Unpredictability only thing predictable about Labour Day Classic

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This article was published 01/09/2023 (778 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

REGINA — When it comes to rivalries in the CFL, there’s nothing quite like the annual clash between the league’s two biggest and most rabid fan bases.

The history between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Saskatchewan Roughriders and their battles over Labour Day weekend – matchups affectionately referred to as the Labour Day Classic or simply LDC — has been well documented over time.

Despite the two West Division clubs trending in opposite directions in recent years, with the Bombers the class of the CFL and the Roughriders mired in mediocrity ever since COVID-19 struck, if we’ve learned anything from the LDC it’s that past records have done little to predict future success. When there’s a palpable hatred involved, there really is no way of knowing how things will play out.

History favours the home team, with Saskatchewan boasting a 37-21 advantage in a series that first began in 1949. Recent history, though, tilts the other way, with Winnipeg winning the last two matchups, including a narrow 20-18 victory in last year’s affair.

The Bombers are once again rolling along this season, atop the West with a record of 9-2. Meanwhile, the Roughriders are treading water at 5-5, but are coming off the bye week after earning an improbable win over the B.C. Lions, 34-29, in Week 11.

 

That sets the stage for the 59th edition of the LDC at Mosaic Stadium Sunday. To get better prepared for kickoff (6 p.m./TSN/CJOB), let’s dig into this one a little more in the latest edition of 5 Storylines.

 

Western playoff race

What was once a two-horse race in the West standings has turned into a battle for second, with the Bombers pulling away from the suddenly struggling Lions (7-4), who have now lost three of their last four games.

What’s more, a victory Sunday would clinch a playoff spot for Winnipeg, marking a seventh straight year of post-season play. The Bombers are more concerned with winning the West for a third straight year, regardless of the playoff implications, and a win over the Roughriders is critical to keeping pace in the division and achieving that goal.

The Roughriders find themselves relatively comfortable in third place in the West, but a win over the Bombers would have them nipping at the heels of B.C. A loss, however, would put them below .500, and within reach of the division’s basement dwellers, with the Calgary Stampeders (3-8) and Edmonton Elks (2-9) right behind.

 

Strong foot forward

If we’re to buy into any of the trends of the LDC over the last five decades, there’s a good chance this game goes down to the wire, as 32 of the last 58 games have been decided in the final three minutes. That includes last year’s bout, which was ultimately decided by a late 55-yard field goal by Marc Liegghio.

The Roughriders, though inconsistent this year, have been good at home, winning three of their last four games, with each game decided by five points or fewer. Even though the Bombers walked away with a convincing 45-27 victory at Mosaic earlier this year, it was a one-score game before Winnipeg pulled away in the final frame.

These types of games are often decided by kickers, and the Bombers and Roughriders each possess a leg that is capable of delivering in the clutch.

Sergio Castillo is coming off his worst performance of the season, missing a field goal and an extra point against Montreal. He did rebound from there, nailing a pair of field goals and both his extra points, and said this week, he’s eager to get back out there and prove his worth.

On the other side is Brett Lauther. Lauther is currently on a streak of 13 field goals made and hasn’t missed an attempt inside 51 yards since Week 1.

 

Seeking redemption

It might seem silly to suggest Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros is in search of a bounce-back game after throwing for 240 yards and four touchdowns in a dominating 47-17 win over the Montreal Alouettes last week.

While those numbers certainly look good, they ignore the three interceptions thrown by Collaros in the first half, two of which were returned for touchdowns. It’s not every day you survive that many mistakes; in fact, Collaros became the second QB in league history to have two interceptions returned to the house and still lead his team to victory.

Collaros lamented the turnovers after the game, and was once again critical of himself at practice this week when asked about them again. He first claimed to have forgotten the evening. When pressed, however, he admitted he’ll probably be thinking about them into next season — and he wasn’t joking.

There’s a certain fire that burns inside Collaros after a rough game. While he was still able to earn the win, he’ll want his shot at redemption this week. It just so happens he’s done pretty well on Labour Day weekend, boasting a 6-0 record, winning three games with Hamilton, two with Winnipeg and one with Saskatchewan.

 

A tall order

Weeks after No. 1 QB Trevor Harris went down with a season-threatening knee injury, the Roughriders appear to have found new life behind centre.

Insert Jake Dolegala, who was thrust into action against the Lions after backup Mason Fine was sidelined with a hamstring injury. The 26-year-old native of Hamburg, N.Y., looked like a seasoned vet and not someone in their second CFL start, throwing for 239 yards and three TDs against a stingy B.C. defence.

When asked what stood out most about Dolegala, the answer from members of the Bombers defence was, his size. Or as all-star linebacker Adam Bighill put it: “He’s just abnormally tall.”

Indeed, at 6-7, Dolegala is not only the tallest starting QB in the CFL — Ottawa’s Dustin Crum is second at 6-3, with Collaros 6-1 — he’s also one of the tallest players in the CFL.

That kind of size can cause unique problems for a defence. For starters, Dolegala is capable of seeing over his offensive line, which allows him to get a better read of the defence. The challenge only gets more difficult when you factor in that Dolegala isn’t afraid to use his legs to extend plays.

The advantage to the Bombers is there’s more tape on Dolegala, meaning the sequel likely won’t be as good as the first time around. A victory against Winnipeg would go a long way in improving his stock and, given the QB quality in the CFL right now, possibly even earning him a chance at becoming a full-time starter in the future.

 

Schoen the way

Speaking of sequels, it’s beyond impressive what Bombers receiver Dalton Schoen has been able to achieve in his sophomore season.

Schoen led the CFL last year in receiving yards (1,411) and touchdowns (16) and despite opposing defences knowing much more about him this year, the 26-year-old continues to tear it up. He’s not up to last year’s high standard, but isn’t far off, boasting the fifth-most receiving yards this season with 753 in 11 games, while leading the way in TDs with seven.

It’s Schoen’s penchant for the end zone that is particularly noteworthy. He’s on a historic pace, with 23 TDs in just 29 games – a rate of 0.79 TDs per game.

To put those numbers into perspective, consider that Kenny Lawler, who is often regarded as the CFL’s best receiver, has 18 TDs in 46 career games. No point in singling out Lawler; according to CFL Stats Guru Steve Daniel, among players with 40-plus career games, if Schoen can keep up his current pace, he’d be ranked sixth all-time, and most among receivers.

The timing seems perfect to build on last week’s two-TD performance against the Alouettes. There seems to be something about playing the Roughriders, as Schoen has reached the end zone in all four games he’s played against Saskatchewan.

 

Jeff.Hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @jeffkhamilton