Stampeders tame Lions, stay on track for repeat
CALGARY— The Stampeders remained in the hunt for a second straight Grey Cup with a 35-9 win over the B.C. Lions in Sunday’s West Division semifinal.
The defending champions travel north to Edmonton to meet the Eskimos next Sunday. The winner books a berth in the Nov. 29 Grey Cup in Winnipeg.
The provincial rivals tied for the best record in the CFL at 14-4, but Edmonton won the season series and thus the playoff bye.
“I think it’s going to be a whale of ball game,” Stampeders head coach John Hufnagel said.
The Stampeders will play their seventh division final in eight seasons since Hufnagel became coach and general manager in 2008. He will step aside from coaching next season to make way for offensive co-ordinator Dave Dickenson and continue as GM.
So, Sunday’s game was Hufnagel’s last at McMahon Stadium on the Stampeders sidelines.
“We won and that’s a good thing,” Hufnagel said.
Stampeders quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell improved to 3-0 in CFL playoff starts. The West’s nominee for CFL MVP completed15 of 24 pass attempts for 199 yards and threw a pair of touchdown passes to Eric Rogers. Running back Jerome Messam ran for a touchdown and posted a combined 147 yards, rushing and receiving. Defensive end Keon Raymond ran an interception in for a major in the opening quarter.
Anthony Parker caught a two-point convert throw and Rene Paredes kicked a field goal in front of an announced crowd of 26,306. Calgary punter Rob Maver added a pair of singles.
The Lions replied with a trio of Richie Leon field goals. B.C. did not score an offensive touchdown against Calgary this season.