Edmonton edges Hamilton in potential playoff preview

Mike Reilly and the Edmonton Eskimos completed a simulation of what they might face in a crossover playoff matchup, defeating the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 29-26 on Friday night.

Reilly and all-star wide receiver Derel Walker connected on two touchdowns at Tim Hortons Field, where Edmonton (9-8) might venture for the East Division final if it finishes fourth in the West and the Tiger-Cats (7-10) fail to move up from second. In front of a crowd of 24,031, Edmonton scored the first 17 points of the second half to open a commanding lead.

The Tiger-Cats nearly replicated the huge comeback they made against Edmonton early in the season, paring an 18-point margin to just three with 1:09 remaining. But Eskimos slot back Adarius Bowman recovered a short kickoff and two plays later, running back John White skated through a huge hole for a win-sealing first down.

The only scenario where the Eskimos can stay in the West for the playoffs is if they defeat the Toronto Argonauts next week and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (10-6) are swept in their home-and-away series against the Ottawa RedBlacks. No crossover team has ever advanced to the Grey Cup, but being fourth would involve a division semifinal against a sub-.500 team instead of having to visit the potent BC Lions.

For three-plus quarters, Edmonton's defence negated Hamilton's boost from the return of starting quarterback Zach Collaros, who missed two games with a concussion. Hamilton, which is one point behind the RedBlacks (7-8-1) for first in the East and the all-important bye to the division final, found the end zone on the game's first possession but didn't do so again for another 48 minutes.

Reilly was 18-of-31 for 239 yards and two touchdowns, along with a rushing TD. White had another standout performance in the rushing phase with 15 carries for 132 yards. Brandon Zylstra made six receptions for a team-high 86 yards, while Walker contributed seven for 79. Sean Whyte was 3-of-3 on field goals, although he missed convert in the first quarter.

Collaros was 26-of-40 for 273 yards and one TD. Running back C.J. Gable (six rushes for 55, 9-88 receiving), Terrence Toliver (7-71 receiving), and backup QB Jeremiah Masoli scored Hamilton's touchdowns. Kevin Elliott had five receptions for 72 yards, including a two-point convert. Brett Maher was 1-of-2 on field goals.

Edmonton led 15-11 in the third quarter, when its offence was set up on Hamilton's 32-yard line after Troy Stoudermire scampered for a 33-yard punt return that was extended farther by an unnecessary roughness penalty on Matt Wells. Edmonton needed just four plays to score.

The Tiger-Cats failed to cross midfield on their next two possessions, before Edmonton scored again to open a 29-11 lead. A two-point convert by Elliott pared the deficit to 10 points, but needing a full three downs to get the final yard deprived the Tiger-Cats of time they needed to complete the comeback.

The game was delayed 11 minutes in the third quarter after a scary collision where Tiger-Cats defensive back Derrius Brooks was knocked over by teammate Dominique Ellis while they were chasing Zylstra. Brooks stayed down on the field and was placed on a stretcher. He was alert and able to move his extremities.

The Tiger-Cats, whose finale is against the Montreal Alouettes on Nov. 5, also had DB Johnny Adams (lower body) and SB Andy Fantuz (lower body) go down during the first half.