After starting the season at 1-5, it appeared that the BC Lions’ hopes for a playoff spot were done.
Now that they have won six of their last seven games, the Lions (7-6) are in a strong position to make the playoffs. A win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday night in Vancouver will get them one big step closer.
Continuing to win over the last five games not only might assure a first-round home game but could lead to a West title if Edmonton runs a fade pattern down the stretch.
First things first, winning the season series with Saskatchewan (8-5), which is a game ahead of B.C., is on the mind of coach Buck Pierce.
“We all understand where the standings are right now,” he said. “It’s two competitive teams that are playing good football, coming off wins, getting healthy; hopefully, at the right time. So it should be a good game.”
BC knocked off the host Roughriders 30-16 on Aug. 23 as Nathan Rourke passed for 355 yards and two touchdowns.
The Lions’ only loss in their last seven games was a 37-30 shootout at Montreal on Sept. 4. They avenged it on Sept. 12 by hammering the Alouettes 48-29.
The Roughriders are also coming off a bye week. Unlike BC, they lost prior to their bye, displaying little life offensively during a 19-6 setback on Sept. 12 at Winnipeg. They have dropped three of their five games and sit 1 ½ games behind Edmonton in the West.
The defending Grey Cup champions could clinch a playoff spot with a win, as well as victories by Toronto over Winnipeg and winless Ottawa defeated Calgary this weekend. But foremost on their mind is finding their best form.
They should have help doing that on Friday night. Key performers like running back A.J. Ouellette and wide receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker return to beef up the offense. Schaffer-Baker has missed the last six games with a knee injury, while Ouellette has played in just four games due to ankle and knee injuries.
“Any time you miss one game, one play, it sucks,” Ouellette said. “It’s good to get back out here. I hope Coach (Corey Mace) gives me the nod to play this week.”
–Field Level Media
