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Three Stars: Jeremiah Johnson, Kyries Hebert and Kendial Lawrence top Week Ten

Three Stars: Jeremiah Johnson, Kyries Hebert and Kendial Lawrence top Week Ten

Moving on with our Three Stars series, here's a look at the top performances of Week Nine, which were spread around the league.

First star/offensive player of the week: Jeremiah Johnson, running back, Ottawa Redblacks: Johnson was a key part of the Redblacks' success in their 35-13 win over Saskatchewan Sunday, rushing for 92 yards and three touchdowns. The Oregon product is in his second season with Ottawa, and he has a chance to play a larger role for the Redblacks following the release of Chevon Walker last week. Johnson was highly efficient with his touches Sunday, too, needing just 12 carries to get those 92 yards (a 7.7 yards per carry average) and adding three catches for 25 yards. He may be a big piece for Ottawa going forward.

(Honourable mentions: Derel Walker, WR, Edmonton; Eric Rogers, WR, Calgary; James Franklin, QB, Edmonton.)

Second star/defensive player of the week: Kyries Hebert, linebacker, Montreal Alouettes: The Montreal defence came up big in a 26-23 win over Hamilton Thursday, the Tiger-Cats' first loss at Tim Hortons Field, and Hebert was essential to their performance. The Louisiana-Lafayette alum had five tackles, a sack and a crucial late interception that sealed the deal. The 34-year-old Hebert only recently came off the six-game injured list, and he's faced significant competition for his job this season, but he shone this week, and he may still be an important part of the Alouettes' defence this season.

(Honourable mentions: Justin Capicciotti, DE, Ottawa; Damaso Munoz, LB, Ottawa; Keon Raymond, LB, Calgary.)

Third star/special teams player of the week: Kendial Lawrence, punt returner/kick returner, Edmonton Eskimos: Lawrence was vital in the Eskimos' 38-15 win over the Toronto Argonauts Friday, returning a punt 64 yards for a touchdown and generally shining in the return game. On the day, the Missouri product had seven punt returns for 124 yards and three kick returns for 68 further yards. He also was effective on offence, collecting 19 rushing yards on one carry and 52 receiving yards (second on the team to only Derel Walker) on seven catches, but it was his special-teams production that really stood out. He's a threat every time he gets the ball, and teams are going to have to be leery of kicking to him.

(Honourable mentions: Marlon Smith, DE/ST, Ottawa; Derek Jones, DB/ST, Winnipeg; Lirim Hajrullahu, P/K, Winnipeg.)

Bonus star/Canadian player of the week: Justin Capicciotti, defensive end, Ottawa Redblacks: Capiciotti was crucial to the tremendous amounts of pressure the Redblacks were able to bring in their win over Saskatchewan, collecting three of the team's 10 sacks. The SFU alum has been a useful fixture for Ottawa through their first two seasons, and he may have even a bigger amount of responsibility now that team sack leader Aston Whiteside has been hurt. He may be crucial to Ottawa's pass rush going forward.

(Honourable mentions: Cory Greenwood, LB, Toronto; Anthony Coombs, RB, Toronto; Lirim Hajrullahu, P/K, Winnipeg.)