On a crisp autumn night in Alberta's capital city, the Edmonton Elks hosted the Toronto Argonauts in what would be one of the most exciting Canadian football games of the season.
TAILGATE TIME
The Edmonton Elks Tailgate went undefeated this season and the final night of CFL action proved a strong finish for the event before the game. While the Tailgate wasn't as busy as last game's Chili Cook-Off fanfest, the hardcore EE fans still showed up in droves to support their fellow EE faithful, players and stadium as we all bid farewell to the 2024 season. After presenting the Chili Cook-Off Trophy, we proceeded to the gates for one last hurrah in Commonwealth Stadium.
GAME RECAP
THE FAN SIDE
Upon entering Commonwealth Stadium, a quick glance of the stadium bowl showed one of the lowest attendendances the EE has ever seen. Despite the many empty seats, the crowd was loud and passionate for the last EE game of the season. With so many other sporting and entertainment events in the city competing with an EE team removed from playoff contention, it's no wonder the team yielded such a small crowd. The game would see Tre Ford get the nod at starting quarterback for the Elks, and not long into his first drive he found reciever Eugene Lewis to earn him his 1000th recieving yard of the season. Unfortunately the drive would stall, giving the ball to the Argonauts on a 3rd down turnover. The Argos would make the Elks pay with a field goal, scoring the first points of the contest. Redemption would come at the end of the quarter, Ford connecting with Javon Leake for a touchdown play that started near the Elks 40 yard line. The point after touchdown would be a failure, however, 6-3 Elks to end the quarter.
Toronto took notice to start the 2nd Quarter and with quarterback Cameron Dukes on the sidelines, former EE Nick Arbuckle came in with the goal of making his former team pay, his intentions very clear after a touchdown drive. Tre Ford would come out of the game, forcing Jarret Doege into action but after a failed drive by the Elk, the Argonauts marched right back down the field again, but this time EE rookie Kordell Jackson found a way to strip the ball and force a turnover, taking some wind of out Toronto's sails. Complimentary football would not show up however, and the Argos found the middle of the goalposts to score yet again, 13-6 with some help from EE penalties on the drive. After yet another failed series from Edmonton, history repeated with Darious Bratton intercepting an Arbuckle pass, giving the Elks a chance to score with 34 seconds left in the half. The score didn't come, and the score would remain the same at halftime, leaving Elks fans confused at the quarterback change in what should be a winnable game.
We don't know what happened at halftime or what was said in the locker room, but clearly something sparked the team for the second half. Tre Ford would step back into his office, handing off the ball to Javon Leake for another massive play to get the Elks down at the Argonauts 15-yard line, a field goal being the end result of the drive. Toronto would answer back with a touchdown to end the quarter with a score of 20-9.
And then the Edmonton Elks woke up. Tre Ford activated his legs to open up the field, putting on a performance for the fans remaining in the stands. After finding Eugene Lewis for a touchdown, the Elks would find more success on their next offensive drive, a big play by reciever Jerminic Smith setting up a touchdown by running back Justin Rankin. Smith would reel in the two-point conversion pass to put the Elks up by a field goal at 23-20. Not so fast though, because the Toronto Argonauts would find the endzone again with less than 2 minutes left in the contest. The ensuing Elks drive had the fans hopeful, but a turnover would empty the stadium and send the fans packing. Using all their might, the Elks defense forced a 3-and-out scenario to give their offense the ball with less than a minute to go. 2 plays later, and the Elks took the lead back yet again, only to find the Argonauts tieing the game with a field goal for 30 points even to end regular time.
For the first time in the history of writing about the Elks, we had the pleasure of watching overtime. The fans remaining in the building were treated to some extra football, Toronto earning the first series. The Argonauts would try to push down the field, with kicker Lirim Hajrullahu missing his mark and allowing the Elks to run the ball out of the endzone, preventing any possible points from being scored. Edmonton found similar field position, except this time they utilized their All-Star punter, Jake Julien to kick a Rouge to end the game, a 31-30 Canadian Classic of an ending.
ENDING ON A HIGH NOTE
I would be lieing if I said this this wasn't one of the most entertaining games I've ever witnessed at Commonwealth Stadium. Despite the lacking attendance, the fans that showed up were as passionate as can be. The players played with heart, making the farewells on the turf post-game that much more meaningful. I don't remember the last time the EE has sent their fans into the offseason with smiles and hope, yet here we are, months of changes still incoming for the EE. One thing is for certain; Edmonton Football fans want to see Tre Ford in Edmonton for 2025 and beyond. The team has posted an improved record for the first time in 4 years, 5 years if you include the COVID-cancelled season. 2024 proved to be the most exciting and entertaining year of Edmonton professional football since 2019, and Tre Ford was a major factor for that. No disrespect to McLeod Bethel-Thompson, who commanded a 5th place finish in the CFL passing category even without playing in all contests, but the fans, media and results speak for Tre's case as a fan favourite in the City of Champions.
RECORDS ARE MADE TO BE BROKEN
Despite a 7-11 record to end the season, players found indivdual records of their own. Eugene Lewis notched his 3rd 1000-yard season, along with tieing the record for consecutive games with a touchdown at 8 games. Jake Julien also broke the CFL record for average punting yards in a season with a 54-yard punting average, a return to the NFL seeming likely for the elite product of Ontario. Rookie linebacker Nick Anderson is in serious contention for the CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie award as well, a feat very possible after a truly outstanding first season in the league.
NEXT UP: OFFSEASON
The Edmonton Elks head into an offseason of changes, Monday's End Of Season Media Meeting garnering much anticipation from a fanbase desperate for answers and success. The organization needs another improved season for 2025 in order to restore faith in Edmonton's football fans, and with CFL attendance dwindling across the league, EE owner Larry Thompson has his work cut out for him as he navigates his first offseason as the owner of the franchise.
Buckle Up!
Ok, time to move on, The season wasn’t successful. The interim President, waited too long to fire Chris Jones.
Then, said President created a false urgency stating the season was salvageable. The interim GM and HC, didn’t get the message, left Tre Ford in the bench for two more losses. That demonstrates a significant lack of leadership. At 0-5, there needed to be decisive roster action. There wasn’t!
Now, the results of those decisions manifest. All three Elks QBs are free agents. High probability none return. That has a cascading impact on the free agent receivers. Why would Geno Lewis return knowing there may well be a new QB new OC , new GM, in Edmonton.
Continuity matters in professional football specifically at the QB position. Certainly rosters change every year, in the CFL, to win, the QB position isn’t in flux. The Elks missed their first opportunity to engage their fan base.
Mr. Thompson needed to state his vision for the organization, direct his interim GM to deliver it, then measure the results. Tre Ford should have been appointed the starting QB on the firing if Chris Jones. He wasn’t. The results are known.
The cascading impact, Mr. Ford, has zero trust in the HC GM and the owner’s ability to herd up the organization, quickly. It’s been reported a new President and CEO were to be named by now. That announcement is delayed a month. That further exacerbates the organization’s drift, projecting indecision.
The Elks could hit the Christmas shopping season with a Tre Ford marketing and advertising campaign, projecting the optimism that induces season ticket sales. That won’t happen. There is the basis for a competitive team in Edmonton. Players play to win to boast their earning potential. Looking at the Elks as a player is that possible? Sure, at a low probability level.