(Hamilton) Nobody believed in this refurbished team at the start of the season. And if perfection doesn’t exist in the way you play, it certainly exists in the way you win. Each Montreal Alouettes player, at one time or another, had promised a title to Quebecers. Everyone had promised the Gray Cup. And on Sunday night, they kept their word by beating the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 28-24.
There was less than a minute left in the game and the Blue Bombers had a 24-21 lead. The Alouettes had the colossal task of moving up the field against the best defense in the Canadian Football League. Otherwise, the confetti at the ceremony was going to be yellow and blue.
Once in the Bombers zone, Cody Fajardo took off and ran 13 yards. A constant and oh so decisive race.
PHOTO CHRIS YOUNG, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Quarterback Cody Fajardo (7) hands the ball to running back William Stanback (31).
In a third and five yard situation, the Alouettes’ season depended on very little. But the Alouettes quarterback found his receiver Cole Spieker 31 yards in front of him. Space was limited and the catch was spectacular. There were 31 seconds left in the match.
And like in the greatest long plays, with 19 seconds left, Fajardo found his receiver Tyson Philpot 19 yards into the end zone, right next to the kicking post.
And time seemed to stand still. The display panel has changed; six points were added to the Alouettes’ score. After David Côté’s transformation, the Alouettes had just confirmed the team’s first triumph in 13 years, thanks to a final score of 28-24.
The confetti falling from the sky was ultimately red and blue.
A historic sequence
On the stage built in the end zone where Philpot accomplished the unexpected, celebrations were in full swing. Each player was able to lift the trophy.
Once down, Philpot still couldn’t believe it. He had just fulfilled the dream of every kid who once faked a catch at the end of a match to win a championship. But this time it really happened.
PHOTO NICK IWANYSHYN, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Tyson Philpot (6) celebrates the winning touchdown.
“This game was not designed for me. When the safety moved, I knew I had to cross and I had to make that play.”
For his part, Fajardo realized the magnitude of what he had just accomplished when he heard the crowd roar. “I was hit, I didn’t see much and I heard people screaming. I turned around to see how much time was left. »
Unfortunately for the Blue Bombers, there wasn’t enough left to believe in a comeback.
For Marc-Antoine Dequoy, who experienced the sideline scene, he has the impression that this sequence will be remembered. “These are passes that will go down in history. Without these two passes, we are not here right now. These two games made the difference. »
With the few votes he had left, the Quebecer added that “the offense played its best game of the season in the most important game of the season.”
And he is not wrong.
For a rare time this season, Fajardo’s offense scored four touchdowns. William Stanback, Cole Spieker, Austin Mack and Tyson Philpot were all able to get into the end zone with the ball.
The offense generated 373 yards and committed just two turnovers.
The defense was the big star this season and was effective with four sacks, in particular, but the offense was able to shine at the right time. “Not worse, eh?!” We were saving that for last, joked veteran Kristian Matte, holding his little daughter by the hand. We just wanted to have a chance. We saw momentum. We just had to finish. It was a streak of champions. »
The meaning
The Alouettes surprised everyone a week ago by beating the best team in Canada, the Toronto Argonauts, at home. For the grand final, the Montrealers had to face a team fighting for the fourth consecutive year for the Gray Cup.
And few people believed in them. The Alouettes never even seemed to be part of the equation for the big guys of the CFL, since all the stadium signage was only in English.
The Alouettes started the year with a new owner, a new president, a new head coach and a new quarterback. Nothing could have predicted such a finality, six months later. And yet.
“We are champions! Our name is going to be on the Gray Cup. The eighth for the Alouettes. I can’t believe it yet,” said Dequoy after hugging his family and kissing his girlfriend as if they were having their first kiss.
I’ve been imagining this all week, celebrating with my family. It’s the best thing that happened in my life. It’s a childhood dream that came true today.
Marc-Antoine Dequoy
On the podium, Fajardo looked exhausted, but delighted. He had just played the best match of his career, defying all odds. “We had nothing to lose, because no one believed in us anyway. »
Next door, Fajardo’s baby was crying. Perhaps he didn’t understand that his father had become a hero. Dad was on stage and he was wearing a Gray Cup championship cap. Sunday night, Dad became a winner.
For Quebec
At different times this season, Dequoy, Côté and Jason Maas all promised the same thing: the Alouettes would win the Gray Cup. A legitimate promise, because the opposite would have gone against all the principles that inhabit professional athletes.
But everyone seemed to believe in it deeply, even when nothing suggested that it was possible. The motivation was sincere. The Alouettes played for pride. For the people they represent. For those who have been waiting 13 years.
“It’s sick. It’s an indescribable feeling. To have been able to win for the entire province. When you’re an Alouettes fan and you win with that team, it’s sick,” said kicker David Côté once in the locker room, slice of pizza in hand.
In this locker room, it was party time. The smell of the cigars was intense, and the smoke was ostentatious. The players danced, with or without sweaters, and they sang, with or without voices.
But throughout the season, Dequoy was the spokesperson for Quebec in this locker room. He made promises and he kept them. Which added to the significance of this triumph celebrated with ski goggles on their heads to avoid champagne splashes.
“You can doubt Quebecers as much as you want. You can doubt the Alouettes as much as you want, but it’s not the predictions that win games, it’s us. »
Driven by the wind and this true desire to bring pride back to the village.
According to the seasons and the one that no one had dared to predict.
The Alouette was angry and is now a winner.
The flag has been at half-mast for a long time and is now touching the stars.
The fall tune is drawing to a close, and the Alouettes can sing with their heads held high.