Demerio Houston was hardly pencilled in as a starter on the Blue Bombers’ defence before the season started. Now, just five games into the campaign, the fourth-year defensive back has written his name on the starting 12 in irreversible ink.
Houston came up with his team-leading third interception of the season in the third quarter of a tight contest against the Calgary Stampeders on Friday. It’s become commonplace to see the 26-year-old come up with the football. Not only are his three picks tied for the league lead this season, but Houston now has five interceptions in just 19 career games.
“I’m definitely getting comfortable, definitely feeling myself out,” Houston said of his position in co-ordinator Richie Hall’s scheme.
RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Blue Bombers’ Demerio Houston came up with his team-leading third interception of the season in the third quarter of a tight contest against the Calgary Stampeders on Friday.
“I felt like I was playing at a very high-level last year and then the injury happened. So at the beginning of the season, I was just getting my feet back underneath me, but the guys that I played with, they’re making sure I know what I’m doing, I’m comfortable and vice-versa. It just helps me play fast.”
Indeed, it’s been a tumultuous journey for the Shelby, N.C., product to this point. After spending most of his time on the practice squad and appearing in just four games in 2021, Houston was awarded the biggest opportunity of his career when veteran Winston Rose missed time with an injury last season. He went on to start the next nine games, recording two interceptions and 27 tackles while playing some of the best football of his career.
He even supplanted Tyquwan Glass in the starting lineup once Rose was cleared to return. Then, an injury forced Houston to miss the rest of the regular season, and due to the Bombers signing former Hamilton Tiger-Cats defensive back Desmond Lawrence halfway through the year, Houston’s services were no longer needed in the postseason.
“It was definitely hard and it was frustrating, but I just used it to prepare me for this season,” said Houston. “I got to work during the offseason, made sure that my body was prepared for this season so I wouldn’t let my team down because I felt like I let my team down, not being available for them.
“So that’s my goal for this season, to finish off the season and be available for my team.”
Houston’s return to the starting lineup was made a bit easier than expected this offseason with Rose nursing another injury and starting the year on the six-game injured list. But, even when Rose is ready to return, Houston has made it near-impossible to take him back out of the lineup.
“Johnny on the spot, picking up fumbles, always running to the ball and then he’s got three interceptions, which means he’s playing the ball well in the air,” said head coach Mike O’Shea. “But he does hustle to the ball and he’s a good athlete and just the way he sees the game has grown, I believe. He’s certainly done well for himself and for us.”
Job posting for returner
On Monday, the Bombers began their internal tryouts for a returner to fill the void left by regular return-man Janarion Grant, who did not practice Monday and was reportedly seen in crutches following Friday’s game against Calgary.
Greg McCrae, Demerio Houston, Nic Demski, Abu Daramay-Swaray, Rasheed Bailey and Brad Muhammad all saw reps at punt-returner during the team’s special teams period.
“We’ll be fine,” said head coach Mike O’Shea.
“It’s always difficult when you (lose) the guy who’s probably the best in the league. The guy stepping in has big shoes to fill. But, we got a bunch of guys that are willing to do it, who can do it. Can they do it as well as Janarion? Well, we’ll see.”
RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
“I’m definitely getting comfortable, definitely feeling myself out,” Blue Bombers’ Demerio Houston said of his position in co-ordinator Richie Hall’s scheme.
The Bombers have not disclosed how much time Grant will miss. The 29-year-old leads the CFL in punt return yards (314), kickoff return yards (298), all-purpose yards (710) and has one kick return touchdown this year.
Injury report
Backup quarterback Dru Brown did not return to practice Monday. The second-year pivot missed Friday’s game against Calgary for non-football-related reasons. Defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat was present at practice but did not participate.
On a brighter note, four players who started the season on the six-game injured list participated in Monday’s session, including defensive backs Winston Rose and Jamal Parker, linebacker Kyrie Wilson and fullback Konner Beternshaw, who still sported a cast on his left hand.
“(It means) they’re ready to practise,” said O’Shea. “From there, we just have to wait and see but they’re ready to practise. From my experience, if (head athletic therapist) Al (Couture’s) got them ready to practise — they’ve worked hard enough to be ready to practise — they can step in and play, too.
“But we take our time, also. They have a week grace period where they can practice — so they practice for two weeks before they get a chance to play.”
Twitter: @jfreysam
Joshua Frey-Sam
Reporter
Joshua Frey-Sam happily welcomes a spirited sports debate any day of the week.
