ALOUETTES INTRA-SQUAD RECAP

Montreal Alouettes players and coaches were reunited with their fans on Sunday at the team’s annual intra-squad game presented by TELUS, which took place in Saint-Hubert. Just over 1,000 fans were in attendance at Parc Rosanne-Laflamme to see their favourite players in action for the first time in 2015.

Not only did the fans on site get a chance to meet the players for more than 30 minutes following the game, but they also got to appreciate a good chunk of spectacular plays.

The play of the day belongs without a doubt to rookie receiver Alex Charette who made a spectacular catch on the sidelines for a gain of about 50 yards. Both Alouettes’ fourth round picks from last month’s draft connected on that play, as Canadian quarterback Brandon Bridge was responsible for the long throw.

Former Université de Montréal Carabin Mikhaïl Davidson, selected in the fifth round by Montreal in the 2015 draft, also managed to lift the fans out of their seats when he made an outstanding grab on a Tanner Marsh pass for a gain of close to 30 yards.

These rookie receivers have the opportunity to learn from S.J. Green, one of the CFL’s best at that position, on a daily basis since the start of camp. The later also impressed on Sunday with yet another spectacular catch on a Jonathan Crompton pass.

“Everyone enjoyed themselves today as we were given the opportunity to chat and mingle with our fans for a first time this year. It was also a good time for the coaching staff to evaluate our group in game situations,” declared Alouettes’ head coach Tom Higgins. “I really liked how each and every player conducted themselves on and off the field today, as the hundreds of fans attending were gifted with outstanding plays as well as a complete Alouettes’ game-day experience.”

As players were instructed not to tackle each other, a few plays were completed even though a player had reached the quarterback. According to an official count, Noel Thorpe’s squad amassed no less then seven quarterback sacks during the course of the game.

The game concluded following rookie Cliff Coleman’s interception off of quarterback Rakeem Cato, which he returned for more then 80 yards for the touchdown.

Rapid fire
Alouettes public announcer Jacques Moreau was on-site and called the action for Alouettes fans… Players were able to practice their pre-game routine down to the last detail, as even the national anthem was played before the game… Former Université Laval kicker Boris Bede made a 49-yard field goal… The first touchdown of the game was scored by running back Brandon Rutley on a three-yard catch… Chris Rainey ran in the two-point conversion on a three-yard run, while adding a touchdown when he scored from the one-yard line… All five quarterbacks on the Alouettes roster saw action on Sunday… A CFL officiating crew was on-hand for this game, which allowed everyone to become even more familiar with the new rules that have been approuved for this upcoming season. Drummonville’s André Proulx was the head referee… The intra-squad game was not the team’s only incursion in the greater Montreal area this weekend as the team’s cheerleaders participated in the Grand Prix festivities on Crescent Street on Saturday. The girls had a full weekend, as they were also at Sunday’s intra-squad game.

Game in Quebec City in one week
In one week following this game, day-for-day, the Alouettes will get their first opportunity to face other players then their teammates, as they will face the Ottawa REDBLACKS at Stade Telus-Université Laval in Quebec City for the team’s first preseason game which is set to start at 7:30 p.m.

(Courtesy Alouettes PR)