Friends, rivals Collaros and Harris set to clash when Winnipeg Blue Bombers host Edmonton Elks
Quarterbacks Zach Collaros and Trevor Harris could also be foes on the soccer area, however they’re additionally mates who assist one another.
Harris and the Edmonton Elks (2-5) go to Collaros and the CFL-leading Blue Bombers (7-1) Friday, marking Harris’s return to motion after sitting out the previous two video games with a neck challenge.
One of many video games Harris missed was Edmonton’s 37-22 dwelling loss to Winnipeg on Sept. 18, however he and Collaros talked earlier than the sport.
“He type of gave me some reassurance on some issues that I used to be feeling and going via,” Harris stated earlier this week.
“He was simply mainly giving me some actually good recommendation, and so I’m clearly grateful for him and his friendship and serving to me out with that.”
Collaros stated he met Harris when each had been CFL rookies with the Toronto Argonauts in 2012 and so they grew to become roommates. Their transient chat final month was throughout pre-game warmups.
“I wasn’t precisely positive what he was going via, however I’ve been via some stuff that was neck-related, head-related, all these issues,” Collaros stated Thursday.
“So I stated, ‘Hey, give me a name in case you ever need to discuss these type of issues,’ and he is aware of that.”
Harris stated he felt good to play final week, however employees determined to err on the facet of warning and maintain him out.
Learn extra:
QB Harris removed from Elks six-game injured list
“He’s thrown it very well, finding it nice, so there’s little doubt in my thoughts he’s prepared,” Elks head coach Jaime Elizondo stated of Harris’s preparations this week.
Edmonton’s offence could have a giant problem going through a Winnipeg defence that leads the league in fewest factors allowed with a 13.4 common.
The duty escalates within the fourth quarter, when the Bombers have outscored opponents 68-6. These six factors translate right into a 0.75 level common in eight video games, topping the CFL’s all-time information since 1958.
Winnipeg is on a five-game win streak, whereas Edmonton has misplaced its previous three video games and sits final within the West Division.
“If we’re going to play some good ball and begin a run, we’ve bought to start out towards the perfect and so it’ll be a enjoyable problem for us and we’re actually trying ahead to it as a unit,” Harris stated.
Winnipeg’s offence will probably be with out league-leading receiver Kenny Lawler, who was suspended by the workforce for Friday’s recreation following his arrest Monday for impaired driving. He’s racked up 703 yards and 4 touchdowns via eight video games.
Lawler’s roster spot will probably be taken by rookie receiver Kelvin McKnight. He’s caught 10 passes for 71 yards and no TDs in three video games however hasn’t performed since Aug. 29.
The Bombers had a little bit of a scare this week when receiver Drew Wolitarsky missed the primary observe, however he’s good to go towards the Elks and stated the membership has nice depth to switch Lawler.
“This can be a little little bit of adversity for our workforce, so this will probably be an ideal take a look at of how we reply and fill in,” stated Wolitarsky, who left final week’s 30-9 victory over the B.C. Lions with a leg damage.
Winnipeg’s offence had its greatest outing of the season final week. Collaros accomplished 28 of 33 passes for a season-high 417 yards and two touchdowns towards the Lions. He tops the league in passing yards with 2,148.
Collaros stated gamers are striving to get higher and never be complacent.
“Being in first place proper now, we’re going to get all people’s greatest shot and that’s what you need as a competitor,” he stated.
Learn extra:
‘Stove’s a different animal’: Blue Bombers get 3 players back from injury for tilt with BC Lions
Elizondo was inspired by his workforce’s work this week.
“We had three good days of practices, in all probability the three greatest practices that we’ve had, so we’ve bought to come back out and play,” he stated.
“We’ve bought to play 4 quarters and we’ve bought to verify we come out with the best power.”
© 2021 The Canadian Press
