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It’s Big Whenever the Ticats play Argos, Even Bigger when Playoff Spots are at Stake They always—always—carry weight, but because of how their respective first halves of the season went down, the two remaining games between a pair of ancient rivals have soared from significant to crucial. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Toronto Argonauts square off against each other twice in the next three weekends, starting with the opening leg in Toronto Saturday night (7 p.m. Ticats Audio Network, TSN, Y108), and the Labour Day Classic looming 16 days later. With Montréal running away with the East and Ottawa now winless in all 10 games, the 4-6 Ticats and 4-5 Argos are essentially battling for second place, which—depending on the records of Western teams—could become the only other playoff spot available in the conference. Even if three East teams do make the playoffs, whoever finishes second would get home field for the division semifinal. The Argos technically hold second because they have a game in hand, but the Cats won the first meeting of the two teams 24-23 last month. After Labour Day, they do not play each other again. “It is real important; we think this is a playoff game,” says the Ticats’ feisty field-side defensive halfback Quavian White. “It’s a super exciting series. We won the last one, and we’ve got to come out with another one and turn the whole season over for us. So, it’s super important. And we’ve got to get this done.” The Ticats are buoyed by their inspirational 26-19 home victory over then-West-leading Saskatchewan last Saturday to emphatically snap a three-game slide, while the Argos will be motivated by a second-half letdown in their 42-12 loss at now-West-leading Edmonton, which truncated a two-game Toronto winning streak. Squeezed between the two Argo games, Hamilton travels to Calgary, a match with its own playoff implications for both teams. But that will be then, and this is now. “We take care of what we need to take care of this week, and that’s this game,” says Ticat assistant head coach Bob Dyce, who’s been filling in for Scott Milanovich at practice this week. “And that’s what we’re focused on. All the other stuff is going to play out the way it plays out. We’re focused on making sure we have our best performance in Toronto on Saturday.” Toronto has one of the best offences in the league, led by elusive and creative quarterback Chad Kelly. It will be the Ticats’, and their fans’, first look at the refurbished BMO Field, taken over for the Men’s World Cup, which forced the Double Blue to practice at their training base in Guelph, and play three “home” games in Hamilton, Saskatchewan and Winnipeg. This will be their second home game on the velvety natural grass of BMO Field. The Ticats have won six of their last seven regular season games against the Argos, and many players have stated that after a 3-6 start, they have consigned that disappointing first half to history and were concentrating only on the second half, game-by-game. And they are 1-0 in that second half. “This is a really important game for us, just based on the way our season is going,” says middle linebacker Wynton McManis, who played four seasons in Toronto and will be playing his first game back in Toronto after coming down the highway as a February free agent. “And based on us continuing to find our groove and get things rolling. And Toronto as a team is almost in the same situation where they’re trying to find themselves too. So, we can’t expect anything less than their best. And they shouldn’t expect anything less from us.” McManis is one of several players and coaches in this game who have been on both sides of the ancient rivalry. Another is Argos defensive back DaShaun Amos, who came to the Ticats as a free agent from Toronto last year, then returned as a free agent this year. He told Argonauts.ca that it was imperative to treat this game as just the next one up but then added, “Of any other game, this is the one that’s about us. I think everyone in the organization knows this is a must-win game, the way the standings are. On top of that, an East divisional game, on top of that being a rivalry game. We have every reason to get our minds set on the must-win.” Despite each team’s deep thirst for mid-season victories, there are contrasting situations at play here. Then Argos’ offence puts up NASA-kind of numbers, but despite lots of talent on defence—re-emerging Shawn Lemon, a great linebacking corps of Cam Judge, Isaac Darkangelo and Adarius Pickett and cornerback Tarvarus McFadden—they are still looking for consistency on that side of the ball. And while the Ticats defence keeps getting better, on offence, despite lots of talent, especially in receiving, they’re still seeking consistency since the injury loss of Bo Levi Mitchell. The Argos average 412 yards per game in net offence, second in the CFL, are second in average yards per rush and in yards gained on first downs and are top in passing yardage per game. And they are second in 30-plus-yard completions. But the Ticats can counter with a defence which has evolved into one of the league’s best, has finally got its primary linebackers and secondary playing together in consecutive games, and is getting exemplary seasons out of defensive ends Julian Howsare and Phil Ossai. They rank No. 2 in the league against the run and against the deep pass, No. 4 against overall passing and