Ottawa has been eliminated from playoff contention but the team can still play spoiler against division rival Montreal.Fred Chartrand/The Canadian Press
The Ottawa RedBlacks' playoff hopes were dashed a long time ago, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't like to make someone else's life a little more difficult.
The RedBlacks (2-13) play host to Montreal (7-8) Friday night at TD Place and would love to make the Alouettes' road to an East Division title a lot tougher.
Montreal is currently tied with Hamilton (7-8) for the lead in the East. The Redblacks, losers of their past two, will have their work cut out for them as the Alouettes have won their past four games and have defeated Ottawa twice this season.
"I enjoy playing the Alouettes and beating the Alouettes and hopefully that's what we do tomorrow," said linebacker Jason Pottinger. "We've let them beat us twice this season and it's not a good feeling. It's a not a good feeling losing to anybody, but I really hate losing to Montreal."
Earlier this season both the RedBlacks and Alouettes were struggling to find any success, but Montreal has turned its season around while the RedBlacks continue to struggle.
"They started off slow just like we did, but found a way to start pulling off the wins," Pottinger said. "It's something we couldn't figure out, but we've got three games left and we've got a chance to prove that we'll be a team to be reckoned with next season."
Much of the Alouettes' success coincides with quarterback Jonathan Crompton taking over. Crompton comes to Ottawa with a 6-1 record to his credit, although he hasn't posted great numbers against the RedBlacks. In the two victories against Ottawa, he's 29-for-54 (53.7 per cent) for 426 yards with three interceptions and no touchdown passes.
The previous two games between these teams were anything but pretty, and Ottawa quarterback Henry Burris anticipates much of the same for Friday.
"It's been two tight battles against Montreal," Burris said. "It's a game I'm definitely looking forward to."