Taming the Lions won’t be easy.

Having won four of their last five games, the surging BC squad is looking to upset the Stamps at McMahon Stadium on Saturday.

Even in their friendly confines, the Red & White understand the challenge ahead.

“We always play well and have great energy at home,” said quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell. “We know we’re going to be playing a great group this week and they’ve been playing well as of late and they’re fighting for a position right now.

“We know we’re going to get everything they have and it’s going to be tough.”

And to make things tougher, they’ll be without the services of Marken Michel, Terry Williams, and Brandon Smith.

Those injuries have opened up roster opportunities for other players, however, including receiver Chris Matthews, who was signed by the team just two weeks ago.

“It’s been your life as a quarterback, your receivers always change,” explaned Mitchell. “My job is to go out there and do my job. Like Dave [Dickenson] said, dogs be dogs and playmakers be playmakers. So I’ve got to go out there and make plays and trust those guys to go out there and make plays, as well.”

“I watched (Matthews) in the Super Bowl and in Winnipeg, as well. He’s a great receiver that has a lot of intangibles. He’s obviously at a deficit, only being here for two weeks. We’ll get him balls when we can and work him in where I can, but I’ve got to trust all of my guys that are out there.”

Another recent signee who will get plenty of playing time this weekend is DaShaun Amos, who replaces Smith at the halfback position.

With plenty of moving parts for the Stampeders, this weekend’s game becomes about more than just a chance to clinch the West (a win and Saskatchewan loss seals the deal), but a chance for players to get valuable experience before the playoffs begin.

And it’ll feel like the playoffs tilt, as the Lions are battling for their own chance to participate in the post-season.

“We know it’s going to be a dog fight,” said receiver Lemar Durant. “At the end of the year, everyone is battling for a spot. They’re in desperation mode right now, they’re trying to win every game.

“We just want to come out and get better. Right now with the injuries, we are trying to get better and get everyone used to playing because you don’t know who will be in there come playoff time. Every game is a stepping stone.”

For the Stamps to keep their perfect home record intact on Saturday (7-0 so far this season), they’ll have to control the line of scrimmage and one of the newest additions to the Lions running game – Tyrell Sutton.

With the already talented Jeremiah Johnson working in the backfield and quarterback Travis Lulay having the ability to maneuver in the pocket, Calgary’s defensive line will have their work cut out.

“Sutton is a great back,” said defensive lineman Cordarro Law. “He’s a hard runner – tough guy, big guy. It won’t be any different than last week’s running back, who was a big guy. It’ll be another challenge for us with Sutton.”

“With Lulay, he’s a veteran quarterback, he’s still got game. Even though he’s older and he’s been through some injuries, he’s still got game, so you have to respect it.”

Additions to this week’s 46-man roster are Patrick Levels, Romar Morris, DaShaun Amos, and Chris Matthews. The subtractions will be Troy Stoudermire, Brandon Smith, Terry Williams, and Marken Michel.