Lions clinch playoff spot in West

WINNIPEG — It was a wet, wild night at Investors Group Field as turnovers helped the B.C. Lions lock up a playoff spot in the CFL West with a 53-17 win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Adam Bignell, Nick Moore, Dante Marsh, Cord Parks, Andrew Harris and quarterback Thomas DeMarco had touchdowns for the Lions (9-4).

Paul McCallum added three field goals and a couple of singles. Clarence Denmark had both touchdowns for the Blue Bombers (2-11) and Sandro DeAngelis had a field goal.

The Bombers poor play hasn’t helped but a cool night and showers also left the stands emptier than they have been all season.

The announced crowd of 29,457 seemed generous and was down to only the diehards before the end of the game. Buck Pierce got the biggest cheer of the night when he took over from DeMarco in the third quarter. Winnipeg traded Pierce to B.C. at mid-season.

Joey Elliott, cut by the Bombers as well before the season started, also saw a little action late in the game for the Lions. The first quarter was a comedy of errors for the Bombers, who opened with a turnover as Will Ford bobbled a lateral from quarterback Max Hall on his first play of the game.

Bighill, a linebacker, snatched it up in the scramble and took it 30 yards for the Lions’ first touchdown.

It was basicallay downhill after that for the hapless Bombers who trailed 33-14 at the half and 47-14 after three quarters.