Bombers clinch spot in CFL’s post-season

WINNIPEG — T.J. Heath silenced the ribbing from some of his Winnipeg Blue Bombers teammates on Saturday afternoon.

The defensive back intercepted B.C. quarterback Jonathon Jennings and ran 64 yards for a touchdown as Winnipeg clinched a playoff spot in the Canadian Football League West Division with a 26-20 victory over the Lions.

It was Heath’s fifth interception of the season, with the first four snagged back in July. “Obviously, it was a big play in the game,” Heath said of his fourthquarter pick. “But it was good for me to get, too, because the guys had been on my head about dropping (potential interceptions).”

Grabbing a playoff spot in the process added to what Heath called a “fun day.”

“It feels good, but we still have work to do,” he said.

Defensive back Kevin Fogg also helped Winnipeg’s (11-4) defence and special teams shine when the team’s offence wasn’t at its best.

His own interception of Jennings led to Justin Medlock’s third field goal, but Fogg also took a punt return 88 yards for a TD early in the first quarter.

“It was a long time coming for the punt return (TD),” Fogg said of his first official one. “And to get in there on defence and make a play for that interception, I think it was phenomenal.”

Last season as a rookie, Fogg had four punt returns for TDs all wiped out because of penalties.

Brian Burnham had a pair of fourth-quarter TD catches for the Lions (6-9), whose playoff hopes are hanging by a thread.

“Guys understand that with each loss our playoff hopes are fleeting away so guys are sombre,” B.C.’s Solomon Elimimian said. “That’s a tough pill to swallow … it’s a proud organization.”