The upcoming clash between the Calgary Stampeders and BC Lions promises to be thrilling as they vie for a spot in the Western Final. This semi-final is scheduled for Saturday at Save-on-Foods Field at BC Place.
Calgary vs. BC: 3 Strategies for Western Semi-Final Triumph
Both teams finished the regular season with the same 11-7 record. However, the Lions secured home-field advantage by winning their season series against Calgary 2-0. The last encounter in the 2023 Western Semi-Final saw BC defeating Calgary 41-30.
Key Strategies for Calgary Stampeders
- Dedrick Mills’ Performance: Running back Dedrick Mills leads the league with 1,409 rushing yards. He has previously rushed for 157 yards against BC and needs to dominate on the ground for Calgary to succeed.
- Defensive Backfield Preparedness: The Stampeders’ secondary must enhance their coverage. This unit finished the season allowing 5,099 passing yards. Defensive backs Adrian Greene and Jaydon Grant will play crucial roles in mitigating BC’s aerial attack.
- Quarterback Vigilance: Vernon Adams Jr. must focus on ball security. In two prior matchups this season, he threw five interceptions. Limiting turnovers is essential against a potent BC offense.
Key Strategies for BC Lions
- Passing Game Execution: Quarterback Nathan Rourke is pivotal for the Lions, having passed for 745 yards and six touchdowns against Calgary this season. Receiver duo Keon Hatcher Sr. and Justin McInnis should be heavily utilized.
- James Butler’s Status: Running back James Butler is a game-time decision. With 1,213 rushing yards and 439 receiving yards in the season, his performance is vital. If unable to play, Zander Horvath will step in after a strong Week 16 showing.
- Defensive Strategies: The Lions’ defense will focus on containing Mills. Key players like Levi Bell, Mathieu Betts, and DeWayne Hendrix must tackle effectively and limit Calgary’s ground game.
Game Day Details
This semi-final marks the third encounter between BC and Calgary in the last four seasons, with the Lions winning in both 2022 and 2023. With BC leading the league with 559 points this season, they pose a significant challenge. Conversely, Calgary’s defense has allowed only 416 points, the second fewest in the league.
The match kicks off at 5:30 p.m. ET, offering viewers various options to watch the game on TSN, TSN2, and RDS in Canada, as well as CFL+ in the U.S. and internationally.
