The Alouettes, who were neglected in the Eastern final against the strong Argonauts in Toronto on Saturday, returned to practice on Wednesday and took advantage of the opportunity presented to them.
“We can’t control what others say about us or what the predictions want,” commented head coach Jason Maas, knowing full well that the Montreal club will be heavily let down for this next duel. Honestly, I don’t know how many of our players actually listen to what’s being said outside the locker room. We simply don’t have time to deal with people who talk about what we can’t achieve.
“We work and agree and think about the positive of this opportunity, not the negative, because it is a fantastic opportunity that we have,” Maas added at the end of the training.
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After defeating the Tiger-Cats in the Eastern Division semifinals last weekend in Montreal, the Alouettes are just one win away from a berth in the Gray Cup final. However, the challenge in Toronto is likely to be enormous.
“They finished in first place, 9-0 at home and 16-2 overall this season. “I don’t know any team that isn’t the underdog against them at the moment,” said Maas. Is this important to us? NO.”
“We are concentrating on our team, as we have done all season,” emphasized the head coach. We have earned the right to play against them for the fourth time.”
Difficult on Toronto soil
The Argonauts (16-2) defeated the Alouettes (11-7) three times in as many times during the regular season. The only game played in Toronto ended on September 9th with a score of 39-10 in favor of the locals. Argos running back AJ Ouellette then performed particularly well with 105 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
However, the following week in Montreal, the Alouettes almost caused an upset and lost 23 to 20. Since then, Maas’ team has won six in a row.
Mack and Dequoy on the All-Star team
The Canadian Football League (CFL) also announced the members of its 2023 All-Star team on Wednesday. Alouettes pass catcher Austin Mack and safety Marc-Antoine Dequoy were selected.
For their part, the Argos have eight representatives, including quarterback Chad Kelly and offensive linemen Darius Ciraco, Ryan Hunter and Deion Allen. There were also Wynton McManis, Adarius Pickett and Daniel Robertson on defense and kick return specialist Javon Leake on special teams.
- Alouettes running back Jeshrun Antwi avoided a suspension and was instead fined by the CFL on Wednesday for leaving his team’s bench during an altercation that marked the final moments of last Saturday’s East Section semifinal in Montreal. Tiger-Cats’ controversial Chris Edwards was suspended for three games “for striking opponents twice and provoking an altercation that had nothing to do with football.”