ROBSERVATIONS: Trevor’s travels … Schagers’ close bond is apparent … 15 years of Touchdown for Dreams … Riders/Bombers pre-season trivia
SASKATOON — Trevor Harris is among the fastest Saskatchewan Roughriders players at Coors Light Training Camp.
He has spent the past 2½ weeks buzzing around the University of Saskatchewan campus via scooter while travelling from the dorms to dinner, to meetings, or to the locker room.
As the reigning Grey Cup MVP, the Roughriders’ marquee quarterback is routinely stopped by fans — to whom he is invariably accommodating.
“A couple of people have told me I look like Trevor Harris,” the Trevor Harris said with a laugh on Friday. “A couple of people have asked me if I am Trevor Harris.
“It’s an interesting thing. I’m just a small-town guy (from Waldo, Ohio), so it’s kind of awkward for me. We’re just normal people and we’re all children of God. Just because we’re good at football, it doesn’t make us any better people.
“What a cool thing it is that we get to have some influence and impact and that we get to have some cool conversations with people.”
Much of the recent chatter pertains to the Roughriders’ pre-season finale, which is slated for Saturday, 5 p.m., at Griffiths Stadium.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are to provide the opposition for Destination Bridge City, presented by Cameco, in the first Saskatoon-based CFL game since 1991. (Standing-room tickets are AVAILABLE HERE.)
“It’ll be really cool to play in front of the people of Saskatoon,” Harris said. “All of us are part of the province of Saskatchewan. That’s why we’re the Saskatchewan Roughriders.”
Harris is poised to become the fifth Roughrider to start at quarterback during a pre-season game versus Winnipeg in Saskatoon.
Tom Burgess got the nod on June 26, 1988 in a 41-6 Roughriders victory. Kent Austin, Jeff Bentrim and then-Regina Rams star Dean Picton — an uncle of recently retired Riders receiver Mitch Picton — also threw passes for the Green and White.
Bentrim got the start on June 25, 1989, when the Roughriders prevailed 37-7. Former Michigan State Spartans pivot Bobby McAllister also called signals for Saskatchewan that day.
Austin was Saskatchewan’s starter during a June 24, 1990 shootout, won 41-40 by Winnipeg. Bentrim, Burgess and erstwhile Notre Dame Fighting Irish QB Tony Rice helped the Roughriders amass 473 passing yards and 583 yards of net offence.
Ted Wahl was the first quarterback out of the gate on June 23, 1991. Wahl and Rice each threw a touchdown pass to Willis Jacox to help Saskatchewan win 17-16 in the fourth annual Roughriders-Bombers matchup at Gordie Howe Bowl.
That was 12,753 days ago.
With that in mind, Craig Reynolds was asked on Friday: “Are we going to have to wait another 35 years (for the next Roughriders pre-season game in Saskatoon)?”
“I hope not,” replied the Roughriders’ President-CEO, a U of S alumnus. “That was a long time ago. I was in high school the last time that happened.
“Rob was in his early 50s, so hopefully we can get it here again before Rob is entering his late 90s.”
SCHAGERS TAKE FLIGHT … AGAIN
Scott and Ginger Schager will be at Griffiths Stadium today to watch their 22-year-old son, Brayden, play quarterback for Saskatchewan.
Dallas, Texas to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan isn’t the easiest airline connection, but nothing fazes the Schagers.
At least one of Brayden’s parents attended every one of his games during his time at the University of Hawaii (2021 to 2024).
“My mom says she’s got to be there to pray over the field every game,” said Brayden, who will be part of a Roughriders quarterbacking rotation that will also include Harris, Jack Coan and Tommy Stevens.
“It’s just a blessing to have them there. They love watching me play and they’re super-supportive. They’re the best parents I could ask for, so it’s awesome to have them at every single game. They make it a point to be there for me all the time, so it’s incredible.”
The logistics are not the easiest. Airfares are not the cheapest. Yet, the Schagers made it work.
“I was blessed the last couple of years in Hawaii to have an NIL deal with a hotel there, so they were able to stay there, which was really cool,” the Roughriders’ No. 10 said.
“They loved coming to Hawaii and watching me play. The games on the mainland were a lot easier. The away games would be closer to Texas. They just made it a point that they wanted to be there through my career.
“I almost get emotional talking about it, because it’s amazing to have them there for me every single time. I appreciate all the sacrifices they have made for me throughout my life.
“I haven’t made it easy for them — going to Hawaii and, now, Canada. They’ve had to travel long distances. But wherever I am, I know they’re going to be there for me.
