It will be a tale of two tailbacks when Alouettes host the Lions

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The previous and current will conflict for roughly three hours Friday night time when the Alouettes host the B.C. Lions at Molson Stadium.

On one aspect can be Lions tailback William Stanback, who spent 5 seasons with Montreal earlier than requesting his launch final winter, saying he felt a scarcity of respect and appreciation from the group earlier than signing with B.C. as a free agent.

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On the opposite aspect can be Walter Fletcher, the person who has changed him following two seasons of sporadic responsibility with the Als.

Professional soccer ultimately extracts a toll on its gamers. Many undergo by accidents that happen enjoying the violent sport, however all know they’ll ultimately be solid apart by somebody youthful and cheaper. It’s the legislation of the jungle, and Montreal administration undoubtedly wished Stanback to take a diminished wage earlier than returning.

Stanback is 30 and missed most of 2022 with a fractured ankle. Fletcher is three years youthful.

“I do know it’s a enterprise,” Fletcher stated Tuesday after follow at Stade Hébert in St-Léonard. “I’m right here as a result of I obtained traded (from Edmonton) my second 12 months within the league. It’s not all the time about manufacturing and will be extra of a numbers recreation. The CFL is a troublesome enterprise and difficult league to crack. If you happen to’re constant you’re going to have a job up right here so long as a staff offers you a chance. I’m attempting to be constant, so I can have a job subsequent 12 months.

“He feels lots of people stepped on him going into the low season,” Fletcher added about Stanback. “I’m simply glad he’s making performs and doing his factor.”

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By means of 12 video games, the bruising 6-foot, 233-pound Stanback is the CFL’s second-leading rusher, with 810 yards on 161 carries (5.0-yard common) whereas scoring two touchdowns. He already has surpassed final season’s complete in two fewer video games. Stanback has one 100-yard recreation to his credit score. Final Saturday, in opposition to Ottawa, he had 20 carries for 93 yards, scoring as soon as. He additionally caught six passes for 78 yards and is way more concerned within the Lions’ offence than he was in Montreal.

Stanback, who made Montreal his year-round house, refused an interview request made by The Gazette.

Fletcher, 5-foot-9 and 206 kilos, is extra of a slippery, scatback runner and has been just about ignored in a few of Montreal’s video games this season. He has 483 yards on a modest 90 carries (5.4-yard common) whereas scoring three touchdowns. He has but to supply a 100-yard effort and has had not more than 12 carries in a recreation.

Fletcher additionally has caught 49 passes for 461 yards, scoring twice, whereas popping out of the backfield. That’s the equal of a speeding play, any tailback will insist.

“It’s a week-to-week factor. I really feel like I’m concerned within the recreation plan,” Fletcher stated. “Each week I’m concerned indirectly, some vogue. Placing me within the scheme and offence is sufficient for me. We have now a method of offence completely different than every other staff. We’re very environment friendly. I belief the sport plan and really feel I’m closely concerned each week. No matter they’ve for me I’m going to execute it. I may do extra however have been proud of my season and am touching the ball fairly a couple of occasions. Even within the run recreation, if it’s eight, 10 or 5 carries, I really feel like I’m an enormous play ready to occur.”

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Whereas Stanback and Fletcher received’t be on the sphere concurrently and aren’t competing in opposition to one another, comparisons undoubtedly can be drawn post-game. That’s human nature.

“We’re two completely different gamers,” Fletcher stated. “On the similar time he has been right here. I do know the historical past he has right here, the legacy. It’s going to imply one thing to the followers, however I don’t take it as Stanback vs. Fletcher. We’re two brothers competing and attempting to get the win for our staff.”

If the Als took a leap of religion inserting their belief in Fletcher, who nonetheless needed to compete and win the job at coaching camp, head coach Jason Maas has had nothing however superlatives about him since then.

“Any time he touches the ball he does nice issues,” Maas stated. “When he catches it he’s dynamic. He does a whole lot of different little issues that individuals don’t see, like blocking. That’s the little factor that’s an enormous factor for us. We modify the protections weekly. He has been bodily sufficient to carry up in opposition to completely different sorts of defenders. Many of the linebackers on this league outsize him. He has an amazing knack for maintaining his centre of gravity, utilizing his fingers and being sturdy on the level of assault.”

Montreal (10-1) clinched a playoff berth throughout their bye week.

hzurkowsky@postmedia.com

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