Lions ready to be road warriors
B.C. getting back star linebacker, Elimimian, for East semifinal in Hamilton on Sunday
SURREY — Solomon Elimimian has spent much of the CFL season watching his teammates on the B.C. Lions’ defensive line first struggle, then surge.
After notching 26 defensive tackles in the team’s first four games, Elimimian was sidelined by a wrist injury in B.C.’s win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on July 14.
“When the team has success without you, you have to put your pride aside,” he said. “I’ve learned a lot this year.” Now the four-time All-Star linebacker is ready to get back on the field. Elimimian expects to be in the starting lineup on Sunday when the Lions (9-9) face off against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (8-10) in the East Division semifinal.
B.C. struggled to start the season, going 3-6 in the first half before winning 5-of-6 in September and October.
A powerful defensive line was key to the turn in fortunes.
Having Elimimian back will “lift the group,” not only because of his physicality, but because of his leadership both on and off the field, said veteran B.C. quarterback Travis Lulay. B.C. Lions defenders Otha Foster III (31), Bo Lokombo (20) and Davon Coleman (90) gang tackle Don Jackson of the Calgary Stampeders in Vancouver last Saturday.
Elimimian practised with his teammates this week and Lulay said he found himself smiling as they lined up for a snap.
“Solomon just plays with such emotion that it can’t help but rub off in a positive way,” he said. Elimimian is pumped to make an impact. “(Hamilton) is a formidable team, a good team, a well-coached team,” Elimimian said. “So it’s going to take every single man in there to know their role and do their role effectively.”