On Friday, the Ottawa Redblacks and Calgary Stampeders will be kicking off week 13 of the 2021 CFL season at TD Place in Ottawa. It will mark the first and only time this season where the two teams face off against each other. Despite the playoffs being out of the picture for the Ottawa Redblacks, the week 13 matchup against the Stampeders will still be a big game for the team’s future. The organization parted ways with long time general manager Marcel Desjardins on Monday and have all eyes on the future of the Redblacks, they have eyes on bringing this Ottawa Redblacks franchise back on top, like they were in 2016 winning the Grey Cup.
To be back on top though, a lot has to go right and a lot of work has to be put in, all starting with Friday night’s game against Calgary. The Ottawa Redblacks will aim to win the game on Friday as well as the other two games left on the 2021 CFL schedule to gain confidence moving into the off-season, and included in the following three games against the Stampeders, Argonauts and Alouettes will be a number of young players who they will see back with the organization in the 2022 CFL season.
Starting for the Redblacks on offence against the Stampeders will be 23 year old quarterback Caleb Evans, 26 year old running back De’Lance Turner, 24 year old receiver Ryan Davis, and 23 year old Jakub Szott, all CFL rookies with plenty of potential with the franchise. On defence defensive backs Brandin Dandridge (25) and Ranthony Texada (26) will get the start alongside 26 year old linebacker Frankie Griffin and 23 year old edge rusher Tre Hornbuckle.
The looks that the Ottawa Redblacks as well as the Redblacks fan base will get at these players alongside the players that have established themselves in the capital will have a big impact on the future of the franchise as they search for their new general manager and their new identity but what really matters is winning. To win Friday night’s game, the Ottawa Redblacks will need to establish a run game for rookie quarterback Caleb Evans to have as a safety blanket in his offence. He will also have to make good decisions throughout the game himself and avoid turning the ball over to come away with the win. As for the defensive side of the ball, stopping KaDeem Carey in the run game and getting to Bo Levi Mitchell in the backfield will be a crucial part of winning the game at TD Place.
Come to TD Place as the Redblacks and Stampeders kickoff against each other at 7:30 on Friday night or watch on TSN to take a look at what’s next for the CFL’s Ottawa Redblacks.
JZ MEDIA 