‘We’re right where we want to be’: Ticats keep rolling at right time

TORONTO — The Hamilton Tiger-Cats came through with a pivotal win in Week 18 by scoring 21 unanswered points in a 34-20 road victory against the Toronto Argonauts. The team is now tied with the Ottawa REDBLACKS for first place in the CFL East as they prepare to face Ottawa in back-to-back matchups.

“This was a big game,” Ticats head coach June Jones said after the win. “This was a playoff game. Every game from here on is a playoff game.”

Jeremiah Masoli had another big game for Hamilton, putting together his 11th performance with over 300 yards passing this season. The 30-year-old quarterback also threw for four touchdowns against the Argos and now has 25 touchdown passes on the season.

“I think we had a good scheme matching up with what they do on defence, and obviously you know our receivers are just killing guys getting wide open,” Masoli said.

RELATED:
» Masoli, Tasker lead Ticats to big win over Argos
» Images: Tiger-Cats at Argonauts
» By the Numbers: View Boxscore
» Watch: Brandon Burks Grabs The Screen Pass For First CFL TD

Receivers Luke Tasker and Brandon Banks stepped up for the Black and Gold in the absence of key starting weapons Terrence Toliver and Jalen Saunders. Tasker finished with his first career three-touchdown game, and Banks lit up the Argos’ secondary for 178 yards and a touchdown.

“Those guys are huge pieces for us, as well as everybody else,” Masoli said. “I think Justin (Buren) stepped up for us tonight, you know his first game starting and did well. We already know what Rashad (Lawrence) can do. We can rely on him for sure, so we’re in a good spot.”

Jones was impressed with the way his team overcame the injuries and still managed to put together a solid offensive performance against Toronto.

“I’m so proud of the guys because we battled through four receivers that were starters that aren’t out there anymore, and we’re still putting some numbers up and still winning games,” Jones said. “That says a lot about the guys.”

Tasker took advantage of the space opened up by Banks’ game-changing speed and ability to go the distance on any play. Banks finished with three catches over 20 yards along with 52 total yards after the catch.

“Every team is going to have to account for Speedy,” Tasker said. “They’re going to have to do something to try and take away shots down field and shots to the outside thirds of the field, and it certainly helps all of us out.”

The Ticats now have five wins in their last seven games, and the team appears poised to finish the season strong in a crucial stretch that includes a challenging divisional road game against the REDBLACKS next week.

“We put a win on both sides of the bye week, and sometimes I feel like that’s hard to do,” Tasker said. “It takes leadership to get it done, and I think we’re right where we want to be going into this back-to-back against Ottawa.”

Masoli said the team definitely has some momentum going for them at the right time, and that they’ll be ready to give everything against Ottawa.

“Playing good at the right time at the end of the season means a lot,” Masoli said. “If we’re going into these games not sure of ourselves, not executing right, you kind of question yourself a little bit. But we’re gelling right now; we’re clicking right now at the right time.”

Ottawa handed the Tabbies a 21-15 loss at home back in Week 7, but Jones is confident that Hamilton is far ahead of where they were in the previous matchup.

“We weren’t the same team we are now,” Jones said. “So we have right in front of us an opportunity, and we need to take advantage of the chance to be in the game and win.”

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats will be on the road against the Ottawa REDBLACKS in their pivotal divisional matchup next Friday in Week 19.