No one knows what the future holds for Chad Owens, an elite football player who leaves everything, and then some, out on the field.

Truth be told, not even Owens is sure about the future.

He’s been around the game long enough to know nothing is ever given, that everything must be earned.

Now, though, it’s playoff football time, with Owens and the Argos returning to the post-season for the first time since the 2013 East final against Hamilton.

On Toronto’s final play that afternoon, Ricky Ray and Owens failed to hook up on third down.

The finality of the post-season is something Owens is aware of, the do-or-die nature so obvious that there’s no point in trying to explain it or spend too much time dissecting it.

Earlier in the week, he had one question for his fellow receivers, a talented collection that lacks CFL experience.

“What are you willing to give up?” Owens asked his mates. “What more are you willing to do?”

Owens is the ultimate warrior, competitor, teammate whose passion, at times, gets the better of him (which is not a knock on the veteran).

He’s been waiting for that break-out game, that moment when he emerges as the prime-time player.

It may arrive Sunday afternoon in the Hammer.

All Owens can control is his preparation, leaving no stone unturned.

“I’m not ready to have this season end this week,” Owens said. “That’s what I told the guys. I said: ‘Look, I want to practise with you guys for the next three weeks. I want to be in a parade with you guys.’

“This is it. Three weeks.”

The Ticats don’t have Zach Collaros — and with Sunday’s semifinal presenting a Grey Cup berth to the winner — it’s a wide-open opportunity for both clubs.

It’s the ultimate pick ’em game, a Ticat team that has no quarterback with any playoff experience going up against an Argos team that features Ricky Ray, a three-time Grey Cup champion who has looked very good during practice this week.

Weather is always a factor at Tim Hortons Field, the elements playing a role on special teams, where the Ticats have the edge.

The Argos need to somehow find a way to come out even on special teams, somehow continue to contain Brandon Banks and have Swayze Waters do what he does best, kick into the wind and take advantage of the wind on field goals.

Defensively, the Ticats are much more accomplished, but if their offence can’t move the ball, and if the unit is forced to stay on the field for long stretches, any defence, no matter how acclaimed, eventually breaks down.

The Argos have been vulnerable on defence, but this could be co-ordinator Casey Creehan’s last shot to oversee a unit and there’s no telling what schemes Toronto will run, especially with a playoff-unproven quarterback such as Jeremiah Masoli getting the start for the Ticats.

Owens uttered words Michael (Pinball) Clemons conveyed, words Owens embraces when playoff football rolls around.

“You have to basically be able to play out of control while being in control,” he said of the Argos, who haven’t exactly exercised discipline this season.

“You got to be able to go out there and be relentless, play out of your mind and yet still have the knowledge and smarts to not have that stupid penalty, not hit the quarterback late, not hit him late out of bounds. You have to mesh those two.

“Emotions will be high, but you have to maintain everything. Poise is the word. I think everyone got the message. I’m looking forward to seeing how we respond.”

When reminded of Hamilton’s three-game sweep of the Argos, three wins with Collaros at the helm, three games that saw Collaros throw nine touchdowns and be picked off once, Owens dismissed them.

“New season,” he said of the post-season.

When told of the last time Toronto was in the playoffs and the Argos’ final offensive play, Owens knew what is required on Sunday to avoid that late-game scenario.

“We don’t want to be in that position,” he said. “We want to be running the ball late in the fourth quarter, hammer time, running out the clock and taking a knee at the end of it. That’s what I visualize.”

FOLEY APPRECIATIVE OF OPPORTUNITY

Ricky Foley is at that stage in his career where individual numbers mean nothing.

No amount of sacks, no amount of forced fumbles or tackles can duplicate the euphoria of playoff success.

He’s come a long way, evolving and maturing, accepting his role and understanding moments such as Sunday’s Eastern semifinal against the host Ticats don’t come around very often.

It’s why he’s more grateful at the opportunity, appreciative and excited.

Like many of his teammates, Foley was in a contract year this season, one of the most unusual years in Toronto’s long history of three-down football.

The list of notable oddities: new owners who don’t officially take over until early December; a new stadium that won’t usher in the franchise until next season; and a schedule that would feature almost as many home games played on the road than actual home games in Toronto.