“I think I have the best parents in the world, so it’s amazing to have them there.”
Speaking of amazing … what was it like to attend college in Hawaii?!
“It was a big adjustment at first but, the last three years there, I absolutely loved it,” Schager recalled. “It was a blast. I loved my time there and I love the island.
“There was perfect weather every single day. You get done practice and you go to the beach or you do whatever. I get asked that question a lot in the locker room, too, and all the guys are envious. It was a lot.
“When you’re being recruited, (Hawaii) is a big sell. You get to live there for four years. My parents always said it was like a paid vacation.”
TOUCHDOWN FOR DREAMS
A private gala was held on Friday night in Saskatoon to introduce and celebrate the 15 women who will have their wishes granted as part of Cameco Riders Touchdown for Dreams.
Each year, women who are facing a life-threatening cancer diagnosis can apply to be among the dream recipients.
“It’s the 15-year anniversary of that program,” Reynolds noted on Friday. “I think of the impact it has had on the women who have been granted dreams.
“Cancer has touched everybody who belongs to Rider Nation. That’s why you see the support that we do get for the Touchdown for Dreams game when we’re selling the pink toques and the mitts. Rider Nation shows up.
“We sell out every single year and that’s what allows us to grant these dreams to these women.”
The successful applicants typically learn of their selection via a phone call from the Head Coach.
“One of my favourite parts of the job is being affiliated with the program in a small form,” Corey Mace said. “There’s so many people who do so much work, whether it’s from Cameco or the Riders’ organization.
“To be able to get to meet some of these ladies and their families and to have those conversations with them and letting them know that their wish has been granted, I’m very honoured to be a part of that.”
So is Harris, who is often conspicuous at Touchdown for Dreams functions.
“What an honour it is to not only don the green and white, but also to be the quarterback here,” he said. “I’ve told you guys (in the media) many times that it’s something I never take for granted.
“I’m very grateful to be able to be a part of something like Cameco Touchdown for Dreams. I think everybody, to some degree, has been touched by cancer. My mom is a breast cancer survivor. My sister-in-law is among many other people in my life who have dealt with cancer. They’ve all battled and won, or are continuing to fight.
“The people we support in this program are part of the Saskatchewan Roughrider family. It’s an honour and a privilege to be in that fight with them.
“It is said that you’re never fighting alone if you’ve got an army behind you. I hope they know that we have their back, just like we have our family’s back.”
REWINDING 35 YEARS …
One current member of the Roughriders’ organization has a link to the aforementioned 1991 pre-season game in Saskatoon.
U of S Huskies legend Dan Farthing played his first game as a Roughrider when the Bombers visited Gordie Howe Bowl 34 years and 11 months ago.
He caught three passes for 40 yards to begin an 11-season CFL career that was spent entirely with the Roughriders.
Now the team’s Head of Strength and Conditioning, Farthing was the second overall selection in the 1991 CFL Canadian Draft.
TRIVIA TIME
Who was the first Winnipeg quarterback to play in a pre-season game in Saskatoon?
That would be Joe Paopao — a Roughrider from 1984 to 1986.
Paopao spent the 1988 pre-season with the Blue Bombers before being released on June 30 — his 33rd. birthday.
The other Winnipeg players to throw at least one pass in Saskatoon: Tom Muecke (1988), Jeff Tedford (1988), Lee Saltz (1989, 1990), Sam Garza (1989, 1990, 1991), Brent Pease (1990) and Danny McManus (1990, 1991).
Tedford dressed for three games with the Roughriders in 1987. Garza was an assistant coach with Saskatchewan in 1999, 2000 and 2004.
Another ex-Roughrider, Zach Collaros, is to start at quarterback for Winnipeg on Saturday.
Collaros and Harris both broke into the CFL with the Toronto Argonauts in 2012.
ROLL CREDITS …
• Nice people who deserve a plug: Joan West, Tim West, Riley Clement, Neeti Sharma, Aavishi Sharma, Aaruth Sharma, John Grainger, Mathew Sexton, Brayden Schager, Scott Schager, Ginger Schager, Steve Mazurak, John Mace, Eric Anderson, James Shewaga, Michelle Houlden, Bruce Houlden, John Houlden, Marilyn Holden, Greg Yuel, Jenn Senger, Joey Walters, Brent Buchko, Bob Calder, Dan Farthing, Jeff Bentrim, Joe Paopao and Barry Sawyer.
