Commonwealth Stadium was buzzing as the first game for the 03 Esks brought the 91 Argos to town. With the deep talent on both teams there were high expectations for an exciting game, and the teams did not disappoint.
It was a defensive battle through most of the first quarter with the Esks holding the ball for 10:20 but down 3-0. Matt Dunnigan had a 40 yard bomb to Boyd and a 38 yard run to try and set the tone early. For the busts in defense, both teams found ways to "bend and not break". The Argo field goal came after a brilliant interception from Reggie Pleasant had them in the Esks red zone, and that was the closest either team got.
The second quarter started with a bang as Darryl Crutchfield intercepted Dunnigan on the Toronto side of half and a massive hole broke open for Troy Mills on the next series to rumble 31 yards for the TD. The next series saw the Double Blue get close but Chomyc missed the FG and they were left with a single point, and still 3 points behind. Fleming added a FG for the Esks with 3:40 to go in the second. Just enough time for Dunnigan and the Boatmen. In two and a half minutes, Dunnigan marched them down the field and capped it off with a 41 yard bomb to Rocket Ismail for the TD, putting the Argos up 11-10. The green and gold got a massive return from Mike Bradley and Fleming was able to ad another FG for the home team to go into the lockeroom up 13-11. The highlights were only about to begin.
The second half saw both teams start with blunders; Dunnigan a hurried bad throw and a bad Esks snap to Ray had back to back 2 and out drives. The next drive had Dunnigan showing the leadership we expect with a 59 yard drive, including a 30 yard pass to Dk Smith and capped off with a vintage Pinball Clemons 39 yard run for the major and an 18-13 lead. On the very next play, Pinball went down with an shoulder injury that would see him leave the game and not return. Mike Bradley with his second 30 yard return had the Esks starting on the Argo 53 and Pringle starting to warm up. The Esks marched to the goalline only to have an unbelievable time count penalty and then get stopped on third and goal from the Toronto 6 yard line for a turnover on downs. The Green and Gold faithful drew quiet and started to show signs that this just wasn't their day.
The next series everything changed. Ignited by a Donny Brady interception at the Argo 41, Ricky ay decided it was time to put on a show. In three plays to Tucker, Vaughn and back to Tucker, the Eskimos found the endzone and reclaimed the lead. After an Argo two and out, including a Dunnigan intentional grounding call, the Esks took over on their own 38 and the air show continued. 5 plays later, Ed Hervey stretched for the endzone grab but Pringle was flagged for a personal foul and the TD came off the board. No matter to Ray who went back to his favorite target this game and threw his patented end zone throw to Jason Tucker for his second major of the game. There was no taking the pedal off the gas yet as the defense halted the Argos in another two and out and Ray found Terry Vaughn for another TD.
The Boatmen weren't about to give up and ran the next five minutes driving 60 yards down the field to the Esks 19 yard line. DK Smith caught a touchdown but once again, ref Al Bradbury pulled a major off the board with a procedure penalty on OL Prunster. The next play was the dagger as Quincy Coleman intercepted a throw to DK Smith in the endzone. Coach Higgins said after the game, "The connection between Ricky Ray and Jason Tucker is amazing to watch. Those guys took over when the time came and closed this out for us." The Green and Gold faithful go home happy hoping that they see even more of that fourth quarter team in the coming weeks. Next up for the 03Esks is travelling to Hornet Stadium to play the Sacremento Goldminers. The Argos will stay in Edmonton to match up against the 81Esks.
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