Roughriders prepare for regular season finale against Stampeders

Article content

The Saskatchewan Roughriders could be playing for first place in the CFL’s West Division on Saturday.

However, there’s also a chance the Green and White’s final regular season game could mean nothing when it comes to the standings.

If the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (10-7-0) beat or tie the Montreal Alouettes (12-4-1) on Saturday, the Bombers clinch top spot in the division and the right to host the West Final on Nov. 9. That would leave Saskatchewan hosting the West semifinal on Nov. 2 against the B.C. Lions.

Article content

However, if the Bombers lose their game — which gets underway at 1 p.m. — the Roughriders could leapfrog Winnipeg for first place if Saskatchewan (9-7-1) is able to beat the Calgary Stampeders (4-12-1) — with that game set to get underway at 5 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium — leaving the Riders waiting until an hour before kickoff to find out what they are playing for.

“We can only control what we can and we’re trying to win a game this week,” Riders’ head coach Corey Mace told reporters on Tuesday after the team’s first practice following their recent bye week. “We stick to what we do and try to handle business like we try to do every week.

“That’s the best thing we can do for this team so that’s all we can focus on.”

“Out of our control,” echoed quarterback Trevor Harris. “We’re just preparing as if it’s a normal week.

“I think it just comes down to us focusing on us.”

While the Riders might not be able to sit down and watch the Alouettes take on the Bombers, there’s no doubt they’ll be aware of how that game is going before they take to the field against the Stamps.

“I don’t know about watching it … but I’m sure someone is going to tell me,” said Mace.

Article content

Article content

“I have a feeling they’ll probably be updating us,” smirked Harris. “But it’s out of our focus; it’s out of our control.

“Whatever happens, happens. We’re focused on Calgary.”

While Saskatchewan will obviously have a lot to play for if Winnipeg loses, if the Bombers win, the Riders will have a decision to make on how much playing time key players like Harris get for the game against the Stampeders.

However, Mace said his team is more concerned about continuing to play well heading into the postseason and wouldn’t reveal what the playing time scenario would be in the event of a Winnipeg victory.

“Everything is open from that standpoint,” said Mace. “But again, all out of our control until we know anything.

“The main thing that we want to do is obviously win the game. We want to find ways to get better as we head into the playoffs.

“That’s the main thing for us. We want to be playing our best ball going into the playoffs.”

Since snapping a seven-game winless skid, the Roughriders have won four straight games, with the first of those four coming back on Sept. 20 against the Stampeders.

Article content

In their second meeting of the season against Calgary — who will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2004 — the Riders are preparing for a team that hasn’t won since Aug. 4; a span of nine games.

“Regardless of what happens in the game before us, if we don’t do what we’ve got to do … it won’t even matter,” said offensive lineman Trevon Tate, who started the season with Calgary before signing with Saskatchewan. “This game is essentially the first game of the playoffs for us because it’s going to set the tone.

“If we go out there and we do what we’re supposed to do, handle business, everybody is going to go into the first (playoff) game full of confidence.

“Good thing is that Montreal did take a nice beating last week (in a 27-3 loss to B.C.), so they’ll have some extra juice in their tank to not let it happen (again).

“And that’s kind of what we need to work in our favour.”

Injury report

Defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr. (illness) missed Tuesday’s practice, but Mace wasn’t concerned about his status for Saturday.

“He was under the weather,” said Mace. “Just playing it smart, don’t want to get anyone else sick.”

Article content

Meanwhile, defensive end Malik Carney (ankle) also returned to practice for the first time since being injured in Week 14 against Winnipeg and appears to be close to returning to the lineup.

Along with Carney, others who practiced in limited fashion on Tuesday included receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker (ankle), linebacker Adam Auclair (knee), running back Ryquell Armstead (shoulder), centre Peter Godber (ankle) and linebacker Melique Straker (hip).

tshire@postmedia.com

The Regina Leader-Post has created an Afternoon Headlines newsletter that can be delivered daily to your inbox so you are up to date with the most vital news of the day. Click here to subscribe.

With some online platforms blocking access to the journalism upon which you depend, our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark leaderpost.com and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed. Click here to subscribe.

Article content