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LIONS HEAD TO CALGARY FOR FIRST-PLACE SHOWDOWN WITH STAMPS
CALGARY– It was largely assumed that the Calgary Stampeders would be at or near the top of the CFL’s West Division in 2016. It was largely assumed the BC Lions would not be.
Yet here we sit in Week 6, with the Lions headed to McMahon Stadium trying to grow their lead atop the West Division against a Stamps team that dominated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Week 5.
Anytime the two best defences in the CFL meet up, you know the game is likely to be an in-your-face trench battle. Especially given the fact BC’s run game has been its bread and butter to begin 2016 and Calgary’s D-line has been fearsome at times.
The Lions surprised many pundits and fans alike in Week 1, when they edged the Stamps in Vancouver. Fast forward to Week 6 and the Leos are looking to legitimize their contender status as the season rolls into its middle stage.
“I think everybody understands the next challenge,” head coach Wally Buono told BCLions.com. “Calgary has been an elite team for a lot of years and going into McMahon is never easy. If you want to be an elite team, you have to beat the elite teams.”
BC’s marched to the beat of its own orange-coloured drum in 2016; where running numbers are down across the league, the Leos have utilized the trio of Anthony Allen, Jeremiah Johnson and Chris Rainey to great effect. Buono’s bunch has scored more times on the ground (5) than any other team in the league.
BC’s received a boost this season from a revamped defence which has come up with big play upon big play.
“We’ve been flying around and making a lot of plays, having a lot of fun with each other,” said Leos defensive back Ronnie Yell. “Everybody’s clicking on all cylinders.”
With plenty of chirping back and forth ever since BC knocked off the Stamps in Week 1, Yell admitted there’s a little extra on the line anytime the orange suits up against the red.
“It’s always a challenge, they’ve been one of the top teams in the league for several years,” said the San Jose State alum. “It’s one of our biggest rivalries — it makes us bring our A-game, our intensity, hit a little harder, be a little nastier.”
With much of the league still not sold on the 3-1 Lions as a serious contender, Yell summarized the importance of his team’s trip to Calgary.
“We have something to prove; not only to Bo or Calgary, but to the league,” said the defensive back. “We’re just going to play our game, go out there and get the win.”
Lions defensive tackle Alex Bazzie has exploded out of the gate in his third CFL season, registering four sacks in four games and being a beast on the line. The Marshall product has registered a sack in every game thus far in 2016 and will be a defensive key for the Lions as they try to get pressure on Bo Levi Mitchell.
Linebacker and tackle-machine Adam Bighill has picked up where he left off for BC in 2015, posting a team-high 30 tackles through four games. The Central Washington grad led the CFL in defensive tackles with 114 last season.
Dutch slotback Geraldo Boldewijn will make his first start as Lion following the season-ending injury suffered by Nick Moore.
On the Calgary side of the ball, the outlook is scarily similar. An often-dominant defence (86 points against) and strong run game have complemented Bo Levi Mitchell’s passing game nicely.
“They play good defence, the offence puts up points, they have a lot of big plays and they’re consistent in what they do,” Mitchell said of the Lions to Stampeders.com. “Special teams is a threat. When you’ve got three aspects of the game that can come out and put points on the board, you’re tough to beat.”
Friday night’s matchup against BC will be Calgary’s first home game since Canada Day.
“We love playing in front of our fans and always play well in front of them,” said Mitchell of the Stamps’ return home. “We’re well-aware of the (standings) situation but not overthinking — it’s a football game at home, in conference, and those are the most important games to win.”
Mitchell holds Calgary’s franchise record for most consecutive games with a pass touchdown (19), and now holds a career record of 30-7-1 in the CFL — pretty darn good.
Calgary head coach Dave Dickenson echoed his quarterback’s sentiments on home games.
“If you’re going to win your conference, you’ve got to win at home,” said Dickenson. “If we can protect our house, win a good chunk of (our home games) and then steal some on the road, we’ll be in a good spot to win (the division).”
Calgary will hope a mixture of Mitchell’s passing game and power back Jerome Messam’s running game will be capable of breaking down a Lions defence that has been consistently stingy all season.
While favoured target Joe West remains on the six-game injured list, Mitchell’s been able to spread his passes throughout a deep receiving core that includes wideout Anthony Parker (192 yards, 1 TD) and slotbacks Marquay McDaniel (286 yards, 3 TDs) and Bakari Grant (153 yards).
By the Numbers
9 – Career touchdown receptions for national Calgary WR Anthony Parker, who’s in the midst of a career year.
13.1 – BC’s league-best average punt return. The Leos also have the best kickoff returns (26.9) in the league.
23 – Combined sacks registered by the Lions (12, 2nd) and Stamps (11, 3rd)
250 – League-high rush yards eaten up thus far by Calgary RB Jerome Messam.
The Skinny
This is a mouth-watering matchup for diehard Lions/Stamps fans and neutrals alike. Two of the league’s top defences, champing at the bit to prove which one is top dog in a pre-existing rivalry.
The upstart Lions have something to prove to the rest of the league, while Calgary is trying to reassert itself as the team to beat in the West Division.
Calgary’s 1-0 at home, BC 2-0 on the road. Something’s got to give.
Expect a dogfight.
Kickoff is slated for 10 p.m. ET and can be seen live on TSN or followed online via CFL.ca GameTracker.
