Elks host Redblacks, looking to sweep their house-and-house set – Edmonton
Of the hundreds and hundreds of franchise records owned by the Edmonton Elks, there is one record they would rather leave behind. The Elks are on a 12-game home loss streak dating back to October 2019.
On Saturday, the Elks will try to end the streak and take their first win of the season at The Brick Field at Commonwealth Stadium when they host the Ottawa Redblacks.
A win by the Elks would mean they would win their home-and-home set with the Redblacks after winning 30-12 in Ottawa last Friday.
A win would also land the Elks their first winning streak of the season and keep their hopes for a playoff spot alive on their way to the Labor Day series with the Calgary Stampeders.
Every win is now crucial for the Elks, who with a record of 3-7 are six points behind the Saskatchewan Roughriders (6-5) in fourth place in the West, the crossover spot in the Eastern Division.
The Elks cleared a 12-3 deficit in the second quarter, beating the Redblacks by a 27-0 margin thanks to a dominant second half. The Elks held the ball for 22:29, producing 16 first downs and scoring touchdowns on three consecutive possessions. The Elks enjoyed their biggest margin of victory (18 points) dating back to their previous 36 games.
Recipient Kenny Lawler and quarterback Taylor Cornelius enjoy good chemistry between the two. In Lawler’s last five games, he has made 27 catches for 411 yards and scored four touchdowns. Cornelius averages 220 passes per game and has a record of 2-3 this season.
Defensive tackle Jake Ceresna has been very strong since returning from the six-game injured list with a shoulder injury. In his last three games, Cerensna has logged 15 defensive plays, including a team leader of four quarterback sacks.
David Beard returns to the lineup after missing last week’s match in COVID protocol, returning to his familiar center position along the offensive line.
The news isn’t so good for fellow offensive lineman Tony Washington, who has been placed on the six-game injured list with a neck injury. Martez Ivey will slide from right tackle to left tackle.
Rookie Andrew Garnett will make his pro debut from the right tackle, Garnett is a product of Towson University.
Receiver Manny Arceneaux has been placed on the list of six injured with a high ankle sprain he sustained in the game in Ottawa last week. Arceneaux is Elks’ second leading receiver with 456 yards and has scored one touchdown.
Canadian linebackers Jordan Reaves and Jeremie Dominique will be on the roster, as will American receiver Christian Saulsberry, who will share return duties with Dillon Mitchell. Saulsberry was signed earlier this week after receiving a cut in training camp, noting 172 kick-off return yards in two pre-season games.
From the roster comes Canadian defensive lineman J-Min Pelley, who will be a healthy scratch. Canadian linebacker Jamie Harry and Canadian defensive lineman Jacob Plamondon have both been placed on the team’s practice roster.
The following are the expected offensive and defensive starters for the Elks:
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Quarterback: Taylor Cornelius
Running back: Ante Milanovich-Litre (Fullback: Tanner Green)
Offensive Line: Martez Ivey, David Foucault, David Beard Mark Korte, Andrew Garnett
Recipients: Derel Walker, Kenny Lawler, Dillon Mitchell, Kai Locksley, Chris Osei-Kusi
Defense
Defense Line: Thomas Cositgan, Makana Henry, Jake Ceresna, Matt Thomas
Linebackers: Adam Konar, Nyles Morgan, Enock Makanzo
Defensive Backs: Duron Carter, Ed Gainey, Scott Hutter, Treston Decoud, Nafees Lyon
You can listen to Saturday’s game between the Elks and Redblacks live on 630 CHED, starting with Countdown to Kickoff with Brenden Escott at 3:30 p.m. The opening kick-off at The Brick Field at Commonwealth Stadium is at 5pm with Morley Scott and Dave Campbell with analysis by former Edmonton Football Team offensive lineman and two-time Gray Cup champion Blake Dermott. David Boles will report from the sidelines of Elks.
