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By Medicine Hat News on November 8, 2016.

Imagine the Battle of Alberta being fought in Toronto on Nov. 27. It could happen if the Edmonton Eskimos make history by becoming the first crossover team to represent the East in the Grey Cup.

The crossover was introduced 30 years ago because Eastern teams were making the playoffs with pathetic records while their much stronger western brethren were going home early. For example, in 1981 Montreal made the playoffs with a mark of 3-13 and six points while Saskatchewan missed out with nine wins and 18 points. The last straw came in 1986 when Calgary missed the post-season despite an 11-7 record while Montreal at 4-14 made it.

As I predicted Sept. 20, no eastern team this season finished with a winning record while Edmonton had more points than all of them. This is the kind of year for which the crossover was made.

The crossover has kicked in eight times, the first in 1997 when B.C. lost to Les Alouettes 45-35. Edmonton is the only crossover team to win the semifinal and advance to the final when they beat the Blue Bombers, then in the Eastern Division, by a 29-21 score in 2008. None of the contests have been close, the so-called weak sister easterners winning by an average margin of 17.6 points.

On July 23 at Commonwealth, Hamilton won 37-31 over Edmonton. The game featured the biggest collapse in Eskimo history, the biggest comeback ever recorded by the Cats. On Oct. 28, Edmonton prevailed 29-26 over an injury-riddled home team at Horton’s. The team you see this Sunday barely resembles the one that began the season with so much promise. Hamilton goes into the post-season having lost five of their final six games.

Out are stars like Luke Tasker, Chad Owens, Craig Butler and Johnny Sears. Star receiver Andy Fantuz may not play. Their opponents are healthy and have won five of their last six contests.

Edmonton ranks second in most offensive categories. Hamilton ranks third overall defensively but sixth against the pass. In single season yardage, Eskimo receivers Derel Walker and Adarius Bowman are the most dynamic duo in CFL history. Mike Reilly is a tough as nails quarterback who does what he must to win.

Despite their injuries, Kitty still has claws, including defensive linemen John Chick, second in the CFL in sacks, and Ted Laurent; linebacker Simoni Lawrence and defencive back Emanuel Davis, receiver Terrence Tolliver, running back C.J. Gable, quarterback Zach Collaros and return man deluxe Brandon Banks. Both coaches, rookie Jason Maas and veteran Kent Austin are suppressed volcanos that could erupt any moment.

Factors to consider? Hamilton won only three games at home. Only Saskatchewan took more penalties than Edmonton. The Esks led the league in second quarter scoring, Hamilton, fourth quarter scoring. If it comes down to a field goal, Eskimo Sean Whyte is the best, Ti-Cat Brett Maher one of the worst.

It will be Eskimo and Hat High’s Nate Coehoorn versus Ti-Cat Crescent Heights grad Aaron Crawford. Nate will go home happy.

In the Roughriders’ final home game, B.C.’s Richie Leone missed all his kicks. I thought, “Better call Paul McCallum.” That’s what wily Wally Buono did. The 46-year-old who hadn’t kicked in two seasons was 4-for-4 last Saturday as his Lions wrapped up home field advantage for the semifinal They host Winnipeg, making post-season play for the first time since 2011.

B.C. has a potent offence with the quarterback Jonathon Jennings, running back Jeremiah Johnson, and receivers Manny Arceneaux and Bryan Burnham. Winnipeg was the worst in total offence and passing yards surrendered. Still, they led the league in takeaways with an astounding plus-59. They won both their regular season games against the Lions with timely fumble recoveries.

The Leos are second in most defensive categories led by linebackers Solomon Elimimian and Adam Bighill, sacker Alex Bazzie and veteran DB Ryan Phillips.

Winnipeg weapons include quarterback Matt Nichols, receivers Weston Dressler and Darwin Adams and running back Andrew Harris. Defensively, they are led by linemen Jamaal Westerman and Keith Shologan, linebackers Maurice Leggett and Khalil Bass. Justin Medlock is a superb kicker. Ace returner and defensive back Kevin Fogg is injured.

If B.C. secures the football, they’ll win.

Graham Kelly has covered the CFL for the Medicine Hat News for 44 years. Feedback for this column can be emailed to sports@medicinehatnews.com.