Well, the Grey Cup matchup is set and it features not only two teams wearing black and red, but two teams who have controlled their divisions the entire season. The CFL gets a team relatively close to Toronto in Ottawa and a great storyline in Calgary. It’s a traditional East versus West matchup, but the clubs bought a ticket in Toronto in different fashions.

Calgary was dominant, as they were all year. Ottawa had to fight to hold on in their Grey Cup rematch, which was the story of their season. Neither team showed rust with a layoff thanks to a timely first round bye. Here are my takeaways from the Division finals setting up an intriguing Grey Cup.

Redblacks reserve RB is the hero

Ottawa has had to rotate running backs due to injury since the preseason. So there was no panic when Mossis Madu went down early with what was called an upper-body injury, but looked like a concussion. No worries as Canadian backup Kienan Lafrance stepped up in Madu’s absence. Lafrance rushed for 105 yards in the first half and was crucial to running out the clock at the end of the game with 42 rushing yards on the final drive. The Winnipeg native finished with 25 carries 157 yards and his first rushing TD of the season. Lafrance’s performance came when it mattered most as the 2015 sixth round pick had only 163 rushing yards all season.

Used to being a role player he was behind Anthony Coombs and Nic Demski in his college career at Manitoba, but was a star as a senior and throughout his career he always stepped up when needed. The Grey Cup will feature two Canadian running backs. Jerome Messam is the best back in the league for Calgary. Lefrance was relatively unknown as a reserve for Ottawa. Both are examples of great Canadian talent leading teams to the season’s final game.



Career day for Lafrance

Statistic Regular Season East Division Final Carries 37 25 Rushing Yards 163 157 Touchdowns 0 1 Yards After Contact 86 81

Burris can silence the doubters

Damon Allen is the only QB over 40 to win a Grey Cup. At the age of 41, the same age when Allen won his last championship, Henry Burris is trying to make it two during his sixth Grey Cup appearance. I’m not sure if Burris has had a season with more highs and lows in his CFL career, but Smiling Hank could get the last laugh if he finishes the season on top. One thing is certain, he’s playing his best football to end the season which should quiet the doubts that he can’t compete physically anymore. If he wins there will be no better post-game quote then the Redblacks quarterback.

Bo knows postseason

Bo Levi Mitchell is 15-1-1 as a starter this season. His only loss was against the BC Lions, but he got revenge to the tune of a 21-28, 365 yards and 3 TD performance. For all his regular season success, he’s been even better in the playoffs. His 2014 Grey Cup MVP performance was one of the best ever with 10 straight completions – the third longest streak in Grey Cup history.

He now is 4-1 in the postseason with 12 TD’s and just four interceptions. If he adds another Grey Cup or even Grey Cup MVP to his trophy case he’d put himself already in the conversation as one of the great playoff performers in CFL history.

Calgary tops from top to bottom

There is a reason Calgary is 10-1 versus Western opponents and haven’t lost at home since October 15, 2015. Calgary is good in all the obvious places. They have a loyal fan base and great home field advantage. John Hufnagel is the best executive in the league. Dave Dickenson has proven to be not only the best coach , but also the best play-caller in the league in just his first year. Bo Levi Mitchell has retained his place as the best passer in the league.

But look closer, and you see they have the best depth as well as the brightest stars. Davarious Daniels is up for rookie of the year and went off in the West final for 103 yards.The 23-year-old put up 885 yards and nine touchdowns in just 11 games. Up and down the roster you find guys like Daniels and Roy Finch who everyone else in the league could have captured, but Calgary found a way to develop into productive players.

David vs Goliath

The Redblacks were built off of the model that is the Stampeders. Rick Campbell, Henry Burris and Brad Simopili are all ex-Stampeders looking to beat their old bosses. But the pupil isn’t stronger than the mentor yet. The Stampeders are massive favourites and rightfully so. The West was 25-5 against the East since August 1st. In the only tie in the last seven years, Ottawa did draw Calgary 26-26, but were also blown out by Calgary in their most recent matchup in Week 13. The last four teams to win 15 games have gone on to win the Grey Cup.

Ottawa on the other hand is trying to be a Grey Cup champ with a sub .500 record. A team from Ottawa is in back-to-back Grey Cups for the first time since 1968-1969. They host the Grey Cup next year. No matter what the Redblacks say, getting to the Grey Cup again made this season a success in just their third year back. If Calgary doesn’t finish off their dominant season with a win it’ll be viewed as a grave disappointment.