MontrealAlouettes.com
VANCOUVER – It isn’t October yet but the Alouettes are looking to break the curse of a haunted B.C. Place, when the two top teams in CFL, with identical 6-3 records, collide for the second time in as many weeks this Saturday at 4 p.m Eastern.
Historically, the Lions’ den hasn’t been very kind to the Alouettes, with Montreal’s last win there dating back to August 31, 2000.
But starting running back Brandon Whitaker quickly dismissed any notions of superstitious beliefs.
“It’s really nothing that’s on my mind,” confirmed the 26-year-old, after running all over BC in their first meeting a week ago for three majors last week. “We’re going on a business trip to Vancouver. The Alouettes have won games there in the past, as have the other seven teams in the CFL. The Lions have a great fan base, which makes it exciting to play over there, but as far as us not able to win at B.C. Place, it’s just not something that we think about or believe.”
The East Division-leading Alouettes would like nothing better than to sweep the Lions in a back-to-back series, a fate that British Columbia hasn’t suffered since 1998. While that may be one source of motivation for Marc Trestman’s men, bigger things are on the Als’ agenda.
With disparity across the league a thing of the past, Montreal is seeking to increase the two-point lead they currently hold over the second-place Toronto Argonauts.
“It’s always tough to get a win on the road,” admitted Anthony Calvillo, who has already helped lead his team to two important wins in Winnipeg and another in Edmonton this year. “Toronto is right on our heels and we’re trying to stay on top.”
With the teams having met a mere seven days ago in Montreal, both sides are trying to catch the other off guard with different schemes.
“Our coaches are masterminds in creating new formations and plays and they’ll come up with new stuff,” hinted Calvillo, gunning for his ninth straight 300-yard passing game. “Each time we prepare to face a team, we always make sure to bring something new to the table.”
A Lions loss would mean B.C. would then share the West Division lead, something that Lions receiver Geroy Simon and company are trying to avoid.
Simon pulled himself out of the game in the second quarter during last Friday’s 30-25 loss to Montreal, and is questionable to return against the Als this week. The CFL’s all-time reception yards leader, Simon injured his hamstring and had a minimal impact last week at Percival Molson Stadium.
The good news for Montreal on the defensive side of the ball is that the secondary might be able to count on the services of cornerback Seth Williams who will be making his return to the lineup. Williams took part in all three of the teams’ practices this week, showing no lingering ill effects of the ankle injury.
“I didn’t hold back today. I pushed the ankle and it feels great,” admitted Williams who has been out of action for nearly three weeks. “I plan on taking every snap out on defence and I should be making a few plays on special teams to ease back into the flow of things. I’m just really excited about getting the chance to get back out on the field.”
Notes: Saturday will be the first time that rookie fullback Patrick Lavoie returns to B.C. Place since finishing as the runner-up with the Laval Rouge et Or in the 2011 Vanier Cup.
