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November 4, 2022

West Semi-final Preview: Stamps @ Lions

Win you stay in.

Lose and it’s all over.

Simple as that.

The Stampeders and BC Lions renew their rivalry Sunday afternoon in Vancouver, the winners earning a trip to Winnipeg for the West Final.

The Lions won the season series 2-1 with all three wins coming from the road team. Despite losing the season series, the Stampeders outscored the Lions 94-83 in the three tilt: the Lions winning 41-40 and 31-29. and Calgary beating BC 25-11.

Stamps veteran receiver Reggie Begelton knows the playoffs are a whole different level.

“I mean playoffs, the name says it all,” he said. “It tells you that urgency is here. It’s a new season, we win or go home, it’s that simple fact.”

The Stampeders led the league in rushing  this season with 2,436 yards on the ground and gave up the fewest sacks with just 17.  Begelton knows establishing the run will be the key to offensive success on offence.

“That’s our identity,” he explained. “As long as we can continue to possess that identity we’ll be alright. We’re a run-first team, that’s what they have to focus on and if we can keep doing that the ceiling is high.”

Of course, it won’t be easy. The Lions possess the fourth-best defence in the league when it comes to rushing yards against per game, giving up 94.1 throughout the season.

“They have a really good aggressive secondary,” Begelton said. “They play good as a defence and they thrive on making plays. We’re going to have to bring it because if we don’t and we give them momentum it’s going to be hard to take it back.”

When asked what his team has to do to make sure they are off to Winnipeg next week, his message was simple.

“We have to win, period. No matter what happens, at the end of the game if we have more points than them that’s what matters.”

Kickoff is scheduled for Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

 

Season Stats Leaders:

Quarterbacks

 Jake Maier (CGY): 2389 yards, 14 touchdowns, seven interceptions

Nathan Rourke (BC): 3349 yards, 25 touchdowns, 10 interceptions

 

Rushing

 Ka’Deem Carey (CGY): 1088 yards, 10 touchdowns

James Butler (BC): 1060 yards, seven touchdowns

 

 Receiving

 Malik Henry (CGY): 1023 yards, eight touchdowns

Dominique Rhymes (BC): 1401 yards, 11 touchdowns

 

 Defence

Shawn Lemon (CGY): 29 tackles, 14 sacks, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries

Jordan Williams (BC): 96 tackles, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries