HUSKIES SET TO HOST
Home-field edge for playoff
Tanner Secord was a redshirt freshman in 2014, watching from the sideline as his University of Saskatchewan Huskies lost a heart-busting playoff game to the Manitoba Bisons.
The Huskies haven’t hosted a post-season contest since then. Griffiths Stadium sat empty and silent during playoff game days — Saskatchewan has played five times on the road since 2014 — but that changes Saturday, when the Huskies host the Alberta Golden Bears in a conference semifinal.
Secord is a fifth-year veteran now, and he’s waited for this moment his entire collegiate career.
“It’s something you’re always thinking about,” says the 6-foot-3, 305-pound Secord. “It’s something that’s always a goal. You always want to have home-field advantage. It does make a big difference, whether it’s sleeping in your bed or having your family there, whatever it is. Being at home makes a huge difference.
“We relish it, and we’re really excited. All through these years, it’s something you wanted to accomplish in your own right, like the guys did all those years ago, in 2014.”
The Huskies made a breakthrough last season, winning their first conference title since 2006 and advancing to the national semifinal, but they did it all on the road. They cinched that long-awaited home date this past Saturday, when they beat Alberta and finished with a 5-3 record, good for second place in Canada West.
Now they’ll host those same Golden Bears — who placed third at 4-4 — one week later, on Saturday at 3 p.m., with a trek to the Canada West final on the line.
“Last year was a huge step forward for our program,” Secord says. “But being able to reward the fans and have them come back and support us for a home playoff game ... that’s something we finally checked off the list.
“It’s a feeling of relief, but it’s more a feeling of accomplishment, really. You know how much time went into it, how much sacrifice went into it. You took the steps, you did all the necessary work, and it’s paying off.”
Head coach Scott Flory played with the Huskies from 1994 to 1998 before embarking on a 15year CFL career. His own home playoff games at Griffiths were a long, long time ago, and he laughed when asked what he remembers from those contests.
“I just remember a great atmosphere,” Flory says. “I remember it being cold, and anytime it gets cold, you’re doing something right because you’re still playing.”
The Huskies head into Saturday’s bout without centrepiece slotback Colton Klassen, who had his leg rolled over last weekend against Alberta and is out for the season. It’s a huge loss, Flory said, and one the Huskies are trying to fill.
“We’ve got a bunch of different packages,” he said. “When you’ve got a big chunk of your game plan going to one guy ... it’s so unfortunate. My heart just breaks for him. It’s really sad, but as we move forward, we’ll fill that role with multiple guys, multiple formations and multiple things to be able to mitigate that. We’ve got different body types that will fill that void.”
When Saturday rolls around, Saskatchewan would do well to avoid the fate of those 2014 Huskies, who blew a 37-18 third-quarter lead and lost 47-39.
Secord remembers standing on the sideline, his head “kind of swimming” in all the excitement of game day.
And now he’s a mainstay at guard, in the playoffs, at home, against a team he played just seven days earlier.
“I enjoy playing teams multiple times,” Secord said with a grin. “I’m a bit of a grinder-type guy, and I play with a lot of emotion. I enjoy being able to go out and beat the same guys up. The fans contribute to the atmosphere, but we’ve also got a group of guys ... hard-working, blue-collar dudes, especially on the offensive line. It’s going to be a bitter battle.”
Huskie notes: Seven Huskies were named conference all-stars, two unanimously, when the Canada West list came out Thursday. Offensive guard Mattland Riley and running back Adam Machart were both unanimous selections. Also named were centre Connor Bergloff, receiver Colton Klassen, defensive tackle Evan Machibroda, defensive end Nicholas Dheilly and defensive halfback Nelson Lokombo. Canada West’s major award winners will be unveiled next week.