Memories made at 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.

Nic Demski will never forget his first Labour Day Classic.

It was 2015 and he was a rookie out of the University of Manitoba playing for his hometown’s bitter rival, the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers controlled the momentum early and jumped out to a 10-0 lead. The game got turned on its head in the second quarter when Demski returned a punt 60 yards for a Saskatchewan touchdown.

The Riders went on to win 37-19. They were 0-9 at the time and had just fired head coach Corey Chamblin.

It was the first touchdown of Demski’s career.

He’s scored 27 more since then.

“Guys did a great job blocking and I just basically used my athleticism to take it to the house,” recalled Demski after Friday’s closed practice at IG Field.

“I kept the ball and it’s still at my mom and dad’s house actually. That one’s sitting on the shelf.”

He also learned a valuable lesson that day. Demski celebrated a bit prematurely as he held out the ball with one arm after sprinting past the 20-yard line. Fortunately for him, no one could catch him so he got away with it.

Still, Riders interim head coach Bob Dyce wasn’t overly pleased.

“And then I probably threw the ball away probably one step over the goal line. Yeah, you’ll get in a little bit of trouble for that, but at the end of the day, I made a play,” said Demski.

“I definitely heard about it in film the next day, but at the time, it was just an exciting time for our team.”

Demski, who’s been with Winnipeg since 2018, will look to make more memorable plays Sunday when the Bombers (9-2) and Riders (5-5) square off on the September long weekend for the 59th time.

“Obviously, there’s a lot of excitement around this game, a lot of energy around this game,” said Demski.

“Seeing it as a kid, you always heard about these games, but once you get into the league and see what Labour Day means, it’s the start of the second half of the year, it’s the start of grind time, so it’s an exciting time for the league for sure. It’s time to put our staple into the West Division.”

Demski scored a touchdown and had nearly 100 total yards in last year’s LDC, but it was backup safety Nick Hallett who closed out the 20-18 victory for the Blue and Gold. The Riders had a chance to win the game as they had the ball on Winnipeg’s 25-yard line with two minutes left. But pressure from defensive end Willie Jefferson forced former Riders quarterback Cody Fajardo to throw an inaccurate pass that was deflected before landing in Hallett’s lap.

It’s the first and only interception in Hallett’s four-year career. He was filling in for an injured Brandon Alexander at the time.

“I mean, it was a little bit of a gimme, but I’ll take it. It was definitely special, the game was close and I was able to help the team,” said Hallett, a London, Ont., native.

“I was just lucky to be in the right spot at the right time. Those games are always fun to play in regardless, but to have that kind of play was really special.”

Just like Demski, his memorable souvenir is with his folks.

“I gave that football to my parents for their anniversary. They didn’t want me to give away my first interception ball but they were very appreciative of that gift,” said Hallett.

For running back Johnny Augustine, the 2019 LDC was where he made his first start. He was thrust into action as Andrew Harris was serving a two-game suspension for a banned substance. Augustine, who hails from Welland, Ont., impressed with 12 carries for 98 yards and three receptions for 17 yards, but it wasn’t enough as the Riders prevailed 19-17.

“It was fun time. I wouldn’t say I was necessarily nervous. Maybe a little nervous before the first snap, but once the game got rolling, I just realized this is football. It’s definitely a memory I’ll cherish,” said Augustine.

“We have the best fans in the CFL, but they probably have one of the craziest fan bases in the CFL. The atmosphere, honestly, if you ask, I’m going to be biased, but I don’t think there’s no other place to play than Winnipeg in terms of the fans. We have the best fans here, but the way they’re passionate for football in Regina, I give them props for it. You smell the rivalry and it’s a big thing.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @TaylorAllen31