There were several connections between the 2023 Grey Cup champion Montreal Alouettes and the city of Regina, with several pieces of the Roughriders inside the Alouettes fabric this year.
Montreal’s head coach is former Roughriders offensive coordinator Jason Maas.
Quarterback Cody Fajardo and linebacker Darnell Sankey were among the players formerly of the green and white that won championship rings in Hamilton on Sunday.
But another relationship between the Alouettes and the Queen City is special teams assistant coach Dave Jackson.
Fresh off the Alouettes’ Grey Cup victory, the local product joined Michael Ball on the Sportscage.
During the postseason, the Alouettes were perceived to be underdogs, starting with their matchup in the Eastern Final against the top-ranked team during the regular season, the Toronto Argonauts.
Despite the upset victory, nobody gave Montreal that much chance in the Grey Cup against Winnipeg, who was making their fourth straight appearance in the championship matchup. Jackson told Ball that the Alouettes gravitated towards the notion that everyone had them written off.
“Coach Maas set the foundation from day one,” said Jackson. “New team coming together takes time to build, come the end part of the season we put it together in stride, ready to hit the playoffs running, we did and we went in and dominated.”
With the odds seemingly stacked against Montreal, Fajardo delivered a speech to the rest of the team on the eve of the Grey Cup that riled up the Alouettes. Jackson couldn’t repeat the exact words from the quarterback but said it was exactly what the team needed before the game.
“It was electric,” said Jackson. “It was one of the most impressive motivating speeches, I’ve ever been a part of, it really showed his (Fajardo) passion and it helped lead us to victory. “
The Alouettes’ stingy defence throughout the season was complemented by an overall team effort in the playoffs, as noted by Jackson.
“The special teams contributed, the offence contributed, and we had guys stepping up from all parts of our roster making big plays in big moments.”
The Alouettes grabbed the football world’s attention this year when they took advantage of the rulebook by completing a pair of onside punts on offence with the football travelling a short distance across the line of scrimmage. Jackson credited Maas for introducing the innovative play.
“I think he’s (Maas) tried it in the past with some different teams, but it became successful twice this year and that was exciting to be a part of and the players liked coming up with those ideas.”
Watching Maas progress as a head coach this season was something that Jackson enjoyed observing this year.
“From day one he set the foundation here in Montreal that was inclusive with everybody, with the French culture, bringing everybody along with the ride, making sure everyone is excited and motivated, but ready to work when it’s time to work.”
Jackson said hoisting the Grey Cup was a lifelong dream come true.
“The feeling is grateful,” described the Regina native.
“Very excited to the culmination of a lot of hard work.”
