Eskimos defensive back Kenny Ladler rewarded for key interception against Ticats

HAMILTON — As defensive back Kenny Ladler dressed after the Eskimos’ 24-21 victory over Hamilton in the CFL Eastern semifinal, an Edmonton teammate deposited $30 in his locker-room stall with the promise of another $20 to come.

“Game winner,” another Eskimo yelled in Ladler’s direction.

A Ladler interception with some 90 seconds remaining proved to be the difference Sunday, with the 24-year-old rookie from Vanderbilt returning the ball four yards to the Hamilton 20-yard line. Six plays later, Sean Whyte booted a nine-yard field goal to propel the Eskimos into next Sunday’s Eastern final in Ottawa.

Ladler kept the interception ball and picked up a cool $800 thanks to an informal pool run by the Edmonton defence, with the pot going to whoever made the key play on the day.

“We were just back in zone coverage,” explained Ladler, his voice raspy from celebrating. “I think the quarterback (Zach Collaros) forced it and it was coming right to me. I made sure I made the play. And then after I caught the ball, I was thinking ‘Score. So I got up.

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“I had a facemask that wasn’t called. But it’s all good. We still won. It was a big play that our team needed and I was glad I could make it. That’s pretty much what happened.”

Hamilton coach Kent Austin called the Collaros pass an errant throw.

“It looked like it came out of his hand funny,” he said. “So I’m not sure he had a grip on the ball properly.”

Ladler has been making contributions all season. The six-foot-one 207-pounder started 17 games, registering 70 tackles, two interceptions, and two fumble recoveries.

The Georgia native missed the last game of the season through injury.

Ladler signed as a free agent on May 30. He had four tackles in two regular-season games with the Buffalo Bills in 2014, a stint that made him ineligible for rookie of the year in the CFL.

“I don’t understand that if I’m on a rookie contract,” he said. “It makes no sense to me how that happens, but I mean it is what it is. I’m just here to do my job and make sure that I’m able to put my team into a position to win.”

As for the interception ball, Ladler says he has plans for it.

“That’s coming back to the crib,” he said with a smile. “We’re going to put it on a plaque or something …That was a special interception.”

The pool was a form of encouragement, Ladler said. “A little bit of motivation and a little bit of fun at the same time.”

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Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press