The Saskatchewan Huskies and Manitoba Bisons battle for the Hardy Cup

We are less than 24 hours from kickoff for the 84th Hardy Cup, and head coach of the Saskatchewan Huskies Scott Flory, is preparing his team for the biggest game of the season.

On Saturday afternoon, the Saskatchewan Huskies host the Manitoba Bisons in the Hardy Cup, and battle for not only first place in Canada West, but also a chance to compete nationally in the Vanier Cup playoffs.

It’s been 12 years since the Huskies last hosted the Hardy Cup at Griffiths stadium, and fans will certainly be excited to welcome the team back.

As always, weather will play a factor in the game, and is something Flory and his team have been preparing for all week.

“You take a look early in the week to see long term what we’re looking at,” said Flory. “Because it does adjust some things offensively, and defensively that we have to prepare for and make sure our guys are ready for it.”

It is currently forecasted for a decent afternoon in Saskatoon at -1°C, with winds up to 29km/h. Perhaps the biggest effect weather has on the game, will be in the turnover category.

“We want as few turnovers as possible,” said Flory. “We are always preaching about it and talking about it. And on the defensive side, it’s more strip it, club it, rip it, get that ball out.

“If you boil it down, football is a game of keep away. So, we have to keep it and move forward.”

The Huskies finished first in Canada west with a 5-1 record, and are coming off a semi final 39-17 win against UBC, where they controlled the game from start to finish.

On the other sideline, the Manitoba Bisons led by rookie quarterback Jackson Tachinski finished 4-2 on the season. Last weekend, the Bisons dominated the line of scrimmage, running all over the Alberta Golden Bears and winning 43-17.

As Darren Dupont has previewed for us all week, the Bisons have one of the best defences in the league, and the Huskies, one of the best offences in the country.

If the Bisons hope to win, they will need to keep the game low scoring, and ideally keep the high powered Saskatchewan offence led by quarterback Mason Nyhus off the field. 

The Bisons met the Huskies in week five, where they lost 12-41. And while that matchup was not particularly close, both teams have come a long way since then. 

“They deserve to be in this football game, and we deserve to be here,” said Flory.  It’s going to be a good football game.”

It will be an interprovincial battle with the two best teams in Canada West this season. Our very own Darren Dupont will be on the call come game time, in what will certainly be an excellent Hardy Cup in Saskatoon.