By: Mat Smith – OttawaREDBLACKS.com

The 2016 schedule sees the REDBLACKS host every team once and the Toronto Argonauts a second time in mid-September. #RNation will also get a chance to experience pre-season football in the nation’s capital for the first time since the team returned in 2014; a Monday night match-up with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on June 13. Six of the team’s nine home games will take place on Friday nights under the lights at TD Place.

The team will look to build off an incredible run in 2015 that saw them go 12-6 en route to an East Division title, several individual accolades, and a narrow 26-20 loss to the Edmonton Eskimos in the 103rd Grey Cup in Winnipeg.

Mark your calendars, folks. It’s time to take care of some unfinished business.

5. Jovon Johnson Returns: Week 9 vs Montreal: Friday, August 19 at 7 p.m.

Let’s recap last season’s sweep of the Alouettes:

A gritty come-from-behind win in Montreal in Week 1.

A late pass interference call set up a one-yard TD plunge by Henry Burris in Week 7.

Henry Burris’ record-setting night led the way to a 39-17 dismantling of the Als in Week 15.

Veteran defensive back Jovon Johnson has found himself a new home in Montreal and this will mark his first game in Ottawa donning an Alouettes uniform.

4. #AxevsSword: Week 6 vs Toronto: Sunday, July 31 at 7:30 p.m.

In three games last season, the two teams combined for a whopping 188 points, with Toronto sweeping the season series by an average of six points per game. The Argos final victory came by way of a miraculous catch by Chad Owens in the dying minutes of the game. The quarterback in all three of those games? REDBLACKS free agent acquisition Trevor Harris. This will be Ottawa’s first look at Argos quarterback Ricky Ray since the inaugural home game in 2014.

Ottawa’s new offensive coordinator, Jaime Elizondo, will get a chance to coach against his former team three times in 2016. Elizondo served as the Argos’ receivers coach last season, and looks to build on a REDBLACKS offence that features four returning 1000-yard receivers; Chris Williams, Greg Ellingson, Brad Sinopoli, and Ernest Jackson.

3. Looking for Revenge: Week 7 vs Edmonton: Saturday, August 6 at 7 p.m.

Former REDBLACKS offensive coordinator Jason Maas makes his much-anticipated return to Ottawa as the new head coach of the Edmonton Eskimos. Add that to the fact that this is a rematch of last year’s Grey Cup and you’ve got yourself a recipe for a heated game in early August. The storyline basically writes itself.

This will be the second meeting of the season between the two teams, with Ottawa heading west for the season opener at Commonwealth Stadium. What happens in the first matchup will certainly help set the tone, but expect both teams to come out flying with a lot to prove.

2. Home Opener Extravaganza: Week 1 vs Calgary: Friday, July 8 at 7 p.m.

New season. Same goal.

What better way to kick off another season at TD Place than with a Friday night matchup with the Calgary Stampeders?

Remember the last time these two teams met in Ottawa? Chris Williams torched the Stamps for 162 yards and a touchdown, while Aston Whiteside caused two forced fumbles, including one in overtime to help the REDBLACKS stun the then defending Grey Cup champions 29-26.

Get the fireworks ready!

1. Rivalry Renewed: Week 18 vs Hamilton: Friday, October 21 at 7 p.m.

These two teams played each other three times (all won by Ottawa) in the span of four weeks at the end of last season, and will have to wait all the way until mid-October to meet again. The REDBLACKS will travel to southern Ontario exactly one week prior to facing the Ticats in the first of back-to-back meetings.

This is a game you definitely don’t want to miss, as a home-and-home series late in the season could have major implications in the East Division playoff race.

You can most certainly bet that almost a year later Greg Ellingson’s 93-yard touchdown catch will be fresh in the minds of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and their fans.

Take in all these exciting games and more with REDBLACKS season tickets. Call 613-232-6767 x1 for more info on REDBLACKS season tickets. CLICK HERE to view the entire REDBLACKS 2016 schedule.

Afraid of commitment? Take advantage of the Home Opener Ticket Pack, which gives you a seat at the home opener versus Calgary and your choice or two other 2016 home games. Reserve your seats now by clicking here, calling 613-599-FANS (3267) or toll free 1-877-788-FANS, or in person at the TD Place Box Office.