Top 3 Strategies for Calgary and BC to Win the Western Semi-Final

Basio badr

ago 11 hours

The upcoming Western Semi-Final on Saturday promises an exciting matchup between the Calgary Stampeders and the BC Lions at Save-on-Foods Field in Vancouver. Both teams concluded the regular season with identical records of 11-7. However, the BC Lions secured home-field advantage after winning the season series 2-0 against the Stampeders. This game continues their rivalry, as BC won the previous year’s semi-final with a score of 41-30.

Top 3 Strategies for Calgary and BC to Win the Western Semi-Final

Calgary Stampeders’ Key Strategies

Dedrick Mills’ Performance: Running back Dedrick Mills is crucial for Calgary’s success. He finished the regular season with 1,409 rushing yards, leading all players. In their previous encounters, he gained 157 yards against BC. The Lions’ defense allows 105.3 rushing yards per game, offering a strategic opening for Mills.
Strengthening the Secondary: Calgary’s defense, led by head coach Dave Dickenson, must prepare for BC’s aerial attack. Despite finishing seventh in passing yards allowed with 5,099 for the season, the defensive backs, including Adrian Greene and Jaydon Grant, need to improve their coverage in this high-stakes game.
Vernon Adams Jr.’s Game Management: Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. must limit turnovers. In two previous games against BC, he threw five interceptions. Protecting the ball is vital against a formidable BC offense.

BC Lions’ Key Strategies

Utilizing the Passing Game: Quarterback Nathan Rourke is essential for the Lions. He achieved 745 passing yards and six touchdowns against Calgary in their earlier matchups. Key receivers Keon Hatcher Sr. and Justin McInnis are expected to play significant roles.
James Butler’s Availability: Running back James Butler, who has 1,213 rushing yards this season, might be a game-time decision. If he cannot play, Zander Horvath will step in, having scored a touchdown and gained 152 yards in Week 16 against Calgary.
Defensive Pressure: The Lions’ defense, featuring linemen Levi Bell, Mathieu Betts, and DeWayne Hendrix, must aim to contain Mills. Early tackles will be vital to minimize his impact on the game.

Matchup Overview

This Western Semi-Final marks the third meeting between the Stampeders and the Lions in the last four seasons. Previously, BC has emerged victorious in both 2022 and 2023. BC’s overall performance has been impressive, as they topped the league with 559 points. Conversely, Calgary’s defense was among the best, allowing only 416 points this season.

Kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. ET. Fans can watch the game on TSN, TSN2, and RDS in Canada, or on CFL+ in the U.S. and internationally. As both teams prepare for this pivotal clash, the strategies explained could tip the scales in favor of either team.