Alouettes levels are ready to give their all, literally, in the playoff showdown

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HAMILTON – Five days after guaranteeing victory, something expected of all professional athletes, Alouettes linebacker Patrick Levels said he is prepared to die on the field during the East Division semifinal against the Hamilton Tigers. Cats.

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And the overly confident Levels didn’t back down from anything he said earlier this week.

“To say anything other than that we are going to win would be a slap in the face,” Levels said Saturday. “I will die out there tomorrow to get this victory. That’s the mindset. I will give everything I have. Whatever you saw in the regular season, it was normal. “

The Als and Ticats meet on Sunday afternoon (1 pm, TSN1, TSN4, RDS, TSN Radio-690, 98.5 FM) at Tim Hortons Field. Hamilton (8-6), who finished second in the division, is the prohibitive favorite, which is not surprising considering the Tiger-Cats reached the 2019 Gray Cup final and remain stacked on both sides of the ball.

Hamilton was also 5-2 at home this season, although one of those losses came in overtime against Montreal in early October. The Alouettes (7-7) finished third in the division.

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Levels generated controversy among some naive media last Monday, when it guaranteed a victory against Hamilton. He also called up several players along with head coach Orlondo Steinauer. Although Levels said Saturday that he had no intention of disrespecting him, he remained full of fire and brimstone.

“They said they know they are going to win … and nobody said anything about them,” Levels charged. “They laugh and joke and think what I said was funny. Happy teams take a beating.

“We are in a hostile environment. (Hamilton wants) to destroy my team. Destroy our hopes and dreams. Nobody here wants to see us win; I know that. This is why I am so ready to go. I’m not going to change. You can ask as many questions as you need; I’m going to be here. I’m going to defend what I said. I mean what I say and I’m going to come play. We come to play. It’s me against you, and when it comes down to it, I’m always choosing myself. “

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Although he was upset this week with a hip injury and missed the final two days of practice, Als leading receiver Eugene Lewis is a starter. Also on the list, despite a back injury, is defensive tackle Almondo Sewell. Cameron Artis-Payne, who will back up CFL running leader William Stanback, will return the kickoffs, while wide receiver Quan Bray is Montreal’s punt returner. Injured returner Mario Alford remains a week away.

“I don’t know if anyone is 100 percent right now, but the plan is for (Lewis) to play,” said head coach Khari Jones. “We will deal with any other unforeseen incidents at another time. They have assured me that he will be ready to go. “

There is a feeling throughout the Montreal organization that the team failed this season and should have finished with a better record. While the Alouettes undoubtedly lost some close games, they are also entering the postseason having lost three of their last four.

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Despite this apparent lack of momentum, Jones remains optimistic on his team.

“Hopefully, we are coming together at the right time,” he said. “I think we have learned from mistakes. You learn by doing and hitting your head sometimes. We may have needed some of these lessons to overcome the problem. I know that many teams have succeeded after not having the best regular season. I think we have the opportunity to be one of those teams.

“I just like this team,” added Jones. “I like the guys we have. It still hasn’t turned out the way I envisioned it and we are still writing the script. I think our guys are ready to go. I can’t wait to see them perform. “

Along with Stanback, the Alouettes have quarterback Trevor Harris, a 35-year veteran, leader and winner, acquired last month in a trade from Edmonton following a season-ending shoulder injury to Vernon Adams. Jr.

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It was in the 2019 division semifinal, at Molson Stadium, that Harris completed his first 22 passes, while throwing for 421 yards, when Edmonton defeated Montreal. A year earlier, while with Ottawa, Harris threw six touchdowns against the Ticats in the division final. However, a week later, in a Gray Cup loss to Calgary, he was intercepted three times.

Nonetheless, Harris provides Montreal with its most successful quarterback since Anthony Calvillo. With offensive players around him, Harris just needs to manage the game, something he seems to be aware of.

“When he was a kid, these are the moments he imagines in his backyards,” he said. “The great moments and games. This group is constantly looking for the best and the best. No matter the situation, we come out tearing and scratching.

“I’m glad to be here with this group.”

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