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Heeere's Johnny! Junkyard Wars...Saskatchewan at BC

By 250 News

-by John Goodwin

In the “Life’s a lemon and I want my money back” category, one needed only to observe the BC bench as the final seconds ticked off in their last game, to come to the conclusion the Leos had the look of being the only statue in a town full of pigeons.

It’s time to move on to another chapter in their lives and now that they’ve safely returned to earth along with their charged up supporters, we can again enjoy football like everyone else and in ways we have become accustomed......that being winning and losing.

The next challenger takes to the new turf at BC Place Stadium Saturday as the Saskatchewan Roughriders look to show off their new attitude and renewed confidence.

Let’s compare the two teams:

The Roughies would not only love to beat the league’s overall leader but the game has taken on added importance since winning their last 4 (the last loss coming at Taylor Field against these same Lions 19-15 Aug 27) and they now have a legitimate chance to finish 2nd in the West.

Dave Dickenson, the leagues overall most effective passer... 74.5%... 3115 yds....21 TD... 4 int. takes on Nealon Greene 60.1%...1720 yds....6 TD’s...8 int.

Mighty Dave is “already” building a very powerful case for the CFL player of the yr. award and many of his team-mates when looking at their lofty standing might be excused for taking the occasional reality check, or perhaps even in a state of awe of living in his grace. This in spite of the tiresome funky chicken dance going on in his backfield by opposing linebackers in numbers thicker than bugs on a bumper who have breached the wall and dumped him 53 times this season.

The loss of Lion’s DB Mark Washington was clear in the Edmonton game as he left shoes too big to fill.
Eskimo QB Ricky Ray has no doubt started a trend (to be continued by opposing QB’s) of exploiting the poor soul who has to occupy that position when he took his feeding frenzy to the Lions backfield last Saturday.

Hopefully Lion’s coaching will put a finger in that dyke.

Prior to his injury Washington was the #1 BC tackler with 51...10 more than second overall DB Baron Simpson .

Roughriders all purpose back Cory Holmes with combined totals of 2539yds. is running away with this stat. BC’s Antonio Warren is # 5 overall with 1602.

BC’s team offense has run up 6217 yds. vs Saskatchewan totals of 5137.

The Lions enter the game having given up 53 sacks, while the Roughriders have allowed opposing blitzes to take liberties with their pivot on only 16 occasions.
The Leos will have the Grim Reaper, Cdn. DE Brent Johnston, the league’s sack master in the lineup, recording a total of 9 so far this season

In my humble opinion, it is these Roughriders that the Leos should give the most respect to in the CFL West, not the Eskimos...that is if the Leos have the need to look over their shoulders at any time at legitimate challengers.

Saskatchewan was picked by some at the start of the season to win it all in this conference, but while events to the contrary have put a different face on that picture the Roughies now look to be poised to go on a serious run.

Saturday’s game should be hotly contested, and the team that plays with the passion of dysfunctional participants in a prison riot, will have the best chance for bragging rights.

No more Mr. Nice Guy!!
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