Each year a team starts with a few goals to reach and no it’s not like the movies where there’s a big sign in the locker room that states those goals.  These goals are known by everyone in the locker room so they don’t need to be written anywhere…we work each day in practice to reach these goals.  As a team you always want to win your division because it gives you an easier route to the Grey Cup (the ultimate goal) since you only have to win one game, at home, and then you’re off to the Cup.  This year, for the 1st time in 33 years (like I needed to say it), we were able to fight through adversity and gel together as a team to win the Western division and we were able to sit back this past weekend and watch two teams battle it out to see who would be coming to Regina to face us and 33,000+ screaming fans.  The funny thing is that although it was a great feeling to win the West after 18 games, it no longer matters because 4 teams now have an even opportunity to win the Cup and anything can happen in the playoffs.  Guys enjoyed the win that night and the next day but we all know what’s at stake and everyone was back at work last week working on all the little details and techniques that help us win this year.  Congratulations also goes out to all my teammates who won individual awards this year and good luck to John Chick with his bid to be the CFL’s top defensive player.  Winning individual accolades is always another goal for a player because that means he’s the best at we he does and I was very happy that two of our o-linemen (Geno & Jeremy) were once again voted All-Stars.  Great job guys!

    Other congratulations also go out to Chris Szarka who won Ward 10 and became a city councilor last week.  I think he’s going to do a great job for our Ward and city, just like he did with that long run at the end of the game against Calgary…before being tackled at the 3 yard line.  When I finally ran down to congratulate him on his big run I was a little tired so I told him “Geez man, couldn’t you make it in the end zone?”…but he did eventually get in the end zone, 2 plays later.  The bye week was great for everyone because it meant our bodies got a chance to heal.  No matter how much you train or what you do during the season to keep your body healthy, it’s hard to have your body smash into other people for 5 months.  Nicks, sprains and bruises carry over from week to week and to be able to get some time off before our last two games was just what the doctor ordered. 

    During this time off, players didn’t do a whole lot of interesting things.  Most worked out lightly and watched extra game film in anticipation of this weekend’s game.  It was a chance for players to spend time with their family and get some things done that had been put on the backburner since the season started.  Leslie and I put up our Christmas lights because I figured that after the Grey Cup it would probably be freezing cold and outside would be snow covered.  I was prohibited from going all the way up on the roof though by Leslie, for fear that I would either fall off or fall through the roof…so much for confidence in my agility or our builder’s craftsmanship!  I had a few guys over to watch the UFC fight this past weekend and pretty much everyone traded drinking beer for Ice Tea which means guys are doing all the little things right to make sure we get to Calgary and bring home the Cup…but first we’ll have to battle it out with a very tough Stamps team coming in town this weekend…which reminds me, time for some more game film…and I tell you my friends, I’m not making this stuff up…

Marc Parenteau #57