second in limiting net yardage per game. Plus, after Kelly started his career at 4-0 against the Cats, he’s 0-3 since then, and he’s been sacked a lot…which is not always a bad sign; it can also indicate that he’s learned when to eat the loss instead of trying to force an ill-conceived pass. “I see a dynamic, dynamic offence,” Dyce says of Toronto. “Obviously Chad is a quarterback who can make big plays, and he’s able to move around. You have to keep him in the pocket. You have to make sure that you play it well over top, not allowing explosives. “And defensively they play a physical, physical brand of football. They’ve got good athletes who move around. Obviously, we want to make sure we keep our quarterbacks clean.” After last week’s inspiring win over a league powerhouse, many more Ticats fans are likely to make the trek to the Ex than had originally planned to. And the Cats themselves got a major boost from not only winning but outscoring a good team in the fourth quarter (16-0) and not sagging in the final frame as they have too often in their losses this year. “We all have a strong belief in ourselves,” Dyce says. “And so we’re making sure we’re doing the right things the right way every single day. If you keep doing the little things correctly, they build and become big things.” McManis points out that there are subtle layers to the momentum provided by last week’s self-affirming win against Saskatchewan. “That was one of those wins I want to say like it felt good, but it was more this understanding of what we should have been doing every game this year. A lot of games this year it has been on the defence to close out games, and we’ve got to play good situational football and be able to close out and finish… “And it’s like a wake-up call; like ‘We did nothing special. We did nothing extra. We did our job. We maintained focus, and we kept playing hard all the way through and through, and see what happened?’” CATS CLAUSES: Tre Ford starts under centre The Ticats will start Tre Ford at quarterback, following his strong game-winning performance in replacing Harrison Frost after Frost was injured. “Tre had a great week of practice,” said assistant head coach Bob Dyce. The only other changes on the Ticats’ game day roster are at defensive tackle with Charbel Dabire back from the injury list, and rookie Aamarii Notice going to the one-game injury list, and De’Jon Benton, who played at USC and Hawaii, getting his second pro game in for Mario Kendricks Jr., who’s also on the one-game injury list. “He really showed up in training camp,” Dyce said of Benton. “He had a little bit of an injury and a nick, but we kept him in our minds. He’s an explosive player, extremely strong. He’s similar to Kendricks and (Miles) Fox; a compact build (6-2, 270) with a lot of power. He shows really good pass rush with his hands, and he’s stout enough to play the run.” Dyce has been running practices this week with head coach Scott Milanovich away on a personal matter. Dyce said Friday that the organization anticipates Milanovich will be in Toronto to coach Saturday’s game, and he said that’s not an issue. “Scott may not have been here physically, but we’re all in contact at all times,” Dyce said. “This is Scott’s team and the expectation is that he’ll be coaching. “With everyone in constant contact and the way things are now with film and information exchange, there’s no challenge whatsoever. Scott’s been doing this a long time.” Frank Gansz, Jr., former Ticat special teams coordinator, passes at age 64 June Jones, the former Ticat head coach who had Frank Gansz Jr. on his staff in four different cities, including Hamilton, was mourning his friend and colleague this week. Gansz Jr., who spent a season and a half around the city, first as a special adviser then as special teams coordinator for the 2018 campaign, died Tuesday at the age of 64. A long-time master of special teams technique and motivation, he spent six years in the early 1980s as special teams coordinator for the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs and was serving in the same capacity with the UFL’s St. Louis Battlehawks until the time of his passing. He was the son of the late Frank Gansz Sr., who was head coach of the Chiefs after his son left the team. The senior Gansz had also worked for June Jones as offensive coordinator with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, but was best known for his special teams expertise. “It’s a loss to the players, a loss to the game and a big loss to me personally,” Jones told Ticats.ca Wednesday from his home in Hawaii, where he’s now retired. “He did a great job for us in Hamilton that year. He was just like his father in teaching his players skills unique to football and unique to use in their lives.” Orlondo Steinauer, Ticats president of football operations, said he was shocked and saddened when he heard of Gansz’s passing. “I had the opportunity to work alongside Frank in Hamilton and got to know him well,” Steinauer said. “His passion for football and special teams was undeniable. He was highly organized, demanding and brought his personality into the meeting room and throughout the building. Frank left his stamp on the game and on so many people along the way. He will definitely be missed.” UFL president and CEO Russ Brandon, the one-time Buffalo Bills CEO, said in a release that Gansz Jr. “was old school in the best sense of the word. He was a student of the game, passionate