Sayville’s Jack Coan Gets His Shot

From under the lights in Sayville to the professional football stage in Canada, Jack Coan’s journey is reaching another exciting milestone. The former Sayville High School quarterback is set to make his first career Canadian Football League (CFL) start Saturday, when the Saskatchewan Roughriders host the Edmonton Elks in their regular-season finale.

Coan, a third-year Roughrider, will become the 106th starting quarterback in franchise history. The 27-year-old Long Island native has dressed for all 17 of Saskatchewan’s regular-season games this year but has attempted just two passes, completing both.

With the Roughriders having clinched a playoff berth, head coach Corey Mace decided to give veteran quarterback Trevor Harris a rest before the postseason. Harris has led the CFL with 5,370 passing yards and has thrown 32 touchdown passes, putting him three short of Saskatchewan’s single-season franchise record of 35, set by Kent Austin in 1992.

Mace believes Coan has earned the opportunity to take the reins.

“I think Jack has earned an opportunity,” Mace told reporters Wednesday.

For Coan, the start represents a long-awaited chance to show what he can do after spending three seasons in a backup role. Despite limited opportunities in the passing game, he has continued to work behind the scenes while waiting for his moment.

His first start also adds another chapter to the football journey that began on Long Island. Coan starred at Sayville before continuing his career at the University of Notre Dame and later reaching the professional ranks. He will become the third Notre Dame alumnus to start at quarterback for Saskatchewan.

With the Roughriders preparing for the playoffs, Saturday’s matchup offers Coan an opportunity to gain valuable experience and demonstrate that he can lead the offense when called upon.

For Sayville football fans, it is another chance to follow one of their own as he takes the next step in his professional career.