Grey Cup preview?
It’s easy to imagine that Friday’s meeting between the Alouettes and B.C. Lions at Molson Stadium (7:30 p.m., TSN1, TSN5, RDS, TSN Radio-690, 98.5 FM) will be the first of three games between the teams, culminating in the Nov. 17 CFL championship at BC Place. The clubs also meet Oct. 19 in Vancouver.
Montreal (10-1) is first in the East Division, while the Lions (6-6) are tied with Winnipeg for first place in the West Division. The visitors ended a five-game losing skid — after winning five straight — with a convincing 38-12 victory against Ottawa last Saturday.
“Right now if you would tell me (the Lions) are going to be in the Grey Cup, I’d probably believe you,” Als general manager Danny Maciocia said. “If you told me, potentially, Edmonton could be there, I’d believe you also. There’s lots up for grabs now. This is the CFL. You don’t get caught up with records at this stage of the season. Anything can happen over the next little while.”
Montreal had a 6-7 record and was on a four-game losing streak last September before winning its final eight, including playoffs and the Grey Cup. Nothing is predictable in the CFL.
What does appear virtually certain this season is it’s the Grey Cup or bust for the host Lions, who recently added Canadian quarterback Nathan Rourke and non-import defensive-end Mathieu Betts.
Rourke, the CFL’s outstanding Canadian in 2022, spent last season in the NFL, most recently released by Atlanta. He picked the Redblacks’ defence apart last weekend, completing 21 of 30 passes for 325 yards and three touchdowns. Betts signed with the Detroit Lions last winter only to be recently released. Betts was the league’s outstanding defensive player last season, recording a career-high 18 sacks, the most by a Canadian. He had one sack against Ottawa.
Rourke will be making his fourth consecutive start since his return. Former Alouettes starter Vernon Adams Jr., now the Lions’ backup, returns to the active roster from a knee injury sustained Aug. 1 against Winnipeg.
“The Lions are all in,” Maciocia said. “All you had to do is take a look at their moves the last few weeks. You can tell they’re all in. A lot of teams should have that attitude at this time of year.”
B.C. is coming off a short week, practised only twice and flew cross-country on Thursday. While the Als are well rested following their second bye week, they’ll be without receiver Austin Mack, just back himself from an NFL stint with the Falcons. Mack played one game for Montreal, catching three passes for 32 yards against Edmonton, but has been placed on the six-game injured list. He twisted his ankle on Wednesday and had to leave practice.
Mack has been replaced by Jose Barbon, who will be making his CFL debut. The Als also have activated receiver Reggie White Jr., who was on the practice roster. Mack originally was listed on Thursday as a game-time decision before being sidelined indefinitely.
Not only must the Als contend with Rourke, who becomes more dangerous if allowed to settle into a rhythm, they’ll be facing tailback William Stanback for the first time. Stanback spent five seasons with Montreal before signing with the Lions as a free agent. With 810 yards, he’s second in the CFL in rushing and, at 6-feet and 233 pounds, could be difficult to tackle.
“He (Rourke) is a great quarterback who can run the ball,” middle-linebacker Darnell Sankey said. “It seems like he’s catching his rhythm. But we know we’re the best defence in the CFL. That’s our only focus.
“Stanback is a big, powerful back. We all understand that. I played against him for many years and love the way he competes. It’s going to be fun. We’re going to hit him and see who’s standing at the end of the game.”
While the Als this week became the first CFL team to qualify for the playoffs, that’s merely the first stage of their end-goal. Montreal, five points ahead of the Redblacks, hopes to finish first in the division and get an opening-round playoff bye before hosting the division final. Montreal and Ottawa meet twice more this season.
“It’s a great feather in our cap,” head coach Jason Maas said. “The No. 1 goal of any team is to make the playoffs, but that’s never your focus. It’s just a goal throughout the year you have to check off. To do it this early means something. We’re doing some really good things and playing some really good football. And guys get it. It’s a great accomplishment, but it’s far from done.”
The organization announced 22,000 tickets already have been sold for the game.