Brett Lauther was poised to meet with reporters on Friday at Saint Mary’s University when, suddenly, he spotted a familiar face.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ veteran kicker darted to his right, hugged a former coach, chatted with him for a few seconds, and returned to the spot that was designated for the media scrum.
Lauther was then asked about a return of a different description. Saturday’s Touchdown Atlantic game, between the Roughriders and Toronto Argonauts, is to be played at Huskies Stadium — his home turf from 2009 to 2012.
“I used to come to this field by myself at 6 a.m. and be the only one out here for four or five years, in between games,” Lauther said. “So I’d be lying if I told you that I really thought this would come to fruition.
“It’s something that I’ve always dreamed of and I’m just thankful that it’s a reality now.”
Standing behind a railing and listening with great interest was a very proud Steve Sumarah.
Sumarah rejoined the Halifax-based Huskies as their Head Coach in 2022 after previously serving in that capacity from 2006 to 2011. Before that, he was the Huskies’ Offensive Co-ordinator for eight seasons.
Near the midpoint of the first head-coaching stint, he recruited Lauther from the Cobequid Educational Centre in Truro, N.S.
“I remember what a good athlete he was,” the Halifax-born Sumarah, himself a Saint Mary’s grad, recalled on Friday. “He was a good hockey player and a good receiver — a phenomenal athlete.
“We came in and tried to make him a receiver and all that. He said, ‘You know, I think I like the kicking.’
“You could tell how strong his leg was. You could always hear that ‘oomph’ of the contact when he hit the ball. I remember thinking, ‘This guy’s got something special.’ ”
As in special teams.
“I think he could have potentially been an all-conference guy at receiver,” Sumarah noted. “He had great hands and he ran great routes, but he was smarter than me.
“He had his vision and he knew what his path was to success.”
There were, however, a few detours.
After being selected by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the seventh round (53rd overall) of the 2013 CFL Draft, Lauther bounced around the league for five years before finally finding a home in Saskatchewan.
He had tried out for the Roughriders in 2015 and 2017, in addition to making other stops along the way, en route to becoming entrenched as the Roughriders’ kicker in 2018.
As a first-year Roughrider, he earned West Division All-Star honours after connecting on 54 of 60 field-goal attempts. His proficiency and staying power aren’t even remotely surprising to Sumarah.
“Brett came in and was phenomenal for us,” the Huskies’ field boss said. “Then there was almost this gap where it took him a few years and then — boom! — he got the opportunity and they can’t get rid of him.
“It’s just his demeanour. Seeing him, he’s so relaxed. He’s always happy. That’s probably what’s going to continue to carry him for who knows how many more years? I hope a long time.”
Under Coach Sumarah, Saint Mary’s won the Atlantic University Sport football championship in each of Lauther’s first two seasons with the team.
During Lauther’s rookie year of 2009, Sumarah was named the U Sports Coach of the Year.
Taking into account that history, Friday’s reunion with a key mentor was especially enjoyable for Lauther.
“There are lots of good memories of the teammates and coaches,” he said. “Running into everyone right now, it’s a whirlwind and it’s surreal, but I’m loving it.”
That was evident from his choice of headgear. Lauther wore a Huskies cap during Friday’s interview session.
“It gives you a little extra beat in your heart to see how far he has come and the successes that he has had,” Sumarah said.
“To see him with that Saint Mary’s hat, he knows his roots and it’s kind of cool to see that.”
FINE FORM
Mason Fine is to make his second straight start at quarterback for the Roughriders on Saturday.
Fine has stepped in for Trevor Harris, who suffered a serious knee injury on July 15 against the visiting Calgary Stampeders.
Although the circumstances are the furthest thing from ideal, Fine appreciates the position he is in.
“As a young kid, to have the opportunity to be the quarterback for a professional team is something that you always kind of dream about,” said the 26-year-old University of North Texas product.
“But you can’t put pressure on yourself. There is pressure from the outside, but when you’re practising and going through preparation during the week and getting ready for a game, it’s just a game.
“It’s just football and you’ve got to go out there and do your job and don’t put pressure on yourself. You have to just focus and have great intensity.
“Use the pressure to heighten the intensity and the focus and make your job more efficient.”
The pressure can be elevated, however, considering the intense interest in the Roughriders and the spotlight under which their quarterback must operate.
“I think I’ve handled it pretty well,” Fine said while preparing for his fourth career start in Saskatchewan. “I was talking to a bunch of the administration and coaches last year and it’s kind of my personality not to really give in to that.
“Even if something does happen, I think I use it to my advantage. I think I use it as a positive more so than as a negative.”
LENIUS LOCKED IN
Roughriders receiver Brayden Lenius is ready to make his first regular-season appearance of 2023 after recovering from a lacerated kidney.
He takes over for Mitch Picton, who has been moved to the one-game injury list.
Jake Wieneke returns to the Roughriders’ receiving corps after missing three games with a knee injury. With Wieneke back, Kendall Watson returns to the practice roster.
Peter Godber, who sat out three games with a hand injury, is back as the starting centre. Logan Bandy is now the sixth offensive lineman after starting at centre during Godber’s absence. Offensive lineman Zack Fry goes to the one-game injured list.
At defensive end, Anthony Lanier II is good to go after missing two games with a foot injury. Defensive end Bryan Cox Jr. is now on the six-game injured list after hurting a knee on July 22 against the host B.C. Lions.
