Hamilton Tiger-Cats host Toronto Argonauts in annual Labour Day clash

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats take on the Toronto Argonauts in a significant Labour Day football match on Monday. This annual rivalry game is more than just bragging rights, as the outcome could impact the teams' standings in their respective conferences.

Hamilton (4-8) will host Toronto (5-6) at Hamilton Stadium, where the winner will take the season series 2-1 and gain the tiebreaker if the season ends in a tie. For Toronto, a win would put them four points ahead of Hamilton in the East Division race, with Toronto having a game in hand.

Hamilton head coach Scott Milanovich has stressed the importance of this game to his players, as it could significantly influence their chances for a second-place finish in the East Division. Toronto, on the other hand, has won three of the last four Labour Day matchups, including a 35-33 victory last year thanks to Lirim Hajrullahu's game-ending 11-yard field goal.

This will be McManis' first Labour Day game as a Ticat, having recently signed with Hamilton after four seasons with Toronto. McManis emphasized the significance of the game to Hamilton fans, who view a win as a symbol of their town's grit and determination.

Toronto dispatched Hamilton 39-20 at BMO Field on August 22, rushing for a season-high 145 yards. The Argos have started four games of the season with 100 or more rushing yards. Rookie Isaiah Smith ran for a career-high 99 yards in that game.

Despite suffering a broken toe in a previous game, Toronto quarterback Chad Kelly will make his 12th start of the season against Hamilton. McManis expressed skepticism about Kelly's injury, stating that he has faith in his quarterback's ability to perform.

Defensive back Tre Ford will make his sixth start for Hamilton in search of his second win, while American Nahree Biggins will start at running back ahead of Larry Roundtree III, who was placed on the reserve list. Toronto defensive back Devynn Cromwell, a 26th-round pick by Hamilton, will make his CFL debut on special teams after recovering from knee surgery sustained in March.