Courtesy Regina Leader Post:

What a difference a decade makes!

Ten years ago, when now-grizzled veterans Gene Makowsky and Chris Szarka were newbies, the Saskatchewan Roughriders made their last Grey Cup appearance.

They somehow advanced through the CFL playoffs to become — as everyone expected, maybe even some of the Roughriders — cannon fodder for the Doug Flutie-led Toronto Argonauts.

“We were up against a very good team that year,” said Makowsky, recalling Toronto’s 47-23 victory over the Roughriders, who had an 8-10 record in 1997 compared to the Argonauts’ 15-3 mark. “We were big underdogs the previous two (playoff) games and Toronto was stacked with talent.

“We were fortunate to be there, let’s say.”

It’s so-o-o-o different in 2007, the 13th CFL season for offensive tackle Makowsky and the 11th for fullback Szarka. They’re the only players remaining from Saskatchewan’s last Grey Cup appearance.

“It doesn’t matter how long it takes to get back, as long as you have that opportunity,” Szarka said following a team workout Wednesday inside the Rogers Centre in preparation for Sunday’s Grey Cup against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

“Right now I have that opportunity. There are a lot of players who never get to this game. I’m thankful for that. I’m thankful for the opportunity in ‘97, but right now I’m strictly focused on this game.”

Still, Szarka can recall the lopsided loss in 1997, helped by Flutie’s three touchdown passes.

He remembers the 95-yard kickoff return by Toronto’s Adrion Smith, which opened the second half and gave Toronto a 41-9 lead. Smith remembered that, too, as he watched the Roughriders’ practice.

“It doesn’t feel that long ago,” said Smith. “I remember two kickoff returns. Just before the end of the second quarter I returned one 44 yards and (Riders kicker Paul) McCallum made the tackle. Coming out before the second half, coach (Don) Matthews said, ‘We’re going to fake the reverse to Pinball (Mike Clemons), everybody should run to Pinball and you should run scot-free down the sidelines.’ Lo and behold, that’s just what happened.”

Those plays simply confirmed what the Argonauts knew entering the 1997 game.

“This isn’t a cocky statement, it’s just the truth,” said Smith.

“We knew we were going to win. With that offence we had it was just a matter of time. On the opening kickoff, (Saskatchewan’s) Shannon Baker returned it (74 yards) and they got a field goal. Saskatchewan went crazy and (Riders tailback) Mike Saunders was yelling, ‘I told you they aren’t that hard!’ They had some confidence because they had beaten us the second game of the year. But there was no panic at all. So what? We just started rolling. It was never an issue.”

The Roughriders never talk about winning. They talk about working hard and knowing their assignments. It helped them post a 12-6-0 mark, place second in the West and win a home playoff game for the first time in 31 years before dumping the reigning Grey Cup-champion B.C. Lions in the divisional final. That earned the Roughriders their first Grey Cup berth since 1997 as they pursue their first championship since 1989.

“There were a few leaders on that ‘97 team,” said Szarka, listing Saunders, defensive end Bobby Jurasin and wideout Don Narcisse.

“But not like we do now. The leadership we have now compared to that team is simply outstanding. Everyone on this team is held accountable. On that team we had one or two leaders and I wouldn’t say they had the same focus. This means a lot to our guys on the team.”

Not only do the Roughriders deserve to be here, they’re heavily favoured against a team that has lost starting quarterback Kevin Glenn to a broken arm. The teams split their two-game set this season, with Saskatchewan winning 31-26 at home courtesy of a last-minute touchdown run by quarterback Kerry Joseph and Winnipeg routed the visitors 34-15 in the rematch one week later.

Still, Saskatchewan is a 10-point favourite against the Blue Bombers.

“That’s the oddsmakers,” said Roughriders defensive co-ordinator Richie Hall, who was also on Saskatchewan’s staff in 1997.

“I always feel we’re underdogs. We knew in 1997 that against their very good offence it was going to take an outstanding effort from our defence.

“Now we’re not successful enough to beat the oddsmakers. We have to play well because last time we played them we didn’t play well and they could have scored 100 points against us. Let’s keep things in perspective.”