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The Labour Day Classic is the front half of a home-and-home set with the Blue Bombers. Winnipeg is to play host to the rematch on Sept. 9.

“Labour Day and the back-to-back games against Winnipeg are going to be major for us,’’ said cornerback Jovon Johnson, who spent six seasons with the Blue Bombers. “It will be my first one playing on the other side (with the Riders). It’s going to be a big game for both teams and hopefully we will come out on top.’’

The Riders have limped into the previous two Labour Day Classics. In 2016, the first year with Chris Jones as the head coach and general manager, the Riders had a 1-8 record compared to Winnipeg’s 5-4 mark.

In 2015, the Riders had an 0-9 record heading into the Labour Day Classic. Winnipeg was marginally better at 3-6.

Winnipeg prevailed 28-25 in last year’s Labour Day Classic. The Riders won 37-19 in 2015, extending their winning streak in the Classic to 11 games.

The teams are now preparing for first Labour Day Classic to be held at new Mosaic Stadium, so there will be additional hype to a game that is always eagerly anticipated.

“I can’t wait, because all I hear about is Labour Day in Regina and that everybody is ready,’’ Riders receiver Duron Carter said. “I know there is going to be a whole lot of energy in the stadium and I can’t wait to be part of it.’’

It doesn’t hurt that the Riders head into the Labour Day Classic after two impressive victories.

“The Labour Day Classic is always significant because it’s the Labour Day Classic,’’ Glenn said. “Everybody always marks that game on their calendars whether y0u’re from Saskatchewan or Winnipeg.

“We know that it’s a West Division team and it has a lot of significance because we want to continue to keep winning to put ourselves at the top of the West. There are teams in the West that are winning and we have to keep winning to keep up, too.’’

mmccormick@postmedia.com

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