about his craft and deeply respected by his peers and players. With a remarkable ability to bridge generations, Gansz delivered a message that blended his love of history with his love of football, using lessons from the past to shape how his teams prepared for the future.” Dennis McKnight, who served two stints as the Ticats’ special teams coordinator, worked with Frank Gansz Sr. and Cats quarterback Harrison Frost, who knew McKnight well when he was special teams coordinator during Frost’s first two seasons in the CFL, was with the St. Louis of the UFL this winter and spring and encountered Gansz Jr. with the Battlehawks. “Dennis McKnight had told me about Frank Gansz (Sr.), but I didn’t make the connection at first with the last name until Frank Jr. started talking at training camp,” Frost said. “And then I thought, ‘Wow, those are the kinds of things Dennis McKnight might say. He had a lot of strong phrases and lines that would stick with you. He was philosophical and warm-hearted and had time and concern for everyone on the team.” NOTES AND QUOTES Ticats SAM LB Reggie Stubblefield is coming off a monster game against Saskatchewan, when he made 3 defensive tackles, two for a loss, 2 pass knockdowns and an interception. He ranks fourth in the CFL with 51 defensive tackles in 10 games … sophomore DB Ronan Horrall has five special teams tackles in the past 2 games and 6 overall despite playing only 4 games so far… two Ticat veterans who hadn’t played this season because of injury stints were released this week. WR Shemar Bridges was a finalist for the CFL’s Most Outstanding Rookie award in 2024 but moved from boundary side to field side when Kenny Lawler arrived last year and was targeted far less often. DT TyJuan Garbutt, who came over from Winnipeg as a free agent last season and played well in his six games, was also released. This corner will miss them both, and Lawler said of Bridges: “The ultimate team guy; this is the guy who, whenever somebody else made a play, whenever I made a play, he was right there ready to celebrate with you, was ready to uplift you. He’s a guy that’s going to go in and run all the run knocks if you need him to. His teammate’s success is his success. Even though he’s not touching the ball, you’re not hearing about it.” … Lawler went over 6,000 career receiving yards for his career last week, fourth-highest among active players behind leader Eugene Lewis, Nic Demski and former Cat Tim White. He also has the league’s longest active streak of at least one catch per game at 81 games … new Ticat signee, LB Vi Jones, has a strong football pedigree. He played at USC and North Carolina State, and saw NFL playing time with Seattle, Tampa Bay and Arizona, registering a total of 9 tackles and forcing two fumbles. His father Robert Jones, also a linebacker, played 10 years in the NFL and won three Super Bowls. He also has two brothers who played wide receiver in the NFL: Cayleb Jones spent three years, and Zay Jones is the all-time career and single-season reception record-holder in NCAA Div.1 (East Carolina) was drafted by and played with Buffalo and is currently with the Arizona Cardinals. Jones’ uncle Jeff Blake spent 14 years as an NFL quarterback …Since the Wildcats and Tigers merged in 1950 to form the Tiger-Cats, Hamilton has won 146 of the 255 regular-season games between the two clubs, lost 107 and tied two … Toronto QB Chad Kelly needs only 64 passing yards Saturday night to match Tobin Rote for sixth on the Argos’ all-time list and if he passes for at least 192 yards he’ll go over 10,000 for his career … onetime Ticat WR David Ungerer III has at least 3 receptions in every game and is on pace for his first 1000-yard season … Argo DL Shawn Lemon has at least one sack and 4 overall in the three games since he made his season debut with 4 more sacks he’ll be into the CFL’s all-time top 10 … Toronto returner Janarion Grant leads all active players in career all-purpose yards and needs just 24 to reach 10,000. He leads the league this season in punt return average, touchdowns (2) and 30-plus-yard returns (5) … Argos DB Adarius Pickett had 7 tackles in his last game (vs. Edmonton), forced a fumble, recovered a fumble, and made two tackles for loss. He leads the Argos with 70 defensive plays and the CFL with 58 tackles, 8 of those on special teams … in their last seven regular-season meetings with the Ticats the Argos have lost 6 but their net offence has surpassed 385 yards in 5 of them … the Argos have scored 46 points off turnovers but have surrendered a league-worst 84 off turnovers, 14 more than second-last Hamilton … Argo WR Damonte Coxie is fifth in the CFL with 722 receiving yards, Makai Polk is tied for second in TD receptions with 6 and Tyler Kahmann had 104 yards of his 470 yards this season in the July game against Hamilton… Here’s Argo DB DaShaun Amos, who was a Ticat last year, speaking to Argonauts.ca about the QEW battle: “We have to approach it, first and foremost, as just another game, see the opponent as just another opponent. The atmosphere, the vibes of it being a rivalry game, that’s a game-day type of thing. You can’t focus on those things before game day comes. You can prepare for the noise, the trash-talking, things like that; those are the things that you just roll with the punches on game day. If you think about it being a rivalry game, if you put different pressures on it before game day hits, that’s when it becomes more than just another game.”