Sherbrooke – The Montreal Alouettes were on Coulter Field at Bishop’s University for a final practice before their much-awaited preseason game against the Toronto Argonauts. The players and coaches had one last chance to work through the playbook and ensure they are fresh ahead of their first test of the season.
Hugo Richard learning from the pros
The Alouettes have had one of the most promising young quarterbacks in Canada at their training camp for the past week, as Hugo Richard, the starting pivot for the Université Laval Rouge & Or has attended team meetings, while practising with the players. The young Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, QC native guided Laval to a Vanier Cup championship in the fall, being named the championship game’s MVP in the process.
“Hugo is very intelligent. We have a lot of plays and a lot of signals, but he’s picking them up,” said , Alouettes’ quarterbacks coach Anthony Calvillo. “Physically, he can make the throws. Every time he completes a ball in one-on-ones, the guys get excited because it’s impressive to see a young man with that kind of arm strength.”
The Alouettes are currently offering Richard with a unique opportunity. Not only does he get to work alongside two-time Grey Cup champion Darian Durant, but he is also reunited with Calvillo who he worked with as part of the Anthony Calvillo Leadership Academy for Quarterbacks a few years ago.
“Anthony showed us how he processes the game and the leadership guidelines he tries to follow,” declared Richard. “It’s interesting to see him in his element and trying to show those same things to the quarterbacks he coaches.”
Rapid Fire
While he saw a lot of reps as a kick returner during the practice, Stefan Logan also made his presence felt as a running back. He caught a short pass from Vernon Adams Jr. and made a spin move to get the first down… The play that yielded the biggest reaction from the players came courtesy of receiver George Johnson. Even though safety Chris Ackie had him angled to the sideline, Johnson still reached out and made a spectacular one-handed catch… A couple of reps later, Matthew Shiltz and Seydou Junior Haidara connected over the middle with a perfect, 40-yard completion, leaving the defender helpless… Darian Durant had his most impressive play of the afternoon when he found Danny Anthrop in the end zone. Although it was only a 20-yard completion, Durant had to thread the needle, finding Anthrop through a maze of defensive backs.
Upcoming schedule
Below is the schedule for the upcoming days.
Wednesday, June 7
10:30 a.m. – Walkthrough at Bishop’s University’s Coulter Field.
8:15 p.m. – Departure from Sherbrooke airport aboard charter plane
9:15 p.m. – Scheduled arrival in Toronto
Thursday, June 8
7:30 p.m. – The Montreal Alouettes visit the Toronto Argonauts at BMO Field (TSN690 and 98,5 fm)
Friday, June 9
12:15 a.m. – Departure from Toronto
2:00 a.m. – Scheduled arrival in Sherbrooke
Team meetings – No media availability
