Argos receiver Brandon Banks looking to star on the other side of Ticats rivalry

Argos receiver Brandon Banks is on “the other side” of the Hamilton-Toronto rivalry and, after eight seasons with the Tiger-Cats, he knows how deep the animosity is.

“On the previous side, we were taught to hate the Argos,” Banks said. “I was told, ‘We don’t care about any other game but the Labour Day game,’ that is how much it means to the city. So, now, on the other side, it feels good to go in there and stop that feeling for them. Any time you get up and play (opponents) who are a half-hour away from you, it puts a chip on you shoulder.”

There will be plenty opportunities to create that chip in the coming weeks, with the two teams meeting four times in five games. The Argos, 4-3 on the season, came from behind to beat the Ticats, 2-6, in the first of those meetings in Toronto last week. They play again Friday night at Hamilton’s Tim Hortons Field.

While the teams always look ahead to the Labour Day game, this unusual bunching of games presents an opportunity for the Argos to establish a solid hold on first place in the East Division, and for Hamilton to regain the ground it has lost so far this season.

Friday’s game also presents an opportunity for Banks, who could get more looks from quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson with slotback Eric Rogers out six weeks with an injury again.

“(Banks will) be in our starting five (receivers and backs),” Argos coach Ryan Dinwiddie said. “Last week, with Eric, we wanted to get him on the field, and I think he completed about 50 per cent of our snaps, so (the injury) was a tough loss. But, yeah, we want to get Speedy (Banks) going, but we don’t want to force the ball to him just because we’re playing in Hamilton. I think he will have some opportunities to make some plays for us.”

Banks has 16 catches for 239 yards this season, just 31st in the league. He has not been featured much as a returner and, at least in terms of yardage, he is not near the level of his 2019 season when he was named the CFL’s outstanding player. But he remains dangerous and if there’s a game that could bring out his talents, it’s a tilt against his former teammates.

“It’s going to be a dope experience, it’s going to be different and weird at the same time, said Banks, who joined the Argos as a free agent in December. “Obviously it’s the only relationship that I’ve known in football. I am looking forward to each moment.”

Banks is close with “at least 70 per cent” of the Hamilton roster, including all-star linebacker Simoni Lawrence, one of the league’s best trash-talkers. The two will certainly be in each other’s ears Friday night.

“Who knows about that guy, he can come up with anything at any moment,” Banks said, smiling. “We know he’s a great football player, he can get into you and kind of distract you … I know how to play games with him, I know him more than anybody on the football field, I know how to play his games, so it’s going to be fun and competitive.”

The Ticats suffered a major blow last week, losing receiver Bralon Addison, one of their top offensive threats, to a ruptured Achilles tendon. Banks said he has been texting his former teammate every day, offering encouragement, and “just being there for him.”

Hamilton will also be without No. 1 quarterback Dane Evans, sidelined by a shoulder injury. Matthew Shiltz will get his first start of the season.

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