Stamps kick to Labour Day win

CALGARY — A Rene Paredes field goal with no time left on the clock preserved the Calgary Stampeders’ string of Labour Day victories.

Calgary held off the Edmonton Eskimos 23-20 for a seventh straight win in the traditional Battle of Alberta on the September holiday Monday. The Stampeders remained unbeaten at home this season at 6-0, but paid a price to climb to 9-1 atop the CFL’s West Division.

Calgary’s star receiver Kamar Jorden and starting cornerback Ciante Evans left the game with lower-body injuries and did not return.

Calgary also had a major scare in the third quarter when quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell appeared to hyperextend his left knee.

Mitchell wore a brace in the fourth quarter when he moved the chains for Paredes to boot the winning 43-yard field goal.

“We love these battles. That’s why we play football. You don’t play football for blowouts,” Mitchell said.

“You play football for grinding things out, playing through things, having to put your fingers in the dirt, wipe some blood off your face and go out there and get a win.”

The right-footed Paredes prefers to kick from the left of the uprights in case he hooks it. A pair of running plays got him to that side of the field.

“Before that drive, I walked over and he said, ‘Just get me there.’ I said, ‘You know I will. I’ll get you there, you put it in,”’ Mitchell said. “That’s exactly what happened. Love that guy. Always will.”

Monday’s game and Saturday’s rematch in Edmonton are the only two games between the provincial rivals on the regularseason schedule.

Edmonton (6-5) was up 17-13 at halftime Monday, but the committed three costly turnovers – two fumbles and an interception.