EDMONTON – Elks fans should hope that Wednesday’s practice playlist was a message sent by the defence.
“Today we had a good practice, good energy,” Head Coach Mark Kilam said. “Jake Ceresna was on the playlist, so I think that helped out a lot.”
As the Green and Gold entered their final on field day of preparation for Friday night’s matchup against the Ottawa REDBLACKS, it was ‘Let the Bodies hit the Floor by Drowning Pool’ that blared over the speakers, courtesy of the All-CFL lineman. Edmonton enters the contest in search of their third straight win and a season sweep against their opponents from the Nation’s capital. In order to do so, it will have to be the resurgent defence that leads the charge.
The unit has slowly forged the chemistry that takes some time to build when dealing with an unfamiliar defensive system and a group of new and young players. As the bonds have been tightening, so has the play. The group has gone from averaging 34 points allowed over the first five games, to under 23 per game in their last four outings — a mark which would rank third in the CFL.
“They’re growing as a group, no doubt. They’re growing together,” Kilam said. “I think the secondary is coming together, which is helping the front. The front is coming together, which is helping the back end. As a group of 12, they’re coming together and they’re definitely improving.”
The Double E’s defence has started making the plays expected out of a unit that features stars like Ceresna, Tyrell Ford, Nyles Morgan, and others. In Montreal, it was Ford’s pick six that turned the game around in Edmonton’s favour. Last week against the Argos, Brandon Barlow’s perfectly time forced fumble spurred on the Elks, stripping the Argonauts of a redzone opportunity and allowing Cody Fajardo to lead an 88 yard touchdown march.
It’s been a process to get to the point that the Elks defence can be relied on in big moments, but the hard work by the coaching staff and players is beginning to pay dividends.
“It’s just a credit to coaching and just us taking a challenge,” said defensive back Kordell Jackson, who is tied for the team lead in tackles with 47 and recorded his first sack of the season last week against Toronto.
“We came off that bye week and it’s just consistency, trying to get better and consistently improving,” he added. “Knowing that we got to get turnovers, knowing that we got to get sacks. And when we’re able to do those things, that’s when we become better as a defense.”
As for their opponent on Friday, the REDBLACKS enter the game limping with a 3-7 record and a loaded treatment room, including quarterback Dru Brown who was placed on the one-game injured list this week. It will be the elusive Dustin Crum who the Elks will have to chase down. The 26-year-old quarterback has three seasons of CFL experience and entered the game last week in Winnipeg for the REDBLACKS, nearly leading a double-digit comeback against the West Division opponent.
“They’re a good football team, nothing but respect for them,” coach Kilam said. “They’re kind of in a similar situation as us as far as where they are in the standings. They’re good up front. Adarius Pickett is one of the best players in the CFL and Dustin Crum can use his legs to hurt you.”
The Elks can’t afford to overlook the REDBLACKS as they search for their third straight win, and it was a message that was hammered home over the week of practice. As disappointed as the team was in the way they started the season, a victory in Ottawa could have the Elks entering Labour Day Classic and Rematch with a shot at catching their Alberta rivals in the standings.
First, they must take care of business in Ottawa.
“Coach Kilam always said that we were a group of fighters. We’re resilient, man, and that’s our statement for everybody,” Jackson said. “So we’re just going to come in and we’re going to continue fighting each and every day, no matter what the score is, no matter what the record is, and we’re going to continue to fight for a playoff spot until we get there.”