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The Misfit Toys Rise To The Top

Griff Bordignon Nov 19, 2023

Well, we made it, Grey Cup Sunday. We’re down to the battle of the final two teams standing, and folks, we’re in for a fight. The scrappy Montreal Alouettes are looking to dethrone a dynasty in the making as Winnipeg is looking to win its third Grey Cup in the team’s fourth straight trip.

A fun fact before we get into the meat and potatoes of the game is that Montreal is 2-0 in this Stadium this season; on Winnipeg’s lone trip to Tim Hortons Field, the Bombers lost to Hamilton.

The game started with Winnipeg getting the ball and charging into the Redzone. Still, the Alouettes’ defense held the Bomber’s offensive attack to a Sergio Castillo Field Goal to give the Bombers an early 3-0 lead.

Montreal did have Winnipeg stopped, but an unnecessary roughness call on Montreal’s Mustafa Johnson gave the Bombers new life, and Brady Oliveria took it to the house to provide Winnipeg with a 10-0 lead.

Montreal needed to answer, and they did after Austin Mack made an unbelievable catch from Cody Fajardo, followed by a 32-yard run by Willie Stanbeck and touchdown Montreal as we entered the second quarter with Winnipeg leading 10-7.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers looked to capitalize after Montreal was flagged for an illegal punt. Still, a rare Brady Oliviera fumble was forced by Kabion Eato and recovered by Ciante Evans, stopping the Bombers and giving the Als a chance to take the lead after a Willie Jefferson sack on Fajardo and only gaining back the 9 yards that was lost, Montreal had to punt the ball back.

Winnipeg’s long snapper Mike Benson made a play against James Letcher Jr, as he forced him to fumble, resulting in the Winnipeg ball deep in Alouette territory and fashion we’ve seen Cameron Dukes do multiple times for Toronto. Winnipeg’s Dakota Prukop did a QB sneak and made the lead go to 17-7; a costly fumble for Montreal could be a game-changer.

As the end of the first half neared, Montreal went for the TD on second and third down; however, on both attempts, Prukop was stuffed by the Winnipeg defense; let us see how Montreal starts the second half as they will start with the ball.

Montreal did start with the drive that was much needed. After a triumphant kickoff return, Cody Fajardo found Austin Mack for another highlight-worthy catch, then Cole Spieker in the endzone to make this a 17-14 game early in the third quarter.

After the quick TD, Winnipeg pulled a Lee Corso not-so-fast, and Collaros was charging down the field. Still, as Collaros attempted to find Kenny Lawler in the endzone, Kabion Eato went up and brought down the interception to give Montreal all the momentum back. The drive did stall, but the touchdown-preventing pick kept the Alouettes in the game. Winnipeg did get the ball back, then gave it back to Montreal, where Evan Holm picked Fajardo.

Montreal did force a punt after a 2nd down sack of Collaros, and then Cody Fajardo went to work making plays, and then he found his favorite target of the night in Austin Mack for a 13-yard touchdown to give Montreal a 21-17 lead.

The Blue Bombers have been getting punched in the mouth tonight for the first time since being here in September against Hamilton. They got the go-ahead Touchdown as Dakota Prukop did his 2nd QB sneak of the night, and now the Bombers lead 24-21.

When the chips weren’t in his favor and when he was needed most, Cody Fajardo, with 1:50 left in the game, remained calm and poised in the pocket as he led his team down the field, and in the moments that mattered, Cody found Tyson Philpot open in the endzone to give Montreal the lead of 28-24. Now, if we know football, there are 13 seconds left on the clock, so Winnipeg will have a chance to make some magic happen.

It was picked off as they attempted a drop kick, and the Montreal Alouettes became Grey Cup Champions.

 

Montreal proved all the doubters, including me, who gave them a 3/10 chance to win the trophy, but with all the doubt in the world, they proved everyone wrong. They believed they could do it, and there was something about getting hot at the right time. Now, as for Winnipeg, alot will be answered as they have to regroup and figure out what went wrong.

As for me, that does it for my first CFL season with Crier, but I will be back with news and highlights throughout the offseason for anyone who read, listened, or tailed my bets; thank you. I’m on to 2024.

 

Griff Bordignon

Hi, my name is Griff and I'm a complete sports nut. I love to play sports, watch sports and most importantly bet on sports too. If I'm not watching or betting on sports, you can find me on the golf course, between the pipes as your average beer league goaltender. Although sports take up most of my life, I also love spending time with my two dogs, streaming usually a 90's Simpson's or attempting to read more books.

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