Destiny

It just felt right, didn't it?

From the moment the Roughriders took to the field on Sunday, you could just tell it was going to be a magic day.

And why not? It has been a completely magical season.

Take the bottom of the barrel team - a team who despite having talent on their roster don't have enough chemistry to light a candle - add in a salary cap, a new rookie head coach, a new general manager and enough injuries to make even seasoned coaches wimper - and well, you have a recipe for a bucket-ful of disaster.

Instead, the combined guts and faith of Tillman and Austin managed to inspire this incredible green machine to take their game to the next level. And it started by marking one date on the calendar... Nov. 25.

They did it. One game at a time.

That's not to say it was easy. Winnipeg didn't go down without a fight.

[Aside: And huge kudos to Dinwiddie for starting in his first professional game and having a stellar night. Had he not kept his head about him, the scoreboard could have told a vastly different story. Now if they can teach him some patience and a dash of humility he might come out of this a darn-fine QB!]

In fact, it looked downright scary for the first quarter as the boys in green felt the full weight of the hopes of Rider Nation bearing down on them.

But a couple of key plays and they all managed to shake off those nerves and looked what happened.

James Johnson's FIRST interception run back for a TD would certainly be the first turning point of the game.

After that, as one of my friends noted, Kerry Joseph threatened to run the ball every play and holy cow... some football happened!

Even though the score was probably too close for most Rider fans... (We like our point-cushions big and fluffy, thank you! Too many times we've seen sure victories turn into defeat in the dying minutes of a game...!) ... but really the end result was never in doubt.

You could feel it.

Rider Nation would not be denied.

The Roughriders deserve every accolade we heap upon them. For the years of drought and doubt they've played through... for the years of stinging losses... for the years when hope seemed a cruel joke... they deserve to be 2007 Grey Cup Champions.

Now, the only question I have is... how many more days til training camp?

God bless Rider Nation, wherever she sleeps...

Banjo bowl, part II

This is baby Eve in her Rider gear. (Source: www.greenzonefootball.com) That about sums up the eager anticipation gripping the province from border to border, doesn't it?

I'm sure by now Toronto-ians are getting a first class lesson in football prairie-style. Can't. Wait.

Like Schultzy said after the game last week... Watch out Toronto... this is a Big friggin' deal!

I won't be watching this game between any fingers! I'll need them to grip the edge of my seat.

It's a full on rush as the Green and White will take for the field for what is being billed as the Banjo Bowl, Part II - in an historic first Grey Cup meeting with their long time rivals the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

My prediction: Saskatchewan by 14 points.

Sweet Relief

Do you hear that?

That's the sound of Toronto bracing itself for an invasion of Green!

By the end of the week, I predict someone will decorate the CN Tower with a Green and White flag.

We're headed to the self-professed centre of the universe, where we will spar off with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for all the chips, all the marbles, for the big honking trophy and bragging rights that come with it!

The game against B.C. was very well played, well executed and oddly enough well officiated.

Here's my picks for top three players of the game:

1. Wes Cates - Most consistent performer on the team. And he did so with a broken foot. He was a question mark for most of the week, but his named turned up on the roster yesterday. He managed to out-perform Joe Smith the league's leading rusher today... 70 yards to 35. Now that's what I'm talking about!

2. Kerry Joseph - He is one of the most athletic quarterbacks in the league and today he really shined. Took four sacks, btw and kept on ticking. Not only that but managed to toss for two touchdowns. He also didn't give up a single turnover. Which is part of the reason we won. B.C. on the other hand gave up seven sacks and four turnovers.

3. Andy Fantuz - Number 83 was definitely one of the most popular choices at work this week where Rider jerseys were being purchased for all on-air personalities. Very effective receiver with that long reach, but more than that... he can gain an extra eight or nine yards after a tackle before going down. Now that's the kind of grit that wins football games!

A sombre pack of Lion's said after the game... The Riders just wanted it more than we did.

The Riders came into this game banged up, but hungry.

The B.C. Lion's might have had the stats, the talent and the big name stars, but they didn't have the certain something something that wins. The attitude, the poise, the confidence, the grit, the Green Magic.

And ultimately the team of destiny got their story book ending.

The boys in green did us proud tonight. Enjoy the sweet taste of victory boys. It won't be your last.

Party on!

