Before they open the 2025 Canadian Football League season in Saskatchewan on June 5, the Ottawa REDBLACKS have a pair of preseason tilts with their rival Montreal Alouettes on the docket, beginning today at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium.
When toe hits leather at 4:00pm ET, RNation gets their first look at the 2025 iteration of the REDBLACKS, who have been preparing for the season at Queen’s University in Kingston. It’s a lineup painted both with familiar faces and new additions; as Dru Brown leads the Ottawa offence under centre to start the game, joined by returning All-CFL receiver Justin Hardy, Bralon Addison, and the newly-extended sophomore Kalil Pimpleton. Prized free agent acquisition Geno Lewis also suits up as a REDBLACK for the first time, after the three-time All-CFLer joined the REDBLACKS in free agency, accompanied by his former Alouettes teammate William Stanback, who brings his powerful rushing style to the nation’s capital.
On defence, led by new Coordinator William Fields, the ferocious Ottawa front returns with 2023 East All-CFL pass rusher Bryce Carter, and 2022 Most Outstanding Defensive Player Lorenzo Mauldin patrolling the edges, with outstanding veteran Cleyon Laing, and 2024 CFL sack co-leader Mike Wakefield on the interior. Jovan Santos-Knox again anchors the Ottawa linebacker group, and Alonzo Addae returns at safety after a season-ending injury suffered last year. He and C.J. Coldon stand as the lone starting returners in the REDBLACKS’ secondary, while Gavin Heslop, Robert Priester, and Amari Henderson make their first starts in the red and black.
While Adarius Pickett, who has been a full participant in training camp, sits this game out as he rebounds from an achilles injury, so too does newly-minted centre Peter Godber. On the injury front, Nick Mardner was unfortunately lost for the season due to a knee injury suffered in a training camp scrimmage, as 2025 third overall pick Keelan White slides into his spot in the Ottawa offence. Joining Mardner on the six-game injured list is REDBLACKS original Nigel Romick, while Justin Howell is on the one-game list due to a foot injury.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
The Alouettes rode a 12-5 record to the top of the East Division in 2024, though their bid to repeat as Grey Cup Champions was ended by the Toronto Argonauts in the East Final. Davis Alexander is set to start the game as he commences his first full season as Montreal’s number one quarterback, backed up by the veteran McLeod Bethel-Thompson, who was acquired by trade during the offseason. The young pivot will be joined in the starting lineup by perennial standouts in Austin Mack, Cole Spieker, Walter Fletcher, Tyler Snead, and Charleston Rambo, while Tyson Philpot sits this game out.
Montreal’s defence stands as formidable as ever, with star linebackers Darnell Sankey, and Tyrice Beverette in the lineup to start the game. Marc-Antoine Dequoy is in at safety, as are Shawn Oakman and Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund up front, while Geoffrey Cantin-Arku, Mustafa Johnson, and Lal Uguak won’t dress for today’s contest.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
Bob Dyce, Head Coach, on training camp, and what he expects out of the preseason opener: “We always talk about making the most of your opportunities. We’ve had a great two weeks here out in Kingston, they’ve gotten an idea of what the coordinators want, and what it means to be a REDBLACK, and now they get to put it on display. I want us to come out and play a dominant, physical, disciplined game.”
Keelan White, receiver, on his first taste of CFL football: “ I’m super excited. I’ve been going through this long process over the past few months, and to finally have the opportunity to play is super exciting. It’s been an adjustment, but I think I’ve been doing a pretty good job of adjusting and doing my job, and now I’m just excited to go out there and put it on the field.”
Robert Priester, defensive back, on making his REDBLACKS debut: “It’s nice to finally go against an opponent. We’re brothers here, and we’re going to go as one tomorrow, so it feels good to do it against someone besides ourselves.”
BROADCAST
WATCH: RDS (FR)
STREAM: Free on CFL+
LISTEN: TSN 1200 | 104,7 Outaouais (FR)
