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Labour Day is usually recognized as the unofficial switch from summer to fall and in the Canadian Football League (CFL), the Labour Day long weekend signifies a change in the regular season.
Three of the top rivalries in the league will be showcased this weekend as the playoff race hits another gear.
On Sunday, the Saskatchewan Roughriders will host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to kick off Week 13 in Regina, in the 60th edition of the Labour Day Classic.
Recently it has been the Blue Bombers who have entered Labour Day weekend on top of the Western Division, but this year, it’s the green and white on top despite last week’s loss to the Calgary Stampeders with an 8-2 record.
Winnipeg is four points back of the Roughriders at 6-4 but will have a golden opportunity to make up some ground on their prairie rivals as the two teams play back-to-back games with the rematch set for next Saturday in Winnipeg.
Despite leaving late in last week’s loss in Calgary, quarterback Trevor Harris will be good to go this week as he has been on the practice field all week.
Mario Alford appears set to return to the roster this week after missing nearly two months due to a hip injury. Alford last appeared for the Riders on July 12 in Calgary.
For the second straight week, the green and white may be forced shuffle around their secondary. Cornerback Marcus Sayles was a late scratch last week with a hip injury. He hasn’t practiced so far this week.
Safety Nelson Lokombo who shifted to cornerback to replace Sayles on Saturday, was injured during the game and didn’t return. He also hasn’t practiced this week.
Jaxon Ford started at safety last week and is no stranger to the Labour Day Classic. In 2023, it was Ford who knocked down Zach Collaros pass attempt in overtime that ended the game as the Roughriders defeated the Blue Bombers.
There is still no official word on who will be the Roughriders kicker on Sunday. Brett Lauther has missed time this week due to personal reasons, with the impending birth of his child. Campbell Fair, who recently joined the team’s practice roster, has also been kicking at practice this week.
It might not happen this week, but the Roughriders will get a boost at wide receiver with the signing of Ajou Ajou. Last year in his rookie campaign, Ajou had 307 receiving yards with two touchdowns in 12 games. He was let go by the Indianapolis Colts of the NFL earlier this week.
A sold-out crowd at Mosaic Stadium on Sunday, will be treated by a flyover from the Royal Canadian Armed Forces.
Kickoff is at 5:00.