We talked about it a lot during the week… there was plenty at stake in Friday night’s game against our rivals from Toronto: First place in the East division (even though four games still remain on the schedule); vying for a fourth-straight win; and ultimately beating Toronto (which is always nice). Hello, Friday night football.
It would be an understatement to say that our Alouettes rose to the challenge… big time. A solid performance, control of most of the game and all three units playing complementary football. Bonus: For once, a victory when we could enjoy the end of the game without stress…
The 1st quarter was perhaps the least exciting, if only on the offensive side of the ball, as the team needed time to get all cylinders firing. The defence, however, was already in high gear as they were immediately putting pressure on Argonaut quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson, allowing only a single field goal.
Indeed, it was our defence that was the catalyst for the offence early in the 2nd quarter when Money Hunter had the first of his two interceptions and returned the ball into Toronto territory. On the very next play, Als quarterback Matt Shiltz brilliantly found Geno Lewis for a 33-yard completion in the end zone. The Argos, however, immediately responded with a touchdown of their own.
The game was off to a good start and the show was on. But since we really didn’t want to give the Argos any sign of life, Shiltz and Lewis went at it again, this time on a 54-yard pass for another touchdown! 14-10 Alouettes.
The defence left Bethel-Thompson with very few options, and it was time for the William Stanback Show! Several good runs, combined with another completion from Shiltz to Lewis, and we were at the Toronto 1-yard line with Stanback finishing the job. David Coté had another convert and the score was 24-10 at halftime.
The 2nd half started in a similar manner to how the 1st half ended: The Argos tried to fight back, but our defence, which has been exceptional for several games now, remained rock solid, relinquishing only one late touchdown.
Defensive highlights included Bethel-Thompson being sacked three times, Money Hunter with two interceptions, and David Menard forcing a fumble that was recovered by Nick Usher.
The score could have been even higher had it not been for two dropped balls by Jake Wieneke that looked like sure-fire touchdowns (but on these rare occasions when that happens we’ll go easy on him). David Coté added three field goals in the 2nd half, and Will Stanback’s outstanding 65-yard run was the longest rush by any player so far in the 2021 season. Stanback finished the game with 203 yards!
The icing on the cake came with 16 seconds left in the game when Najee Murray intercepted Bethel-Thompson and took the ball 64 yards into the end zone. The scoreboard read 37-16 Montreal, much to the delight of the home crowd.
It was an exciting game against a good team, and we are now sitting on top of the East division. We intend to stay there. Next up: The Saskatchewan Roughriders on Saturday, October 30. It’s another home game, another great contest. And we’ll need all of you there!
Next home game – Saturday, October 30: Tickets
