Expect fireworks between Toronto Argonauts, Hamilton Tiger-Cats in Labour Day Classic

When you ask a CFL fan to describe what Labour Day means to them, many thoughts come to mind.

What makes the game unlike any other one on the CFL calendar is how it takes the greatest rivalries in the league’s history to another level. This year’s clash between the Toronto Argonauts and Hamilton Tiger-Cats brings the passion of a storied rivalry and a lot at stake, especially for the home team.

Hamilton comes into the Labour Day Classic leading the series 36-14-1. Last season, Toronto put an end to a seven-game Labour Day losing streak with a 28-8 victory and will look to keep that trend going.

The Tiger-Cats announced that the Labour Day Classic is a sellout at Tim Hortons Field which shouldn’t come as a surprise. Hamilton is coming off their most impressive victory of the season beating the B.C. Lions 30-13.

For the Argonauts, they come into the game with consecutive victories where they have scored 83 points combined. It was a week of celebration with Chad Kelly signing a three-year contract extension and will get his first taste of the Labour Day Classic as the Argos’ starter.

"It's going to be packed, it's going to be loud and those guys are going to be aggressive as we know," said Kelly. "They had a fantastic game last week.

"We know they're going to change up some looks from last time and from the first time that we played. We just have to be ready for whatever they throw at us."

This is what makes the game so special because no matter where either team finds themselves in the standings, the Labour Day Classic brings out the best in both teams. For Toronto, they cannot afford to take Hamilton lightly considering what they did against a good Lions team.

Offensively, the Argos are firing on all cylinders but defensively, the unit is banged up, especially in the secondary. Tarvarus McFadden is drawing back into the starting lineup but at the halfback position with DaShaun Amos out with an ankle injury instead of at corner which is his usual position.

“It’s definitely different,” McFadden told Mike Hogan of Argonauts.ca about playing halfback instead of cornerback. “In this league it’s like playing safety (south of the border). Safety is way different from corner because you’ve got to cover, but now you’ve got to fill gaps, you’ve got run responsibilities, but most of all, you’ve got to cover.”

“It’s his experience,” defensive coordinator Corey Mace explained to Argonauts.ca about moving McFadden to halfback. “T-Mac has had a lot of experience for us. He’s worked in the spot throughout the year and has been with this staff. Coaches (Josh) Bell and Will (Fields) do a good job of mixing guys in throughout the year and T-Mac has played some there for us in the past. We’re comfortable and confident he’ll get the job done.”

The Argonauts are fortunate to have the depth they do especially on defence considering the calibre of players that have been sidelined. It also helps the defence that Toronto’s offence and special teams have been impactful when they aren’t at their best.

The case could be made that without the defence’s strong play early in the season, Toronto wouldn’t be at 8-1. However, this is what makes this group the top team in the CFL, they don’t rely on just one way to win.

It is that formula that makes them a formidable opponent each and every week. The Tiger-Cats know this and will try to keep the Argos playmakers off the field. This will make James Butler a focus for the Argos defence considering he has rushed for over 100 yards over the last two games.

Usually a tough place to play, Tim Hortons Field hasn’t been too kind to the Tiger-Cats who own a 1-4 record in their own backyard. Toronto has enjoyed more success against their rival but know that they cannot look back on what they have done in the past.