The Calgary Stampeders aim to duplicate their upset road win over the B.C. Lions when the teams meet in the West Division semifinal Saturday afternoon at Vancouver.
“We’re not overconfident, but we’re excited to have the opportunity,” Stampeders coach Dave Dickenson said. “We’ve always given ourselves a chance all year. A lot of other people may not have. I feel like if we gel and do the right things, we’ve got a chance to beat anybody.”
Calgary (6-12) defeated B.C. 41-16 on Oct. 20. The Lions (12-6) had already clinched second place in the West Division. The Stampeders were fighting for a playoff spot.
The winner will play the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (14-4) in the West final on Nov. 11.
“It’ll be a completely different game, no doubt,” Dickenson said. “We also went over there earlier in the year and took our worst loss (37-9 on Aug. 12) of the year. We have to understand they’re a great team and be ready to play them. Listen, we have to play well. We have to play our best game of the year to beat them.”
Lions coach Rick Campbell said his focus is on advancing more than atoning for the loss.
“I don’t think it’s about getting revenge,” he said. “It definitely hasn’t been the focus. It’s a playoff. People are so focused on the playoffs and wanting to do well. Obviously, we watched that (Oct. 20) game film, but we don’t talk about when we beat them here, we don’t talk about it when we lost here. It’s just playoff football and people wanting to advance.”
The game is a rematch of the semifinal last year won 30-16 by B.C.
The Lions won the first two meetings between the teams this season and took the season series 2-1.
The Lions defeated the Stampeders 25-15 in the season opener June 8 in Calgary. B.C. quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. passed for 300 yards and two touchdowns.
Adams had another big outing against Calgary on Aug. 12 at Vancouver after missing the previous game with an injury. He threw for 322 yards and four TDs in the 37-9 win.
In the game on Oct. 20, Calgary quarterback Jake Maier threw for two TDs and Peyton Logan rushed for 105 yards and one TD.
–Field Level Media