2023-11-20 05:46:00
HAMILTON – Montreal returns to a sports championship thanks to a sensational triumph by the Alouettes that will go down in history! The Birds continued their irresistible surge to defeat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, 28-24, with 13 seconds left.
The Alouettes overthrew the power of the CFL to lift the Gray Cup for the first time since 2010 with a scenario worthy of a movie.
Trailing 24-21 in the final quarter, the Alouettes got one last chance with 1:55 left in the game. It was an immense challenge for the Montreal attack that so many experts had doubted this year.
But this unit instead achieved an absolutely marvelous feat. An offensive surge that will rank among the most spectacular conclusions in Gray Cup history.
Cody Fajardo, who had to deal with so many denigrators, first made such an important 13-yard run on a second down and 18. The next play, a third down and five yards, could have destroyed the Alouettes.
Fajardo was not afraid and completed a 31-yard pass to Cole Spieker. The Alouettes’ quarterback then surprised Winnipeg with a 19-yard touchdown to Tyson Philpot to ignite the crowd at Tim Hortons Field who had lined up behind the Montreal club.
“I dreamed of these moments, what I wanted was to win,” responded Philpot who cried with joy in the arms of his twin brother Jalen after the game.
“I remember Jason saying to me, ‘Do whatever you have to do.’ Then, Jason made an extraordinary selection, Cole made a magnificent catch and Tyson followed up with the touchdown. It was like a movie! “, agreed Fajardo.
“These are passes that will go down in history! Without these games, we are not here,” confided Marc-Antoine Dequoy in ecstasy.
“We just wanted to have a chance. I could see in the Bombers’ faces that they were surprised at what we were doing. We pushed the pedal to the metal and Cody was incredible at the end. It was a drive of champions! “, summed up Kristian Matte, who enjoyed the championship in 2010 and experienced the setbacks since.
“This is another one of the memorable moments we witness in championship matches. Conclusions that people remember. When you can do a lift and win, any athlete would choose that scenario, because the feeling is wonderful. I think it was historic,” said Maas.
Remember that Fajardo had a record of 0-9 against Zach Collaros. He can now celebrate his first championship as starting quarterback and he absolutely did not steal it just like his title of MVP of the game.
The Alouettes ran out the last seconds and the confetti was able to launch the festivities, Montreal had just surprised the big favorites.
“It means a lot, the fans in Montreal deserve this championship after this long wait. The trophy is heavier than I thought, I’m so happy! », Mentioned William Stanback, author of the first touchdown, who promised himself for the celebrations.
As it should have been, this match was a reflection of the Alouettes’ year, as they overcame several pitfalls. They overcame a 17-7 deficit at the half to slow down the Bombers who were aiming for a third coronation in their fourth consecutive appearance in the final match.
Just before returning to the locker room – to make way for the Green Day show – the Alouettes botched two attempts for a touchdown one yard from the end zone before the half.
Their strength of character developed throughout the season has more than paid off. The team definitely didn’t want their season to end like a “Boulevard of Broken Dreams.”
We certainly wouldn’t want the sublime performances of cornerback Kabion Ento who was the author of two crucial turnovers – including an interception in the end zone – in addition to knocking down a pass for a touchdown.
What can also be said of the young defensive winger Lwal Uguak who is experiencing progression worthy of a shooting star (a little thought for Karl Tremblay).
This epic comeback helped Maas bring the Alouettes back to this trophy in his first year. They accomplished this mission, very improbable at the start of the year, by also beating the Toronto Argonauts last week.
To say that general manager Danny Maciocia wondered if the Alouettes were not going to be dismantled before the club was sold again. A scenario that required a new owner, a new coach and a multitude of new players.
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