Obviously, there is no greater significance to Saturday’s game in Regina than the first-place implications of the clash between the Stampeders and the Roughriders. It’s the difference between playing in the West Semi-Final and getting a bye into the West Final.
That said, there are other intriguing storylines imbedded into the final weekend of regular-season play, starting with Joffrey Reynolds’ bid for the 2009 rushing title. The Calgary running back has rushed for 1,397 yards so far this season and he carries a 103-yard lead over Winnipeg’s Fred Reid heading into Week 19. Montreal’s Avon Cobourne is 183 yards back while a group including BC’s Martell Mallett, Hamilton’s DeAndra’ Cobb and Edmonton’s Arkee Whitlock are all 200-plus yards in arrears of the leader.
If Reynolds can hold off the challengers, he would become only the third player in Stampeders history to claim back-to-back rushing crowns, joining James Sykes (1980-81) and Lovell Coleman (1963-64). The most recent case of a CFL rushing champion defending his title came in 2006 when Winnipeg’s Charles Roberts repeated.
In 2008, Reynolds became the ninth player in franchise history to win a league rushing title.
Here is a complete list of Calgary rushing kings:
- 2008: Joffrey Reynolds
- 1986: Gary Allen
- 1981: James Sykes
- 1980: James Sykes
- 1975: Willie Burden
- 1970: Hugh McKinnis
- 1964: Lovell Coleman
- 1963: Lovell Coleman
- 1961: Earl Lunsford
- 1954: Howard Waugh
- 1952: Johnny Bright