Bombers host Redblacks looking to lock up home field for West semifinal

“Feels good, it dates me a little bit, but it’s good,” he said with a grin after the team’s foggy pre-game walkthrough Friday.

“Just like I said, winning is everything and I’m just happy we’re winning again.”

The Bombers plucked Denmark off his couch to fill a gap left by injuries after he was released by Saskatchewan following training camp.

The unassuming former CFL all-star, a huge part of Winnipeg’s comeback since they dumped quarterback Drew Willy for Matt Nichols, is second with 647 receiving yards in just nine games and a team-leading eight touchdowns.

“It’s always fun to win but it’s a blessing just to be playing pro football anywhere.”

The Bombers are getting more top talent back this week in wide receiver Darvin Adams, the team’s leader when he went down with an arm injury late in July.

Winnipeg will have all three of its top receivers on the field for Saturday’s game with Weston Dressler in the other slotback position opposite Denmark.

Defensive tackle Keith Shologan will be lining up for the Bombers against the team he helped send to last year’s Grey Cup, although Ottawa lost to Edmonton in Winnipeg.

“It’s always fun to play against old teammates,” said the Alberta native. “Right now, Blue suits my eyes so it’s all good.”

Like Denmark, he knows what it’s like to make the playoffs.

“I know it’s the first time we’ve made the playoffs here in five years so it’s really nice to be a part of it.

“But you know we’ve got coaches who have all won Grey Cups and we’ve got guys in the locker-room that have made playoffs. There’s lots of experience and we know what needs to be done. We just have to focus up so when the playoffs do start we’re in a position to get a win.”

Ottawa has its own hurdles this week as it tries to claim first place in the CFL East and a bye into the final. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats remain within striking distance at 7-9 since they split a back-to-back series against each other Oct. 14 and Oct. 21.

Winnipeg head coach Mike O’Shea knows the Redblacks have talent.

“They’ve got basically four 1,000-yard receivers again,” he said. “They play high-powered offensive football.”

Winnipeg may look better in the win column but a lot of those have been close games. The Bombers and Redblacks haven’t met all season and will play each other twice to close the 2016 campaign.

Ottawa coach Rick Campbell says they have to find consistency, limit mistakes and start winning the close ones.

“I think we’ve played 11 games that have come down to the last possession of the game,” he said.

“It’s been a trying year from that point of view in that we’ve won some of those games and lost some of those games. I think the good teams . . . you find a way to win those close games.”

Quarterback Henry Burris, who played in the season opener and only six games since due to injuries, says now is the time to regain momentum if they want to finish first in the East and move directly to the final.

“Right now, this is a pivotal moment for us,” he said.

“It’s all still there for the taking and the most important thing is we control our own destiny.”

Scott Edmonds, The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Bombers host Redblacks looking to lock up home field for West semifinal

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