HAMILTON – There’s a lot more at stake this Monday for Wynton Mc Manis and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Hamilton (4-8) will face off against Toronto (5-6) in their traditional Labour Day matchup, which stands out as the biggest rivalry between these two teams. But for the Ticats, this game is critical for their season in front of a packed house at Hamilton Stadium.
The team that wins will claim the season series 2-1 and secure the tiebreaker if they finish with identical records at year’s end. A victory would also push Toronto four points ahead of Hamilton in the race for second place in the East Division, with one game still to play.
This means Hamilton would have just five games left to try to surpass Toronto for second place. With how tight things are for third in the West, it appears that whoever finishes fourth may cross over to grab the final playoff spot in the East Division.
“It’s a really big game given it’s Labour Day and what’s riding on it,” Mc Manis said Sunday after Hamilton’s walkthrough. “I think everyone knows it’s an important matchup.”
“The weather looks great; I believe the clouds will clear up and we’ll see some sunshine. There’s no reason not to give everything we’ve got and leave it all on the field like it’s our last game of the season.”
Hamilton head coach Scott Milanovich doesn’t need to remind his players about what’s on the line this afternoon.
“No, they’re definitely aware,” he stated. “This is a crucial game if we want to stay competitive for second place in the East.”
“That certainly adds some extra excitement, no doubt about it.”
Hamilton has dominated their all-time series with a record of 37-16-1. However, Toronto has claimed three out of their last four meetings on Labour Day, including a narrow 35-33 win last year thanks to Lirim Hajrullahu’s last-second 11-yard field goal.
Hajrullahu is back in action for Toronto this Monday after missing several games due to injury. His last appearance was during Hamilton’s close 24-23 victory on July 18 when these teams first met this season.
In that contest, Hajrullahu had an opportunity to win but missed a late-game 31-yard field goal attempt and also failed on an earlier convert kick.
This marks Mc Manis’s first Labour Day showdown as part of the Ticat roster. He joined Hamilton during off-season after spending four years with Toronto where he won two Grey Cups (2022, ’24).
“From day one when I signed here I’ve heard how much this game means (to Hamilton),” Mc Manis shared. “Ticats fans make sure you understand just how significant it is to beat (Toronto).
“They’ve gotten used to seeing their team play with that underdog mentality and grit. We aim to deliver that same energy because that’s what feels like home here in Hamilton.”
Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly (12) throws a pass during first half CFL football action against Saskatchewan Roughriders in Regina on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Kayle Neis
The Argos took down Hamilton 39-20 at BMO Field on August 22 by rushing for an impressive season-high of 145 yards. Rookie Isaiah Smith made his mark with a career-high of 99 rushing yards as Toronto improved its record to 4-0 when they rush over 100 yards.
Smith will be starting again Monday while American Qualan Jones suits up after running for only 37 yards against Hamilton back in August.
“It’ll be different now but we don’t allow anyone easy yardage,” Mc Manis emphasized. “We’re committed to making sure we stop them.”
Chad Kelly will make his twelfth start this season despite dealing with a broken toe sustained during Toronto’s recent loss against Saskatchewan on August 29 where he threw for over 400 yards along with three touchdowns but had two interceptions too.
“I’m not sure I buy into that injury talk,” Mc Manis remarked regarding Kelly’s condition. “I’m skeptical.”
This week Kelly ranks second among CFL quarterbacks with passing yards (3,642) while being tied atop touchdown passes (24). On another note though, he’s thrown more interceptions than any other player this season with a total of seventeen picks.
Even after throwing an interception he’s willing to keep trying deep throws.
“Many quarterbacks might shy away from certain plays because they’ve struggled before,” said Mc Manis referring specifically about playing against Kelly’s style “But going up against Chad means you can expect him take those risks so we must find ways capitalize.”
Tre Ford from Niagara Falls will be looking towards his sixth start hoping for another win after claiming his first victory against Toronto earlier this season.
American Nahree Biggins gets promoted as starting running back instead Larry Roundtree III who was moved onto reserve list recently. Canadian defensive back Devynn Cromwell , picked up by Ticat ’ s third round draft pick , finally makes debut playing special teams.
This five-foot-eleven , two-hundred pound native Torontonian underwent knee surgery following injury encountered while attending Michigan State pro day event back March.
This report by The Canadian Press was initially September six , twenty-six.
Dan Ralph , The Canadian Press
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This marks Mc Manis’s first Labour Day showdown as part of the Ticat roster. He joined Hamilton during off-season after spending four years with Toronto where he won two Grey Cups (2022, ’24).
“From day one when I signed here I’ve heard how much this game means (to Hamilton),” Mc Manis shared. “Ticats fans make sure you understand just how significant it is to beat (Toronto).
“They’ve gotten used to seeing their team play with that underdog mentality and grit. We aim to deliver that same energy because that’s what feels like home here in Hamilton.”
Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly (12) throws a pass during first half CFL football action against Saskatchewan Roughriders in Regina on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Kayle Neis
The Argos took down Hamilton 39-20 at BMO Field on August 22 by rushing for an impressive season-high of 145 yards. Rookie Isaiah Smith made his mark with a career-high of 99 rushing yards as Toronto improved its record to 4-0 when they rush over 100 yards.
Smith will be starting again Monday while American Qualan Jones suits up after running for only 37 yards against Hamilton back in August.
“It’ll be different now but we don’t allow anyone easy yardage,” Mc Manis emphasized. “We’re committed to making sure we stop them.”
Chad Kelly will make his twelfth start this season despite dealing with a broken toe sustained during Toronto’s recent loss against Saskatchewan on August 29 where he threw for over 400 yards along with three touchdowns but had two interceptions too.
“I’m not sure I buy into that injury talk,” Mc Manis remarked regarding Kelly’s condition. “I’m skeptical.”
This week Kelly ranks second among CFL quarterbacks with passing yards (3,642) while being tied atop touchdown passes (24). On another note though, he’s thrown more interceptions than any other player this season with a total of seventeen picks.
Even after throwing an interception he’s willing to keep trying deep throws.
“Many quarterbacks might shy away from certain plays because they’ve struggled before,” said Mc Manis referring specifically about playing against Kelly’s style “But going up against Chad means you can expect him take those risks so we must find ways capitalize.”
Tre Ford from Niagara Falls will be looking towards his sixth start hoping for another win after claiming his first victory against Toronto earlier this season.
American Nahree Biggins gets promoted as starting running back instead Larry Roundtree III who was moved onto reserve list recently. Canadian defensive back Devynn Cromwell , picked up by Ticat ’ s third round draft pick , finally makes debut playing special teams.
This five-foot-eleven , two-hundred pound native Torontonian underwent knee surgery following injury encountered while attending Michigan State pro day event back March.
This report by The Canadian Press was initially September six , twenty-six.
Dan Ralph , The Canadian PressSource link
