Anthony Ciardulli – Argos Admirals
With the 2015 Toronto Argonaut season officially over much of the focus and discussion will now be centered on the teams’ offseason. Free Agency, trades, drafts and the move to BMO Field will surely take up much of the conversation surrounding the Double Blue.
But for what was a bizarre season in so many ways I thought it would be interesting to highlight would I believe were the top five Toronto Argonaut victories in 2015.
5. Week 20 – Toronto 21 Winnipeg 11.
Yes, this was a mean-nothing game in the standings and many of the regulars didn’t play. But this was the last game the Argos would play at the Rogers Centre. It was a game that forced so many people to reflect on the 26-year history of the Argos at the Dome and remember that there were so many good times had under the roof. Former Argo and current Winnipeg Head Coach Mike O’Shea – who won 3 Grey Cups during his time in Toronto – was honoured as an All-Time Argo. On the field 13-year veteran receiver Dave Stala scored two touchdowns and the 100th Grey Cup MVP Chad Kackert – who returned in 2015 after a career threatening ankle injury – rushed for 10 carries and 89 yards.
4. Week 5 – Toronto 30 B.C. 27
It was the fourth and final game of a west coast swing that kicked off Toronto’s season. With a record of 2-1 going into it, the Argos trailed 21 – 0 early in the 2nd quarter after two Trevor Harris interceptions on back to back drives. But the never give up attitude prevailed and the team dominated the second half outscoring the Lions 23 to 6. After a tough first half Trevor Harris went on to complete 30 of 40 passes totalling 340 yards. Also, one of his two touchdown passes were to Toronto native Natey Adjei – his first CFL touchdown.
3. Week 2 – Toronto 42 Saskatchewan 40
Mosaic Field is never an easy place to play and this game would go right down to the wire. A back and forth game that saw rookie CB A.J. Jefferson return his first interception for a touchdown eventually headed to overtime thanks to a Trevor Harris pass to Chad Owens in the end zone with only 6 seconds left to play. Both teams exchanged touchdowns in overtime but failed to convert the two-point conversion. Toronto’s second possession would cap the game with Tori Gurley’s second touchdown of the year and an incredible one-handed balance act by SB Anthony Coombs on the two-point conversion.
2. Week 1 – Toronto 26 Edmonton 11
It was a home game on the road to start the 2015 CFL Season in Fort McMurray, Alberta, not far from the visiting Edmonton Eskimos’ home field. But those crazy circumstances as a result of scheduling conflicts in relation to the Pan Am Games meant nothing to this Argo squad. Frankly this game was the first of many that would illustrate just how resilient and focused this team was and would continue to be throughout the season. Brandon Whitaker rushed the ball 14 times for 117 yards in his first game as an Argo. He also scored a touchdown on a 57-yard completion. Vidal Hazelton also made a strong early impression, hauling in a touchdown on a three-yard completion. But this game was the Trevor Harris coming out party. In only his second game as a starter in the CFL, Harris threw for 347 yards and three touchdowns. It was a game that marked a sign of things to come for the Argo Quarterback.
1. Week 16 – Toronto 38 Ottawa 35.
As a result of the Toronto Blue Jays making the playoffs the Double Blue would have to vacate the Rogers Centre and travel to Ottawa for a home game against the visiting/home REDBLACKS. It was an extremely exciting game that I believe people will look back on when wondering exactly when the Toronto/Ottawa rivalry began. Trailing 35 – 31 with three minutes left Trevor Harris led the Argos down the field and found SB Chad Owens in the end zone for the winning touchdown. Owens, who snagged it in with one hand despite the pass being overthrown, made the most jaw-dropping catch the CFL has seen in many years. Harris continued his spectacular play, throwing five touchdown passes and 397 yards. But make no mistake about it on this night, the Flyin’ Hawaiian earned his name.