Stamps knock off Esks
Stamps 43 Eskimos 23 Will host West semifinal game Win puts Lions into first place
CALGARY— The Stampeders capped a season of recovery yesterday by dumping Edmonton 43- 23, clinching second place in the CFL West and gaining home field for next week’s divisional semifinal against the Eskimos. Quarterback Henry Burris, whose off-season signing was viewed as the key to the Stampeders’ rebuilding, threw for 311 yards and three touchdowns.
Burris ran in another on his own.
Calgary’s win leaves the Stampeders and the Eskimos with 11- 7 records, but Edmonton slipped to third place in the West after losing twice to its southern Alberta rival. As a result of Calgary’s win, the B. C. Lions, who lost to Saskatchewan 13- 12 on Saturday night, finished first in the West. The win caps the Stampeders’ amazing road to respectability after three years of missing the playoffs and becoming the laughing stock of the CFL. The Stampeders had won just 15 games in that time, but have had a remarkable turnaround under head coach Tom Higgins.
“It’s an absolutely unbelievable feeling,” said 12- year veteran offensive lineman Jay McNeil. “I’ve been with this franchise through the tough times and the good times and trust me, right now is one of the best times I’ve experienced as a Stampeder.
“ From the start of the season we knew the fans had high expectations of us,” he added. “ After a couple of losing seasons we were fully aware that the hunger for a contender amongst Calgary fans was at an all- time high. Once we found our groove and got everyone on the same page, we’ve played unreal football, some of the best football I’ve been a part of.” The Stampeders are red hot heading into the playoffs. They’ve won seven of their last eight games and finished the regular season with a 5- 4 record at home.
“ I’m glad we worked out all our kinks earlier in the season because right now we feel we’re the team to beat,” said Stamps receiver Jeremaine Copeland.
Burris connected with Brett Ralph, Martay Jenkins and Nik Lewis for touchdowns against the Esks, while Joffrey Reynolds and Nik Lewis ran in two more. Lewis carried the ball eight times for 145 yards. But it was Calgary cornerback Jermaine Chatman’s interception of a Ricky Ray pass and 67yard return in the third quarter that seemed to take the wind out of Edmonton. Ray gave up three interceptions as he went 24 for 40, racking up 228 yards.
For the fifth straight game and despite having one of the top receiving units in the league, Ray did not throw a TD. Edmonton’s Sean Fleming struggled, missing two field goals in the second quarter.