Jimmy Jeong/CFL Photo
The Ottawa REDBLACKS know that every game counts in the home stretch of the CFL regular season.
Entering Saturday’s match, the REDBLACKS only had three games left on their schedule; less than any other team in the league. With the East Division playoff picture far from decided, Toronto is aware that every game is virtually a must win.
“To me, we had to win a minimum of two, maybe all three of them, and that’s still probably the case,” head coach Rick Campbell said after the win. “It was huge to get this one on the road and we have another important one on a short week coming up so we have to be ready for Regina.”
RELATED
» Stats: REDBLACKS at Lions Box Score
» Images: Ottawa at BC
Harris completed 28-of-38 passes for 380 yards and three touchdowns in his first game back from injury (The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck)
The REDBLACKS still have a chance to win the East. The Toronto Argonauts lost earlier in the day, and an Ottawa win closed the gap to one point between the first place Argos and second place REDBLACKS. Toronto still has a game in hand. However, the surging Hamilton Tiger-Cats have made the East even more intriguing. The Tabbies won on Friday night and currently sit five points behind the Argos with two in hand.
“It’s going to be interesting,” said Campbell. “Like I said, we only have two games left, so we have to cash in and go from there. But it’s literally going to be a race to the finish.”
Ottawa will receive a boost down the stretch with the return of Trevor Harris on Saturday night. The pivot had been sidelined for three games with a shoulder injury. After a slow first half, Harris finished the night with 380 passing yards and three touchdowns.
“He said when he was back, he was going to be back to play the game,” said Campbell. “He wasn’t going to try and hide himself out there and he did take a couple big hits tonight. But good for him and good on him. He was one of a number of guys that stepped up and made plays in the second half to win the game.”
The REDBLACKS schedule does not get any easier from here on out. Ottawa is on the road next week to take on the Saskatchewan Roughriders. They will have a bye week to rest before playing the Ticats in their final game of the season in a match that has the potential to have major playoff implications.
