EMOTIONAL NIGHT FOR THE FANS

Fans celebrate the Saskatchewan Roughriders' victory on Saturday.
Photograph by: TROY FLEECE, Leader-Post, Leader-Post

Neal Hughes enjoyed two parties for the price of one.

As he walked from the sidelines to greet his teammates and celebrate on Taylor Field Saturday night, Hughes had to take a moment to turn around and take notice of the party going on the stands.
He loved what he saw. He loved it so much he said he had to choke down the lump in his throat.

"Even though I'm a player for this team now I'm still a fan. To see the way they reacted tonight was something very special to be a part of," said the Regina-born fullback. "It's been 33 years since they've had something like this to celebrate, so they deserve to have some fun with it."

A 30-14 victory over the visiting Calgary Stampeders assured the Riders a first-place finish in the CFL's West Division, an accomplishment that the organization or its fans have experienced since 1976.
Hughes wasn't alive back then, but Lori Sandoff was and she's excited to have a chance to see another West final in Regina.

"It's been a really long time for us, but we're finally here and it feels great," Sandoff said after she and 30,945 excited fans filed out of Mosaic Stadium. "We've been patient with (the Riders) and they've rewarded us with this. What a good feeling it must be for them and also the fans who have stood by them."
Loud chants of 'We're Number 1' echoed throughout the walk ramps following the win. Fans continued to wave their green and white flags as they spilled out on to the streets that surround the stadium, with the celebration carrying on to Albert Street.

"I just high-fived like five guys I don't even know," a hyper Dan O'Brien said while he stood on the street looking for his friends. "We're hugging and high-fiving everyone we see, everyone who's wearing green. It's a great night to be a Riders fan."

Meanwhile, the atmosphere inside the Riders' locker room was slightly less raucous, but vibrating nonetheless.

Gene Makowsky didn't want to dampen the high spirits of his teammates or the fans, but cautioned the team's work isn't finished yet.

The Riders will host the winner of the Calgary-Edmonton West semifinal on Nov. 22. One more win at home would send the team to their second Grey Cup in three seasons. Still, though, Makowsky understood the significance of Saturday's victory.

"Having home-field advantage is very important to us," he said. "We know how special it is for the fans, too.
"This is a big win for the whole province. We know we have fans driving four or five hours, maybe more, to come watch us play. And some of them have been doing that for years. My niece flies from Calgary for our home games. This is a special time for those people."

Doug Foster said the win over the Stampeders was the best Riders game he has seen all year.
"We deserve to be in this spot," he said. "We earned this. We've been patient over the years, never gave up."
Riders quarterback Darian Durant's name was a popular one among the fans who were celebrating in the streets. Durant threw for 296 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the win.

"He's going to lead us back to the Cup," O'Brien said.

Stu Foord, another Regina-born Rider, said having the 13th man on their side all season and again in the West final, is a difference-maker.

"I was talking to some of the Calgary players after the game and they told me they hate coming here to play,'' Foord said. "They said our fans are just crazy. I see that as a huge compliment. Good for our fans. They deserve this, too."