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Ruth Bonneville \/ Free Press<\/p>\n
Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Dru Brown was at a children\u2019s birthday party with Zach Collaros during the Edmonton Elks-Saskatchewan Roughriders game, the outcome of which would determine who the Bombers play in the post-season this weekend.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cHis kids love my son, it\u2019s funny, so I like going over there. But yeah, we were kind of in and out kind of watching (the game).\u201d<\/p>\n
Last year marked the first time the Bombers found themselves as the crossover team. They lost a memorable 42-33 shootout to the Montreal Alouettes.<\/p>\n
Although the experience is no longer new, head coach Mike O\u2019Shea doesn\u2019t believe there\u2019s much to take from last year that will help the Bombers this time around.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think so. There\u2019s been years where you\u2019re good on the road and there\u2019s some years when you\u2019re not,\u201d he said. \u201cI don\u2019t know that the crossover in the playoff is that mystical, really.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mystical or not, there\u2019s been 13 crossover teams and every single one failed to reach the Grey Cup.<\/p>\n
With the CFL set to introduce a new playoff format next season, the Bombers will have the final opportunity to make history.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t even think about that,\u201d said receiver Nic Demski. \u201cBut for sure, we gotta make the most of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Ethan Cairns \/ THE CANADIAN PRESS FILE<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Winnipeg Blue Bombers\u2019 Brady Oliveira was named a finalist for the CFL’s for Most Outstanding Canadian, Tuesday.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Trio of Bomber finalists<\/p>\n Running back Brady Oliveira, right tackle Jarell Broxton and cornerback Major Williams are in the running for prestigious CFL hardware.<\/p>\n The trio of Bombers were named finalists Tuesday, with Oliveira up for Most Outstanding Canadian, Broxton in contention for Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman and Williams a finalist for Most Outstanding Rookie.<\/p>\n The league changed its awards format this year, naming three finalists for each instead of one representative from each division.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Codie McLachlan \/ THE CANADIAN PRESS FILE<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Blue Bombers\u2019 Major Williams, left, is a finalist for Most Outstanding Rookie.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Oliveira is joined by B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke and Montreal Alouettes receiver Tyson Philpot. Broxton will compete against a pair of Alouettes in Nick Callender and Pier-Olivier Lestage, while Williams is up against Toronto receiver Tyler Kahmann and B.C. linebacker Parker McKenna.<\/p>\n The CFL will announce the finalists for Most Outstanding Player, Most Outstanding Defensive Player and Most Outstanding Special Teams Player on Wednesday.<\/p>\n Bombers sweep Week\u2019s best<\/p>\n Three Bombers have been named Week 21 Players of the Week.<\/p>\n Brown claimed top spot after coming off the bench for an injured Collaros and leading the blue and gold to a 34-10 victory over the B.C. Lions. Brown helped the Bombers score 31 consecutive points in just over a quarter of play.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Ethan Cairns \/ THE CANADIAN PRESS FILE<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Winnipeg Blue Bombers\u2019 Dorian Singer, centre, recorded four catches for 119 yards and a touchdown in their 34-10 victory over the B.C. Lions, Saturday.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Oliveira finished second after rushing 15 times for 149 yards and two touchdowns, while rookie receiver Dorian Singer placed third with four catches for 119 yards and a touchdown.<\/p>\n It\u2019s the first time this season that all three Players of the Week have come from the same team.<\/p>\n winnipegfreepress.com\/taylorallen<\/p>\n \n\t\tWinnipeg Free Press | Newsletter\n\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t Taylor Allen Taylor Allen is a sports reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. Taylor was the Vince Leah intern in the Free Press newsroom twice while earning his joint communications degree\/diploma at the University of Winnipeg and Red River College Polytechnic. He signed on full-time in 2019 and mainly covers the Blue Bombers, curling, and basketball. Read more about Taylor<\/a>.<\/p>\n Every piece of reporting Taylor produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print \u2014 part of the Free Press\u2018s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press\u2019s history and mandate<\/a>, and learn how our newsroom operates<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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