By paNOW Staff

Saskatchewan Roughrider rookies looking to make big impact this Sunday

Nov 13, 2010 | 6:39 AM

Four Saskatchewan Roughriders will be getting their first taste of CFL playoff football on Sunday in the Western semi final against the B.C. Lions.

Shomari Williams, Cary Koch, and Brent Hawkins are three of them. Hawkins is the most experienced of the three having played in the NFL playoffs with Jacksonville back in 2008.

He says it's all about being just as focused as you were in the regular season.

“Keeping emotions in check…..you just have to do it,” said Hawkins. “Just keep the emotions in check and not put the game to high on a pedestal. Just go out and play your game and do what you're doing. Sometimes if you get out there and try to do too much, you make mistakes.”

Cary Koch hasn't played a playoff game since his high school days in Louisiana. He's become a real force filling in for the injured Rob Bagg and looks forward to getting those first couple of snaps under his belt.

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“I think it's understood that this is the last playoff game and emotions are going to be high,” said Koch. “I can only imagine the crowd is going to be completely into the game. Everyone will be on the edge of their seats waiting for big plays and that's what we're going to come out and do.”

And that crowd should be just as loud as ever as it usually is come playoff time. Hawkins hears the more than 30,000 fans will sound close to around 60,000.

“The guys said it's going to be loud, but they said it will be nothing … nothing like it was during the regular season,” said Hawkins. “I'm really excited to get out their and experience that. With the fans backing us, it gives us that much better of a chance to win the game.”

Count on these three to make some big plays against B.C. come Sunday.

In other Rider notes, linebacker Barrin Simpson missed another day of practice with an ankle injury. He's been bothered by it all week and head coach Ken Miller isn't sure of his availability for Sunday. He may have more information Saturday, but it's looking like Simpson may be a game time decision. And, receiver Weston Dressler was back practising after sitting out Thursday feeling a little under the weather.