Inside the CFL: The Ride for five will stop in Saskatchewan this weekend

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on November 15, 2025.

sports@medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews

Most of Rider nation can remember the heart-breaking 13th Man moment in Saskatchewan sports history in 2009 when their beloved Roughriders lost the Grey Cup because of a too many men on the field call when the Als missed a field-goal.

Given another attempt, Montreal made it. The Als quarterback that fateful day in Calgary was Anthony Calviilo, now the team’s offensive co-ordinator. He will remind his players that no matter how well you play, how good you are, you can lose because of a single mental mistake.

As always, the quarterbacks will be the centre of attention, the grizzled old vet versus the brash, trash-talking youngster. Trevor Harris, 39, came into the league in 2012, backing up Argo quarterback Ricky Ray when they won the Grey Cup. He moved on to Ottawa where he was the backup to Henry Burris who defeated Calgary in the 2016 Cup. He started for the Redblacks against the Stamps in 2018, his only loss in the Big Game. Trevor Harris has the second highest percentage completion rate in CFL history. He has been one of the greats of the game. This year he was third in passing yardage, first in completion percentage and third in efficiency. He threw 24 touchdown passes and was picked off 11 times while winning 11 of his 16 starts. He was near perfect in the Western Final.

In addition he is beloved by teammates and opponents alike, one of the truly great sportsmen in the game. The one thing he hasn’t accomplished is winning a Grey Cup as the starter.

Alouette Davis Alexander is 12-0 to begin his career. He missed 11 games due to a hamstring injury which flared up again last Saturday. Commentator Milt Stegall calls him a showboat, continually mugging for the crowd and camera. He constantly taunts his opponents, running off a stream of obscenities about future Hall of Famer Bo Levi Mitchell last week. Playing football is tough enough without enraging your opponents with your mouth.

The other seven teams in the league will be cheering for Saskatchewan. As obnoxious as he may be, he can sure play football.

The teams split the season series with Saskatchewan winning 34-6 in Montreal and the Easterners prevailing 48-31 at Mosaic. Harris played in both, Alexander neither.

In the Western Final, the Saskatchewan defence held Nathan Rourke to six yards rushing. Trevor Harris picked up nine yards more. Alexander is Montreal’s main weapon but he’s not as good as Rourke and with a pulled hamstring, how mobile will he be? If he can’t go, veteran 37-year-old McLeod Bethel-Thompson has proven he can get the job done, having started and beat Winnipeg for the Argos in the 2022 Grey Cup.

Defence is the Easterners’ calling card.

Co-ordinator Noel Thorpe is masterful at finding the personnel pieces that fit his schemes. They handled the great Bo Levi last Saturday. Montreal gave up the fewest yards and were second in sacks. But the Green gang is just as good, giving up the fewest points and just 14 yards per game more in total offence. They were the toughest team to run against. One Alouette made All-Canadian on defence, linebacker Tyrice Beverette, while five Rider defenders were so honoured, including lineman Micah Johnson, linebackers C.J Reavis and Jameer Thurman as well as DBs Tevaughan Campbell and Rolan Milligan, Jr.

Receiver Tyler Snead was the only Alouette to make All-Canadian. Saskatchewan placed pass catcher KeeSean Johnson, centre Logan Ferland and tackle Jermarcus Hardrick on the dream team. Rider boss Corey Mace made a dozen lineup changes for the Western Final. It showed in that frequently the timing on offence was off. With that game under their belt, they will be a lot more efficient on Sunday.

In the Final, Samuel Emilus caught 9 for 100 yards. Kian Schaffer-Baker had 3 for 56. Dohonte Meyers, Tommy Nield and Dhei Duncan Busby combined for 9 receptions and 96 yards. If Johnson and Shawn Bane Jr. can play, their receiver corps will be even better. On a cold day in Winnipeg, running back A.J. Oueilette is a significant asset.

Saskatchewan is the better team in all facets of the game except place-kicking where Montreal Jose Maltoz Diaz is more reliable than Brett Lauther.

Still, remember the 13th man. Stuff happens.

Not this Sunday.

Graham Kelly has covered the CFL for the Medicine Hat News for 53 years. Feedback for this column can be emailed to sports@medicinehatnews.com.