No regular season game is hyped more than Labour Day and this season is extra special because first place in the Western Division is on the line. The 7-2 Edmonton Eskimos visit the 7-1-1 Calgary Stampeders in the 57th edition of the Labour Day Classic at McMahon Stadium in Calgary.
The Eskimos have lost two straight games and have slipped to third place in the West but are just a point back of the first-place Stampeders who have five straight games.
Eskimos fullback Calvin McCarty is playing in his 11th Labour Day Classic game and says maybe the biggest key to approaching the game is handling the hype around the game.
“You got to come out and play ball and it’s the second half of the season — we’re getting some guys back,” McCarty said. “Really the hype portion, obviously, I’m hyped for it but you do kind of have to hold a little reserve and don’t get too hyped that you burn out by kick-off. Hold your emotions down but at the same time, know that they’re there and when it’s time to go, you got to go.”
The Eskimos will need to shore things up on defence as they have allowed 87 points in their last two games. The Stampeders are first in the CFL in average yards per game (399), and second in average points per game (33.1). Both teams have given up the least amount of sacks in the CFL as the Stampeders have allowed a league-low 12 sacks, the Eskimos have the second fewest with 13. Both teams boast stingy pass defences as the Stampeders are first in the CFL in average passing yards allowed per game (262) with the Eskimos allowing the second fewest (269).
The Eskimos will add a big weapon to their offence for the Labour Day Classic as receiver Adarius Bowman returns to the lineup after missing the last six games with a lower-body injury. Bowman in three games has 153 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Linebacker Adam Konar returns as well, following a six-game absence because of a lower-body injury. Konar has 11 defensive tackles and one sack in three games played this season.
The injury bug is still an issue for the Eskimos and defensive backs have been hit hard. Arjen Colquhoun is back on the one-game injured list with a lower-body injury. Josh Woodman is out and has been placed on the one-game injured list. Johnny Adams injured his shoulder in practice this week; he’s on the one-game injured list. Mercy Maston and Marcell Young will start on the corners. Receiver Vidal Hazelton re-aggravated a hamstring injury in practice this week and has been placed on the six-game injured list. Linebacker Terrance Bullitt is on the six-game injured list with an upper-body injury. Defensive tackle Da’Quan Bowers has been placed on the one-game injured list.
The Eskimos signed kicker Chris Milo on Saturday, and he will handle field goals while Hugh O’Neill will take care of the punting duties. Also coming on the 46-man roster are defensive back Jordan Hoover, defensive lineman Darius Allen and linebacker James Tuck. Defensive back Chris Rwabukamba and defensive lineman Kalonji Kashama have been placed on the team’s practice roster.
The following is the projected offensive and defensive starters for the Eskimos:
Offence
Quarterback: Mike Reilly
Running Back: Pascal Lochard
Offensive Line: Joel Figeuroa-Danny Groulx-Justin Sorensen-Matt O’Donnell-Colin Kelly
Receivers: Kenny Stafford-Adarius Bowman-Cory Watson-Brandon Zylstra-Duke Williams
Defence
Defensive Line: John Chick-Almondo Sewell-Mike Moore-Odell Willis
Linebackers: Adam Konar-Alex Hoffman-Ellis-Kenny Ladler
Defensive Backs: Mercy Maston-Garry Peters-Cauchy Muamba-Forrest Hightower-Marcell Young
The Stampeders have been very impressive at home going 4-0 so far this season. In fact, the Stampeders haven’t lost at home in their last 14 games. The Stampeders have the number 1 defence in the CFL averaging just 16.8 points allowed per game. They have the highest turnover ratio in the CFL at plus-12 and have only turned the ball over eight times over the nine games they have played. Running back Jerome Messam leads the CFL in rushing with 621 yards and touchdowns with seven. Over his last five games, Messam has recorded at least 60 yards rushing averaging 87 yards and scoring six touchdowns.
The Labour Day Classic hasn’t been kind to the Eskimos as they have lost five straight to the Stampeders, and seven of their last eight Labour Day games.
630 CHED will have live coverage of the Labour Day Classic starting with Countdown to Kickoff at 11:30 a.m. The opening kickoff between the Eskimos and Stampeders will be at 1 p.m. at McMahon Stadium in Calgary.
Comments