Photo courtesy of CFL.ca

It took 20 years, but they finally did it; The Edmonton Elks have officially swept the Calgary Stampeders in the 2024 edition of the Labour Day rivalry series. The Elks posted a 37-16 win in front of a season-best crowd of 32,112, in a game that featured high emotions, square dance celebrations and an iconic moment from new Elks owner Larry Thompson.

GAME RECAP

TAILGATE REPORT

The Edmonton Elks found a way to improve an already great Tailgate Party by adding their own tent called "Tailgate Central", which gave away hot dogs while fans beat down a red Calgary-themed truck nearby. The Tailgate was the busiest we've ever seen, giving the Labour Day Rematch extra buzz. With newfound hope for fans of the Double E, Saturday's game gave a feeling that most fans haven't felt for over 4 years, a certain confidence that has been missing from the organization for far too long.

The Elks also hosted their first-ever Taste of Tailgate competition, with 7 fans creating a burger for a judges panel featuring Former EE Sean Fleming. We had the pleasure of competing in the competition, making a burger loaded with homemade bacon jam. While we didn't win the competition, we had a blast creating a burger that fans and judges enjoyed!

GAME TIME

This game had so much hype before kickoff that the stadium felt exciting again, the Green and Gold spirit oozing in from the numerous gates. A 360 cam greeted us on the South Concourse, giving fans memories of what would be one of the best regular season games in recent history. The inflatable helmet tunnel and touchdown fireworks made their return to Commonwealth Stadium, adding that much more to an already exciting experience.

The game started with both teams posting small scores, a field goal from Calgary kicker Rene Parades, followed by two seperate rouges scored by Edmonton punter Jake Julien. Calgary started to find momentum and with a pass interference call against Edmonton's Kai Gray, the Stampeders suddenly found themselves within striking distance of a touchdown. That is, until quarterback Logan Bonner threw the ball right into the hands of Elks safety Loucheiz Purifoy, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. From there, McLeod Bethel-Thompson and company snatched the momentum from Calgary, and really, the game as a whole.

An explosive offense drive would start the 2nd Quarter, MBT finishing the drive with a connection to reciever Hergy Mayala, with a 2-point conversion courtesy of reciever Eugene Lewis. The Stampeders would try to answer back, but instead the Elks maintained momentum, scoring another touchdown on a sweep play from surging reciever Tevin Jones. At this point the building was electric, fans shoulder to shoulder with smiles and cheers thanks to complimentary football from the Elks. After a Boris Bede field goal, Edmonton's fans exploded once again due to an interception on Bonner, resulting in an Elks field goal to finish the 2nd, 23-6 the score at halftime.

The 3rd quarter didn't feel like it would be an issue, considering the performance of the team over the last 6 quarters of football. After some back-and-forth drives, Bonner would throw another interception into the hands of the Elks, this time Kai Gray picking the ball. Eventually Calgary would score the only points in the 3rd, a field goal near the end of the quarter.

The 4th quarter opened with a big offensive drive from MBT and reciever Eugene Lewis. Lewis would haul in a touchdown pass to finish the drive, square dancing in a celebration for yet another iconic moment. On another Elks drive later in the game, MBT and Lewis made up more yardage on another damaging passing play, however, MBT would throw an interception to give Calgary a pick six, Mike Rose hauling in the deflected ball as MBT lay on the turf in pain due to a hit. Tre Ford came in for relief, Justin Rankin would run in another touchdown, and the Edmonton Elks would win the most exciting game of the year, a 37-16 final score for the home team and an Edmonton sweep for the first time in 20 years.

THE FAN SIDE

We don't know if it was the touchdown fireworks, the extremely busy Tailgate Party, the loud spectators or the confidence oozing from the cracks of Commonwealth Stadium, but this game just felt different. From the moment we parked to the time we exited the stadium, the energy could be felt in the air. My father came to the game for the first time in 6 years, the hype reaching Fort McMurray residents for the first time in many years. The province felt the excitement and weight of this special game, a return to tradition in so many ways. Even EE owner Larry Thompson got in on the fun, driving the legendary firetruck through the Stampeders bench for what made for another iconic EE moment. His direct injection of cash and fandom brought the team back 10 years in one game, a night reminiscent of the 2015 glory days. This is one of those games that are talked about for years, an experience that will have Edmontonians talking at the water cooler for the remainder of the week. The Double E is back in full force, and even if they aren't quite back all the way, Saturday's game sure made it feel like they were. Fans have been sent into the bye week with a memorable game, a Labour Day Sweep and legitimate hopes for a Grey Cup run. We can't ask for much more than that.

NEXT UP: BYE WEEK

The Edmonton Elks have a bye week before facing Winnipeg for a home-and-home series, a crucial battlefront in the West Division standings. If the Elks want a sniff at a home playoff game, The Elks will need to defeat Winnipeg at least once, preferably twice in order to gain rank. The bye week comes at a great time for the Elks, facing an upcoming 4-game stretch of Western Division opponents at the most critical time of the season. Health will be crucial in keeping this unit together, and the bye week allows just that.

Antler Up!