Alouette incumbent Tim Maypray has returned from personal workouts and coaching a high-school football team to reclaim his job.   Patient rookie Bo Bowling has stayed dutifully on the practise roster since showing  bursts of speed at training camp.   Only 1 will head to Vancouver for the Als' must-win game against the Lions Saturday night (hear it live on CJAD 800 starting with the Countdown to Opening Kickoff at 9:30PM).

Maypray is taking nothing for granted: "things happen for a lot of reasons in the CFL," says the man who was slowed by injury early in the season but then was released after refusing to take a paycut by going on the PR or re-sign for next season.

Bowling feels he's won the trust of the coaches even though 2 other rookies were promoted ahead of him (Perry Floyd-released, Rashad Slaughter-staying with the Als until he gets his next shot). 

Bowling got emotional, almost choked up, when talking about the opportunity to make his CFL regular season debut.

"My father, my coach...they've stuck with me through hard times," said the former Oklahoma State receiver.  "It's been a very long road and I've waited for this day to come."

Bowling didn't want to re-hash the specifics: being charged with felony drug posession in 2009, a scandal that threatened his football career.

Now with their careers at the crossroads, Maypray and Bowling have met at the intersection of Alouette practise Thursday to finalize who will run back kicks and perhaps secure the job for the playoff run.

Coach Trestman may have hinted Bowling has the inside track by saying it's easier to evaluate someone who has stayed with the team than a player who has been away from the game for several weeks.