Redblacks say disappointing debut season forged strong bond between teammates

OTTAWA – The Ottawa Redblacks say bonds between players forged through adversity have led them to the verge of a CFL championship.

The Redblacks have gone from dead last in the league one year ago to being one game away from the Grey Cup. Ottawa will host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the CFL East Division final Sunday afternoon.

“It’s almost surreal to have this opportunity after what we went through last year,” said defensive back Jerrell Gavins, who missed the last two games due to an injury behind his knee. “We’re not a team, we’re a family and there’s a bond. We’ve got a really special group and for us it’s now or never. We want to make it happen.”

Gavins is cleared to play and looking forward to getting back in the lineup. The Redblacks roster could also be bolstered by the return of running back Jeremiah Johnson.

Johnson suffered what was expected to be a season-ending foot injury Oct. 6, but has been able to return to form and would give Ottawa some additional depth.

“Health wise it’s encouraging so it gives you options,” said Redblacks head coach Rick Campbell. “I don’t get too caught up in the injury thing whether one team has more injuries or not than the other. You just field the best team that you can, which we’re going to do and they’re going to do their thing, and away you go.”

Perhaps most encouraging for the Redblacks is hearing quarterback Henry Burris is feeling 100 per cent.

Burris suffered a knee injury in late October and was questionable to play against Hamilton in the first of a home-and-home series. The 40-year-old played both games, but took another hit to his knee in the first game against the Tiger-Cats. The Redblacks’ bye-week after winning the Division has clearly paid off for the veteran pivot.

“Everything is good,” said Burris. “Getting out here, I feel much better (Thursday). Being able to get out there and run around and move around much better than I ever have as far as after the injury occurred. I’m feeling strong.”

The Redblacks believe the struggles they went through as a team has made them even stronger and is likely what has led to such a tight-knit group.

“This is the Eastern Final and all the chips are on the table and everyone’s going to bring out everything that they’ve got,” receiver Chris Williams said. “We’re going to be ready.”

Campbell says he’s liked what he’s seen from the team so far preparation wise, but expects things to improve every day leading up to the game.

“We’ve been working hard, but this is the time to keep ramping it up,” said Campbell. “Total focus has to be Sunday at 1 p.m., so far so good, but Friday’s practice we want to be better than today and so on as we go. I think the guys are in the right frame of mind, but we know we’ve got to work at this thing all the way until the end because we will have to be at our best to beat (Hamilton).”

Notes: Sunday’s game is sold out. The Redblacks will set a new attendance record for TD Place with over 25,000 fans planning to attend the game. Ottawa’s Jordan Verdone was named the Redblacks nominee for the 2015 Jake Gaudaur Veterans’ Award, given annually to the CFL player who best demonstrates the attributes of Canada’s veterans.