EDMONTON – One last time for Edmonton.
With the Elks playoffs hopes dashed in the second to last game of the season, Friday night’s battle (7:30 pm MT) at Play Alberta Field against the Calgary Stampeders is about more than just pride.
The Double E will have a chance to really cement Commonwealth Stadium as a place where opposing CFL teams fear to play. A win would give Edmonton their fifth consecutive victory at home, and a 6-3 record overall – marking the longest streak and best win total by the club at home since 2018.
To achieve that, they will have to play spoiler against their Alberta rivals who are fighting for a shot at a home playoff game. Calgary will be bringing their best, and it will be a real fight for Edmonton to cap off their second half surge with a win.
“From where we were to where we are now, we can really put a stamp on this season and feel really good about the way we finished this season,” quarterback Cody Fajardo said. “They need to win for playoff implications, so we’re going to get their best.”
“We work way too hard all the offseason, blood, sweat, and tears. Then in season, same exact thing,” Fajardo added. “To pack it in and lay down for the last game just because we’re not playing for anything? In professional sports, you’re always playing for something. Whether it’s a cheque, your family back home, the organization, or the fans — you’re always playing for something. That’s what you just got to continue to stress with the young guys who are in this situation.”
Also on the line are some provincial bragging rights. Edmonton comes into Friday night’s matchup against Calgary having won five of their last six games in the Battle of Alberta. The Elks have not lost a season series to the Stampeders since 2022 and it’s a trend they’re hoping to continue.
“We’re playing our provincial rival. We’re playing a football team that is going to the playoffs, that’s still competing for a home playoff game,” Head Coach Mark Kilam said.
“We’re playing in front of our home fans, which is incredibly important to me and the rest of the football team. That is why we want to put a good product out on the field.”
As for who will suit up for the Elks, the lineup will see a few new faces inserted into the action. Hulking right tackle Greg Eiland will see his first ever CFL start. The six-foot-8, 320-pounder out of Mississippi State has a pro pedigree, having suited up with the Seattle Seahawks practice roster for multiple seasons (2021-2023) and playing with the San Antonio Brahmas in the United Football League.
Rookie wideout Jalon Calhoun will get an opportunity to start in place for Kurleigh Gittens Jr, and defensive end Elijah Alston will also see plenty of snaps on the evening.
The fresh additions are a result of a difficult 10 game stretch between bye weeks by the Elks and the never say die style of play they needed to show after starting the season 1-6. The roster had to lay it on the line to try and lock up a playoff spot and because of that, there are more than a few bumps and bruises inside the locker room.
“Yeah, we had a couple guys that were really held together with duct tape, so we’ll try to get off them,” Kilam said. “As far as the rest of roster, we’re just going to kind of let it play out throughout the week.”