Ticats and Redblacks. Where are they now?
They have both, like at least eight CFL teams, been searching for the down-to-down consistency that translates autumn football into Merry Christmases.
And on Friday night, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Ottawa Redblacks will play the game they have funnelled toward since July 28.
It’s been a more of a throbbing target for the Ticats because they lost that summer match 21-15 to the Redblacks, dropping to 2-4 while Ottawa climbed to 4-2 with no obvious reason to look over their shoulders at Hamilton.
But there is a reason they still play the games in between, and here we are with a head-to-head battle for first place between two 8-7 teams which have restored some degree of dignity to the CFL East.
You hear this a lot about Friday’s opener to the home-andhome series which, essentially, Hamilton must sweep to finish first, and you hear it in both places: “We’re not the same team we were then, and neither are they.” So, what’s different? You first, Ticats. “All the ups and downs that we’ve been through since then, including that game, learning from what we didn’t do right,” says Jeremiah Masoli. “Just being able to execute better; I think everybody is a little bit more comfortable with what they have to do and their knowledge of the offence.”
The Cats, says centre Mike Filer, have also found their team identity. There’s an aggressive expectation of victory, even when they’ve lost.
They’ve won five times in their
past seven outings and, arguably could have won all seven.
Hamilton’s defence, which didn’t allow a touchdown against Ottawa but was pushed enough that then-emerging Lewis Ward could kick seven field goals, has honed its swarming mentality and shown that it can dominate for long stretches. They still don’t sack the quarterback enough and are missing three pressure-oriented linemen but have patchworked effectively up front.
And, since July, Don Unamba has evolved to the point that the Ticats’ collective linebacking corps is clearly at, or near, the top of the league. The defensive backfield has improved since July, with more picks and less susceptibility
to destructive damage on the seam.
“As the weeks have progressed, we’ve clicked better together, execution-wise, than when we played them last time” says field corner, Jumal Rolle.
Hamilton has lost three major receivers since July but Ottawa has also incurred some key injuries, especially on defence.
They’ve battled to find consistency but, as Redblacks GM Marcel Desjardins asks rhetorically, “Who in this league hasn’t this year?” And, he includes Calgary.
“I think all teams are different at this stage of the season,” says Desjardins, who grew up in Burlington. “You might make a few personnel changes, some forced on you by injury, some you choose.
“But actually, I don’t think we’re that much different than we were back then.”
The Redblacks have, and had then, a threatening offence when QB Trevor Harris is on his game, with league-leader William Powell rushing to set up Brad Sinopoli, Greg Ellingson and all-purpose yardage leader Spencer Diontae catching. Lewis and punter/kickoff man Richie Leone have been astounding all season.
“I can’t label us as anything but when we’re hitting on all cylinders, we can beat anyone,” Desjardins said. “I’d say the most consistent phase of our game has been special teams. Our defence has been good, and our offence has been the most inconsistent.
“If we play to our level consistently throughout a game, even in two of the three phases, we have a good chance of winning.”
The Ticats have won two in a row, while the Redblacks have lost two, but one was in overtime. Although some taut Ticat losses have been by deceptive scores, Ottawa is more accustomed to tighter games, going 5-4 in those decided by 10 points or fewer, while Hamilton is 1-4.
The Ticats had the July game in their own hands with 27 seconds to go, with a first down at the Redblacks 24-yard line. But an incomplete pass and back-toback sacks won it for the red and black, or lost it for the black and gold, if you’re wearing thosecoloured glasses.
“Yeah, it was bad,” Masoli says. “Losing at home like that to the team that is now the top team we’re battling for top spot, it meant a lot in the standings.”
Which, effectively, can only be rectified with wins the next two weekends.