James Wilder Jr. (32) during the game between the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Toronto Argonauts at Tim Horton's Field in Hamilton, Friday, June 16, 2017. (Photo: Johany Jutras)
The Toronto Argonauts capped off the 2017 CFL preseason with a 23-16 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Tim Hortons Field on Friday night.
For the second consecutive week, Toronto’s depth on offence, poise on defence and resilience assisted in their second half comeback.
Trailing until the fourth quarter, the Argonauts solidified the win with a one-handed 28-yard touchdown catch by newcomer Jamel Johnson from quarterback Dakota Prukop.
WORTH NOTING:
A handful of Toronto Argonauts 2017 CFL Draft picks proved their worth on Friday night: LB Nakas Onyeka (3 DT, 1TFL, 1 QP), DL Evan Foster (3 DT, 1 ST, 1 QS), Robert Woodson (3 DT, 1 ST, 1 QS), Justin Herdman (1 DT, 1 QS).
After officially signing with the club last Wednesday, LB Bear Woods saw his first action in Double Blue. The seven-year CFL veteran notched three tackles and a tackle for a loss on the night.
Argonauts quarterbacks McLeod Bethel-Thompson and Dakota Prukop got their first tastes of CFL action on Friday night. The two displayed their presence in the pocket and each accounted for majors on the night: Bethel-Thompson (5-13-78), Prukop (6-7-83-1TD & 2car-21yds).
Defensive back Cariel Brooks led the Double Blue defence with four defensive tackles and a special teams tackle on Friday.
Returning to Hamilton for the first time since signing with the Argonauts, Jeff Mathews completed 12-of-15 passes for 136 yards and a touchdown against his former team.
Explosive RB/KR Martese Jackson had himself a night in the return game showing his burst on multiple returns. The Florida Atlantic product registered 97 return yards on four returns, an average of 24.2 yards per return vs. the Tiger-Cats. He added one carry for 6 yards to finish the night with 116 combined yards.
University of Alberta alum Jimmy Ralph, who went undrafted in the 2017 CFL Draft, posted another productive night for the second consecutive week. The Raymond, Alberta, native caught four passes for 68 yards and a touchdown. In two pre-season games, Ralph hauled in eight passes for 124 yard and two majors.
Marcus Alford recorded the lone interception on the night, picking off Ticats QB Jeremiah Masoli in the third quarter.
Former Langley Ram, Malcolm Williams made use of his size and length vs. Hamilton. The second-year Argonaut led the team with five catches for 86 yards, an average of 17.2 yards per catch.