Heartbreak vs Destiny

Tomorrow the sun will rise and bring with it, the hopes and dreams of Rider fans across the country.

The Saskatchewan Rough Riders face their nemisis in enemy territory in what has to be a story book plot line for the perpetual underdogs.

It's fitting, isn't it? The Cinderella team having a Cinderella year faces their darkest foe... one more obstacle to football's highest glory.

It's even more fitting if B.C. loses. They haven't lost since early September, and I, for one, think they're due.

And wouldn't it be fitting for the Cinderella team to knock off the top ranked team?

I'm telling you... it's like Murray Wood said in his column yesterday it feels like destiny.

That feeling could quickly give way to heartbreak, I fear. So like many diehard fans I will be watch some of the game with my hands over my eyes.

As I told someone the other day, I've never so eagerly anticipated a game I'm not sure I want to watch!

I do want to watch. But the game I want to watch might not happen. I want to watch a game where KJ moves the ball skillfully, and Fantuz and DJ Flick have the game of their careers, and the defense stand up the Lions on every play.

So what will it be a heartbreaking loss after a season of renewed hope, vision and determination? Or the storybook ending with the underdogs handing the over-hyped top-ranked team a playoff-ending defeat?

My prediction: Saskatchewan will come out strong in the first half and B.C. will be fat and lazy after a week off. After the half the Lions will be down by several touchdowns and have to mount a comeback. But ultimately... Saskatchewan wins in the dying seconds of the game with a field goal by Congi. Conjuring up comparisons to Dave Robokicker Ridgeway and the '89 Grey Cup Victory.

Of course, I am a writer and a story book ending is what I live for!

For those that like numbers... Saskatchewan 34, B.C. 32.

GO RIDERS!!

WE WIN!

Well, Rider Nation has waited a long time for this...

19 years since their last home play off game.

31 years since their last home play off win.

And they did it!

Game comments:
If the D shows up for an entire game like they did in the first quarter, B.C. better order some extra stretchers for game day.

Corey Holmes rocks! Takes a beating and keeps on ticking. What a potent force he was yesterday! Even after taking a hard hit to the injured shoulder, he takes a breather for three plays and comes back in. On the first play he grabs the ball again.

Andy Fantuz is da man! Breaks four tackles to grab an extra nine yards after reeling in a pass from KJ. Takes five guys to bring him down and he still goes an extra yard with a guy hanging off of him! He looked very much like a young Matt Dominguez with his height and his reach.

Kerry Joseph... Impressive. He is tough, strong, and as effective as another receiver out there! But most important he has been the leader this team has needed. His attitude is humble, but positive. And he never says die. He had an outstanding day. Impressive, indeed.

Officiating... I will never understand how a league that has trouble defining what is and IS NOT a catch with the hands can award a catch to a guy that snagged the ball in his knees. Seriously!

And my second comment on the officiating... How in the world does Holmes get called for a penalty for passing a ball to a Calgary player after the whistle, but when that player rifles the ball back at him in anger it's not? Please, someone, save the CFL... get some decent officials!

Luca Congi... is awesome. Two field goals from 48 yards and 49 yards? Rock! Is it just me or did it remind you of another kicker from a long time ago... do we? ... is it possible we have another Robo-kicker in our midst?

And DJ Flick's opening run into the end zone is something Rider Nation dreams about!

Oh yes... and a special thank you to Scott Schultz for making Burris eat turf a couple of times. That was just so much fun to watch!

It was certainly a magical night, indeed.

Now the Green Magic gets ready for B.C.

Bring.

It.

On.

Oh yeah... and one more interesting tidbit... Last week Saskatchewan voters kicked out the NDP after 16 years of being in power. This is good news for Rider fans... The Riders have never won the Grey Cup with an NDP government in power.

Coincidence?

You decide.

And now for your viewing pleasure... check out the pandemonium at field level after the final gun...

Video here.

Seasons and taking a step back...

Since moving to our new house in July, I feel like I've been on a nasty unforgiving treadmill. One that keeps speeding up!

It seems like it's been one thing after another after another.

Especially this last month. Here's what we've dealt with in the month of October alone...

