Getting to B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke on Sunday requires taking care of a first order of business, according to Calgary Stampeders sack specialist Shawn Lemon.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e just got to be disruptive,B次元官网网址 the Calgary defensive end declared. B次元官网网址淲e canB次元官网网址檛 think about Nathan Rourke. WeB次元官网网址檝e got to think about the guys in front of him because theyB次元官网网址檙e protecting him first.
B次元官网网址淚f we donB次元官网网址檛 take care of our work in front of us, we wonB次元官网网址檛 be able to get to him.B次元官网网址
The Lions and Stampeders clash in the West semifinal at VancouverB次元官网网址檚 B.C. Place in a battle of closely matched teams with identical 12-6 records.
B.C. narrowly took the season series 2-1, winning the first two games by a combined three points. The Stampeders won the third 25-11.
B次元官网网址淭his is going to be one of the best matchups of the year,B次元官网网址 Stampeder quarterback Jake Maier predicted. B次元官网网址淲e know what theyB次元官网网址檙e capable of. We know how electric that place is going to be Sunday.
B次元官网网址淣othing better than playoff sports. YouB次元官网网址檝e got to play your best when your best is needed.B次元官网网址
The victor advances to the West final Nov. 13 in Winnipeg against the defending Grey Cup champion Blue Bombers.
The WestB次元官网网址檚 winner heads to the Nov. 20 Grey Cup in Regina to meet the East DivisionB次元官网网址檚 representative.
After injuring his right foot Aug. 19 and requiring surgery, Rourke started and played just over a quarter in last weekB次元官网网址檚 24-9 loss to the Bombers.
Despite sitting out eight games, the 24-year-old from Victoria ranked second in touchdown passes (23) and posted the league top completion rate among starting quarterbacks (78 per cent).
In his lone game against Calgary on Aug. 13, the WestB次元官网网址檚 nominee for top Canadian threw for 488 yards and engineered a come-from-behind 41-40 win over the host Stampeders.
Rourke will need to keep a wary eye on Lemon, the WestB次元官网网址檚 finalist for defensive player of the year. The 34-year-old shared the league lead for forced fumbles (five) and ranked second in sacks (14).
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 just happy I get to represent this great defence,B次元官网网址 Lemon said.
A Stampeder offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks this season (17) and helped Calgary amass a league-high 2,436 rushing yards was initially left off the divisional all-stars list Wednesday before the CFL later released a corrected list with centre Sean McEwen, guard Ryan Sceviour and tackle Derek Dennis all receiving recognition.
Running back KaB次元官网网址橠eem Carey contributed a CFL-best 1,088 yards to the teamB次元官网网址檚 rushing total.
Carey, Dedrick Mills and Peyton Logan are a triple threat for CalgaryB次元官网网址檚 ground game.
Mills was among the CFLB次元官网网址檚 players of the week after a touchdown and 103 yards in last weekB次元官网网址檚 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Running back and returner Logan, the StampedersB次元官网网址 nominee for rookie of the year, ranked second in the CFL in all-purpose yards (1,976).
Getting all three into SundayB次元官网网址檚 game requires some tough roster decisions by Calgary head coach Dave Dickenson, but the coach thinks it can be done.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 an option out there,B次元官网网址 Dickenson said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e got to see where our return game is at and see who else is available.
B次元官网网址淵ou do want your best players playing so it would be nice to get all three on the field.B次元官网网址
Stampeders receiver Malik Henry, who compiled 1,023 receiving yards for eight touchdowns, appeared game ready Wednesday after missing three straight with an ankle injury.
Calgary is relatively healthy with most starters available Sunday.
B次元官网网址淎 couple guys limited,B次元官网网址 Dickenson cautioned. B次元官网网址淭hose are muscle pulls. Those are the toughest ones. The hard thing is do you play them and ultimately they only give you that five, six, eight plays?
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e got to make sure we can get through the game. I do think weB次元官网网址檒l have options and some people will be disappointed. WeB次元官网网址檙e hopeful that itB次元官网网址檚 not just for one game. WeB次元官网网址檙e hoping our series is more than just one game.B次元官网网址
With a snowstorm raging outside, the Stampeders practised Wednesday in a new indoor facility ahead of playing inside again Sunday at B.C. Place.
The largest inflatable dome covering a Calgary athletic field opened last month to provide a winter venue for soccer, lacrosse, football and field hockey teams.
The Stampeders had trained inside before, but in venues not broad enough, or with high enough ceilings for kicks and punts, to run a fulsome practice.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 something we should have had 20 years ago, but we got it now and we used it,B次元官网网址 Dickenson said. B次元官网网址淲e needed it. We donB次元官网网址檛 want to be out there.
B次元官网网址淚 really feel our city needs this type of thing. This is great for kids, great for us.B次元官网网址
B次元官网网址擠onna Spencer, The Canadian Press