Adam Gagnon, CFL.ca
HAMILTON — It wasn’t the prettiest of wins, but Trevor Harris and the REDBLACKS knew they were coming into Hamilton to face off against a tough Tiger-Cats defence.
“It was a grind-out win,” Harris said following his team’s victory Saturday afternoon.
Leaning solely on the point production of special teams, Harris addressed the offence’s need to improve their execution.
“We have to get better in the red zone, we have to be able to finish those drives. But obviously, it’s a gigantic win to give us a two-game lead in the East, so we just have to make sure we take care of the next one and take it one game at a time” the Ottawa quarterback said.
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All 21 points the REDBLACKS scored against the Ticats came-way of their rookie kicker and former Ottawa Gee Gee, Lewis Ward, and Harris had nothing but praise for the game’s clutch performer.
“It’s obviously huge, especially in a windy environment,” Harris said. “We know as long as we get it inside the 40, we’re going to get points.”
The 25-year old kicker tallied a career-high seven field goals on just as many attempts.
Being a rookie, Ward is new to the infamous swirling wind that Tim Hortons Field has to offer for visiting kickers.
“It was tough out there,” Ward said postgame. “The wind was constantly changing so I don’t know how much of a groove I got into.”
The REDBLACKS got a three-game series against East Division rivals underway against Hamilton, and both Harris and Ward voiced their satisfaction in getting the first game out of the way with a victory.
“It’s good. Especially against Hamilton, they’re a good team,” said Ward. “Then moving onto the next couple of weeks, we’re hoping to get those two wins and we should be in a good spot.”
The REDBLACKS will open up Week 8 with a visit to Toronto to take on the Argonauts, followed up by a matchup against the Alouettes at home. The REDBLACKS have already squared off against the Als earlier this season, defeating Montreal 28-18.
