SASKATOON \u2014 Play of the day? That was an easy pick.<\/p>\n
It was an extremely difficult pick in a different context, considering the infrequency with which Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris \u2014 the reigning Grey Cup MVP and a future Canadian Football Hall of Famer \u2014 is intercepted under any circumstances.<\/p>\n
Try to picture what it was like, then, for rookie defensive back Carson Sombach<\/a> when he stepped in front of a short pass by Harris at Coors Light Training Camp on Thursday.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s cool to just go up against Trevor Harris,\u201d the Regina-born Sombach said. \u201cTo get an interception just adds on top of it.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a really good player and he goes through his reads so fast, so it was a pretty cool experience.\u201d<\/p>\n The same can be said of Sombach\u2019s first CFL training camp as a whole. A Canada West all-star with the University of Regina Rams last season, he signed with Saskatchewan as an undrafted free agent on May 4.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s incredible,\u201d Head Coach Corey Mace said<\/a>. \u201cHe\u2019s a really intelligent kid. He has grasped his job responsibilities within the defence and he also knows what\u2019s going on around him at the position he\u2019s playing.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s good when you get a chance to get your hands on the ball in the team period. It\u2019s good for confidence from his standpoint, going into a pre-season game.\u201d<\/p>\n The Roughriders are preparing to meet the host Calgary Stampeders on Monday. Calgary\u2019s roster includes Jackson Sombach, Carson\u2019s brother, who was the Stampeders\u2019 seventh-round selection (60th overall) in the 2024 CFL Canadian Draft.<\/p>\n Although Monday\u2019s game will be a family milestone, Carson isn\u2019t looking beyond the upcoming meetings and practices as he continues to hone his game as a member of an accomplished defensive backfield.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve watched these guys playing, so I know all the (big) names,\u201d Sombach said. \u201cComing into rookie camp, you don\u2019t really see them. When the vets got here (for main camp), it was a little intimidating at first. Then you realize how good a guys they are and how willing they are to help you and how they want to see you be a better player. That\u2019s really awesome.<\/p>\n \u201cI think everyone\u2019s starting to come together and get real close. We\u2019re all helping each other. Everyone wants to see each other succeed. It has been everything that I\u2019ve wanted. I\u2019m looking forward to the next part of training camp and hopefully onward from that.\u201d<\/p>\n THURSDAY HIGHLIGHTS<\/p>\n Sombach\u2019s interception aside, here are some notable plays from Day 5 of main camp at Griffiths Stadium:<\/p>\n \u2022 Harris produced the day\u2019s most picturesque passing play by finding Abdul Janneh Jr. over the middle for a 40- yard touchdown. Harris was 7-for-9 during Thursday\u2019s 12-on-12 sessions.<\/p>\n \u2022 Benjamin Walz, a junior-eligible camp invitee from the PFC\u2019s Regina Thunder, made a leaping grab over the middle for a 20-yard gain. The pass was thrown by Tommy Stevens, who was 4-for-4.<\/p>\n \u2022 Defensive back JuJu Hughes<\/a> made a leaping interception in 12-on-12. Middle linebacker Jameer Thurman had a pass deflection to begin the first of two 12-on-12 periods.<\/p>\n \u2022 Dhel Duncan-Busby and Daniel Wiebe made sliding catches. Duncan Busby and running back Mario Anderson Jr.<\/a> each had two catches in 12-on-12. Eight other players had one each.<\/p>\n \u2022 Anderson Jr. was the busiest ball-carrier, accepting five handoffs. A.J. Ouellette, a returning 1,222-yard rusher, ran the ball twice. Thomas Bertrand-Hudon and Thunder product Peter Boersch each had one carry.<\/p>\n \u2022 In pass skeleton drills \u2014 pitting receivers against defensive backs \u2014 Jack Coan threaded the needle to Jaylen Johnson for a nice gain over the middle. Quarterback Brayden Schager connected with Johnson on a smooth crossing route.<\/p>\n \u2022 Recently arrived receiver Mathew Sexton<\/a> showed off his speed after catching an intermediate-range pass from Harris.<\/p>\n \u2022 Pass knockdowns in skeleton: Defensive backs Rolan Milligan Jr.<\/a> and Garnett Hollis Jr., along with linebacker Aubrey Miller Jr.<\/p>\n TRAE-NING CAMP<\/p>\n