the NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway with a 3.3178 days

VANCOUVER - B.C. Lions defensive back Dante Marsh has seen the weather forecasts ahead of Sundays CFL West Division semifinal. It doesnt faze him one bit. "If weve got to play at two in the morning on the Moon, Jupiter, Neptune ... then thats where weve got to play," the 10-year veteran said this week. "Im not going to let peripheral things sidetrack me mentally to take me away from the job at hand." While that job wont be taking them out of this world, the Lions (11-7) travel to chilly Regina to meet the Saskatchewan Roughriders (11-7) on Sunday for a playoff game that could see temperatures drop as low as -15 C. Despite the frigid conditions in this years Grey Cup host city, neither team expects the cold to be much of a factor in the contest to decide the Calgary Stampeders opponent in the West final. "Once youre out on the field and running around, a lot of times you dont feel it. Thats not to downplay it," said Lions quarterback Travis Lulay. "(But) a lot of times you can mentally block out the weather. "I dont foresee cold being too big of an issue." Roughriders head coach Corey Chamblin said the conditions could give his team a slight edge, but noted it could also have the opposite effect. "If we start to prepare in our minds that Oh its going to be huge. They cant do this, they cant do that, thats when it becomes a disadvantage," said Chamblin. "Theyve played in this league long enough to understand that its going to be cold this time of year. "Were not looking for advantages, were just looking to do what we need to do, execute and win a game." Whats more likely to be the difference on Sunday is both teams ability to run the football. Saskatchewan running back Kory Sheets finished No. 2 in the league in total yards with 1,598 to go along with 12 touchdowns despite missing two games because of injury. He suited up for two of the Roughriders three games with the Lions — Saskatchewans only victories against B.C. — compiling 228 yards and three touchdowns. "I think hes a very special running back," said Lions defensive end Keron Williams. "For somebody that size to be that nifty ... his centre of gravity is not that low and he can bounce it and go the distance — thats a special player. "Hes definitely circled in our books." Lions head coach Mike Benevides, himself a big proponent of the passing game, said stopping Sheets will be crucial for the No. 1-ranked B.C. defence that was second against the run. "Thats their DNA. Its been that way since Day 1. When they get up ... they really manage the clock well that way by running the football," said Benevides. "The run and the line of scrimmage — its said all the time, the game is won and lost — and thats not going to change on Sunday." Meanwhile, B.C.s ground attack took a nose dive mid-season, failing to register a 100-yard rusher for 11 straight games. But the addition of former NFLer Stefan Logan and the resurgence of Andrew Harris has the Lions back on track after back-to-back 200-yard rushing games to close out the regular season. Harris, who finished third in the CFL this season with 998 yards on the ground, said he expects to find holes against a Saskatchewan defence that finished third overall and third against the rush. "I think we can run the ball against them, I think we can pass against them," said Harris. "Especially with some healthy quarterbacks coming back now, it will be a different game for us." The question of who will play quarterback for the Lions was asked all week, with Benevides refusing to name his starter until he got a better sense of Lulays health. Coming of an injury to his throwing shoulder, Lulay saw his first action in six weeks with a cameo appearance in the regular-season finale against Calgary. The other option is veteran backup Buck Pierce, who rallied the team off the bench against the Edmonton Eskimos in the second last game of the season before starting last week. Benevides said he will decide on his starter by Saturday but added that Lulay has looked good this week. "Hes made those throws that he needs to make," said Benevides. "I just want to see how he feels." Also on the injury front, Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant will be without slotback Chris Getzlaf (knee), but still has plenty of weapons, including fellow 1,000-yard receivers Weston Dressler and Taj Smith. Despite having homefield advantage and the benefit of practising in the elements on a daily basis, Durant said the Roughriders will need a