The Canada West title game has arrived.
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An 11 degree day on November the 9th. Not the norm in Saskatoon, but to some it’s one of a few surprises surrounding the 2024 edition Hardy Cup. Not many expected at all-Saskatchewan match-up either. The third-seeded Huskies and the fourth-seeded Rams pulled out last minute victories on the road in the semi-finals to get to the game. Head coach Scott Flory isn’t that shocked with this turn of events. “I heard people saying ‘us and the Rams and nobody saw it’, to me people haven’t paying attention to Canada West football this year.” The results back Flory’s theory. The Huskies were the only team to hand the Manitoba Bisons a regular season loss, while the Rams knocked off the top seeded Bisons to get to the title game. “This match-up wasn’t out of the realm of thought”, he said.
The Rams beat the Huskies, 33-28, on September 6th at Mosaic Stadium. Saskatchewan pulled out a 22-20 win on October 19th at Griffiths Stadium. When asked what Saturday’s game will come down to, Flory quickly responds line of scrimmage and quarterback play. “If you’re winning the line of scrimmage or if that’s a saw off the quarterback play has to supercede.”
The Ram defense was tied for the regular season lead with 11 interceptions in 8 regular season games. Some of the credit goes to a talented interior, and creative play calling from long time defensive coordinator, Sheldon Gray.
Flory says offensive efficiency will be the key to counter a strong Regina pass rush. “What they do really well in those second to short and mediums is get you off the field”, he said. “They do get very aggressive. We have to make sure that we are locked in and making those plays when we need to make them.”
