Riders and Lions lock horns once again in CFL playoffs

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Riders defensive back Marcus Sayles admits you can feel more intensity in the games between the two over recent seasons.

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“The last two years, we have sent them home in the playoffs. They are definitely going to be coming out with some juice and we are going to expect the best. We feel like they give us their best when they play us so we can’t expect anything less from them and we have to make sure we are prepared for them,” Sayles said.

Saskatchewan has faced the Lions three times already this season — the Riders won the first meeting between the two but the Lions have won both games at Vancouver.

That means it’s the fourth time quarterback Trevor Harris will face this defence.

“They will give me different looks, I know that. That’s kind of been par for the course every week this season,” Harris said.

“We are who we are offensively. We aren’t going to run 85 new plays offensively like they aren’t going to run 85 new plays defensively … It just comes down to who can execute and if we go out and execute tomorrow, I like us. It just comes down to who is going to play better and who is going to execute for a full 60 minutes and come out with more points than the other team.”

Harris led the CFL in passing this season with 5,370 yards and he will have his big three of receivers for this game as Kian Schaffer-Baker, Sam Emilus and KeeSean Johnson will all be available.

While Harris had a lot of success, it was Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke who was named the West Divisional All-CFLer this season.

Rourke had plenty of success with the big play last time out against Saskatchewan — a 31-24 win over the Riders.

The Lions quarterback says anytime you’re playing a good opponent, you want to bring your best.

“I’ve felt that the last three times that we have played them this year. Certainly, with the amount of respect that we have for them and their club and the way they go about things, I don’t think that’s going to change any time soon. This is exactly where we want to be at this time of the year. If you want to be the best team at this time of the year, you have to get through the best,” Rourke said.

While the Riders will be in hostile territory this time around, head coach Corey Mace doesn’t believe it ultimately matters where these types of games are held.

“We love playing in front of our fans. We do believe that is one of our competitive advantages but with playoff football, the biggest game of the year is generally not in somebody’s backyard,” Mace said.

“It’s enough to know it’s a win-or-go-home situation. Wherever it’s played, it’s where it’s played.”

The defence will be without safety Nelson Lokombo in the game as he was ruled out with a hip injury. Jaxon Ford will start in his spot for the game.

With the stakes at their highest so far this season, Harris said this playoff showdown is one they have been waiting for.

“I’m just not ready for this season to be over. It’s gone so fast,” Harris said. “I want to go play another week so lets do it.”