Stampeders still team to beat, according to midseason poll
TORONTO — The Calgary Stampeders are tops in the West Division, and a majority of media from across the country not only believe they’ll stay there but will cap their season celebrating a Grey Cup championship in Edmonton.
The CFL released midseason results of its inaugural medial poll on Wednesday, which included voting from 50 individuals.
All expected Calgary to finish first in the West, with 37 also picking the Stampeders to capture the Grey Cup.
The Edmonton Eskimos and Saskatchewan Roughriders finished tied for second with five votes apiece, while Winnipeg, Hamilton and Ottawa all received one vote each.
Calgary has been a Grey Cup finalist the last two years.
Ottawa was an overwhelming choice to capture the East Division, with 40 votes. Hamilton was next with eight, while Toronto and Montreal each received a vote apiece.
The majority of respondents selected Edmonton quarterback Mike Reilly as the favourite to win the CFL’s most outstanding player award for a second straight year. The league passing leader garnered 35-of-49 votes to finish ahead of Calgary quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell (five votes) and CFL rushing leader Andrew Harris of Winnipeg (four).
Harris is the midseason choice for the CFL’s top Canadian award for a second straight year. He received 24-of-50 votes to finish ahead of Ottawa receiver Brad Sinopoli (16 votes) and Calgary linebacker Alex Singleton (seven).
Saskatchewan rush end Charleston Hughes — the CFL sacks leader with 12 — topped two categories. He received 43-of-50 votes as the acquisition to have made the biggest on-field impact this season. The Riders landed Hughes from Hamilton after the Ticats acquired him from Calgary.
Hughes also earned 27 votes as the CFL’s top defensive player over the first half of the season. Other results included: — B.C. quarterback Travis Lulay as the comeback player of the year (24-of-50 votes).
— Edmonton receiver D’haquille Williams as CFL’s breakout player (23-of-50 votes).
— Edmonton defensive lineman Kwaku Boateng as the 2017 draft pick who’s made biggest impact this year (32-of-50 votes)
— There will be a crossover this year (41-of-50 votes)
— Montreal quarterback Johnny Manziel as the CFL’s biggest news story (33-of-49).
— Toronto rallying from 24-point deficit to edge Ottawa 42-41 as most memorable game (33-of-50 votes).
— McLeod Bethel-Thompson’s game-winning TD pass to Armanti Edwards against Ottawa as most memorable play (36-of-49).
— Montreal linebacker Chris Ackie and Williams as most improved player (7-of-43 votes apiece).
— Winnipeg being the team under the most pressure in second half of the season (22-of-50 votes).
— Toronto Argonauts being the nonplayoff team with the best chance to turn it around (37-of-50 votes).
— Winnipeg’s offensive line being the best over the first half of the season (22-of-50).
— Saskatchewan having the best defensive line over the first half (24-of-50).
— Three quarterbacks will pass for more than 5,000 yards this season (18-of-50 votes).
— Winnipeg’s Justin Medlock being the kicker most trusted to boot game-winning field goal (16-of-50 votes).
B.C. running back/kick-returner Chris Rainey as the CFL’s most exciting player (10-of-48 votes).