LIONS HEAD TO CALGARY FOR FIRST-PLACE SHOWDOWN WITH STAMPS
CALGARY– It was largely assumed that the Calgary Stampeders would be at or near the top of the CFL’s West Division in 2016. It was largely assumed the BC Lions would not be.
Yet here we sit in Week 6, with the Lions headed to McMahon Stadium trying to grow their lead atop the West Division against a Stamps team that dominated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Week 5.
Anytime the two best defences in the CFL meet up, you know the game is likely to be an in-your-face trench battle. Especially given the fact BC’s run game has been its bread and butter to begin 2016 and Calgary’s D-line has been fearsome at times.
The Lions surprised many pundits and fans alike in Week 1, when they edged the Stamps in Vancouver. Fast forward to Week 6 and the Leos are looking to legitimize their contender status as the season rolls into its middle stage.
“I think everybody understands the next challenge,” head coach Wally Buono told BCLions.com. “Calgary has been an elite team for a lot of years and going into McMahon is never easy. If you want to be an elite team, you have to beat the elite teams.”
BC’s marched to the beat of its own orange-coloured drum in 2016; where running numbers are down across the league, the Leos have utilized the trio of Anthony Allen, Jeremiah Johnson and Chris Rainey to great effect. Buono’s bunch has scored more times on the ground (5) than any other team in the league.
BC’s received a boost this season from a revamped defence which has come up with big play upon big play.
“We’ve been flying around and making a lot of plays, having a lot of fun with each other,” said Leos defensive back Ronnie Yell. “Everybody’s clicking on all cylinders.”
With plenty of chirping back and forth ever since BC knocked off the Stamps in Week 1, Yell admitted there’s a little extra on the line anytime the orange suits up against the red.
“It’s always a challenge, they’ve been one of the top teams in the league for several years,” said the San Jose State alum. “It’s one of our biggest rivalries — it makes us bring our A-game, our intensity, hit a little harder, be a little nastier.”
With much of the league still not sold on the 3-1 Lions as a serious contender, Yell summarized the importance of his team’s trip to Calgary.
“We have something to prove; not only to Bo or Calgary, but to the league,” said the defensive back. “We’re just going to play our game, go out there and get the win.”
Lions defensive tackle Alex Bazzie has exploded out of the gate in his third CFL season, registering four sacks in four games and being a beast on the line. The Marshall product has registered a sack in every game thus far in 2016 and will be a defensive key for the Lions as they try to get pressure on Bo Levi Mitchell.
Linebacker and tackle-machine Adam Bighill has picked up where he left off for BC in 2015, posting a team-high 30 tackles through four games. The Central Washington grad led the CFL in defensive tackles with 114 last season.
Dutch slotback Geraldo Boldewijn will make his first start as Lion following the season-ending injury suffered by Nick Moore.
On the Calgary side of the ball, the outlook is scarily similar. An often-dominant defence (86 points against) and strong run game have complemented Bo Levi Mitchell’s passing game nicely.
“They play good defence, the offence puts up points, they have a lot of big plays and they’re consistent in what they do,” Mitchell said of the Lions to Stampeders.com. “Special teams is a threat. When you’ve got three aspects of the game that can come out and put points on the board, you’re tough to beat.”
Friday night’s matchup against BC will be Calgary’s first home game since Canada Day.
“We love playing in front of our fans and always play well in front of them,” said Mitchell of the Stamps’ return home. “We’re well-aware of the (standings) situation but not overthinking — it’s a football game at home, in conference, and those are the most important games to win.”
Mitchell holds Calgary’s franchise record for most consecutive games with a pass touchdown (19), and now holds a career record of 30-7-1 in the CFL — pretty darn good.
Calgary head coach Dave Dickenson echoed his quarterback’s sentiments on home games.
“If you’re going to win your conference, you’ve got to win at home,” said Dickenson. “If we can protect our house, win a good chunk of (our home games) and then steal some on the road, we’ll be in a good spot to win (the division).”
Calgary will hope a mixture of Mitchell’s passing game and power back Jerome Messam’s running game will be capable of breaking down a Lions defence that has been consistently stingy all season.
While favoured target Joe West remains on the six-game injured list, Mitchell’s been able to spread his passes throughout a deep receiving core that includes wideout Anthony Parker (192 yards, 1 TD) and slotbacks Marquay McDaniel (286 yards, 3 TDs) and Bakari Grant (153 yards).
By the Numbers
9 – Career touchdown receptions for national Calgary WR Anthony Parker, who’s in the midst of a career year.
13.1 – BC’s league-best average punt return. The Leos also have the best kickoff returns (26.9) in the league.
23 – Combined sacks registered by the Lions (12, 2nd) and Stamps (11, 3rd)
250 – League-high rush yards eaten up thus far by Calgary RB Jerome Messam.
The Skinny
This is a mouth-watering matchup for diehard Lions/Stamps fans and neutrals alike. Two of the league’s top defences, champing at the bit to prove which one is top dog in a pre-existing rivalry.
The upstart Lions have something to prove to the rest of the league, while Calgary is trying to reassert itself as the team to beat in the West Division.
Calgary’s 1-0 at home, BC 2-0 on the road. Something’s got to give.
Expect a dogfight.
Kickoff is slated for 10 p.m. ET and can be seen live on TSN or followed online via CFL.ca GameTracker.
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