Foley had to deal with an early-season injury, forced to learn a new defensive system, but everything now is in the past, forgotten.

“It’s about winning,” Foley said. “It’s about me doing whatever to make our D-line better, our team better. I think we’re a way better group up front at the start of the season. This is what it’s all about.

“I don’t give a (bleep) about anything else. I don’t care about the money anymore. What I care more are playoffs and championships.”

The Argos are 0-4 this season at Tim Hortons Field, including two losses to the Ticats by a huge margin.

The atmosphere (expected to be electric), the hostility (always venomous) is the backdrop inspiring Foley.

“To be honest, it may actually be a benefit for us,” he said. “Maybe not for our offensive line because of the crowd noise, but as far as the rest of us go, the atmosphere will be awesome. When we were there for our home games, no one was there. It sucked. It’s going to be awesome (Sunday). And for me, that’s a good thing.

“The East will be decided by special teams and defence, not just this game, but next week as well. If they don’t score on special teams or don’t score on defence, we’ll be in good shape.”

Foley felt a different vibe around the team this week following last week’s season-ending win over Winnipeg, a win that snapped Toronto’s three-game losing streak.

“It was good to get that win and feel good about ourselves,” Foley said. “Now, it’s a matter of locking in on game day. I think we’re in a good spot.”

In his final season as an Argo in 2012, Foley won a Grey Cup, earning top Canadian in the 100th championship. Toronto’s quarterback was Ricky Ray.

“I will say one thing,” Foley added. “When guys have been there and done it, and repeatedly done it like Ricky has, you know what you’re going to get from him.

“You’re going to get his best. The moment won’t be too big for him. He relishes it. For a young guy, you really don’t know. We’ll see how we are on the big stage with a lot of guys playing in their first playoff game.

“Who knows? For us, it’s a matter of not beating ourselves and not giving up big plays. We do that and we’ll be okay.”

TICATS’ KACKERT, WHITAKER IN

If fate had been kinder to Chad Kackert, the MVP of the 2012 Grey Cup would have produced 1,000-yard rushing seasons, be on the receiving end of checkdown passes and likely helped the Argos to another title.

But pro football is a cruel business and Kackert’s world was turned upside down when he hurt his leg on a harmless run through the line of scrimmage during Toronto’s bye week in 2013, two days before the Ticats were set to play host to Montreal in Guelph in the East semifinal.

Kackert’s football story is far from over, but it’s getting closer to its end and, on Sunday afternoon, he’ll be in the lineup in Hamilton.

As he should be because Kackert has a lot to give and, whatever he has left you know, he’ll summon it on a stage he’s relished in the past.

Brandon Whitaker, who was rested in last week’s season finale, will start at running back, no surprise given his cut-back skills and ability in blitz pickups.

Kackert is a beast on kickoff returns and he’ll make a play, at least he’s capable.

The odd-man out, no surprise either, is Curtis Steele.

MASOLI’S PERFORMANCE WILL BE KEY

It’s not the Super Bowl and Jeremiah Masoli, with all due respect, will never be mistaken for Tom Brady.

For Greg Jones, Sunday’s Eastern semifinal isn’t as big a stage as the one he experienced as a rookie with the New York Giants in 2011, the year he won a championship ring and gave his fiancee a wedding ring.

The couple now has two children with Jones eyeing a Grey Cup ring.

“At the time I wasn’t starting at linebacker,” said Jones, reflecting of his NFL days as a special-teams player. “Even though I was ready to go as far as injury, but as far as I was concerned I just didn’t want to fall down on the kickoff return and do my job to the best of my ability.

“Now, I’m in a position where I can help my team more effectively this year. It’s a big honour and I’m just really excited to play. I feel good about our prospects this game.”

Jones starts at middle linebacker, captain of the defence and a piece that looms big on Sunday.

He’s tackling machine and if gaps are filled up front, Jones’ name will be heard often.

“We have to be consistent in all phases,” Jones said. “They (Ticats) have things where they can run and pass. They’ve got a lot of threats we must be aware of.”

frank.zicarelli@sunmedia.ca