The 2019 season review: November 1st, ending the season on a high note!
We continue our 2019 season review with the last regular-season game!
Friday November 1st 2019,
Final score : 32-42
Our Alouettes are in Ottawa on November 1st for their last regular-season game of 2019. It’s their absolute and final rehearsal before heading into their first playoff game since 2014. This battle is also an opportunity for Khari Jones to give his men a chance to show what they’re capable of and to prove they deserve their spot on the field for the big matchup. While some were saying this game was meaningless (since the REDBLACKS were already eliminated), it certainly wasn’t for our head coach: a victory would give us a winning record and momentum going into the big game.
As opposed to the week before, most of our starters are on the field when the matchup begins, and we immediately see the difference. Adams Jr., seeking to exceed the 4,000 passing yard mark for the first time of his career, connects with Geno Lewis and Wieneke for a pair of touchdowns. Add to that a convert kick by Bede and we’re leading 17-6 halfway through the second quarter. We’re holding firm on the defensive, consistently stopping our opponents in their tracks. Khari seems more than satisfied with his starters’ performance on the field and decides to let many them sit out for the second half, including Vernon Adams Jr.
Matt Shiltz seamlessly takes over for VA., throwing 9 for 12 and 101 yards… clearly showing his head coach that he can keep it up with the game. He starts off the third quarter with nothing less than four consecutive passes and caps the drive off with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Absher. It’s our American receiver’s first ever major in the CFL, bringing the score up to 24-11 Alouettes.
Ottawa retaliates with a pair of touchdowns by Jennings. Although they’ve already been eliminated from playoffs, they still want to show that they’re fighters and won’t let anyone step over them, especially not on home turf. But our Alouettes have a fire in the belly and Williams, taking over for Stanback, lands a 35-yard run touchdown. 35-24 Alouettes. Our Ontarian rivals respond back and our defence struggles to keep them away. Jennings takes advantage of a moment of weakness to score another touchdown. In true Alouettes fashion, it seems like it’s going to be another one of those suspenseful endings we’re starting to get used to!
However, our relentless defence gets a second win towards the end, as our Als have done all season long. With less than 45 seconds to go, Murray intercepts a pass that went through the hands of Jerminic Smith and returns it 15 yards for the touchdown! This seals the deal for Montreal! What an exciting finale to an even more thrilling season!
After the big win, Khari states: “We battled until the very last seconds of almost every single one of our victories and losses, and it’s good to see the fight these guys have. I told them I was really proud of them because they came from so far and so many people didn’t think we could be competitive enough to become a triumphant team.”
Our Alouettes defeated the Ottawa Redblacks 42 to 32 and got the 10th win they rightfully deserved, going into playoffs with the wind in their sails.
