“I don’t think he can take a hit.”
Printed, posted…game on!
Those words from Calgary Stampeders Charleston Hughes directed at Roughriders running Kory Sheets just made Friday night’s wild west showdown even more intriguing.
The response from Sheets was simple to reporters, “If you can catch me, come and hit me.”
The rivalry between the Riders and Stamps became big when the bitterness of Henry Burris’ free agent signing in Calgary got to Rider Nation in 2006. But it’s seven years later and Burris hasn’t been a Stampeder in 18 months.
But the hatred between the two teams hasn’t diminished as it continues to grow. Last year, it was Riders Head Coach Corey Chamblin’s guarantee that Jon Cornish wouldn’t run for 100 yards.
Then came Cornish’s sideline antics to the Mosaic Stadium crowd.
After that, they faced each other in one of the most exciting playoff games in recent history when Drew Tate hit a wide open Romby Bryant in the final seconds to beat the Riders in the Western Semi-Final, as Calgary ran all the way to a Grey Cup appearance.
In game one of this season the Riders rolled, as they have against every opponent so far this season.
Since then the Stampeders have looked almost as unbeatable as the Riders have, which makes for one must see television moment on Friday Night Football.
There isn’t a better stage for these two teams than on TSN’s marquee night of CFL football with a lot on the line.
The difference between a win and loss is huge this early in the season for both teams, and the BC Lions will certainly be interested as well.The Riders have the chance to put two wins and four points between themselves and Calgary and BC. The Stampeders are hoping to, of course, even the regular season series and their records, while BC would love to come out of their bye week just one win shy of a share of first.
But the game may just come down to who walks the walk between Hughes and Sheets.
Nobody has been able to stop the Riders running game and not a lot of defensive ends have been able to get their hands on not only the Riders running back but their quarterback as well.
Hughes better bring his ‘A’ game or he better start looking for his favourite condiments to go along with the crow.
On the flip side, the Riders’ defence knows they need to control Cornish. He was such a pain in their side last season, it forced Chamblin to make a rare guarantee that jobs were on the line if Cornish reached the century mark.
In Week 2, Cornish touched the ball just eight times. You can likely double that number this time around.
Riders receiver Weston Dressler described this rivalry as ‘fun’. Cornerback Dwight Anderson is excited to experience this game from the opposite sideline after being in so many battles as a Stampeder through the years.
And clearly by Hughes’ comment, the Stampeders are just as excited to seek revenge on an embarrassing loss four weeks ago.
Now add to that the fact the Riders fans try to take over McMahon Stadium and it makes for one heck of an atmosphere.
