There is only one essential key to victory, I think.

Execution. It covers everything. Coaches almost always bring it up.

But within that expansive, very general category, their are myriad subcategories. And we are here to look at a few of those as we get ready for Week 9 in the CFL, where a number of teams are seeking a sustained forward gear, while the powers at the top — Edmonton and Montreal — look to keep their momentum going.

Here’s one key for each team in Week 9.

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Thursday, July 30 8:30 p.m. ET TSN/RDS/CFL

One team ought to get freaky. The other might want to get freaky too. Less, freaky, sure. Just a little freaky.

The BC Lions head for Winnipeg, weighed down with a 1-5 record, a record that most everyone would have scoffed at if you’d predicted that prior to the season beginning.

Quarterback Nathan Rourke is still out. Rookie pivot Kaidon Salter is in, making his first CFL start after trotting out from the bullpen last Saturday in the Lions’ 26-12 loss to Toronto.

Let it fly, is my feeling here. The 23-year-old appears to have a strong arm and a pair of quick getaway sticks, so let the young man cook the way he feels he must. If he needs to run for 120 in order for you to win? Let him. If most of your passing plays wind up off-script? Go for it.

There’ll be........

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