On Saturday, the Saskatchewan Roughriders (6-11) will host the Toronto Argonauts (13-2) at Mosaic Stadium, with much at stake.
The question will be, will the green and white be playing for a playoff spot or to prolong their season for another week?
Due to the Calgary Stampeders (5-11) picking up the 26-19 win over the Roughriders on Friday, the Stampeders control their fate for the final playoff spot. If the Stamps win their final two games of the regular season, they will qualify for the playoffs.
But if the Stamps lose to the BC Lions (12-5) on Friday night, the door of opportunities open for Saskatchewan, as they would then have the chance to clinch a playoff spot if they beat the Argonauts.
Striking a Bond
The Roughriders began what could be their final week together as a football team with a team outing on Sunday, which included bowling.
Head Coach Craig Dickenson felt it was good for the squad to spend time together.
“You don’t have many opportunities to get together off the field, guys are busy, guys got families, when you got a long week, it makes to do something.”
Dickenson believed it was good for the team to discuss something other than football.
Quarterback Jake Dolegala felt a night with each other was something the Riders needed.
“It was a great bonding event,” said Dolegala, who said he had more fun than expected.
Execution is the Missing Component
Running back Jamal Morrow said the squad isn’t altering their preparations this week, as the thing that needs changing is the execution on game day.
“We’ve been doing it now for 20 weeks, all that matters now is what we’re doing on the field.”
Wide receiver Samuel Emilus thought completing drives was missing from the offence on Friday.
“We had a good tempo, we had good energy, we just got to finish drives, and it would’ve been a different story if we finish drives.”
Focusing with Friday’s Stamps vs Lions Game in Mind
With the Roughrider’s fate now partially determined by the Stampeders-Lions game, Dickenson said the team will pay close attention to Friday night’s game.
He said their main focus will be on themselves for Saturday’s game versus Toronto.
“We want to play our best game regardless, we want to win that ball game, we want to put on a good show for the fans, the fans that supported us all year long and we want to play well for each other.”
Morrow emphasized the importance of the Roughriders fulfilling their responsibilities, regardless of Friday’s outcome.
“We still got to go out and win anyways.”
When he said that, the Roughriders running back chuckled and noted that has been something the team has been saying a lot recently.
Emilus agreed that the green and white will pay attention to Friday’s Stampeders and Lions, but the main focus will be Saturday’s game against the Argonauts.
The question will be what will the Roughriders situation on Saturday. Lose, you go home or win, and you’re in.
Practice Notebook
There were a few players missing from practice on Tuesday. DB Jaxon Ford (hamstring), DT Micah Johnson (illness), DB Jeremy Clark, LB T.J. Brunson (neck), K Brett Lauther (illness), Christian Albright (hip), LB Jaylen Moody (knee).
LB Derrick Moncrief was back at practice after missing last week’s game in Calgary.
Dolegala took the starters reps at quarterback with the first-team offence.
