CFL
Before the Eskimos clashed with the BC Lions last weekend at Commonwealth Stadium, linebacker JC Sherritt talked about the importance of the game.
“You know it’s heading down to crunch time, and the team that shines at the end and the team that gets the momentum at the end is going to be the Grey Cup Champ,” Sherritt said. “This is another step and we realize that home field is on the line. We realize how important this game is.”
In football, it’s said that the most important game is the next game on your schedule, and the Eskimos responded in a big way last week. They led and dominated from start to finish in a 37-3 win over the Lions, locking up second place in the West Division and home field advantage for the Western Semi-Final on Nov. 16 at Commonwealth Stadium.
| The 2014 CFL Playoffs are coming to Edmonton! |
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This year’s playoff bracket isn’t entirely decided entering Week 20, but the Edmonton Eskimos are one of three teams with a home playoff game set. Join them on Nov. 16 at Commonwealth Stadium!
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It was another test for the Eskimos, who were challenged by the head coach Chris Jones to play with consistency for four quarters — a task, according to Jones, that has only happened maybe twice all season before last Saturday’s game.
The offence scored points in four of its first seven possessions, building a 20-3 lead. The offence was textbook, producing 30 first downs, holding on to the ball for almost forty minutes, and producing 550 yards of net offence. This was against a Lions team coming in that had allowed the lowest average per game point total in the CFL (18.4).
Defensively, the Eskimos allowed only 138 yards of net offence, and are now number one in the league in average points allowed per game (18.6).
On a night when he saw his tackle record fall to the hands of Lions linebacker Solomon Eilimiminan, Sherritt enjoyed his best game of the season and perhaps in the last two seasons. Seven defensive tackles, and career-high three quarterback sacks, and one forced fumble, which earned him CFL Defensive Player of the Week honours.
On special teams, running back Kendial Lawrence provided his team with excellent field position. Kicker Hugh O’Neill punted the ball well and hit all three of his field goal attempts, including two from beyond 40 yards.
| Rounding into form |
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JC Sherritt appears to be hitting his stride just in time for the 2014 CFL Playoffs, after claiming Defensive Player of the Week honours following last weekend’s 37-3 win over BC. |
You wanted it Coach Jones and you got it — that four-quarter, 60-minute effort from your football team.
There’s just one regular season game left and it’s Saturday in Regina against the Riders. The game might mean something for Saskatchewan in the standings. For the Eskimos, a win or a loss won’t change their hold on second place. So what does this game mean?
The “next game is your most important game” mantra will be put the test this week. Already Chris Jones has seen his club struggle with that concept in practice this week. He wasn’t pleased following day two, as he himself is trying to manage this week as best he can.
“It’s the first time I’ve ever been in this situation as a head coach,” Jones explained. “We finished better than we started. Every week there’s been a certain challenge and we got a big challenge in front of us (this week), and that’s going on the road and winning another road game.”
So what is there to play for?
13 wins would match their highest win total since 2003. Sweeping the Riders would be satisfying.
How about quarterback Matt Nichols, who will make his third start of the season and fifth of his career in place of Mike Reilly, who is nursing a suspected injured ankle back to health. Nichols is still looking for his first win as a starter, and will look to build on his earlier playing experience from this season playing for the better part of three straight games.
The biggest reason why Saturday’s game is important to the Eskimos is because it’s their last game before the Western Semi-Final. If the Eskimos come out and lay an egg, that’s what they have to stew on for over a week. And then the questions come out from the media and fans about the team’s preparedness for Nov. 16. It’s important for the Eskimos to play well and stay consistent for four quarters and maintain positive momentum and keep the bad habits out of their games.
Sherritt says maintaining good habits is crucial on Saturday.
“This game against Saskatchewan is not a game off for us,” Sherritt said. “If we play sloppy and get handled, then we are going to the playoffs with bad momentum. We know how important the last game of the season is.”
It’s game 18 against the Saskatchewan Roughriders: the next game; the most important game of the season.
