ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
TORONTO – It was a game 27 years in the making. Argos versus their provincial rivals for a chance to play in the 101st Grey Cup and the title of Kings of Southern Ontario.
Fans flocked into the dome from across the province, creating a simply electric atmosphere at Rogers Centre as the team opened the 500 level to accommodate for ticket demand.
The Argos won the opening coin toss and elected to receive but the game did not start how the Argos hoped as SB Andre Durie fumbled the opening kickoff return setting the Ticats up in great field position to start their first drive.
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Related: Eastern Final |
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VIDEO: Durie 59-Yard Catch-and-Run |
Chris Jones’ defence however was up the challenge and held in the redzone forcing the Ticats to come away with just three points off the turnover. Kicker Luca Congi connected from 16-yards out and the Ticats took the early 3-0 lead.
Ray and company would respond.
On a drive that was dominated by Ray as he was a perfect 6-for-6 passing, ended in a red zone score to WR Spencer Watt and a 7-3 lead for the Boatmen.
The Double Blue forced a two-and-out on the next series as DL Aaron Maybin recorded his first CFL sack on second down and forced the Ticats to punt.
After a two-and-out from the Argos, QB Henry Burris started to get his mojo working driving the Ticats into Argonauts territory. An illegal contact penalty from DB Alonzo Lawrence extended the drive for the Tiger-Cats and with the extra downs Burris was able to find WR Andy Fantuz in the back of the endzone for the touchdown. Ticats back on top 10-7 to end the first quarter.
With the ball to start the second quarter, the Watt show would continue as the Boatmen drove right into Ticats territory following a 40-yard catch and run from CFL YAC leader Andre Durie. Then, from 30-yards out Ray found Watt once again for his second touchdown of the contest. Argos back ahead 14-10.
Following a Ticats punt, the Argos once again looked to the way of Andre Durie. This time a quick check down from Ray and Durie was off to the races for the 59-yard play taking the ball all the way to the 1-yard line. After an unsuccessful challenge, back-up QB Zach Collaros came in and plunged in for the major. 21-10 Argonauts.
S Jermaine Gabriel then picked the best possible time to collect his first CFL interception. On second down, Gabriel picked off a deep off-target throw from Burris to give the ball back to the Argos with just over four minutes left in the first half.
K/P Swayze Waters eventually extended the Argos lead to 24-10 with a 28-yard field goal.
With one last drive to end the half, Burris drove the Black and Yellow all the way into Argos territory. Helped by some Argonaut penalties to extend the drive, the Ticats eventually came away with a short TD to Fantuz, his second of the game.
The half came to a close with a 24-17 Argos lead as Ray finished the first half 17-for-20 for 279 yards while Durie led all Argos receivers with 115-yards receiving.
Coming out with the ball in the second half, the Ticats executed perfectly. Burris connected to multiple receivers on six passes and eventually found Greg Ellingson for the score to tie the game up at 24 a piece.
Ray and company went two-and-out on their drive but the Waters’ punt travelled 54-yards and bounced right out at the 1-yard line.
The Ticats eventually punted but the Argos could not get anything going on their drive and punted back.
The Ticats eventually broke the deadlock with a 23-yard field goal to end the third quarter. 27-24 for Hamilton with one quarter left to play and a berth in the 101st Grey Cup Championship on the line.
Neither team could put up any points for much of the quarter but the Argos specifically struggled to get anything going on offence.
The biggest drive of the game came with less than five minutes left in the game, as Hamilton slowly and methodically marched their way down the field eating away at game clock.
Eventually the Ticats would settle for the field goal and take a 30-24 lead.
Ray took over with 1:14 left on the clock and the Argos season in his hands.
Following a completion to Owens, Ray threw two incompletions down field leaving the Boatmen with a 3rd and 10 and needing a first down.
Ray looked to Owens, but the ball sailed high and landed incomplete.
The Ticats took over on downs and handed off to C.J. Gable who could not pick up the first down and with 20 seconds left the Ticats punted.
Owens fumbled the kickoff and the ball bounced into the endzone and the Ticats recovered.
It wouldn’t mattere, as the Ticats were victorious and would head off to Regina to the 101st Grey Cup.
There will be no repeat for the Boatmen in 2013. Thanks for making it a good one regardless, Argos Nation.