Even though Logan Ferland will not be participating in Football Weekend in Saskatchewan as an on field participant, the Riders offensive guard will have plenty of interest in the action that will be taking place at Mosaic Stadium this weekend.
The left guard will be sidelined for the second straight week with a back injury that he suffered following the Riders loss in the Labour Day Classic on September 4.
One of Ferland’s former teams will be in action as apart of Football Weekend in Saskatchewan, as the Regina Thunder will host the Saskatoon Hilltops in the first of two games on Saturday. The University of Regina Rams will host the University of Saskatchewan Huskies in the primetime matchup at Mosaic Stadium.
On Wednesday’s edition of the SportsCage, Ferland joined Michael Ball to discuss the upcoming weekend of gridiron action in the Queen City.
After finishing his high school football career in Melfort, the Riders left guard found the Regina Thunder to be the perfect place to play post secondary football as he felt university was not for him.
“I don’t learn from lecture classes, I’m a hands on guy, I knew carpentry was something I wanted to pursue.”
He added the after the first camp, he knew the Thunder was the team he wanted to play for.
“Felt like a family, felt like a program that really cares about your development and not just winning championships, although that is very important, I felt like I could develop there.”
Another reason for Ferland choosing to play with the Thunder is because of the close proximity to the Riders with the two teams based in Regina. He also pointed out the successful jump by Dan Clark from the Thunder to the Riders as an additional reason to join the Regina Thunder. Clark and Ferland are now teammates for the Riders and lined up beside each other earlier this season along the offensive line before Clark was injured.
With the limited spots available in U Sports across Canada, Ferland says junior football is vital for the growth of the gridiron sport.
“Where do those others guys go that are truly talented? That’s Junior. Junior fills that void. ” The Melfort native added. “Whether it’s a steppingstone to university, whether it’s a steppingstone to CFL, which it’s proven to be, junior provides that rock for those guys, people bash it quite a bit, junior ball is very competitive, Dan, myself and so many other guys have proven it doesn’t matter where you go, you can still make that step up to the CFL, it just matters how much work you put in.”
Saturday’s Regina Thunder game against the Saskatoon Hilltops can be heard on 620 CKRM with the pregame show beginning at 12:45, opening kickoff at 1:00.
The Thunder head into the matchup on top of the PFC standings with a 4-0 record, the Thunder edged out the Hilltops last Saturday in a thrilling come from behind overtime win in Saskatoon.
On Friday night the Roughriders will host the Edmonton Elk. The game can be heard on 620 CKRM with Countdown to Kickoff at 4:30 and opening kickoff at 7:30.
