Kyle Myers
Ticats.ca
On the strength of some sensational individual efforts and solid team play, the Tiger-Cats returned to Hamilton victorious in their first pre-season game against the Montreal Alouettes. The Ticats grabbed a first half lead and didn’t look back en route to a 33–26 victory on Thursday night.
Second-year quarterback Dan LeFevour got the start for Hamilton, and completed 10 of 19 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown.
“We still have a lot to correct, but there were enough positives to take away that we as a team can feel good about the game,” said Lefevour on Friday. It was LeFevour’s first in-game action since the 2012 preseason, but he looked sharp, and could be poised to take on the Ticats back-up role. Still, he is quick to dismiss any notion that one good game is enough to secure him the position.
“I’m not trying to read too much into anything, just controlling what I can control,” he said. “I was fortunate enough to get into the game for the first two quarters yesterday, and I did what I could.”
On the opposite side of the ball, another second-year CFLer also had a standout game for the Ticats. Ricardo Colclough, who was acquired by Hamilton via trade during the 2012 season, finished the game with six tackles, an interception, and a couple key pass breakups on second downs.
“It was just one of those games where once you start to get things rolling, things start going your way,” he said about his success in the first preseason game.
Colclough was forced into an increased role as the game wore on, as several Ticats defenders were kept out of the game with injury, and he stepped up in a big way.
Lindsey Lamar also showed flashes of brilliance in his limited role, taking a Montreal punt 88 yards to the house for a touchdown. The rookie running back finished the game with 282 all-purpose yards, and energized the Ticats by giving the team their first lead of the game in the second quarter.
Friday at practice, Lamar was quick to deflect praise for his performance onto his coaching staff, who he believes have elevated his game during camp.
“I feel like I was well prepared by my coaches,” said Lamar. “They stay on me hard in practice, and gave me the confidence to go out there and do it on the field.”
One of the likely candidates to fill the vacant punt-returner role, Lamar certainly raised his stock with an electrifying return, but still, he won’t assume that the position will be given to him.
“I’m not sure,” he said when asked whether he thought his performance would result in a roster spot. “I just control what I can control, and that’s coming out here to practice every day and getting better in each and every way that I can.”
Though preseason games matter little in the overall scheme of the CFL season, there is great value in the positive affirmation which comes with a win. When it comes to a team like the Ticats, who have an entirely new coaching staff and many new players in camp, an early preseason victory can be vital.
“Anytime you can win something competitive, whether it’s a drill in practice or a preseason game, I think that’s something that can’t be measured,” said LeFevour.
“From a confidence standpoint, just getting used to stepping on a football field and winning is a big deal.”
Though they have some kinks to work out, the Tiger-Cats began their season in the best possible way Thursday: with a victory. Head Coach Kent Austin will now have to review the film and evaluate which players he likes, as the first round of cuts must be made by Sunday.
Regardless, the Ticats performance in game one of the preseason has certainly built up some confidence in the squad, and that can only mean good things for the team moving forward in 2013.