1. Got a new kitty.
2. Kitty got colitis and pooped bloody stools everywhere.
3. Hot water heater broke.
4. Spent one week with no hot water.
5. Spent money that would have been better used elsewhere to fix the thing.
6. Got laid off from a job.
7. Got hired at a new one.
8. Mikaela got head lice.
9. Washed everything we owned in hot water.
10. Logan got head lice.
11. Washed everything we owned again in hot water. Bagged a few extra things and put them in the freezer.
12. Kids got reinfested and I got a minor case of it.
13. Washed everything we owned again.
14. Treated everyone in the house.
15. Gave everyone hair cuts.
16. Grandma fell and broke her hip.
17. Happily hosted family here for a week.

Oh yeah and somewhere in there our downstairs toilet got plugged.

I'm so tired now I can barely see. I've never felt so spent.

There are seasons in our life that are like that, aren't there?

During them, no matter your plans, life keeps throwing you curve ball after curve ball.

And it's tiring. It's not fair. But there's no use whining about the things that are beyond our control.

God is still God. And we're still his children. Through all the drama lately, I've felt his calming hand on my shoulder. I've felt his arm around me as I've cried on his shoulder. And I felt him carry me, when I didn't have the strength myself.

I've felt his presence as I laughed at some of our adventures. And I felt his whisper on my ear when I needed encouragement to take just one more step.

He's calmed the fears. He's held my hand.

I will be attempting to take a step back over the course of the next few weeks. Stealing moments alone. Curling up on the couch with a blanket and overdosing on TV and movies. Planning time for some creative pursuits like writing, carding, and drawing.

And mostly just planning time for nothing. savouring some peace and quiet. Slowly, piece by piece, rebuilding my energy stores again.

The seasons of life - the ebb and flow...

Phooey...!

That was an ugly way to end the season. 41-13. Ick.

The game against Toronto this afternoon at Mosaic stadium, might have been meaningless, but still... the Green and White played like they were just starting the season and ironing out the kinks, not ending the season and heading into the first playoff game in 20 years.

Having said that here's something to consider...

The Green-machine is battered, beaten, with their fender draggin' on the ground. With so many injuries to key players, I'm really not surprised our defense had trouble gelling on the field this afternoon.

Half of them haven't played the entire season.

And it showed.

Zone defense wasn't working and oh boy... man-to-man coverage leaked like seive.


Back to the actual game. My notes:

1. I have become a full-fledged conspiracy theorist when it comes to games the CBC televises. It seems those games go spectacularly bad for the Roughies.

2. Definitely some of the worst officiating I've seen for a long time. Since when do they arbitrarily place the ball on the one yard line after a penalty. What happened to half the distance to the goal?

And what was that call just before the half?

I'm grateful Bruce didn't catch the ball for another Toronto TD, but I highly doubt the tackle from the Saskatchewan player was "unnecessary roughness after the play". Nor do I think it meritted a 15 yard penalty on the first play after the half. What the Saskatchewan player did was tackle Bruce. If Bruce can't hang on to the ball... I believe in football we say... Suck it up, baby. If that hit was penalty worthy then they're going to have to create a penalty box to house the numerous culprits each game. And while we're at it, each team had better add a few more to their defensive lines.

Pullleeease!

Another thing... CBC has got to have the WORST commentators in all of professional sports. Ho. Lee. Cow.

After KJ ran the ball for a brilliant pick up of 10 or 11 yards, the commentators offered glowing praise for what an athletic QB we have. One in particular went on and on about how we need to use KJ as an extra receive because of his speed and agility. Use KJ more was the general gist.

Very next play, KJ under pressure called his own number again, but this time it didn't work so well. The commentator then says that KJ shouldn't do that so often as it doesn't work and he can't be the only working man on the offensive line.

Seriously.

I wanted to throw something at him. Either KJ is brilliant or we suck. Mostly we suck.

This game anyway. Let's shake off this icky, sticky loss and set out sights on Hank and Co. next week.

Nothing would be better than to feed Henry Burris and crew a serious helping of humble pie on Sunday.

I want to end by saying God bless Toronto's left tackle Pearson who left the game with lower leg injury. The CBC described it as a broken ankle. It looked like a broken ankle. Like a very seriously broken ankle. They started IV right on the field - apparently to keep him from going into shock. Thanks be to God they didn't have the reverse angle on that play. (Shudder...cringe... wince...)

Yikes!

So God bless Pearson and his wife Melissa. Godspeed for a quick recovery.

Oh yeah! And GO GREEN!!