Saskatchewan Roughriders tailback William Powell. (File photo courtesy of the Saskatchewan Roughriders)

By Britton Gray

Stepping Up

William Powell leading on the ground and in the celebrations

Sep 27, 2019 | 5:39 PM

William Powell isn’t just leading the way to the end zone for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, he’s also leading the touchdown celebrations.

“We always talk about (the celebrations) before the game but if guys try to run off, I’m like, ‘Come on, come on, we’re doing this,’ ” the 31-year-old running back said ahead of the Roughriders’ game Saturday against the Toronto Argonauts.

Kickoff for the CFL game is set for 5 p.m.

Just like how it takes a team effort to get into the end zone, Powell said it’s a group mentality when it comes to thinking up the next post-touchdown performance.

“I get (the ideas) from some of the players. I get all the credit but most of them, they came up with,” Powell said. “I’m just adamant about doing them.”

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Powell leads all running backs with 10 rushing touchdowns in 2019, his first season with the Green and White. Powell signed as a free agent with the Roughriders in February after spending four seasons with the Ottawa Redblacks.

“I felt like there was a better opportunity (in Saskatchewan),” Powell said. “Saskatchewan was moving in the right direction and it’s showing here on the field.”

In his first season, Powell has recorded 751 rushing yards to go along with his 10 TDs. He also has caught 26 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown.

“He’s fun to coach; he’s a special kid,” Roughriders running backs coach Kent Maugeri said. “His instincts and his vision are the best I’ve seen.”

Maugeri said Powell’s ability to do everything well makes him one of the league’s premier talents at the position. Maugeri, who’s in his fourth season as the Roughriders’ running backs coach, said Powell reminds him of a few other players he has coached.

“He’s great in pass protection, almost like a Cameron Marshall, and his vision is almost like a Curtis Steele from my first year here,” Maugeri said. “His elusiveness is unlike anyone I’ve ever had.

“He’s a good mix to have. He does everything right (and) he wants to be great.”

The way Powell plays on the field is also a representation of the person he is off it as well.

“I can be reserved but at the same time I can be animated so I kind of like to mix it up, just like I do on the field,” Powell said.

Powell could be leaned on as the Roughriders try to punch their ticket to the post-season for the third straight year.

“We play better when we run well so we’re going to always try to do that,” head coach Craig Dickenson said. “I think (our coaching staff) have done a good job of getting a good run game going this week so we’re hopefully going to see some of that on Saturday.”

The Roughriders’ ground game has been one of the league’s best this season with a league-leading 20 rushing touchdowns.

The Green Zone pre-game show gets underway Saturday at 3 p.m.