EDMONTON – Mission: Sweep the Labour Day series.
The Edmonton Elks welcome the Calgary Stampeders to Commonwealth Stadium on Saturday night (5:00 pm MT) for the Labour Day Rematch. The Elks are fresh off a commanding 35-20 victory in Calgary where they put up a season best performance, dropping 586 yards of total offence on the Stampeders defence.
It was a fireworks display that will be tough to top, but a similar type of effort will be needed if the Elks hope to stave off their provincial rivals in the rematch.
“It’s huge,” Bethel-Thompson said about the rematch. “We know what type of team we’re dealing with. They have a great coaching staff, a great roster, so they’re going to come back with a vengeance and they’re going to come back with a purpose. It’s really hard to beat a really good team back-to-back weeks, so we know we got to come out and play a four-quarter game like we did last week and do the little things right.”
“When you got a team like that, you got some guys with a lot of pride and guys that know how to coach football and know how to play football,” Head Coach Jarious Jackson said. “You expect them to be hot and you expect them to come in executing at a high level. They’re going to try to steal some possessions here and there. We’ve got to be on our P’s and Q’s in all three phases.”
The Bethel-BOMB was on full display at the Labour Day Classic 🚀#GoElks x @William_Huff pic.twitter.com/Psap5quC0E
— Edmonton Elks (@GoElks) September 3, 2024
A victory on Saturday would give the Elks a three-game winning streak over the Stampeders — a feat they haven’t accomplished since 2003-04. More importantly, a full two points against Calgary could find the Elks a point or two out the West Division playoffs entering their bye week, depending on the outcome of the Banjo Bowl earlier in the day.
It’s been a long road back for the Elks, who began the season on a 0-for-7 skid due to a litany of narrow defeats, but they now find themselves victors of four of their last five games. It’s a testament to the character of the EE’s locker room that the team never gave up on the season and are now riding the league’s best offence towards postseason contention.
TERRIFIC TEVIN
One of the major contributors on the Elks top-rated offence has been veteran wideout Tevin Jones.
The 31-year-old has been a revelation in the receiving core since entering the starting lineup in Week 9 against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. All Jones has done is make plays, averaging an eye popping and league-best 27.5 yards yards per reception. The Memphis product’s big play ability has allowed him to lead the Green and Gold in receiving yards in four of the last five games.
“Tevin just does what’s asked of him, whatever the play calls for.” Jackson said. “If you want him to play special teams, if you want to play to play defense, he’s that type of guy. He’ll do whatever it takes to be on that field and help contribute to the team’s success. Hats off to him for being that type of person and contributing to the team in any way he can.”
See you later!
Tevin Jones goes over 200 yards on the day for the @GoElks score!@oktire #LDWeekend#CFLGameDay
📺: @TSN_Sports 🇨🇦 & @CBSSportsNet 🇺🇸
📱: CFL+ pic.twitter.com/kpvXgbowuK— CFL (@CFL) September 3, 2024
Jones had a solid season in 2023 with the Roughriders, finishing third on the team in receiving with 882 yards on 65 receptions. However, he departed in the offseason and found himself in training camp with a loaded Alouettes squad before being released prior to the start of the regular season. Jones bided his time and now has found a home as a key cog in the Elks explosive offence.
“Patience and I guess hard work,” Jones said when asked what helped him get here. “At the beginning it was tough because I really wanted to play, especially being on the outside looking in because before that I didn’t have a job. I was on the couch watching and things were looking kind of down for me. Honestly, I was thinking about not playing anymore, but I stuck with it. I prayed about it, talked to my mom and my family, and I ended up here. Now, great things are happening.”
Now that Jones has found his home in Edmonton, he is relishing his opportunity – including the opportunity to take part in his first Battle of Alberta experience.
“It feels great,” Jones said. “You know, it’s the Battle of Alberta, so I’m glad to be a part of it. I’m glad that things rolled our way and I’m glad to be here at Edmonton. What else can I ask for?”