By ROB VANSTONE, Leader-Post June 29,
REGINA — Louie Sakoda came close to being a Grey Cup hero.
Late in the fourth quarter on Nov. 29, Sakoda launched one of the most impressive punts in Saskatchewan Roughriders history — a towering 53-yarder that got the West Division champions out of a hole.
Late in the fourth quarter on Nov. 29, Sakoda launched one of the most impressive punts in Saskatchewan Roughriders history — a towering 53-yarder that got the West Division champions out of a hole.
Not only that, the punt was fumbled by the Montreal Alouettes' Brian Bratton, who retreated seven yards to pounce on the bouncing ball. After Sakoda's punt and Bratton's bobble, Montreal was on its 34-yard line with only 40 seconds left while trailing 27-25 — mere seconds after Saskatchewan had snapped the ball from its 16.
Anthony Calvillo proceeded to march the Alouettes into field-goal range, only to have Damon Duval miss a potential game-winner from 43 yards away as time expired. However, the Roughriders were flagged for too many men on the field, and Duval seized a second opportunity from 10 yards closer to give Montreal a 28-27 victory.
If not for the game's shocking conclusion, Sakoda's punt would have been widely celebrated and long remembered by Saskatchewan fans as one of the key plays in the game. Although the clutch kick has been overshadowed, the fact remains that Sakoda — in only his fifth game of Canadian professional football — launched a prodigious punt in a pressure-packed situation at McMahon Stadium in Calgary.
"I'd have to say that's one of the better-hit punts I've had in a game,'' Sakoda said Monday after the Roughriders practised on Taylor Field. "It couldn't have happened at a better time. I just went out there, took a deep breath, and told myself, 'Don't shank it. Get them out of field-goal range. You don't want this game to fall on your shoulders.'
"The ending didn't end up how we wanted, but just having that sort of punt in mind kind of gives me something to strive for out here at all times. Hopefully we'll get it again this year.''
In the meantime, the Roughriders will have to settle for a Grey Cup rematch. The visiting Alouettes are to oppose Saskatchewan on Thursday, 5 p.m., in the CFL's regular-season opener.
In the meantime, the Roughriders will have to settle for a Grey Cup rematch. The visiting Alouettes are to oppose Saskatchewan on Thursday, 5 p.m., in the CFL's regular-season opener.
The 23-year-old Sakoda is to handle the punting and kickoffs for Saskatchewan. Luca Congi, 27, returns as the placekicker.
Both kickers are able to perform double duty if need be. Sakoda excelled on punts and placements at the University of Utah. Congi was the Roughriders' full-time punter as a rookie in 2006, and also bridged the gap between Jamie Boreham's injury and Sakoda's arrival last season.
Congi actually outpunted Sakoda in the pre-season opener, averaging 46.4 yards on five boots during a 19-17 loss to the visiting B.C. Lions on June 13. Sakoda, who was recovering from a minor quadriceps injury at the time, had punts of 34 and 32 yards against B.C.
However, Sakoda returned to form the following week, averaging 44 yards on eight punts during a 41-17 loss to the host Calgary Stampeders. Sakoda's command of directional kicking also earned plaudits from special-teams co-ordinator Jim Daley.
However, Sakoda returned to form the following week, averaging 44 yards on eight punts during a 41-17 loss to the host Calgary Stampeders. Sakoda's command of directional kicking also earned plaudits from special-teams co-ordinator Jim Daley.
With that in mind, the Roughriders plan to begin the season with two kickers on the roster, even though Congi has punted well in practice following an excellent pre-season opener.
"We have not talked about going with one guy,'' Daley said on Monday. "We are so happy with Luca's punting. Today, he just hammered a few, when we were doing our punt return. He's giving us tremendous backup depth to Louie Sakoda. That's certainly the plan at this point in time.
"We have not talked about going with one guy,'' Daley said on Monday. "We are so happy with Luca's punting. Today, he just hammered a few, when we were doing our punt return. He's giving us tremendous backup depth to Louie Sakoda. That's certainly the plan at this point in time.
"We've never discussed the alternatives. You do need two kickers to go through a 20-game schedule, counting pre-season, so we feel really good with what we have.''
Sakoda, meanwhile, feels good about beginning the season with the Roughriders after arriving in midstream last autumn.
Sakoda, meanwhile, feels good about beginning the season with the Roughriders after arriving in midstream last autumn.
"It's great,'' he said. "Anytime a team goes through training-camp cuts, it creates a strong bond around a group. Everyone's sweating and working. Even us kickers are sweating. They say it's rare, but it happens. We all work our hearts out here.
"It's great getting out here and being able to gel with the team right from the get-go an kind of having the backing of the brotherhood.''
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