By Rob Vanstone, Leader-PostOctober
REGINA — Darian Durant is thinking short range — but not necessarily in terms of his passes.
Durant and his Saskatchewan Roughriders teammates are adamant that they are not looking beyond Saturday afternoon’s Canadian Football League game against the host Hamilton Tiger-Cats, even though the pivotal game of the 2009 regular season is still one week away.
Durant and his Saskatchewan Roughriders teammates are adamant that they are not looking beyond Saturday afternoon’s Canadian Football League game against the host Hamilton Tiger-Cats, even though the pivotal game of the 2009 regular season is still one week away.
Next Saturday, the Roughriders will entertain the Calgary Stampeders in a highly anticipated showdown for first place in the West Division. Although today’s contest is not without significance, the stakes are considerably higher against Calgary.
But don’t try selling that argument to Durant and his associates.
“The main thing is just that if we don’t have this game, there’s a chance that we finish in third,’’ Saskatchewan’s signal-caller said. “What this game does is ensure a home playoff game, which is something that we all want, and it gives us a little bit of momentum going into the Calgary game. So this game is just as big as the next game against Calgary.’’
Perhaps the Roughriders have spoiled their legion of fervent followers. Not so long ago, denizens of the Rider Nation were starved for a home playoff game. An entire generation of fans grew up without being able to witness such a contest.
The 19-year drought was snapped in 2007, when Saskatchewan downed Calgary 26-24 in the West semifinal en route to capturing the third Grey Cup in franchise history. Last year, the Roughriders again welcomed a playoff opponent, only to lose 33-12 to the B.C. Lions. So much for home-field advantage.
After two successive semifinals, the novelty factor of a home playoff game has disappeared. A logical progression is for the Roughriders to secure top spot for the first time since 1976 and stage the West final on Nov. 22. Regardless of what transpires today at Ivor Wynne Stadium, the Roughriders can claim the regular season’s grand prize by disposing of Calgary.
After two successive semifinals, the novelty factor of a home playoff game has disappeared. A logical progression is for the Roughriders to secure top spot for the first time since 1976 and stage the West final on Nov. 22. Regardless of what transpires today at Ivor Wynne Stadium, the Roughriders can claim the regular season’s grand prize by disposing of Calgary.
Considering the hype surrounding the winner-take-all matchup with the Stampeders, is it difficult for the Roughriders to resist the temptation to look ahead seven days?
“It’s not that hard — it really isn’t — because of what could happen if we drop that game,’’ the ever-sensible Durant declared. “We want to put ourselves in a position to at least have a home playoff game if, for whatever reason, we stumble against Calgary. We’re definitely looking at this as a huge game for us.’’
That said, Durant has noticed the buildup for the Calgary game.
That said, Durant has noticed the buildup for the Calgary game.
“A little bit,’’ he acknowledged. “I can’t even lie about that. You can definitely sense that this is a position we haven’t been in in a while. You can sense the excitement and the enthusiasm everyone’s showing about this team and the position that we’re in. We’re just as excited as everyone else and we look forward to sealing the deal.’’
Think of it this way: The Roughriders are two home-field victories away from reaching the Grey Cup. It is that close.
“Everywhere you go, it’s Grey Cup talk already,’’ Durant said before the Roughriders embarked for Steeltown. “We know it’ll be tough on anybody coming in here and playing us for one game (in the West final) to get to the Grey Cup. That’s where we want to get. We feel like whoever we get in here, we should be favoured. That’s the position we want to put ourselves in.’’
The clash with Calgary will have all the atmosphere of a home playoff game, without that designation.
“It’s going to be exciting,’’ Durant said. “I’ve been telling my teammates and other people that I know around town that that’s the first round of the playoffs, basically. That Nov. 7 game has huge implications. It puts both teams where they want to be come Nov. 22. Both teams are fighting for the same thing so it’s definitely going to be an electric atmosphere.
“It’s going to be exciting,’’ Durant said. “I’ve been telling my teammates and other people that I know around town that that’s the first round of the playoffs, basically. That Nov. 7 game has huge implications. It puts both teams where they want to be come Nov. 22. Both teams are fighting for the same thing so it’s definitely going to be an electric atmosphere.
“It’s going to be a zoo, and we look forward to having it in our place and being able to have our fans on our side.’’
OK, they are looking forward ... but not too much, by any means.
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