discovered since becoming a professional, is nagging injuries, especially hamstring injuries.
“I’ve kind of been battling both of my hamstrings, both from last year and years prior, they’ve never really fully heal up as I’ve learned this year. ”
Hagerty noted he did a good job from recovering from the injury during the offseason, put the grind of the CFL regular season is bound to wear down the injury once again, especially someone who is active on the special teams.
In his sophomore season with the double blue, Hagerty says he is more comfortable off the field living in the “Big Smoke.”
While he has adjusted to life in the big city, the Regina product noted there are some things that he appreciates about his hometown since joining the Argonauts.
“In Regina you got your space, your quietness.”
On the field, former U of S Huskie feels confidence is the biggest thing that he’s focusing on in his second season.
“I feel like that’s the biggest thing in year number two is to take that ooh and awe factor out of it, you’re here for a reason, you got to step up and play and take on some these number one’s and these number one receivers and running backs. ”
Sunday will mark the second straight appearance for the Argos in the Eastern Final, and last year they entered the game as underdogs according to Hagerty.
“Last year we had a whole new coaching staff, different players, I don’t think a lot of people expected us to be in that game with Hamilton and we were closing to winning that one too.”
He believes the Argos are approaching the Eastern final this year with a new sense of urgency.
“We truly believe that we’re a Grey Cup champion caliber football team, we know that we can beat Montreal on any day. Offence, defence special teams wise we know can stack up with them really well.”
A win on Sunday would give Hagerty to live out a dream experience playing for a Grey Cup in his hometown. He says it’s something that crosses his mind a lot and thinks it’s a feeling that won’t hit him until he arrives to the Queen City for the Grey Cup if the Argos defeat the Alouettes.
“I was at the last Grey Cup in Regina, I was sitting with my Dad in the stands at the 50 yard line in the freezing cold, to be able to be on the field for the next Grey Cup there would be amazing, and I would love that.”
