There is the expression “to go out of your way,” which means “to make every effort to achieve something.” As for the Alouettes, they did their best to win against the Rouge et Noir last weekend in Ottawa.
The same two teams will face off again on Monday at Percival Molson Stadium, but before I focus on the next game, I want to make sure to go back to a few plays that took place in the Alouettes’ 31-15 win last Saturday at the Federal Capital. No, what a strange game!
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The feet in the spotlight were those of Jeshrun Antwi and Joseph Zema. The first executed a perfectly prepared play by quickly shooting the ball behind the line of scrimmage and then immediately recovering it on the other side. The sequence, which took advantage of Canadian Football League rules, was cleverly planned by the coaching staff. It was just a matter of releasing this game at the right time. Did the Alouettes open Pandora’s Box with their coup? Could other teams try a game like this before the end of the season? Perhaps. This play is not new, but it needs to be staged well, like Antwi did.
Zema, in turn, used his foot to take the ball away from an opponent in a rather unusual way. He was about to fall to the ground when, in a gesture of desperation, he caused Brandin Dandridge to lose the ball on a long return. Régis Cibasu then spontaneously recovered the object. There was certainly a bit of luck involved in this case, but it’s the kind of turn that can completely eliminate the opponent.
David Côté was worried
The only foot that served the Alouettes less well on Saturday was Quebec kicker David Côté. The latter missed two placings, but has another chance to recover against the Rouge et Noir on Monday. This part is intended precisely to help the Montreal club clean up certain aspects of its game, including special teams. Otherwise, expect the Alouettes to use their starters as playoff-qualified Montreal still needs to secure home-field advantage for the Eastern Section semifinals.
Meanwhile, the Rouge et Noir, with a record of 4-11, will quietly begin its auditions to identify players who could return to the team next season. The Alouettes have to be prepared for almost anything.
Tribute to Carl Brennan!
Among the players on the Ottawa team, offensive player Cyrille Hogan-Saindon is the subject of a Journal report. I take this opportunity to pay tribute to his work and perseverance, but also to remember the tremendous work that coach Carl Brennan does to develop good players in this position at Laval University’s Rouge et Or.
Among many others over the years, Hogan-Saindon is one of his alumni who has found their place in the CFL, as has Philippe Gagnon, proud Alouettes bearer.
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