Last-place Lions easy prey for Argos
The Toronto Argonauts accomplished their mission Saturday night without much pushback from the B.C. Lions.
Ricky Ray tossed three touchdown passes and James Wilder ran for 136 yards and a TD as the Argonauts clinched first place in the CFL’s East Division with a 4013 victory over the Lions.
“It’s a huge win for us,” said Ray in the jubilant Argos locker-room. “We knew coming in that this is what we needed to do to get to the East final. That gives you the best chance to get to the Grey Cup.”
Ray completed 26-of-34 passes for 341 yards as the Argos finished the regular season with a 9-9 record, earning a first-round bye in the East Division playoffs. Toronto will host the Eastern Final against the winner of a semifinal between Ottawa and Saskatchewan, the West Division crossover club.
“I’m just proud of the guys,” said Ray. “They came in really prepared and got the ‘W’ tonight. We’re just gonna work hard, make sure we’re prepared and try and go out and play our best games. That’s all you ask for, an opportunity, and we’ve put ourselves in a good situation. Now, we’ve just got to make sure we’re ready for that moment.”
S.J. Green, DeVier Posey and Declan Cross caught touchdown passes for the Argos, while Wilder ran the ball in for another major. Lirim Harjullahu kicked four field goals and produced their other points on converts as Toronto won its first East Division crown since 2013.
The victory culminated a worst-to-first turnaround for the Argos, who placed last in the East in 2016. But first-year coach Marc Trestman downplayed the significance of the bye.
“We’re not gonna make it any more than it is, but we’ve come a long way as a team and we had to earn this tonight,” said Trestman.
The Argos sealed top spot in the East by scoring on three of their first four offensive series, although they had trouble getting into the end zone early and had to settle for field goals.
The Argos racked up 498 yards and held the Lions to 205. Defensive back Cassius Vaughn recorded two interceptions as the Argos posted four picks altogether.
Most of the B.C. points came in the fourth quarter, when the outcome was not in doubt. Jeremiah Johnson scored B.C.’s lone touchdown on a five-yard run. The Lions’ other points came on a convert and two punt singles from Ty Long, along with a pair of safeties conceded by Hajrullahu.
B.C. often struggled due to poor throws by quarterback Jonathon Jennings.
The Lions wound up 7-11 and finished last in the West for the first time in 42 years. Before Saturday, B.C. had not placed fifth since 1975.
However, the Lions did little to suggest that they were capable of better things at the end of what might have been the final season for Wally Buono, the CFL’s alltime winningest coach. Buono’s contract with the Lions is due to expire and he has admitted that his future with the club is uncertain.
Jennings completed 19-of-31 passes for a meagre 145 yards, while also throwing three interceptions before being pulled in the fourth quarter.
“It’s just disappointing,” said Jennings. “We didn’t have any consistency. They came out with more passion than us and they ended up making more plays.”