CFL’s battle of the road warriors takes centre stage
Argos, Ticats finally back in Ontario after Pan Ams
TORONTO — The Toronto Argonauts are not road weary, insists general manager Jim Barker.
Not after spending the entire first month of the CFL season away from Toronto. Not after playing their only nominal “home” game in Fort McMurray, Alta., which is 500 kilometres from the nearest CFL city, let alone its distance from Toronto.
Not, certainly, after starting 3-1 and taking an early lead in the East Division.
How have they done this away from the relative comforts of the Rogers Centre?
“We have guys that don’t know any different. All they know is playing on the road,” Barker said.
Indeed, Toronto has received key contributions from a number of CFL rookies.
Toronto was the home team in Fort McMurray and the Argos took care of business with a 26-11 victory, which remains Edmonton’s only loss to date. Rookie receivers Tori Gurley and Vidal Hazelton each scored their first CFL touchdown, and quarterback Trevor Harris, starting in place of the injured Ricky Ray, completed 24 of 27 passes for 347 yards.
“I think our players enjoyed the fact that they were the home team. Fort McMurray kind of adopted us,” Barker said. “It’s in Edmonton Eskimo country, but we kept calling ourselves the Fort McMurray Argos. It turned into being a fun experience. Obviously, winning helps.”
The Argos’ road trip is not quite over. On Monday they meet an opponent that has not been home in some time, either. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are 2-2 through four road appearances to start the year.
Both teams were inconvenienced by the Pan American Games — the Rogers Centre was mostly empty because of the opening and closing ceremonies, while Tim Hortons Field was the site of the men’s and women’s soccer competitions. The Argos’ summer dates also have been compromised in recent years because of the Blue Jays’ control of the stadium. Last season they went six weeks without a home game from mid-August through September (they were 2-2 with two bye weeks). In 2013, the Argos did not have a home game in the month of September. They won all four games.
Monday’s matchup kicks off a string of three straight home games for the Ticats, and eight in the next 10 weeks. During their exile this season, the Ticats had emphatic wins over Saskatchewan and Winnipeg, and suffered their two losses by a combined five points.
The long road swing may prove to be beneficial, according to chief commercial officer Matt Afinec, who oversees Hamilton’s business operations. Afinec said the team is projecting sellout crowds for its first five home games, through a Labour Day weekend rematch with the Argos.
“I think the Pan Am experience couldn’t have been more positive, just looking at it from a myopic Ticats standpoint,” Afinec said. “We’re so bullish on this facility and how great it is to watch a game there. For us, the Pan Am Games was this amazing opportunity to get tens of thousands of people from across the region into the stadium.
“From a fan experience standpoint, it was great, because it brought all these new people into the venue to say, ‘Wow, the soccer thing was pretty cool — I might go check out a Ticat game.’”
This is Hamilton’s first full season in their new stadium. Tim Hortons Field opened last September and the Ticats won all seven games they played there in 2014, spanning the late regular season and the East Division final.
“For us, we look at it as it means they’re due (to lose),” Barker said. “They’ll be excited about being home, and the crowd will be loud. Anytime the Argos and Ticats play, it’s always a great matchup.”
The Argos’ rookies, meanwhile, who have yet to play within driving distance of their homes, will get to debut in front of their fans and their most vociferous rivals. Among Toronto’s newcomers are three receivers — Kevin Elliott, Gurley and Hazelton — who have combined for 46 catches and seven touchdowns. Rookie Devin Smith leads the team with two interceptions. AJ Jefferson returned another pick 100 yards for a score against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Week 2.
“They’re full of piss and vinegar — they just want to play,” Barker said. “They’ll play in the parking lot, anywhere. Take them up to the Northwest Territories and they’ll play up there. When you’re dealing with young players, they’re excited to be up here and playing.”
They will take the field at the Rogers Centre Aug. 8 against Saskatchewan, before promptly flying out to Winnipeg the following week. The Argos will host four straight games in October and November to end the season.