Three Stars: J.C. Sherritt, Duron Carter and Brandon Banks light up the CFL in Week Nineteen

Welcome to another edition of our Three Stars series, this time spotlighting the best performances from Week Nineteen.

First star/defensive player of the week: J.C. Sherritt, linebacker, Edmonton Eskimos: While much of the attention heading into Saturday's Edmonton - B.C. clash was on Lions' linebacker Solomon Elimimian's attempt to break Sherritt's 2012 single-season record of 130 defensive tackles (which he did in, notching 12 tackles to boost his total to 137 with a game still to go and adding an interception), it was the old record-holder who was perhaps even more impressive. Sherritt has battled injuries this year and hasn't dominated the stat sheet regularly, only recording 31 tackles to date, but he was terrific Saturday, notching three sacks on blitzes, adding a forced fumble and putting up a team-high seven tackles. The Eastern Washington alum's performance was a huge part of the suffocating defence that led the Eskimos to a 37-3 win, which let them clinch second place in the West. Sherritt said before the game that winning mattered to him much more than records, so he'll probably be just fine with Saturday's outcome.

(Honourable mentions: Solomon Elimimian, LB, B.C.; Ted Laurent, DT, Hamilton; Bear Woods, LB, Montreal.)

Second star/offensive player of the week: Duron Carter, wide receiver, Montreal Alouettes: Carter was essential to Montreal's 17-14 win over Toronto Sunday, hauling in 11 catches for 181 yards and a touchdown. His production marked 72 per cent of the 251 total passing yards Jonathon Crompton threw for, illustrating just how good their chemistry has become and how important Carter is to this Alouettes' offence. On the season, Carter (whose convoluted college career includes playing time at Ohio State and Coffeyville Community College, plus brief non-playing stints at Alabama and Florida Atlantic) has 71 catches for 987 yards and six touchdowns. He's been vital for the Alouettes over the last two years, and his play is turning heads south of the border as well.

(Honourable mentions: Jeremiah Johnson, RB, Ottawa; Tyrell Sutton, RB, Montreal; Mike Reilly, QB, Edmonton.)

Third star/special teams player of the week: Brandon Banks, punt returner/kick returner, Hamilton Tiger-Cats: Banks delivered one of the week's most electrifying plays Friday in Hamilton's 34-25 win over Ottawa, taking a kickoff back 103 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter. That one proved vital, as it brought the trailing Ticats back within one point before the half and paved the way for their second-half triumph. It was the only kick return for Banks on the night, and he didn't shine in the punt return game (15 yards on four attempts), but it was more than enough to get him a spot here. The Kansas State alum did well for Hamilton on offence Friday too, adding the Ticats' only offensive touchdown of the night on a 13-yard pass from Zach Collaros. If he can keep his impressive production going, and if the Tiger-Cats can find a way into the playoffs (they'll likely need a win against Montreal or a Toronto loss to Ottawa), he'll be a player to watch out for.

(Honourable mentions: Hugh O'Neill, P/K, Edmonton; Lirim Hajrullahu, P/K, Winnipeg; Swayze Waters, P/K, Toronto.)

Bonus star/Canadian player of the week: Ted Laurent, defensive tackle, Hamilton Tiger-Cats: Laurent has been a pass-rushing force on the inside for Hamilton, and he was crucial for them again against the Redblacks Friday, notching three tackles and two sacks. There aren't many Canadians who can play DT and do it well, but Laurent has proven to be a valuable part of the Ticats' defence. Former Edmonton general manager Eric Tillman (now Hamilton's director of U.S. scouting) nabbed Laurent out of Ole Miss (interestingly enough, he played there while current Ticats' head coach and general manager Kent Austin was the Rebels' offensive coordinator) with a second-round pick in the 2011 supplemental draft, and while he had three reasonably-productive years with the Eskimos, moving to Hamilton in free agency this offseason has worked out tremendously well for him. He has a career-high nine sacks so far this season, plus 24 tackles. If the Tiger-Cats can get into the playoffs, opponents will have to game-plan for Laurent, and it won't be easy.

(Honourable mentions: Justin Capicciotti, DE, Ottawa; Hugh O'Neill, P/K, Edmonton; Lirim Hajrullahu, P/K, Winnipeg.)

Thanks for reading! You can submit nominations for the Three Stars feature to me during the week's games via Twitter or e-mail. Check back at 55-Yard Line after the week's games for the results.