By paNOW Staff

Saskatchewan Roughriders special teams will be key in CFL West semi-final

Nov 12, 2010 | 4:30 PM

Special teams will once again be front and center for the Saskatchewan Roughriders this Sunday against the B.C. Lions in the Western semi-final.

After a year of struggles, the unit seems to have gained a lot of confidence with arguably its best game against Edmonton in the regular season finale.

And that confidence will have to be high going up against Yonus Davis, who is the special teams player of the year in the West.

Coach Jim Daley says the Riders have to know where Davis is at all times.

“He is a weapon, he is a force,” said Daley. “We have to come in and have great protection, first for our punter, and then great lanes. We have to to be real solid in our coverage because that man can exploit a crease very quickly.”

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Punter Eddie Johnson will have to be at his best trying to keep the ball away from Davis. Johnson said he'll be aware of Davis, but doesn't feel threatened by his ability.

“He can do a lot when there's nothing there. He's also very dangerous when you hit a good punt. But I'm not scared. You just have to go out there and just kick,” said Johnson.

“We just have to do what we can do and do our best to shut him down. He's a great returner, so we'll see what happens Sunday.”

As for field goals, the coaches will continue to go with a two-kicker system. Warren Kean will kick from under 40 yards. Johnson will kick from 40 yards and over.