OUT OF THE TUNNEL: A WEEK OF UPS AND DOWNS

This past week has been a PR nightmare.

Between the Edmonton Elks numerous COVID-19 positive tests that forced the postponement of this past Thursday’s game in Toronto, then throw in that neither Edmonton nor Saskatchewan have implemented an in-stadium vaccine policy (or heavily tested and masked non-vaxx’d people) for fans, and it hasn’t been a smooth week. Throw in the federal mandate (set to kick in this fall) that all passengers on domestic flights, including charters, need to be vaccinated or heavily tested/masked and then heavily tested again, it will be interesting to see how the league, especially out west, reacts.

Edmonton seems to be a mess on all fronts and will need some incredible leadership to get beyond this week. Strong leadership on the business side and on the football side because their game in Toronto squished into the rest of the season.

In Saskatchewan, if one is to read between the lines, the in-stadium vaccine mandate has levels that are out of the organization’s hands. President and CEO of the Saskatchewan Roughriders Craig Reynolds, we think, would immediately want to implement vaccine policies.

We think the good people at the Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL) would be on the same page. But of course there’s a catch: the provincial government that ponied up the cash for that big beautiful stadium has them by the throat.

There are big loans to paid and courtesy of the lost 2020 season they are way behind in paying. Mosaic Stadium is also the crowning jewel of the Sask. Party’s rejuvenation of Saskatchewan since they took over governing the province in 2007. 

Or we maybe we are completely wrong and greed has spoiled the Rider organization and they want as many people as possible through the gate by any means necessary. Either way, it’s not a good look.

The CFL needs to get through their traditional biggest week of the season without a hiccup. To have a game postponed or cancelled this week could bring all of the great momentum the league has garnered to a crashing halt.

The league has done almost everything right this season.

There is new ownership in B.C. and the new owners in Montreal finally had their first home game. Both teams sold out the seats that were made available to them in their first home games, sure both lost but there seems to be some momentum in two of the league’s biggest cities.

In Toronto, they also sold out their maximum allotment of tickets available to live events in Ontario. The Argonauts won and seem to have all of the momentum needed to carry them through the season. There have also been great crowds dotted throughout the West Division as well.

The biggest up for the season is that the TSN ratings for CFL football has increased over 2019 or held steady. Now this seems mundane but in the face of cratering ratings for the MLB, NBA and NHL on TV, live football on TV seems to be holding. This is nothing but good news for the CFL. But between the recent week of news and the NFL starting their season on September 9th it will be interesting to see how the ratings react from the Labour Day Classics onward. The league will either weather the storm or begin a downturn into November. 

We think Edmonton and Saskatchewan will get onboard with mandatory vaccines, the charter flights will sort themselves out, there will be great games coming up this weekend and it will be a triumphant return of the CFL.

There were always going to be roadblocks throughout the season and how the league handles them will go a long way in forecasting the future of this great league.

We know we said no ups or downs for this week but we do have one big up. That’s all of the great Canadian players that are stepping up this season. The next crop of future stars are all over the CFL.

This is really evident with all of the offensive players stepping up. In Edmonton there is Shai Ross, Saskatchewan has Brayden Lenius and Mitch Picton, Brady Oliveira in Winnipeg, Ante Milanovic-Litre in Calgary and Toronto’s Dejon Brissett also don’t forget the Canadian vets like Lemar Durant with B.C. and Nic Demski in Winnipeg. If you are a fan of following your favourite Canadian players this can do nothing but put a smile on your face.

For the organizations this could be a big marketing opportunity. Quarterbacks are the face of the team but to have outstanding Canadian offensive stars is where a team can really capitalize. They are more than likely to stay in the community and make all of the offseason school and community appearances. It also gives Canadian kids someone to look up to and seed the dreams that they too can play football and succeed.

THIS WEEK IN THE PRAIRIE FOOTBALL CONFERENCE

Edmonton Huskies 60 Edmonton Wildcats 28

The Edmonton Huskies bounce back from a heartbreaking 18-17 loss to the Saskatoon Hilltops by wrecking their cross-town rival Wildcats 60-28.

Regina Thunder 64 Winnipeg Rifles 19

The Regina Thunder piled up a 61-3 halftime lead in their first home game of the season and cruised to the 64-19 victory over the Winnipeg Rifles.

Thunder quarterback Carter Shewchuck threw five touchdown passes with three of them going to Isaac Ford while Justin McKerracher took both a fumble and interception to the house for his second and third defensive scores this season

Saskatoon Hilltops 35 Calgary Colts 18

For the second straight week the Saskatoon Hilltops picked up a road win, this time in Calgary 35-18 over the Colts.

Hilltops got touchdowns from Jordan Tabin, Doug Fleming, Presley Peterson and Carter McLean in the victory.

The Prairie Football Conference will take the Labour Day weekend off before resuming with games on September 11.

CANADIAN TO WATCH IN THE NCAA

John Metchie III (Jr.)
Receiver
University of Alabama
6’0”, 195 lbs.
Brampton, Ontario
High School – St. James School (Maryland)

John Metchie III is the highest profile Canadian playing with the best football program in the NCAA. Heading into his junior year with the Alabama Crimson Tide, Metchie will lead another dynamic receiving corps that needs to step up with another new quarterback at the helm of the offence.

Metchie was seventh in the SEC in receiving yards helping the Tide to yet another national championship in a shortened 2020 season. His award list is already a long one including being named to the SEC Academic honor roll and named to the 2021 pre-season all-SEC first team team.

(RODPEDERSEN.COM STAFF/PHOTO: WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS)