Riders’ Jaxon Ford happy to start last week, excited for Labour Day Classic

Jaxon Ford has had to be patient but now could get a chance to start in this year’s Labour Day Classic.

The Regina, Sask. product started at safety in the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ most recent game against the Calgary Stampeders after defensive back Marcus Sayles was a late scratch due to an injury. Starting safety Nelson Lokombo was moved to the defensive back spot.

Read more:

“It felt great,” Ford said. “After being injured and playing through it and coming back and getting that start, it was huge for sure. It felt really good.”

Head coach Corey Mace said he thought Ford played “pretty good” in his first start.

“He’s been waiting his time, and he has had a year where he has been able to stay healthy, which is good for us and good for him. For his first go-around out there, I thought he did pretty good,” Mace said. “He does a lot of the same stuff that (Lokombo) does as well. Certainly, things that jump off the page is he is going to fly down and try to lay a (hit). For him, certain things he wants to improve on is just making sure he’s wrapping up, but he’s not afraid to get his nose in it.’

The Riders ended up losing that game 32-15 and dropped their record to 8-2 this season.

“We didn’t execute at the level we needed to and it’s plain as that,” Ford said. “It was an off-day for us for sure and just need to bounce back.”

The Riders will look to get back into the win column on Sunday as Saskatchewan will host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 60th edition of the Labour Day Classic.

Ford appears set to start in that game as Lokombo was injured early in the Calgary game and didn’t practice due to an ankle injury. Kickoff for the game is set for 5 p.m. on Sunday. The Green Zone pregame show begins at 3 p.m.

“This one means a little differently,” Ford said. “It’s a huge game for Saskatchewan and a huge game for us, and we have to bounce back here. It’s going to be huge for the fans. It’s going to be the most packed it has ever been here so we’re really excited for this one.”

Growing up in Regina, Ford has a lot of memories of going to the annual Labour Day showdown.

“Just being in the crowd and just seeing every spot taken and packed,” Ford said. “This is going to be a fun one.”

Ford also admitted things do feel a bit bigger when the Bombers are coming into town.

“The goal is 1-0 every week but it’s our rival so there’s some more juice in the atmosphere, that’s for sure,” Ford said.

Riders kicker Brett Lauther and offensive tackle Jermarcus Hardrick both missed practices due to personal reasons. Sayles also wasn’t a participant due to a hip injury.

Some good news as returner Mario Alford (hip) logged a full practice.