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November 15, 2017

Plenty on the line

Stamps offensive during the 2017 Labour Day Classic (Photo by Mark Shannon)

It all starts with the line.

On one side, attacking the quarterback. On the other, protecting him.

Stampeders head coach Dave Dickenson told the media on Tuesday the Western Final against the Edmonton Eskimos was going to be a battle of the defensive lines. He also suggested points will be at a premium, so keeping Calgary quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell on his feet will be key to Sunday’s outcome.

“It’s super important,” said offensive lineman Shane Bergman. “From snap one to snap 60 or however many snaps it takes, I don’t want him to get touched at all. That means that Bo will have a great game, our receivers will be on and Jerome Messam will be running the rock hard.”

On the year, the Stampeders are 2-1 against the Eskimos, winning the Labour Day Classic and rematch but later losing a close affair in Edmonton.

The Eskimos’ win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Western Semi-Final set the stage for the latest Battle of Alberta.

Just like most other games against their rivals to the North, it will be a challenge.

“It’s going to be a hard-fought game,” Bergman said. “They have one of the best defences and offences in the league, so it’ll be a hard-fought match. It’s going to be a great battle.”

In three games against the Eskimos this season, the Stamps offensive line has only allowed three sacks.

They’ll be hoping to keep up that level of play in the Western Final, but they know they’ll be in tough against Esks d-linemen such as Odell Willis, Euclid Cummings and Almondo Sewell.

“It’s tough, they’re great pass rushers,” admitted Bergman. “But for myself, I’ve played Edmonton more than or as much as any other team in my career, so I’m used to what they do. They’re great football players, so it’ll be a great battle.”

Luckily for the offensive line, they get to practise against some of the best.

With the three of the league’s top sack-getters (Charleston Hughes, Micah Johnson and Ja’Gared Davis) on the Stamps, the Calgary o-line gets to face some of the toughest pass-rushers on a daily basis. That experience will be priceless moving forward.

“Going against Charleston, Micah, James Vaughters, guys like that,” said Bergman. “It prepares us for what (the Eskimos) will bring on Sunday.”

With a chance to go back to the Grey Cup, Bergman’s plan to win on Sunday is simple.

“Play good football,” he said.