Football In Saskatchewan

Now sometimes my mind runs away from me. While skimming through the CFL rosters, I decided to make note of players from Saskatchewan or those who played post-secondary football in our fine province.

Some of the CFL team sites don’t have universities or hometowns posted, so this is not an exact science. I’ll treat this like some news reporters treat their stories…”don’t let the facts get in the way of a good story.” Here goes nothing!

OFFENCE – This is where the best province in the country shines, the depth chart is full at every position, except for QB. So lets just put Teale Orban there to begin things.

There are some pretty good running backs on the Rider roster itself. Both from Thom Collegiate in Neal Hughes (Regina) and Stu Foord (Thunder Jrs). At fullback there is the Bombers Grahame Bell (Sask.) and the Ticats Jeff Piercy (Sask.)

The receiving core is pretty good too. Beginning with one of the best in the league…the Lions Jason Clermont (Regina). A pair of 2007 draft picks in Hamilton’s Chris Bauman (Regina) and the Riders Chris Getzlaf (Regina). The quartet is rounded out by Argo Nathan Hoffart (Sask.).

The strongest unit coming from Saskatchewan is by far the offensive line. I don’t have much room, so here they are in a list: Lions – Kelly Bates(G-Sask) Eskimos – John Comisky(C-Windsor by way of P.A.), Joe McGrath(T-U.Miami by way of Moose Jaw) Riders – Gene Makowsky(T/G-Sask.) Bombers – Brendon Labatte(G-Regina) Ticats – Jordan Rempel (OL-Sask.) Alouettes – Scott Flory (G-Sask.)

DEFENCE – It’s a little thin here, on the defensive line ther is 1 1/2 players. Moose Jaw’s Scott Schultz(North Dakota) is a fan fave with the Riders. Then there’s the Bombers Brian Guebert(Sask.) who was a defensive end with the Huskies, but is listed as a fullback.

There are no true Saskatchewan linebackers, but there are two former ‘backers who are long-snappers. Randy Srochenski (Rams Jrs) is a 14 year vet in the CFL who’s throwing them back for the Argos, and Tyson Craiggs(Sask.) of the Lions who was a standout with the Huskies.

Two rookies are at defensive back, from the Ticats, injured first round draft pick Dylan Barker, and from the Alouettes Paul Woldu (Thunder Jrs/Sask.).

On special teams, I’d like to put John Ryan at Punter and Kicker, but he’s in the NFL. So Jamie Boreham is plugged in there because of the year he spent at the University of Saskatchewan. 

I know I’m missing a bunch of names, but all in all, it’s a pretty good football team.