(Toronto) It’s sad to say for the Alouettes and their fans, but it was the better of the two teams that won the East Division final on Sunday at BMO Field in Toronto.
Posted at 3:57 p.m.
Updated at 6:51 p.m.
The Argonauts are not necessarily more talented than the Alouettes. But they are more consistent and more opportunistic. Two ingredients that were essential in their 34-27 victory which allows them to reach the Gray Cup game for the first time since 2017.
The Argos had mentioned that they were very well prepared for the dawn of the Eastern final, they who had been able to benefit from two weeks to do so. We quickly saw that.
Thanks in large part to a 46-yard play from A. J. Ouellette, then to a 38-yarder from Andrew Harris, Toronto quickly built a 14-3 lead. The two heavy running backs caught short passes on those plays, a strategy that was used repeatedly, no doubt to take advantage of the absence of inside linebacker Micah Awe. Ouellette and Harris are not known for their receiving qualities.
“I wouldn’t say they took us by surprise, I think we played badly on those games. That was the frustration between us on the sidelines,” said interim head coach Danny Maciocia.
But the game everyone was talking about and will talk about came a little later than those two. In a second down situation with one yard to go, Argos reserve quarterback Chad Kelly took advantage of a collective brain cramp from the Alouettes’ defense: no defensive player thought to position himself in front of receiver DaVaris Daniels, who was able to score the easiest touchdown of his career, a 46-yard play.
Maciocia said defensive back Wesley Sutton was injured a few plays earlier and adjustments weren’t made to the defensive lineup that was on the field at the time. “They saw that we were missing a player [à l’extrémité du terrain] and you saw what happened. »
Leading 21-3 early at 2e quarterback, the Argonauts were blithely heading for an easy victory. To their credit, however, the Als struggled to get back in the game and even came within 3 points of the Argos at one point. But the slope proved too difficult to climb.
“It was a game that looked like our season with ups and downs. I honestly felt that we would be able to get out of it,” said Maciocia, who had probably just finished the last game of his career as head coach.
“I feel pretty bad for the players, the managers and everyone who has worked very hard this year. It was far from an ideal situation, it was not easy, and we experienced things that I had never experienced in my 26-year career.
“We fought well, and we have to give them credit. They are a good football team which is well managed. »
Harris, Lewis and Matte back in 2023?
Very good in defeat, Trevor Harris (25 in 30 for 362 yards and a touchdown pass) was visibly downcast when he appeared in front of reporters.
” It hurts. It’s an honor to be the quarterback for this team. I am very grateful that the Alouettes gave me an opportunity to play,” commented the 36-year-old veteran, who could obtain his autonomy in February.
Does Harris want to play in Montreal in 2023?
“Yes, but I’m not going to predict the course of my career anymore. In 2018, I was convinced that I would finish it in Ottawa, then I went to Edmonton and I thought the same thing there. »
Like many of his teammates, Kristian Matte had red eyes.
” I won [la Coupe Grey] in my freshman year [en 2010] and i never went back [en finale]. But in the end, it was them (the Argos) who played better today. I’m disappointed because we had something special this year, ”commented the guard, who hopes to continue his career.
“We have to go get the ring. I am still under contract, but these decisions are not always in our hands. […] I think I’m still playing very good football, the plan hasn’t materialized yet, but I want to play for sure. »
Like Harris, Eugene Lewis could change teams in a few months, if he wishes. The star receiver (5 catches for 83 yards, Sunday), however, made it clear that he would like to stay with the only club he has known in the CFL.
“I love Montreal. If someone doesn’t know my heart is in Montreal, they don’t know me at all. I have always given everything for this team. The question now is whether the Alouettes care about me as much as I care about them.
“This defeat is painful. I’ve been playing in Montreal for several years now and I wanted to win for the city, my family and myself. »
Lewis is the mainstay of the Als receiving group, we’ll all get along, but it was Tyson Philpot who was the club’s best on Sunday. The rookie led the team in catching all 8 passes Harris threw to him for a total of 127 yards. The 36-yard touchdown he scored at 2e quarterback allowed the Alouettes to respond quickly after the defense’s monumental error on Daniels’ touchdown.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he played south of the border. If he plays here, he’s going to dominate the league,” predicted Lewis.
Blame it on the defense
Even though Harris explained that the wind wasn’t such a big factor, the Argos still preferred to make sure they had it in the back at 4e quarter rather than starting the second half with the ball. And the Alouettes’ defense never managed to stop the Toronto attack.
“Our defense didn’t play the way it was capable of,” Maciocia admitted.
“Their attack executed their plays well, while our defense failed to do so. […] I was hoping our defense would cause a turnover or stop them a couple sets in a row [en deuxième demie], because the way our offense was playing, I thought we could score a touchdown or two and that could make the difference. »
Indeed, coordinator Noel Thorpe’s unity fell short, especially not in a game of such importance. In addition to having allowed 34 points, 299 aerial yards to quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson and a possible embarrassing touchdown, she did not manage any sacks or turnovers.
In the end, the Argonauts lived up to their reputation for finding ways to win games, while the Alouettes were unable to play well for 60 minutes. The result was a painful loss, which prevented the Birds from making the Gray Cup game for the first time in 12 years.
“There was a lot of emotion in our locker room because we know this team will never be the same again. We will never be the same group of players together again,” Lewis recalled.