Several Huskies to play final career game in green and white

Two-time Academic All-Canadian, offensive lineman from Saskatoon, Nick Summach said winning his final game, the biggest game of his life would be a dream come true.

“It’s what you look forward to your whole career,” he said. “What a way, what a great opportunity to have in my last year, just one last try to go out with a bang. Without a doubt, this is the highest level, biggest game absolutely and I’m really looking forward to it.”

And as far as it would be something Summach would remember and cherish forever, he said he and the other fifth years haven’t dwelled on it too much, as there is still a game to play and prepare for.

“I mean there’s not been a lot of time to think because we’ve been preparing but it’s come up a few times. Playing at Griffith’s for the Hardy Cup, talking about that emotional game and now we’re at the last game of our college careers essentially. It’s definitely in the back of our mind’s but we’ll process that after.”

And for Summach, as far as memories throughout his Huskie career there were definitely a few, however, it seemed safe to say the Hardy Cup at home topped them all.

“It was awesome, it was a great day, super happy to have won, have the fans there and the family,” he said. “To have had that opportunity to play one more last Hardy Cup at home, what a great way to end the regular career at the Canada West level.”

“Definitely just this past year, having the run, going from one of the worst teams in 2014 to competing at the Canada West in 2018, then to the Mitchell Bowl, that’s always stuck out to me. Now, however, being able to repeat it and go one step further, is definitely going to be the highlight of it. For me though, it has to be that Hardy Cup at home, hoisting that up and just being at home with the boys in the locker room and just hanging out.”

Another fifth-year, veteran Huskie who spoke with HuskieFAN, is two-time Canada West All-Star, receiver from Saskatoon, Colton Klassen, who said this game is something he and his teammates have been discussing all year long.

“It’s funny, just looking back and coming back from camp, talking with the guys like Sam Baker and Mason (Nyhus), kinda saying we’re going to come back and win this thing. Me and Sam are rooming together and that’s what we’ve been talking about,” he said.

“Everything is coming to fruition here and one more game and we’re like let’s win this thing, let’s win it all. What a way to end a career and I’m just so happy for this opportunity. Just excited to play another game on Saturday and bring home this Vanier.”

Klassen also mentioned his entire career as a whole, as a member of this Huskies organization and preached the bonds that were made will stick with him forever.

“Honestly, looking back and I tell all the young guys now, I think it’s just the friendships you make that are the most memorable,” he said. “There are always football plays that I’ll remember but the biggest and most things I remember, if you ask me 20 years down the road, it will be the friendships I made, the bus rides and the hotels when you’re together for two weeks.”

“I love football, of course, but it’s definitely the relationships and just getting to know guys and making friends, they’re like brothers at the end of the day. That’s the biggest thing I think I’ll remember from my time playing with the Huskies.”

And the final fifth-year vet, who spoke with HuskieFAN is 2014 Team B.C. defensive back from Abbotsford, Clovis Lumeka, who said it’s still a little bit mind-blowing they have this opportunity this weekend.

“It’s actually pretty crazy because I feel like it’s something that you think about all the time,” he said. “For it to actually happen this way and come out this way, you can’t ask for any better way to go out. It’s definitely something that I’m very appreciative of.”

And according to Lumeka, playing their final games isn’t something the fifth-years have talked about, as it is something they are all aware of.

“It’s not something that we’ve really talked about, we just know it’s going to be our last game in Huskies colours, for all of us, so that alone just motivates us. We want to go out playing our best game.”

For Lumeka, playing football for the U of S is something he’ll never forget. He was also quick to point out it wasn’t the only thing he learned in his time spent at the institution.

“It’s been great,” he said. “I feel like I’ve learned a lot. I’ve grown up a lot, more than just football, as a person and in life. Some of the best memories, obviously, winning that Hardy Cup in 2018 was pretty cool, just because we came in as the underdogs. You could feel the shift in the program, which lead to where we are now. It was pretty cool to just witness that from then until now. Last week too, the way we won that game, I feel like that’s something we’re all going to remember for the rest of our lives. Those two definitely stuck out.”

As his two teammates mentioned before him the final home game in Saskatoon raising the Hardy Cup in Griffith’s Stadium seems to rise above anything else.

“That one was special because we had the whole team there,” he said. “Usually when we travel we only bring our 45 man roster and the coaches. To have our practice squad there and all the support and medical staff and all of our fans, family and friends, was special because of that. It was nice to see all the first-year non-dressing guys hold the Hardy Cup. To be a part of that celebration, that’s what really stuck out to me.”

And for Lumeka and the rest of the team, going out on top, after all that’s happened, there really wouldn’t be anything else better than that.

“It would be great. I think what makes it better is all we’ve been through. That two and six season to being underdogs to now being at the top and to finally go out on top in the last, it would be amazing.”

“My career here, it’s been great,” Lumeka said. “I think one thing it’s taught me is leadership and putting yourself aside a bit. When you first come in you’re more worried about how you can get on the field and better yourself. Once you get older and become a leader, it’s how you can best support your teammates and put them and your whole team in the best situation. That’s the biggest thing I’ve learned and something that I’ll take with me forever.”

You can hear Saturday’s game on the HuskieFAN app, and HuskieFAN.ca, as Wray Morrison and Rich Gabruch will have the call from the University of Laval.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8

by Ben Tompkins

Several Huskies to play final career game in green and white

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