Don Campbell: Unlike ’94 Rough Riders, the REDBLACKS are rolling towards CFL playoffs
Photo: Johany Jutras – CFL Road Trip
By: Don Campbell
With all the talk around TD Place this week about clinching a playoff spot, just the mere mention of the “CFL playoffs” conjures up so many memories of the last Ottawa pro football team to qualify for the CFL post-season.
Ahh, that would be the unforgettable 1994 edition of the Ottawa Rough Riders, coached by Adam Rita.
Yes, that glorious bunch that rolled to a 4-14 won-loss mark, ended the season on a seven-game losing streak, on average gave up more than 40 points per game, and did not have a single CFL allstar on the roster.
And some how and some way they still snuck into fourth in the East Division on the basis of a tie-breaker with the also 4-14 Hamilton Tiger-Cats, then easily went down 26-16 to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the East semifinal.
So really there should be no comparing the soon-to-be playoff-bound REDBLACKS with the ‘94 Rough Riders because just 15 months and 13 days after returning professional football to the Capital, these REDBLACKS are about punch a ticket to the CFL post-season through the front door with heads held high.
All the REDBLACKS require is a single win and they’re in and an Ottawa football team will be playoff bound for the first time in 21 years.
And it could happen be as early as Friday night when they host a dangerous and desperate 5-10 Blue Bombers squad at TD Place.
“Right now, it’s all about finishing out our last four games, get into the playoffs and be rolling once we do,” said quarterback Henry Burris, who was just a sophomore at Temple University the last time Ottawa experienced playoff fever. “Who knows? We can still finish in first place. We have to finish the season strong.”
And it starts with a win against Winnipeg though a loss by the Montreal Alouettes Sunday against Hamilton would also do the trick and ensure Montreal is out. A RBLACKS win would also ensure no team from the West could cross-over and nail down a playoff spot in the East.
A win would also give the REDBLACKS a respectable 2-2 mark on their four-game homestand, leave them on a nice roll of six wins and two losses since an August 30th win over Saskatchewan and assure them of no worse than a .500 mark.
“Our first stated goal was to find a way to get into the playoffs and we have an opportunity to do that,” said head coach Rick Campbell, who should be busy next winter collecting the CFL Coach-of-the-Year Award. “Regardless of what happens, who else wins or who else loses, we know we need to win as many games as we can to put ourselves in the best position.”
The REDBLACKS wind up the regular season with a trip to Winnipeg followed by a home-and-home with the Tiger Cats, including the REDBLACKS home finale November 7th.
Eight days after that, the REDBLACKS could be hosting a semifinal, on the road in a semifinal, or watching and waiting to see who they will play in the final.
So much still to determine in an East where with a REDBLACKS win Friday, there would at least momentarily be a three-way tie for first.
It’s the stretch drive and unfortunately the REDBLACKS are going to have to do it without running back Jeremiah Johnson, with an injured left foot that may or may not require surgery.
The REDBLACKS will still have Johnson on the sideline, just not on the field hen they need tough yards.
“It’s the first time I’ve been on crutches in a long time,” said Johnson. “At the time it felt more like ‘why?’ . . . here we had a good season going on and I was ready to help the team with a playoff push.
“Now everything is up in the air and the only thing we know is yeh, I’m done.
“Most (injured) guys go home. But I’m going to stick around and keep my head up and help where I can. We have a team of guys here that listen up and I’m comfortable in that (leadership) role.”
Under the “next man up” philosophy, Johnson’s replacement will be William Powell, who is enthusiastic to go.
“It’s up to me to step up and play to my capabilities,” said Powell, who hands his kickoff return responsibilities to Reggie Dunn, a highlight reel type of returner as a Utah Ute.
“I’m confident in what I can do and we don’t want to take a step back in the absence of Jeremiah. We have to keep this thing rolling.”
Rolling, in exactly the opposite direction of the last Ottawa playoff-bound team.
