King’s community work honoured
Eskimos recognize long-snapper Ryan with the David Boone Award
Long-snapper Ryan King received the David Boone Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the community at the Edmonton Eskimos’ annual dinner on Tuesday night at the Shaw Conference Centre.
“I’m born and raised in Edmonton,” said King, who was drafted by the Eskimos in 2012. “Since my first year, we’ve had a lot of very good veteran guys in this lockerroom and they showed me the importance of being involved in the community.
“This team, ever since I was a young kid, has always been out and about in the community. For myself, being in a position to not only play for the Eskimos, but to be able to be super-involved in the community just means everything to me.”
King visits school and community groups to educate youth on the importance of education, nutrition and an active lifestyle. He is also an ambassador for the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters and serves as a guest coach at the Eskimos annual amateur football camp in May.
“Last night, I went through the list of all the previous winners,” King said of a list that includes former quarterback Jason Maas, Edmonton general manager Ed Hervey, kicker Grant Shaw and Calvin McCarty, a nine-year Canadian Football League veteran on the team since 2005. “It’s really an honour to be put on that list.”
REILLY’S A WINNER
It took more than 21/2 years, but Mike Reilly can finally say he’s a winning quarterback.
Reilly lost nine of his first 10 games as the Eskimos’ starting pivot in 2013, but a recent five-game winning streak since returning from his knee injuries in the season opener has improved his career record with the CFL club to 21-18.
The five-game winning streak is Edmonton’s first since the start of the 2011 season.
ALOUETTES’ PLAYOFF STREAK IN JEOPARDY
The Montreal Alouettes’ 19-year playoff run — the longest since the Eskimos qualified for the postseason for 34 years in a row — is in jeopardy.
The Alouettes (5-9) are currently battling with the B.C. Lions (5-9) and Winnipeg Blue Bombers (510) for the final playoff berth in the West Division. To cross over from the East Division, Montreal has to finish ahead of both the West Division teams.
PLAYOFF TICKETS ON SALE
Tickets for the Eskimos’ home playoff game went on sale Tuesday, starting at $35.
Either the West Division semifinal on Nov. 15 or the West final on Nov. 22 will be played at Common- wealth Stadium, depending upon whether the Eskimos remain in first place for the rest of the regular season or fall back to second behind the Calgary Stampeders.
The Esks, 11-4, won the season series with the Stamps. They need to tie Calgary in the standings to receive the bye to the division final.
SHORT YARDAGE
Saturday’s 5 p.m. home game against the B.C. Lions has been dubbed Pink Night in support of tackling women’s cancers.
The Eskimos released international slotback Aaron Kelly, international running back Zach Bauman and national defensive lineman Shomari Williams from the practice roster on Tuesday.