Elks QB Ford has shown he belongs

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This article was published 20/10/2023 (724 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Win or lose, the 2023 Edmonton Elks season comes to a close on Saturday.

Before everyone cleans out their lockers, the 4-13 club will walk into a soldout IG Field to take on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (12-4) — a team that is 8-1 on home turf this year.

But don’t tell Edmonton that they have nothing to play for.

“Our 2023 season’s over, we all know that. But we’re preparing for 2024 and we got guys to evaluate,” said quarterback Tre Ford.

Ford is not just one of those guys, he’s the most important guy that needs to be evaluated. When head coach/general manager Chris Jones finally handed the Canadian pivot the reins, the Elks were a total dumpster fire at 0-8. Ford helped the team get off the mat as they won four of his first six starts, which put them in contention for the third and final playoff spot in the West Division. They followed that stretch with three straight losses — most recently a 35-21 defeat at home at the hands of the Montreal Alouettes last Saturday — and will now be on the outside looking in when post-season action kicks off in two weeks.

Ford has completed 69 per cent of his passes for 1,781 total yards with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. It’s his legs that give defences nightmares, though, as he’s recorded over 600 yards on the ground with three rushing scores.

Jones was asked if he’s seen enough from Ford to build the team around the 25-year-old moving forward. He’s not ready to anoint the Niagara Falls, Ont., product just yet and said what happens against the Bombers will play a factor in how they proceed.

“It’s a big opportunity for Tre,” said Jones.

“Certainly, he’s done some really good things and some dynamic things. I think he’s the most explosive, dynamic, quarterback in the league, but then again, you see the mistakes that he makes too. He looks like a guy who has only started (nine) games.”

Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros is very familiar with Ford as they trained together in the offseason near Toronto.

“He’s a special guy, especially with the ball in his hands, and being able to move around and create,” said Collaros.

“He’s also able to play within the pocket and there’s hope that he’s going to get better at that as he gains more experience. Just a great guy and it’s not a surprise that guys follow him. He’s been a good leader since they put him in. He’s done a great job and any time you can get a guy with his athleticism, it’s fun to watch.”

Bombers not looking for help

The Bombers might have the top spot in the West Division clinched before they kick off on Saturday.

If the B.C. Lions (12-5) lost at home to the Calgary Stampeders (5-11) late Friday night (the game ended after press deadline), the division crown will go to Winnipeg. If the Lions won, the Bombers can still earn the No. 1 seed with a win over Edmonton.

Receiver Nic Demski would prefer if it doesn’t come easy.

“The reason why I love being on this team is because we don’t want anybody to go out there and do our job for us,” said Demski.

“We want to go out and take it. We know this game has a lot of value to it. It’s still a statement game for us to just go out there and finish the season strong.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

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