Saskatchewan Roughriders guard Logan Ferland during practice on Aug. 4, 2021. (Saskatchewan Roughriders)

By Britton Gray/ CJME News

Pair of Regina Thunder alumni set to start along Riders O-line

Aug 5, 2021 | 12:39 PM

Dan Clark thinks he and Logan Ferland could be a sweet combination for the Saskatchewan Roughriders offensive line.

“The legend of Ferland now comes to us. I’m very excited to have Logan beside me and from the moment he got here (in 2019), I’ve seen it before everyone else has seen it. He’s very special and I feel like the fit is going to be like milk and cookies. It’s going to go together perfectly,” Clark said.

Dan Clark returns to the centre position after enjoying an all-star CFL campaign in 2019. But outside of offensive tackle Terran Vaughn, the rest of the talented 2019 crew are no longer around. Vaughn, who has had a shoulder injury throughout most of camp, did not participate in the Riders closed practice on Wednesday.

Perennial all-star Brendon LaBatte decided to sit out 2021, tackle Takoby Cofield retired, Philip Blake and Dariusz Bladek signed with the Toronto Argonauts, Thaddeus Coleman is a free agent and Dakoda Shepley is in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers.

In their places will be Ferland at one guard position and the two free agent acquisitions – guard Evan Johnson and tackle Brett Boyko – as the starters when the Riders take on the B.C. Lions Friday at Mosaic Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

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The Saskatchewan ties are strong along the O-Line group with Clark (Regina), Johnson (Regina), Ferland (Melfort) and Boyko (Saskatoon) all being from the Land of Living Skies.

Clark said one of the things the group prides itself on is the ability to put anyone into the group and it find a way to work.

“We try to have as much fun on the field as we can on the field, especially those long days and the low numbers that we have,” Clark said.

Clark joined the Roughriders in 2009 as territorial junior as a member of the Regina Thunder.

Following those very similar steps is Ferland, who joined the team in 2019 as a Regina Thunder territorial junior.

“Dan is a great teacher overall. The biggest thing that I’ve picked up from him is probably work ethic. No one works like that guy. He is focused and determined and to be 33 now and still that focused and determined, it’s a big inspiration and continues to inspire me and the rest of the O-linemen,” Ferland said.

Now the Melfort-product will make his professional debut in front of a home-province crowd.

“It’s hard to find to words. I’ve been fighting for this since I graduated, it has been a goal of mine. It’s a surreal feeling but I’m just trying to stay focused and dialed in to what I need to do,” Ferland said.

Ferland recently changed his jersey number from 75 to 63 due to eligibility reasons. Offensive lineman can only wear jersey numbers 50-69.

Number 57, which was worn by LaBatte, wasn’t even up for consideration.

“That was a no-touch zone. That wasn’t an option and even if it was, I don’t think I could step into those shoes,” Ferland said.

Head coach Craig Dickenson said the work that Ferland has put in has been noticeable on the field.

“He’s grown. He’s a young guy and he came here as a junior football player. He’s gotten stronger and he’s bigger. He’s hanging out with Dan Clark and he’s taking a lot of reps with the (starters), he’s taken a lot of reps at guard and centre,” Dickenson said. “I think (offensive line coach) Stephen Sorrels has done a real good job with Logan Ferland. We will see how he does, I know he is going to play.”

The Green Zone pre-game show begins at 5:30 p.m.

Notes: Along with Vaughn, offensive lineman Mattland Riley (illness) and defensive end Jordan Reaves (Achilles tightness) did not participate on Wednesday … Slotback Justin McInnis (hamstring) was once again limited in practice.