Edmonton Elks Target Home Playoff Game Against Hamilton

The Edmonton Elks visit the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Hamilton Stadium on Friday night in a Week 19 Canadian Football League matchup, with Edmonton pursuing a home playoff game and the West Division's top spot. The Elks enter at 11-4 after defeating Hamilton 37-35 in double overtime on September 26, while the 5-11 Tiger-Cats seek revenge after winning their most recent game against Ottawa 34-16.

According to TSN and Sportsnet, Edmonton can secure its first home playoff game at Commonwealth Stadium in 11 years with a victory. The Elks could also clinch the West Division title if they beat Hamilton and the Ottawa Redblacks defeat the BC Lions on Friday. A win combined with a Saskatchewan loss to Winnipeg on Saturday would also secure Edmonton a home playoff game.

Edmonton's previous victory over Hamilton featured a record-setting performance from kicker Vincent Blanchard, who converted all nine field goal attempts. The Elks scored only one touchdown but prevailed 37-35 after a double-overtime shootout, when Cody Fajardo connected with Joshua Cephus on a two-point conversion.

The Elks have an opportunity to sweep their two-game season series against Hamilton for the first time since 2017. Fajardo, who has a 7-3 record against the Tiger-Cats, has established career highs this season with 4,439 passing yards and 23 touchdown passes, according to Sportsnet.

Hamilton quarterback Harrison Frost completed 17 of 34 passes for 214 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in the September loss. He rebounded against Ottawa with 342 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception, giving the Tiger-Cats a stronger offensive performance heading into the rematch.

Frost said his priority is reducing mistakes and building greater consistency throughout games.

"I think I've made a bunch of different mistakes (but) I haven't really made the same mistake twice," Frost said. "It's just trying to limit the mistakes.

"The O-line (there's) so much veteran experience there and the receivers have been awesome all year making incredible, tough catches. Hopefully it just continues to get better."

Frost also emphasized the importance of executing early and maintaining offensive rhythm against Edmonton after experiencing a midgame slowdown in their first meeting.

"Just executing early," he said. "I kind of had a lull there in the middle so just trying to be as consistent as we can throughout the game finding completions, getting it (ball) out."

Running back Larry Rountree III has emerged as another important part of Hamilton's offense. He rushed for 128 yards on 19 carries against Ottawa, including 114 yards on 15 attempts in the second half. Sportsnet reported that he has averaged 109.5 rushing yards and 6.8 yards per carry over his last two games.

Rountree said the Tiger-Cats want to finish the rematch with a victory after their previous comeback fell short in overtime.

"Obviously we didn't finish so looking forward to finishing that when they come into this house," Rountree said. "I think it (overtime loss) just makes us more hungry to want to actually get a win.

"The run game and getting a touchdown was cool and all but we want to win, that's what I'm about."

Hamilton's passing attack also received a major boost from Kenny Lawler, who recorded six receptions for 132 yards and two touchdowns against Ottawa. His performance earned CFL Player of the Week honors, and he will again be a key target for Frost against an Edmonton defense seeking to contain the Tiger-Cats' receivers.

Frost praised Lawler's contribution to the victory over Ottawa.

"If you put it into his area he's going to catch it," Frost said of Lawler. "He made a couple of great catches.

"The run after catch last week was great by all of the guys."

Edmonton will look to generate more touchdowns rather than depend heavily on field goals. Running back Justin Rankin rushed for 74 yards on 11 carries in the previous meeting, while rookie ShunDerrick Powell added 52 yards on five attempts. Receiver Austin Mack recorded 62 receiving yards against Hamilton, whose defense leads the league in allowing an average of 276.1 passing yards per game, according to CFL.ca.

Hamilton will try to preserve its recent defensive improvement after limiting Edmonton to one touchdown and Ottawa to 16 points. Defensive backs Destin Talbert and Quavian White will be tasked with containing Mack and the Elks' receiving group.

Friday's game will also include a tribute to former Hamilton running back Troy Davis, who will be inducted onto the club's Wall of Honour. Davis played for the Tiger-Cats from 2001 through 2005 and remains the franchise leader in carries with 1,053, rushing yards with 5,296, and 100-yard games with 18. His 2004 season included franchise records of 324 carries and 1,628 rushing yards, along with 10 touchdowns.