The Ottawa REDBLACKS will be without a few familiar faces when they host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in their CFL regular season finale on Friday night at TD Place, but the goal remains the same.
Win.
While some regulars – notably quarterback Henry Burris, who won’t dress – will see limited action in the second half of the home-and-home series against Winnipeg, the REDBLACKS want to close out the regular season schedule on a positive note.
The opportunity to rest some bruised bodies was afforded to the REDBLACKS thanks to an impressive 23-10 road win in Winnipeg last week clinching the East Division title for a second year running. In that tilt, Burris threw for 338 yards, receiver Brad Sinopoli hit the 1,000-yard mark for a second-straight year and linebacker Taylor Reed led the defensive charge with 12 tackles.
Ottawa will host the East Final regardless of what happens Friday night, but the club also knows the value of momentum heading into such an important game.
“We want to win this game, but we have some guys who are beat up, so if there are guys who are having some medical issues, we’re going to sit those guys,” said head coach Rick Campbell. “The 44 guys we dress are going to be all in to win it. I know Winnipeg has a lot to play for. But we do, too. We want to play good football.”
The result of the Ottawa/Winnipeg game will factor in to determining what team will crossover to the East and face the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in next weekend’s East Semi-Final.
Jensen, who was solid in relief of the injured Trevor Harris in Regina back in July, said the experience in Saskatchewan, in which he connected on 20 of 29 passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns, made him a better player.
“You learn a lot when you get in there for the first time,” he said. “It’s exciting. It’s an opportunity to get out there and cut it loose.
He echoed Campbell when it came to the club’s primary objective in the regular season finale.
“Make no mistake, we want to get out there and win, that’s our mindset,” said Jensen. “We’re going to put the pedal to the metal and get this one.”
Also making his first start of the season is receiver John Harris, who has patiently awaited the opportunity on the REDBLACKS practice roster for much of the season.
“It’ll be a great feeling – I’ve been on practice squad pretty much the whole year, watching and learning from Greg (Ellingson) and Ernest (Jackson) and all the other guys,” said the 24-year-old Texas native.
“It will mean a lot to me to help the team try to get a win.”
After Friday’s game, the REDBLACKS will get an extra week to prepare for the East Final. They earned a bye through the division semi-final after winning the East with last weekend’s win in Winnipeg.
The REDBLACKS will host a yet-to-be-determined opponent in the East Final at TD Place on November 20 at 1 p.m. Playoff tickets start as low as $32 and are available by clicking here, calling 613.232.6767 x1, or visit the Box Office at TD Place.
