It’s my Parting Shot for my reactions to the headlines in today’s Star-Phoenix Sports Section…..

First headline…”Next man up” for Riders receiving corps, Injuries granting players like Watson, Bane Junior, an opportunity to take the field. My reaction…At training camp, six weeks ago here in Saskatoon, the five-pack of receivers was supposed to consist of Derel Walker, Brayden Lenius, Jake Wieneke, Juwan Brescacin and, eventually when he returned from injury sometime this summer, Kian Schaffer-Baker. In the interim, former Calgary bit performer Shawn Bane Junior was supposed to be in that role with the Green and White. He was also supposed to be the speed in a group of relatively good possession pass catchers! However, four weeks into the season, all those guys are sidelined by injury. Bane is the Riders’ leading receiver with 15 catches for 245 yards, seventh-most in the C-F-L! Along with 14 catches for Tevin Jones and 17 receptions for Samuel Emilus, thank goodness the “next man up” for Saskatchewan has been more than capable!!

Next headline…Rattlers feeling a sense of urgency. Reaction…firstly, I feel bad for Darren Zary, whose brilliant prose as per usual, at least in newspaper form, fell victim to the print version of the Star-Phoenix’s 1:30 p.m. in the afternoon, the day before it comes out on the street, deadline to a late afternoon news release from the Snakes that they have fired head coach Dean Demopoulos – one of two central figures quoted by Zary in the yarn! But, outside of that fact, the premise of the piece is bang-on, with eight games left, the Rattlers need to go on a winning streak in order to get back into playoff contention!

Last headline…Women’s hockey league prepares for 2024 launch, Plenty of work to do before then as cities, team names and rosters must be chosen. My reaction…I wonder if Saskatoon could be one of the cities? Or would we need to have the new arena as part of the Downtown Entertainment District done before that happens?! Oops, sorry, contentious issue – I’ll stop now!!

That’s my Parting Shot. I’m Les Lazaruk…and it turned out nice again!