If you like high-octane football, the Ottawa REDBLACKS’ 37-34 victory over the Edmonton Elks was everything you could have ever asked for.
The first series of the game for the REDBLACKS took roughly seven minutes off the clock, as they methodically marched 71 yards down the field on 13 plays, but they were stopped short of the endzone and were forced to call on Lewis Ward, who connected on a 25-yard field goal to open the scoring.
After forcing a two-and-out, Ottawa got the football back and were once again driving. It ended suddenly, however, when Dru Brown fumbled his exchange with Ryquell Armstead, gifting the Elks good field position. Kevin Brown made the REDBLACKS pay, with back-to-back physical runs, and five plays later, Edmonton found paydirt to take a 7-3 lead.
A two-and-out for the REDBLACKS started yet another Elks drive, though this time, deep in their own territory. A pass interference call against Deandre Lamont gave the Elks a second chance and a roughing the kicker call gave them a third. Hergy Mayala got a few inches of separation deep down the field, and hauled in a touchdown pass.
Now up 15-3, the teams traded quick possessions, but the REDBLACKS landed the next punch, narrowing the gap to nine on Ward’s second field goal of the night. On the ensuing Elks drive, Davion Taylor – who is standing in for the injured Frankie Griffin – stripped the ball away from running back Javon Leake, and Alonzo Addae jumped on it, giving Ottawa the ball with about 1:30 left to play in the first half.
On first-and-goal from the six, Brown threw up a jump ball to Dominique Rhymes that fell incomplete, but Head Coach Bob Dyce threw the challenge flag. The Command Centre ruled it to be pass interference, and Dustin Crum plunged into the endzone to make the score 15-13 heading into the break.
Edmonton responded with a field goal to open the third quarter, but the game was about to become an air show. From the Ottawa 40, Brown found Kalil Pimpleton for a five-yard check down, but the speedy youngster wasn’t satisfied with a short gain, turning on the after-burners, scampering for a 70-yard touchdown. The two-point convert was good, and the REDBLACKS took a 21-18 lead.
Momentarily after the Elks scored a single on a missed field goal, Brown heaved one deep for Justin Hardy, scoring a 68-yard touchdown, and moving the lead to 12.
Halfway through the fourth quarter, with the game far from over, the Elks cut the Ottawa lead to four. The REDBLACKS picked their way down the field, using Rhymes heavily to get well into scoring range, but the Edmonton defence bucked up, stuffing a pair of Armstead rushing attempts, forcing a decision from Dyce.
He opted for a short field goal to return to lead to seven, putting belief in his defence to make a big stop. That, however, didn’t happen, and the Elks tied the game after a valiant effort on the goalline from the REDBLACKS’ stop troops, and the game had the makings of overtime.
The ensuing kickoff rolled out of bounds, and suddenly, the REDBLACKS were on their 50-yard line, with eight ticks left on the clock. Brown dropped back, and threaded the needle to Pimpleton, who hit the ground, setting up another walk-off opportunity to Ward.
Ward split the pipe, making him five-for-five on the evening, pushing the REDBLACKS’ record to 3-2, and securing the club’s first road win of the young season.
The REDBLACKS are back at home on Friday July 19th vs the Elks. BUY TICKETS
