Should be an emotional night at Mosaic Stadium tomorrow when the Riders (4-2) host the 1-5 B.C. Lions. In recognition of the Riders’ 100th anniversary, the CFL is holding its annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony here. Scheduled to enter the hall (along with punter Bob Cameron, QB Tracy Ham, D-lineman Elfrid Payton and builder Joe Pistilli) is ex-Rider great Don Narcisse. In addition to his exploits on the field during his 12-year career, which saw him amass over 12,000 receiving yards and score 75 TDs, Narco was a hugely popular figure in the community. So tears will definitely flow when he’s formally inducted.
As for the game itself, to try to kick-start his moribind offence Lion Head Coach Wally Buono has elected to start Jarius Jackson at QB despite concerns about the health of surgically-repaired shoulder. Rider QB Darian Durant is also ailing. For several weeks he’s battled an intestinal virus. He’s also taken a bit of a beating in the last few games, and is nursing a sore back and right thumb.
When the Lions hosted the Riders in their home opener July 10, they got spanked 37-18. The Riders have regressed a bit since then, but so have the Lions. With a win the Riders would head into the bye week with a 5-2 record. Depending on what happens on Sunday when Calgary hosts Edmonton, that would either place them second in the West behind the Stamps (with a home playoff game all but sewn up) or in a tie for first.
Assuming Durant is good to go, it’s hard to see that not happening. (TSN 7:30 p.m.)