full 60-minute effort to move on against Calgary. "We know that theyre going to come in hungry," said Durant. "If we overlook them at all then we will be going home." Mason Rudolph Jersey . -- Andy Granatelli, the former CEO of STP motor oil company who made a mark on motorsports as a car owner, innovator and entrepreneur, has died. James Washington Jersey . The Marlies centre set up three goals, including the game-winner, as Toronto cruised to a 4-1 victory over the Oklahoma City Barons in American Hockey League action. http://www.steelersrookiestore.com/ . Granada defender Diego Mainz barged into the back of Villa to send the Spain striker to the ground inside the area and Costa stepped up to the spot to score his 12th league goal in the 38th minute. Costa showed no effects of the news that his Brazilian citizenship may be revoked after he elected to play for Spains national team, as the forward was a constant threat for Atletico and forced several saves from goalkeeper Roberto. Chukwuma Okorafor Jersey . About seven hours before facing Washington in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round series, team officials said the oft-injured Bynum would miss the rest of the playoffs and would not even be with the team for the rest of the post-season. Jon Bostic Steelers Jersey . - Doug Kalitta led Top Fuel qualifying Friday in the NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway with a 3.3178 days. Thats how long its been between CFL football games in Ottawa. The Ottawa Renegades bid farewell to the CFL on November 5th, 2005 with a 27-17 victory over the Toronto Argonauts. Now the Argos provide the opposition again as the Redblacks hope to open up the new TD Place Stadium with their first win in franchise history. "Its a moment the fans and the city have been looking forward to for a long time," Redblacks quarterback Henry Burris said Thursday. "Emotions are going to be running wild. The people cant wait. I know we cant wait. But our focus is on making sure we do our jobs and execute the plays. Thats going to be the most important factor in determining if we get the victory or not." Over 100 Rough Riders and Renegades alumni are expected to be in attendance Friday, including the likes of Russ Jackson and Tony Gabriel. Burris says hes thankful for the legacy they created. "We truly want to honour this city, the former Ottawa football players, and the people who helped bring football back to this city. We get to take that torch now and carry on thhe legacy of a proud franchise that won a lot of Grey Cup championships.dddddddddddd Now its time for us to get it out of the drought." That drought includes no playoff appearances since 1994, no playoff wins since 1982, no winning season since 1979, while the last of Ottawas nine Grey Cup titles came in 1976. But fans have turned the page, believing things will be different on and off the field. There is no sign of Horn Chen or Lonie Glieberman. No drafting dead people or Mardi Gras promotions. The local ownership group, spearheaded by Jeff Hunt, has inspired confidence to the tune of over 17,000 season tickets. Tickets on the secondary market for Fridays sold-out opener ranged from $167 to $2,000. Its the hottest ticket in the Capital, and Burris says it will be one of the highlights of his 18 year professional career. "I played in the first Monday night game following 9/11. Ive played in Grey Cups. Those are some pretty emotional times for me. I can only imagine just how emotional and how much energy is going to be in this stadium and this entire city." Cheap Warriors Jerseys Authentic Cavaliers Jerseys Cheap Spurs Store Celtics Jerseys Online Cheap Bulls Jerseys Cheap Nets Jerseys Cheap Thunder Jerseys Cheap 76ers Jerseys Cheap Knicks Jerseys Wholesale Raptors Jerseys Cyber Monday Pistons Jerseys Wholesale Team USA Basketball Jerseys Cheap Celtics Jerseys Cheap Nets Jerseys Cheap Knicks Jerseys Cheap 76ers Jerseys Raptors Jerseys From China Cheap Bulls Jerseys Cavaliers Jerseys From China Wholesale Pistons Jerseys Bucks Jerseys From China Pacers Jerseys Outlet Authentic Hawks Jerseys Cheap Hornets Jerseys Cheap Heat Jerseys Cheap Magic Jerseys Authentic Wizards Jerseys Cheap Nuggets Jerseys Timberwolves Jerseys Outlet Wholesale Thunder Jerseys Cheap Blazers Jerseys Cheap Jazz Jerseys Discount Warriors Jerseys Wholesale Clippers Jerseys Wholesale Lakers Jerseys Cheap Suns Jerseys Cheap Kings Jerseys Discount Mavericks Jerseys Authentic Rockets Jerseys Discount Grizzlies Jerseys Cheap Pelicans Jerseys Spurs Jerseys From China ' ' '