Before the pandemic: Mosaic Stadium in all its greenery. (Saskatchewan Roughriders)

By Nigel Maxwell

Go Riders Go

Big excitement in final countdown to Riders kickoff

Aug 5, 2021 | 5:43 PM

It has been a long time – around 600 days- since the Rider Nation has been able to collectively look ahead to a game. But, with COVID restrictions now over, there is widespread jubilation across Saskatchewan ahead of Friday’s season opener.

Prince Albert’s Brad Amy says he cannot wait take to see the Riders take the field.

He and his daughter are season ticket holders and will be among the thousands packed into Mosaic Stadium.

“I’ve been a Riders fan for over 40 years and it’s time to get back at it and I’m excited for football,” he said.

Acknowledging the game is still being played during a pandemic, and being surrounded by thousands of fans, Amy said it is a concern but added he and his daughter will take precautions around the stadium, and are both just feeling really excited.

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“Maybe because we thought the league wouldn’t survive, so maybe it’s a little bit of normal we all need,” Amy said.

Restaurants and sports bars are gearing up for a busy few days, with some planning contests around the CFL’s return. Chad Mogg, manager at the Prince Albert Boston Pizza expects a busy night Friday.

That sentiment was also shared by Lazlo Horvath at the North Battleford Boston Pizza location, who added they are giving away two tickets to every home game for patrons coming in to watch.

“We thought given the pandemic and people being pent up, we’d give the guests something special,” he said. “Plus, the games will be on the big screens, the volume will be on, all of that good stuff.”

Horvath said they’re expecting a huge turnout, for this week and future games. He said there’s been significant buzz from customers about the CFL for some time now.

He said even the Winnipeg versus Hamilton game on Thursday night would involve getting the big screen on with the volume up.

North Battleford Comprehensive High School football coach Mike Humenny said his players are excited for the game.

“The Riders have such an impact on football at so many levels,” he said. “That trickles down to pretty much every football team and organization in the province.”

That momentum could carry into the fall. Humenny said local athletes have in turn become more and more excited to get their season started in September.

“As season begins at all levels, I think it will be a continued optimism as we move forward,” he said. “Fall is usually reserved for football time and I think that will happen again this year.”

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With files from Josh Ryan at battlefordsNOW

Nigel.Maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @NigelMaxwell