Courtesy Regina Leader Post:

Neal Hughes wants one dream to be of the recurring variety.

The five-year veteran with the Saskatchewan Roughriders described the 2007 CFL campaign as the perfect season after he scored his first professional touchdowns and won the Grey Cup with his hometown team.

“It was a dream come true,” said Hughes. “A lot of kids grow up in Saskatchewan watching the Roughriders and wanting to win a Grey Cup. Being able to play in it is like winning the lottery for me — it’s like winning a million bucks.”

Heading into last season, there wasn’t any expectation that Hughes would provide much offence. Hughes joined the Roughriders as a free agent in 2004 after putting up big numbers in junior and university football with the Regina Rams. With the Roughriders, however, he was used mainly on special teams and as a backup fullback.

In 2007, he had his first career reception (an eight-yarder) in Week 10, but saw his role increase when fullback Chris Szarka was injured in a carpentry accident on Oct. 15.

Hughes scored his first CFL touchdown in Week 17 (a four-yard run) and scored one more touchdown in the Roughriders’ 26-17 win over the B.C. Lions in the West final.

“Every player coming into camp wants to get into that role and play more,” said Hughes. “I’m just going to do whatever it takes to get on the field and play football. Wherever the coaches put me, I’m going to go out there and do my best to get the job done.”

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