Hello and goodbye.
When the Edmonton Eskimos host the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday afternoon, it will be final regular-season game before the Green and Gold embark on the 104th Grey Cup Playoffs.
It’s been 42 days since the team last played on The Brick Field at Commonwealth Stadium.
The September 23 win over the BC Lions that night started a finishing kick in which the Eskimos have won four of their last five starts, helping clinch a playoff spot.
They’ll start playoffs in either B.C. or Hamilton, depending on how the chips fall in this weekend’s action.
“The CFL is always the same,” said receiver Adarius Bowman. “In a sense, you’re wishing and hoping some things go on in other games, but our No. 1 focus is on our games. However it plays out, I feel like the fact you’re in the playoffs is a plus, period. Where we end up, we really can’t do anything about it, but control our game against Toronto. After that, it’s doing the thing you like to do the best around the CFL season.”
But before the playoffs start, there’s some individual milestones that are within reach.
Bowman can put an accent on his outstanding season by becoming the team’s all-time leading single-season yardage producer. With 1,761 yards, Bowman is just 51 yards back of Brian Kelly’s record set in 1983.
“I’d rather have the win, always,” said Bowman. “It’s been a great year. I don’t think any of it would have been possible without the quarterbacks, the O line. I’ve enjoyed playing with Derel (Walker), Cory (Watson), Brandon (Zylstra), Nate (Coehoorn), all those guys. Also coach (Jason) Maas. I think he put our whole organization in a good position from an offensive standpoint. What he brought in was definitely needed around here.
“The No. 1 thing and what I’m most proud of is that we started a bit rocky right from the beginning. To see where we at now with a chance to win five of our last six games, knowing we finally got that team chemistry is a plus. I love the team we have right now and I think it’s great momentum.”
Bowman would be more than happy to help quarterback Mike Reilly set a single-season passing yardage record. With 5,554 yards, Reilly is 109 yards back of Ricky Ray’s record set in 2008.
“He deserves it,” said Bowman about Reilly, named the team’s nominee for Most Outstanding Player for the second straight season. “I’m going on with my fifth year with Mike and I’ll never change that comment.”
The important thing will be to continue building on the confidence the team has shown during its stretch drive.
“We’re very comfortable and confident within ourselves, whichever way we go,” said linebacker J.C. Sherritt. “We’re going to be happy going into the playoffs and playing for all the marbles. For now, we have to focus on improving and getting better, beating Toronto and going into the playoffs with momentum.”
Heading back to a crossover game in Hamilton after the team’s win over the Tiger-Cats in their last start would be totally welcome. So would a trip to Vancouver in the division they’ve played in all season.
“It honestly does not matter to us, period,” said Sherritt. “We’re very confident ourselves. When we hit the playoffs, we want to hit it running. Whoever we play (in the semi-final week), we couldn’t care less.
“It’s all about momentum. You want to have momentum going into the playoffs. We see time and time again the teams that are hitting their stride running, in the playoffs make a deep run.”
Maas remained wont tip his hand about how he plans to utilize his players in the team’s last game before the playoffs.
“I don’t have to do anything or say anything until later this week,” said Maas. “That’s part of the competitive advantage. We’re not about letting the other team know what you do. If it ends up helping Toronto prepare for us, I’m not about to let that happen in any ball game.”