The Ottawa REDBLACKS will visit the Montreal Alouettes on Thursday night in the final game of the CFL pre-season.
After hosting the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the first tune-up game last weekend, the REDBLACKS will rest the majority of their starters in what will be a final audition for some players to crack the opening roster.
Starting under centre for Ottawa will be Will Arndt, who will split duties with fellow quarterback Danny Collins. The Alouettes, meanwhile, have five quarterbacks set to dress, led by Antonio Pipkin.
Following a strong showing of 54 rushing yards on seven carries against Hamilton, John Crockett gets the start at running back. Devonte Dedmond, who also turned heads last weekend with a 100-yard kick return touchdown at TD Place, will get a look at receiver on Thursday.
Following Thursday’s game, the REDBLACKS will return to the practice field next week to prepare for their season opener in Calgary against the Stampeders on June 15.
Scouting the opposition
Montreal was defeated by a score of 45-20 by the Toronto Argonauts in the opening game of their preseason calendar, which means that the Als will definitely be looking to put on a better showing, especially in front of their home fans.
The Alouettes added a few nice pieces on defense during the offseason, notably Ciante Evans, who was a key player in the Calgary Stampeders defense for the last few years.
The other true storyline from the Alouettes training camp would be their quarterback battle, as the starting spot is still being disputed between Antonio Pipkin, Matthew Shiltz and Vernon Adams Jr., with Pipkin having a fair advantage in the race due to his great performances last year.
Storylines
Handful of regulars: While many RNation favourites won’t be dressing for Thursday’s game, there will be some familiar faces in the game. They include: defensive back Jonathan Rose, linebacker Jonathan Newsome, defensive tackle George Uko, fullbacks Anthony Gosselin and Marco Dubois, and long snapper Louis-Philippe Bourassa.
Global spotlight: With most starters staying in Ottawa, Thursday’s game will offer a larger stage for Ottawa’s global players to show what they can do. In uniform for the REDBLACKS will be Guillermo Villalobos (Mexico), who caught the eye of a few people with a spectacular catch last week, as well as kicker Jose Maltos (Mexico) and receiver Jordan Bouah (WR).
Arndt’s shot: Will Arndt will have a good chance to show to follow up a strong first pre-season outing in the second half of last weekend’s game. After spending last year’s the fourth QB on the Ottawa depth chart, Arndt will have the night’s first opportunity to impress as the first-quarter starter.
Start No. 1 for pick No. 1: After putting on the REDBLACKS uniform for the first time in last weekend’s pre-season tilt, offensive lineman Alex Fontana will start at centre on Thursday for the team that selected him seventh overall in this year’s CFL Draft. The 6-foot-1, 301-pound Toronto native will look to become a mainstay with the club.
GAME INFO
Ottawa REDBLACKS @ Montreal Alouettes | Week C (Preseason) – June 6, 2019
Kickoff – 7:00 p.m. ET | Stade Percival-Molson
TV: TSN (EN), RDS (FR)
Radio: TSN 1200
