Rob Vanstone: Dad’s Flight Out — Trevor Harris rejoins Roughriders after birth of his third child 

What a Tripp! 

Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris returned home to Ohio last week to witness the arrival of his third son. 

On Thursday, little Tripp joined brothers Trenton (who is six) and Trace (three) on Team Harris, which is co-captained by Trevor and his wife, Kalie. 

“It was a beautiful moment and it was really, really cool to get there in time,” Trevor Harris said at Griffiths Stadium after Monday’s workout at Coors Light Riders Training Camp. 

“I got there about nine hours before the baby did. It was truly a God moment. It was just awesome to be there with (Kalie) and experience that with her. 

“To watch your sons love on your youngest son is something that you can’t really describe with words. You just have to experience it and be there.” 

Harris flew out of Saskatoon early Wednesday morning and was eventually reunited with his family at a hospital in Marion, Ohio. 

The proud papa made a point of thanking the Roughriders’ brass for making it possible — mandatory, actually — for him to be there. 

“I sent them all a text — them being (President-CEO) Craig Reynolds, (Head Coach) Craig Dickenson, J.O. (General Manager/Vice-President of Football Operations Jeremy O’Day) and (Assistant GM) Kyle Carson — and I just told them how much I appreciated their professionalism and how they handled this,” Harris said. 

“They didn’t give me a choice. They said, ‘You’re going to be there for your kid’s birth.’ Not that I would have wanted to miss it at all, but they made it very easy and they were just very accommodating. I’m just thankful for them.” 

Harris also appreciated his teammates’ efforts on Saturday, when the Roughriders defeated the B.C. Lions 30-27 in CFL pre-season action at Mosaic Stadium. 

All three Saskatchewan quarterbacks — Jake Dolegala, Shea Patterson and Mason Fine — played well, going a collective 30-for-41 for 284 yards, with three touchdowns. Harris watched via live-stream from 2,300 kilometres away. 

“I didn’t expect to be pacing around my living room, especially for a pre-season game, but I was getting hyped watching Jake, Shea, Mason and all the guys making plays,” the Roughriders’ No. 1 signal-caller said. 

“You could see the first-team defence out there, flying around, making it difficult and getting the quarterbacks off their spot, and you could see the special teams flipping field position for us. 

“It was a joy to watch the guys and I’m thrilled to be back.” 

Harris flew back to Saskatchewan on Sunday and was all smiles the next morning — and all business on the field, as usual. 

“It is definitely invigorating and it gives you a shot of life to see a new life coming into the world,” he said of being a third-time father. 

“You’re able to see how peaceful the baby is and able to watch him. Just before I left, I was staring at him for about 10 minutes, thinking about how much I was going to miss him. 

“They’ll be up here in a couple of weeks and I’m excited to get them up here, but we’ve got some business to take care of now.” 

Harris is to make his first start as a Roughrider — intrasquad game excluded — in Friday’s pre-season finale against the host Winnipeg Blue Bombers.  

“We’ve got a checklist of things we want to see him do,” Dickenson said. “Once that checklist is done, we’ll sit him. 

“He’s got a little bit of work to get done and he wants to get it done, so we’re going to get him some work — probably the first quarter and maybe into the second as well.” 

The Roughriders’ first regular-season game is on June 11 against the host Edmonton Elks.  

Saskatchewan’s home opener is on June 16 — the Friday of Father’s Day weekend — against Winnipeg. The theme, fittingly enough: Dad’s Night Out. 

QUARTERBACK QUANDARY 

Once Harris receives sufficient playing time, the remainder of Friday’s offensive snaps will be used to determine the identity of the No. 2 quarterback. 

Leading up to the B.C. game, the coaches had lauded Dolegala, Patterson and Fine for their strong performances in camp. There was a carry-over into the pre-season opener, complicating the already considerable challenge facing the coaches. 

“All of them played well, so it’s going to be a strenuous week for the quarterbacks,” Dickenson said. “We’re going to test them a little bit and hopefully one of them separates.” 

That may even take place before Friday’s kickoff. 

“We’ve got to evaluate practice, too,” Dickenson noted. “We’ll watch practice in these next few days and come up with a good rotation in the game and hopefully it clears up.” 

INJURY UPDATE

• Defensive back Godfrey Onyeka suffered a shoulder/pectoral injury on Saturday. “We don’t know for sure, but we’re thinking it’s going to be a long-term injury, which is too bad,” Dickenson said. “He has been such a good player for us and he has worked so hard to get back.” Onyeka missed most of last season with a shoulder injury. He was able to return in time for the final two regular-season games. 
• Juwan Brescacin, who caught six passes for 52 yards on Saturday, “was a little beat-up after the game,” according to Dickenson. The 30-year-old receiver has a shoulder injury that has led the coaches to take a precautionary approach.
• Slotback Jake Wieneke (hamstring) was back on the practice field on Monday. “He said it felt good today,” Dickenson said, “so we’re going to let him push it a little bit more tomorrow.”
• Another receiver, Tevin Jones, made his first training-camp appearance of 2023. Jones, who underwent an off-season procedure to deal with a knee injury, ran routes at Griffiths Stadium on Monday. “Slow, but steady, progress,” Dickenson said of Jones. The same applies to veteran receiver Derel Walker (groin).

SHORT SNORTS 

•  Isaiah McKoy has rejoined the Roughriders’ receiving corps. The former Kent State standout had spent the first week of training camp with the team after his signing was announced May 13.
• In addition to bringing back McKoy, the Roughriders on Monday announced the release of defensive back Kendarius Webster and the signing of American offensive lineman Adonis Boone. During a period that spanned 2018 to 2022, the 6-foot-5, 303-pound Boone played in 47 games for the University of Louisville Cardinals. He suited up at right guard and left tackle. Over the 2021 and 2022 seasons, Boone allowed only one sack in 873 snaps, spread over 22 games. He recently attended the New Orleans Saints’ rookie mini-camp.
• Asked about players who had been impressive during Saturday’s game, Dickenson referenced receivers Kendall Watson and Keith Corbin III, along with defensive back Deontai Williams.
•  The Saskatoon Valkyries and Regina Riot are to meet on Sunday in the Western Women’s Canadian Football League’s regular-season finale. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m., at Leibel Field in Regina. Saskatoon has a 3-0 record. Regina is 2-1.