Bombers’ Harris hopes win tonight over Argos will kick off weekend of joyous celebrations
WINNIPEG — Andrew Harris is hoping to enjoy two big celebrations this weekend at Investors Group Field.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back is ready to pound out the yards to try for a second straight victory over the Toronto Argonauts tonight.
He’ll then host a wedding social on Saturday night at the stadium for himself and fiancee Carina Fiorentino.
“The biggest thing is getting the win (tonight) and Saturday will just continue the celebrations,” Harris said after the team’s Thursday walkthrough. “It’s just great to have it all in the same place.”
Harris heads into his big weekend on a tear, having rushed for over 100 yards in three straight games.
A fourth would put him in second place on the team’s list behind Willard Reaves’ club-record eight in row in 1984.
“I just want to win the game,” said the 31-year-old Winnipeg native, who leads the league with 610 rushing yards off 95 carries. “That’s the biggest thing.”
Harris was a one-man wrecking crew when the Bombers (3-3) beat the Argos (1-4) 38-20 last week.
His 177-yard output surpassed Toronto’s net offence of 165 yards.
Harris rushed 27 times for a career-high 161 yards with one touchdown. He also caught two passes for 16 yards and one TD.
On the flipside, Argonauts running back James Wilder Jr. was held to three carries for minus-two yards as Winnipeg built up an early lead.
There’s a chance last season’s CFL top rookie might not play in tonight’s rematch. Wilder Jr. left Wednesday’s practice with a leg injury and is being evaluated.
“He felt something (in practice),” Toronto coach Marc Trestman said after the team arrived in Winnipeg. “But he seems, just talking to him last night, taking to the doctors, we feel reasonably confident that he’ll be playing.”
Running back/kick returner Dexter McCluster also injured a leg in the same practice and was put on the six-game injured list Thursday. Martise Jackson will take his spot.
Harris and Fiorentino are getting married next April, and the groom-to-be said the decision to hold the their wedding social at Investors Group Field was easy.
“Because this is my home and no one’s ever done it,” he said, adding he’s footing the bill for expenses such as security.
The social — a tradition on the Prairies — is a party marking a special event, with people buying tickets to attend and then dancing, drinking, snacking and purchasing tickets for a prize raffle.