REDBLACKS close out home stand looking to increase division lead against BC Lions
Holding down top spot in the CFL’s East Division by a single point, the Ottawa REDBLACKS host the BC Lions Thursday on Canadian Forces Appreciation Night at TD Place (7:30 p.m. kick-off).
Both sides enter their Week 10 contest licking their wounds from heavy defeats last week. Ottawa were handed a 43-19 defeat by the Montreal Alouettes, while BC lost by 28-points in a 37-9 loss against the West Division leading Calgary Stampeders.
The REDBLACKS will turn to quarterback Trevor Harris as the club looks to get back in the win column before next week’s return engagement with the Als, followed by a bye in Week 12.
Harris will play his first game since going down with an injury after getting off to a torrid start this season, completing 106 of 129 passes for 1,499 yards (still good for sixth in the league, despite his absence) and nine touchdowns.
The team, said head coach Rick Campbell, will approach games the same way whether it’s Harris or Henry Burris under centre.
“We’ve talked about it since Day 1, it’s going to take all of us to get it done this year,” he said.
Also returning to action is running back Travon Van, who has been sidelined with a knee injury since Week 2. He, too, was off to a good start in 2016 with 133 yards on 24 carries.
Campbell said Van gives the offence a few different options.
“We’re hoping he can bring the big play dynamic to the game,” Campbell said. “We’ve had solid running back play, but the skill set Travon brings is he’s very fast and mufti-faceted coming out of the back field. We’re hoping he can add to our ability to create big plays.
Last week’s loss should not overshadow the dangerous that the BC Lions possess. A strong offence mixed in with solid defence – their 27 sacks are second-most in the CFL and quarterback Jonathon Jennings sits third in the league in passing yards with 2,201.
The REDBLACKS defence is looking forward to trying to tame one of the league’s top offences.
“I like challenges and I like to play the best,” said defensive back Mitchell White. “Whatever team, the best they have to offer, I look forward to match-ups like that.”
Thursday’s game marks the first time the REDBLACKS will face their former running back Jeremiah Johnson, who has suited up for five games with the Lions this year. He’ll be another piece in the Lions offence that the REDBLACKS will have to shut down as Johnson’s 309 rushing yard are fifth-best in the league.
As part of Canadian Forces Appreciation Night, there will be a pre-game fly-past (twice) by a CF-18 jet.
