Calgary Stampeders’ Brandon Smith (28) tries to stop Edmonton Eskimos’ Adarius Bowman (4) from scoring a touchdown during first half of a Canadian Football League West final in Edmonton, Alberta, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDITChris Jones has been here before, but never as a head coach. For Adarius Bowman, the whole experience is brand new.
Jones, who played at South Pittsburg High School and the University of Tennessee R Chattanooga, has helped seven Canadian Football League teams reach the Grey Cup as an assistant coach, with three Cup victories. Now Jones has a chance to claim his first title as a head coach when he leads the Edmonton Eskimos into this evening’s title game.
Bowman, the former Notre Dame High School all-state receiver, will play in a championship game for the first time in an accomplished eight-year professional career. He comes into the game as the Eskimos’ leading receiver, a second straight 1,300-plus yard season.
Those two, as well as linebackers coach Phillip Lolley, a former North Jackson High and Auburn University coach, will try to help Edmonton win the 103rd Grey Cup today against the Ottawa RedBlack at 6:30 p.m. (ESPN2).
“I’m really proud of the way Adarius has matured into a leader,” Jones said this past week. “I told him when I took over here that he had a chance to become really special, and right now he’s the best receiver in our league.