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The Saskatchewan Roughriders will once again try to break through in the CFL West Final with an extra advantage this time around — a raucous crowd at Mosaic Stadium.
Saskatchewan last hosted the West Final in 2019 but that ultimately ended in heartbreak against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Since then, the Riders have appeared in the West Final two more times — all having their seasons come to an end in Winnipeg.
After finishing with a 12-6 record this year, Saskatchewan will now host the CFL West Final on Saturday against the B.C. Lions. Kickoff for the game is set for 5:30 p.m. The Green Zone pregame show will begin at 3:30 p.m.
Riders quarterback Trevor Harris admits you can feel it in the air this week in the province that a big game is approaching.
“The coldness that’s out here and we know it’s going to be quite the freezing day out here on Saturday, which fires us all up,” Harris said. “It’s playoff football at its finest and welcome to Regina.”
Harris has been one of the best quarterbacks in the league this season, throwing for 4,549 yards, 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
One of his weapons for the West Final will be slotback Kian Schaffer-Baker, who has only appeared in five games this season due to a foot injury. The pass-catcher expects the crowd to bring the energy.
“It’s going to be electric, a thriller, show-stopping,” Schaffer-Baker said. “People pay a lot of money to come and fill this place up. It’s up to us to give them a show.”
Wide receiver Sam Emilus said it’s important the playoff showdown was held in the province.
“That was one of the goals at the beginning of the season, starting in training camp,” Emilus said. “We just wanted to give back to the city. They deserve it and we all know they are going to show out for us and will show out for them too. We’re going to make plays and make sure we come out of here with the W.”
Harris also said it’s awesome that the team was able to do it this season and have that bye week during the first round of the playoffs.
“It’s really nice to be able to let some guys get healthy. You have to get past the jealousy of other teams getting to play the week before but obviously, they are vying for their spot there and you get an extra week of prep and use it wisely,” the 39-year-old quarterback said.
Head coach Corey Mace has visited Saskatchewan as a player with the Calgary Stampeders or on an opposing coaching staff, so he’s excited to see what sort of advantage the fans can bring them this weekend.
“Ultimately, it is going to come down to our fan base and how loud they can get and how consistent they are with that throughout the game,” Mace said. “Everyone knows what this team and fan base bring. I can’t wait.”
