CFL SIM DIVISION SEMI’S: REDBLACKS, RIDERS ADVANCE

OTTAWA – A case could be made that the Ottawa RedBlacks are the hottest team in the CFL SIM.

In the first of two computer-simulated playoff games Saturday in Doug Flutie’s Maximum Football, Ottawa scored 19 second half points to pull away and defeat the Toronto Argonauts 32-16 at TD Place.

After overcoming an 0-7 start to the regular season, the RedBlacks pulled off a home-and-home sweep of the Calgary Stampeders over their final two games to finish at 10-8, and manhandled the Argos in Round 1 of the playoffs.

In the #4-versus-#5 game in the CFL SIM’s Top 6 playoff format, the Argos led 5-3 after the first quarter but trailed 13-5 at halftime. The RedBlacks carried a 23-13 lead into the fourth quarter.

Ottawa quarterback Nick Arbuckle threw for 307 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. His highlight reel performance included a 99-yard touchdown pass to Wesley Lewis and a 23-yard strike to Marco Dubois. Lewis led all Ottawa receivers with 125 yards on the day. RB John Crockett notched 21 yards rushing. Kicker Lewis Ward was 6/6 on field goals including three straight in the fourth quarter.

For Toronto, QB Matt Nichols tossed for 308 yards, one touchdown and one pick. WR Llevi Noel led the Argos in receiving with 115 yards. RB Marcus Thigpen had 52 yards rushing and 40 receiving.

Ottawa’s victory punched their ticket to Calgary for a Division Final match-up next Saturday against the #1 overall Stampeders.

Nick Arbuckle versus Bo Levi Mitchell.

REGINA – The dream of playing in the 2020 CFL SIM Grey Cup at Mosaic Stadium is still alive for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

In the second game of a Saturday Division Semifinal doubleheader, Rider QB Cody Fajardo threw for 211 yards, one touchdown, one interception and scored on a 2-yard touchdown run in a 23-7 victory over the BC Lions.

In the #3-versus-#6 first round playoff game, Saskatchewan led 7-2 after the first quarter and at halftime. They took a 10-7 lead into the fourth quarter.

Turnovers were a major factor in this one with the Riders winning that battle 5-1. The first BC giveaway was costly as QB Mike Reilly fumbled deep in Lions territory on their second possession. Two plays later, Fajardo found Brayden Lenius for a 7-yard score and it was a lead Saskatchewan would not relinquish.

WR Kenny Stafford led Saskatchewan with 64 receiving yards while RB William Powell had 37 on the ground. Kicker Brett Lauther went 3/5 on field goals but his two scores in the fourth quarter (12- and 43-yards) put the game away. His misses came on identical 52-yard attempts.

For BC, WR Dominique Rhymes led in receiving with 94 yards while RB Brandon Rutley had 18 yards rushing. Kicker Sergio Castillo was 1/1 on field goals.

The Rider victory means they’ll visit the #2 overall Edmonton Football Club in a Division Final next Saturday. The last time they met, Edmonton trounced Saskatchewan 49-12 in Week 16.

*Both of Saturday’s Division Finals will be broadcast in a doubleheader on Facebook Live next Saturday, November 14 beginning at 6 pm ET on The Rod Pedersen Show Facebook channel.

(Doug Flutie’s Maximum Football/Nelson Hackewich)