Dylan Wynn spent four seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, one less than Sean Thomas-Erlington. Both were on the losing side of two Grey Cups with the Ticats.
Fate brought them together again in 2024, when the free agents signed with the Alouettes this past winter. On Friday night at Tim Hortons Field (7:30 p.m., TSN1, TSN5, RDS, TSN Radio-690, 98.5 FM), the duo will face their former team, but insist it will be just another game.
“We live in a week-to-week bubble and we’re just trying to put together the best football we can on the field,” import defensive-tackle Wynn said after practice Wednesday at St-Léonard’s Stade Hébert. “I’m excited to get another go at it. The Ticats’ organization? That’s something I’d think about in the off-season, not when we’re in it right now. I’m just trying to put the best football I can on the field.”
Canadian tailback Thomas-Erlington was equally non-emotional.
“It’s going back to where it started for me, but I wouldn’t say there’s anything special about it,” he said. “It’s fun going back to a place that was once my home, but at the end of the day, it’s just another week in the CFL. It’s the opponents we’ve got to face this week. That’s all I’m thinking.”
If this is just the next game for Wynn and Thomas-Erlington, it has taken on significant more meaning for quarterback Davis Alexander, who will make his first regular-season start.
Alexander, in his third season, replaced a struggling Caleb Evans in the second half against Saskatchewan last Thursday. Alexander completed his first 12 passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns, erasing a 16-3 deficit as the Als rallied for a 20-16 win.
Evans and Alexander are replacing the injured (hamstring) Cody Fajardo. Fajardo was on the six-game injured list, only to be removed on Tuesday, attending practices the next two days. When the Als issued their depth chart and roster on Thursday, Fajardo was on the one-game injured list, where his contract counts against the salary cap. It doesn’t when players are on the six-game list.
Alexander will be backed up against the Ticats by Evans, who remains the Als’ short-yardage specialist. Rookie James Morgan dresses for a second consecutive game as the third-string QB.
“I’m excited and can’t wait,” Alexander, now in his third season with Montreal, said on Wednesday. “This is a great opportunity for me. I’ve been dreaming of my first pro start for a while. “It has been a long time, but you have to be patient in this league, especially at the quarterback position. There’s only nine starting jobs available.”
Als head coach Jason Maas has been ebullient in his praise this week of Alexander, and has steadfastly maintained the offensive plan won’t change. Much like Fajardo, Alexander is mobile and relies on a quick release. Alexander might also be the hardest-throwing Montreal quarterback.
“Everyone makes a big deal of a first start,” Maas said. “It’s different if you’re a rookie. Davis has been in this league for a number of years now. He prepares every single day like he’s the starter and we’ll play the game the exact same.”
While the Als (6-1) are the first CFL team to reach six victories heading into this week’s games, the Ticats (2-5) won’t be an easy out. Hamilton is looking for its first three-game winning streak since 2022. Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell set a career-high with five touchdown passes last Sunday, against winless Edmonton, and has thrown for at least 300 yards in five games this season.
Ticats tailback James Butler had 21 carries for 98 yards against Edmonton after launching his season with a 119-yard performance against Calgary. And the Als’ run defence has struggled of late. The Roughriders’ Frankie Hickson had 98 yards in the first half alone against Montreal.
“I think we’re making great strides in the direction we need to be going,” Wynn said. “Football’s a wonderful sport. You only compete one time a week. We make all these adjustments and changes, tighten down our technique, but don’t really know until you run water through it if it’s going to hold.
“We’re excited to test out not just the changes but the fundamental tightening. And see what kind of product we can put on the field against Hamilton.”