Toronto Argonauts look to keep momentum going against Calgary Stampeders

The last time the Toronto Argonauts played the Calgary Stampeders, McLeod Bethel-Thompson remembers the game as one of the more frustrating ones for him.

It was a game Toronto lost 22-19 with a pick-six from Bethel-Thompson being the play that turned the tide. The Argos QB also believed the team deserved a better fate given they outplayed Calgary but couldn’t get it done in the end.

Since then, the Argos have rolled off four straight wins including a dominant 45-15 performance against the Ottawa Redblacks that clinched a playoff spot. The team isn’t looking too far ahead and want to show what they can do against a top team in the league.

“These are the games you get up for, the games you want to play for. …It's good to see us have that fire and bounce back,” Bethel-Thompson said. Now we just got to keep this going and this is a team we want to play, a good team in the West at this time is everything we want.”

Even though Calgary has clinched a playoff spot, they will be looking to keep pace with the B.C. Lions for second place in the West Division. They have also been on a strong run over the last five games with Jake Maier taking over for Bo Levi Mitchell.

It’s not just the rejuvenated offence that makes the Stampeders a tough team to play against. They are also the top team when it comes to getting to the quarterback with veteran pass rusher second in the league in sacks with 11 and Mike Rose tied for fifth with seven.

How do the Argos plan to handle the pressure the Stampeders will try to throw at Bethel-Thompson?

“We got to stay out a second and long, that's the key right, that's when they get out to the quarterback,” head coach Ryan Dinwiddie explained. “We can keep them off balance run a few different things on first down and have the opportunity to run the ball on second down that's where we need to be.”

Running back A.J. Ouellette has filled in admirably for Andrew Harris and hasn’t shied away from what has made him successful as a player. Being able to turn to the run game will be crucial for the Argos down the stretch especially in games they try to close out.

“He’s a monster. I mean, the first guy doesn't bring him down, the second guy doesn't bring them down, then the third guy doesn't bring them down,” Ouellette explained. “So you better be swarming as a defence. He punishes DBs, linebackers defensive linemen, he's just a force. He's awesome in the passing game, awesome out of the backfield, and a complete back and we're very lucky to have him.”

When it comes to the receivers, Bethel-Thompson admits that it has taken longer to forge the chemistry because of injuries. The team is fortunate to have the depth they have at the position but it does lead to the inconsistent play we have seen this season.

Returning on offence is Cam Phillips who has been sidelined with a groin injury and he will get the starting nod over Brandon Banks who has had an up-and-down season. Ryan Hunter will also get into the lineup for the first time too at slotting as the backup centre behind Justin Lawrence.

To see players come back from injuries isn’t usually a bad thing but there is the challenge of trying to get everyone on the same page.

“It's been challenging to have to build chemistry with, you know, 10 or 11 receivers and see how they all come out of that breaks differently. It's been a challenge that we've missed some early in the season, because that chemistry wasn't all the way there,” Bethel-Thompson explained. …Now we have those guys returning back, it's a good problem to have. We have a lot of really good receivers, they're all fighting their butt off to get playing time they're fighting it butt off to get catches, but they're also a positive group and they're a group that sticks together.

“You know, there's not divas, there's like guys that don’t act up. They work together, they like playing with each other and they all have their different roles and they're taking advantage of it. So it's a good problem to have.”