The Canadian Press
OTTAWA — This season certainly hasn’t gone the way that the Ottawa REDBLACKS envisioned.
After being the East Division representative in the 106th Grey Cup against the Calgary Stampeders, the red and black have scuttled this season, sitting at 3-10 with a handful of games left in their campaign.
Despite that, there’s still hope for them, as they could still get into the playoffs — but they’d need to get back in the win column to do so.
“It’s been a tough season and we’re in a tough spot,” head coach Rick Campbell told OttawaREDBLACKS.com on Tuesday. “We have some people here who I think are very competent that care very much about this organization and the city and we’re going to keep working on it.
“We’ve done a lot of good things around here; not the way we’ve want it going right now, but we’re going to keep working and doing whatever we can to what’s more typical of REDBLACKS football.”
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Ottawa RedBlacks head coach Rick Campbell during the CFL game against the BC Lions (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
Their biggest game of the season comes in Week 16, as they’ll welcome the Edmonton Eskimos — who currently hold down the crossover playoff spot — to TD Place on Saturday.
“We can put some pressure on Edmonton; find a way to get this done,” Campbell said. “At least (that) makes them work for it down the stretch. We’re trying to do whatever we can to win a game.”
The REDBLACKS got their last win back in Week 8 when they toppled the Montreal Alouettes by a 30-27 score in overtime. Since then, they’ve dropped their last six games, with that stretch culminating in a back-to-back with BC that saw them get outscored 69-12.
Quarterbacks Dominique Davis and Jonathon Jennings have split time starting under centre this season, but there won’t be one specific man in charge on Saturday, as their pair will split snaps.
Davis has thrown for 1,846 yards and five touchdowns this year while Jennings has 1,096 yards and three throws for majors on the campaign.
They’ll be going up against a stingy Edmonton defence that sits first in the league in both passing and rushing yards allowed per game. In the last matchup between these two teams, they forced four turnovers — two interceptions, one fumble, and another on downs.
On the other sideline, the Esks will be coming in with their backup under centre. Logan Kilgore was named the starter for a second consecutive game while star quarterback Trevor Harris was placed on the six-game injured list.
Kilgore completed 22 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns in Edmonton’s Week 15 game against Hamilton.
Sherrod Baltimore and the rest of the Ottawa defence will be tasked with slowing down a dangerous unit, but they’re going to feed off the home crowd to try and get across the line.
“The next game is the most important game. Obviously, the playoff stake is at hand so we know we’ve got to amp it up,” Baltimore said. “We need our fans, RNation, to come home. This city means a lot to us. Mr. Marcel (Desjardins) always explains to us that we play for the name on the front of our jersey.
“…Just be ready. When they make a play, we’ve got to make a play. That’s just football.”
The margin for error becomes smaller and smaller with each passing week. If the REDBLACKS and Argonauts lose and Montreal wins, the Als will clinch a playoff berth, leaving just one spot up for grabs in the division. A win against the Eskimos on Saturday would go a long way to helping Ottawa’s chances.
“I definitely appreciate the hard work, which is a big part of it,” Campbell said. “Got to mix that in with making sure we’re playing up to our abilities, doing the things we need to do, and that’s what we’re really focused on and we’ll keep working on it.”
– With files from OttawaREDBLACKS.com
