Mitchell Blair
The CFL schedule may say the playoffs starts in November, but the reality is it starts now for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
The team enters the final third of the season sitting with a record of 9-3, which is one game behind first place Calgary and one game ahead of third place Edmonton, with the first of three matchups against the Eskimos coming Friday night at Commonwealth Stadium.
Head Coach Corey Chamblin knows what awaits and he is more than ready to lead his team into battle.
“It’s one of those things where a lot of things will be settled in the next couple of weeks because of these games and how we play them.” Chamblin said. “You want to win every one to either maintain or improve your situation in the standings. You approach every one of them as if it’s a championship game. This will be a parking lot football game, it will be like two little kids playing parking lot football until mom calls us home because no one will want to quit. If you want the truth, it will be a game I wish I could play in because it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Tearrius George is looking forward to the “parking lot” game after having a career game against Ottawa in which he registered three sacks. He thinks this could be a real defensive battle.
“I think whoever wins that battle in the trenches will win this game for sure. We’ve got a great seven, but so do they and both teams have very good offensive lines.” George stated. “We haven’t played these guys and I know they’re as hungry to play us as we are to play them. It’s going to be a lot of fun and I can’t wait for it. “
Tino Sunseri can’t wait either as he tries to grow on what was his first professional win in what was a dramatic comeback overtime win over the REDBLACKS. He says another week of watching film and gaining experience is crucial to his development and the team’s success. He realizes there is a playoff type atmosphere to this game and that’s there a huge rivalry between the two teams, but he says the mentality doesn’t change
“I know these guys are a division rival, but I can’t get any more pumped up for them then I would any othe team, “Sunseri preached. “ The way we go into every game is even keel because Coach Chamblin keeps telling us we want to go 1-0 this week and that during the game we have to do things to make us successful and hopefully make us victorious. I know its going to be a very tight football game and I’ll have to make smart decisions if we are to going to win.”
Friday’s game will begin at 8 o’clock Saskatchewan and will be the back half of a CFL on TSN doubleheader. 620 CKRM will start the longest and most comprehensive and continuous game day coverage in the league at 4 o’clock with a shortened version of Saskatchewan’s #1 sports show—the Sportscage as former Rider Scott Schultz will make his usual Friday appearance on the show. That will lead into official pre-game coverage as “Roughrider Gameday” will come to you live from the Four Seasons Sports Palace on Arcola Avenue East with Michael Ball and former Riders Chris Szarka and Mike McCullough. The show will once again be streamed live on Riderville.com. At 7, they will throw it to Commonwealth Stadium where Rod Pedersen and Carm Carteri will get you set up for the game with final thoughts and news before bringing you the play-by-play.
GAME NOTES:
- The teams have played 20 times since the beginning of the 2008 season with the Eskimos leading 11-9. 11 of the games have not been decided until the final three minutes
- The Riders have had 36 runs for more than 10 yards this season. Anthony Allen leads the way with 19
- When leading after three quarters this year, the Riders are 6-0
- Brian Peters leads the Riders in tackles with 49 followed by Tyron Brackenridge with 47
