Alouettes’ Eugene Lewis has his sights set on being CFL’s top catcher

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Fresh off the first 1,000-yard season of his career in 2019, Eugene Lewis will likely double down on that feat this year. But the Alouettes catcher has bigger goals in mind: leading the CFL.

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“As a competitor, it’s a big problem,” admitted Lewis. “Trying to be the best at your position should always be a goal for anyone in any position. At the same time, you can’t make it bigger than the main goal. If I do the things I need, all those things will come. “

Heading into Saturday afternoon’s rematch against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Molson Stadium (13:00, TSN1, RDS, TSN Radio-690, 98.5 FM), Lewis is the main receiver for the Als. He has caught 56 ​​passes for 913 yards and scored seven touchdowns. He is second overall in the league, two yards behind Winnipeg’s Kenny Lawler, who will play Saturday, although the Bombers have left many veterans at home with a secured first place in the Division West.

“It’s definitely something that’s in there, something to have in the back of my head,” Lewis said of potentially becoming the league’s top receiver. “But at the end of the day, I know the main objective of this team. I’m not going to let individual things get over the main thing (a Gray Cup) that we’re trying to get to. “

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In Saturday’s 31-21 loss at Winnipeg, Lewis was limited to three catches for 44 yards from quarterback Trevor Harris, who was making his first start for Montreal. But head coach Khari Jones said there were plays the duo left on the field due to their lack of chemistry.

Harris has now practiced for three weeks with the Als following their acquisition last month in an Edmonton trade and will be looking to improve his 177 passing yards last weekend. He also threw two interceptions in the fourth quarter, although one came without question.

“I punished myself quite a bit after the game,” Harris told the Montreal Gazette. “After seeing the movie… I think we did a lot of good things. There are small details to fix. We have done a good job attacking those things (this week in practices and meetings).

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“I am still a baby on this offense, but I am growing daily. I’m excited about how our offense will look within the next week or two. “

The big news from Winnipeg this week was head coach Mike O’Shea’s decision to rest quarterback Zach Collaros, who leads the league in passing, with 3,112 yards and 20 touchdowns. He will be replaced by Sean McGuire, the Bombers’ short yardage specialist in his first start.

McGuire has attempted just seven passes this season and will face an Als defense that leads the league in sacks with 45.

Other notable Winnipeg absences include safety Brandon Alexander, defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat, defensive tackle Steven Richardson, defensive back Deatrick Nichols and offensive tackle Pat Neufeld.

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“I see (center linebacker) Adam Bighill playing,” Harris said. “I see Willie Jefferson playing. Those are two of the best defensive players this league has to offer. It seems to me that they have great players there. I know Winnipeg has a lot of depth. You know they’re going to play hard and give it their all, no matter who’s there. “

The Als have problems of their own, too, starting with their two-game losing streak and their 2-3 record at home. Montreal needs victories against Winnipeg and Ottawa next Friday to end the season with a winning record.

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