Players To Watch:
QB Buck Pierce
RB Chris Garrett
WR Terrence Edwards
WR Greg Carr
DE Odell Willis
LB Jason Vega
DT Doug Brown
DB Alex Suber
DB Javon Johnson
Key Injuries:
QB Joey Elliott
LB Joe Lobendahn
WR Kito Poblah
RB Fred Reid
RB Carl Volny
Storylines:
– How healthy is Buck Pierce?
– Can the Bomber defence continue to get after Argos QB Cleo Lemon after sacking him 7 times last game?
MIKE GOMES
Argonauts.ca Staff
TORONTO — Week 17 was more than critical for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers who would have surrendered first place in the East to the Montreal Alouettes had they lost to their divisional rivals.
Winnipeg came back from 15 points down to beat the Alouettes 26-25. The Blue Bombers’ hard-hitting defence shutout Montreal in the fourth quarter, allowing QB Buck Pierce to rally the team and clinch the season series against the Als.
Winnipeg is now tied with the Alouettes for first place in the CFL’s East Division at 10-6, and should they win their final two games against the Toronto Argonauts and Calgary Stampeders the Bombers could host their first East Final since 2001.
Defensively, Winnipeg forced Anthony Calvillo into three interceptions and held football’s all-time leading passer to zero touchdowns. The front seven for the Bombers attacked the Montreal pivot all game, racking up six sacks. Jason Vega and Fernand Kashama each had two sacks, while Clint Kent and Byant Turner had the others.
All the more impressive was the fact that the Bombers shut down the league’s best offence without menacing rush end Odell Willis. The CFL sack leader suffered a rib injury in the first half and played sparingly in the second half. Willis has 13 sacks this season, one ahead of Montreal’s John Bowman.
With 23 interceptions this season, Winnipeg’s secondary has benefited from the defensive line’s consistent pressure. Defensive back Jovon Johnson leads the league with seven picks, including one against Montreal last week. Jonathan Hefney has five, while Ian Logan and Brandon Stewart each have four INTs.
Heading into this weekend’s game against the Argos, the Bombers look to move closer to a bye and a berth in the East Final. Winnipeg wants to avenge a 25-24 loss to the Boatmen on September 24. The team lost two quarterbacks and two running backs to injuries in that game and, despite all the adversity, they nearly won.
Starting running back Fred Reid was lost for the season with a knee injury in the game and second-year pro Chris Garrett has taken over in the backfield. In four starts Garrett has rushed 353 yards with three touchdowns (two last week versus Montreal), and has gained the confidence of head coach Paul LaPolice.
Pierce has thrown more interceptions (17) than touchdowns (14), but no matter the stat line, when the game is on the line Pierce finds a way to get the win. The quarterback leads his team by example and is always ready to put his body out for an extra yard.
Friday’s home game against the Argonauts will be the last regular season game played at Canad Inns Stadium (formerly known as Winnipeg Stadium). Since the stadium opened in 1953, Winnipeg has a regular season record of 310-183-4.