CALGARY - The Calgary Stampeders can clinch a home playoff date early this CFL season, but the improving BC Lions are determined that it won't happen against them.
The Stampeders top both the CFL and the West Division with a 9-2 record. They host the 3-8 Lions, third in the division, at McMahon Stadium on Saturday (TSN, 6:30 p.m. PT).
While it may look like a mismatch on paper, the Lions have won two of their last three since losing to Calgary at home Aug. 27.
Calgary, already assured of at least a playoff berth, was relatively healthy the first 11 games of the season. But the defensive line has been bitten by the injury bug and slotback Nik Lewis will sit out Saturday's game with what is said to be a minor knee injury.
"Everybody out there knows definitely we want the home playoff game," Stampeder quarterback Henry Burris said Friday. "We know this B.C. Lions team is a very good team and they're going to play their butts off, and let's see what type of team we are.
"If we're that team that can be a champion, well, here's a way to go out and show we have that type of capability. If the guys who are coming off the bench really want to be out there, here's their opportunity."
Stampeder defensive lineman Tom Johnson, Corey Mace and Robert McCune are out with various ailments, which means more time on the field Saturday for Tearrius George, Mike Landry and Miguel Robede at tackle.
Lewis ranks second behind Romby Bryant in touchdowns for Calgary with six. He says he tweaked his knee a few times during last Friday's 43-37 overtime loss in Saskatchewan. The most noticeable instance was on the final play of the game when he went down trying to cover Wes Cates in the end zone.
Stampeder head coach and general manager John Hufnagel says Lewis would be in the lineup if this was a playoff game.
"If it's a-win-or-go home situation, then I think Nik is healthy enough to take the chance of going out there and playing," Hufnagel said. "With it being a lot of football left in this season . . . I will give him some extra time if that time is available."
Montreal's Jabari Arthur will start in pace of Lewis.
"I'm not trying to fill anybody's shoes," Arthur said. "I'm just trying to keep mine tight."
Both clubs are coming off agonizing losses with mixed emotions. The Lions led 28-16 after three quarters at home against Hamilton, but five turnovers in the fourth quarter was their downfall in a 35-31 loss.
Calgary's eight-game winning streak ended in Regina. Burris says his team played well enough to beat the Roughriders, but couldn't finish the job.
"It was a loss, but I think we can take a lot of positives out of that loss because I think it will re-focus us and put us in the direction we need to go," the Stampeder quarterback said. "And now with some of the injuries we do have going into this game, it's going to show the type of depth we have and the type of focus we have and the type of dedication."
Lions coach Wally Buono says his players didn't plummet into despair following the loss to Hamilton because they played a decent game until the final quarter.
Quarterback Casey Printers was intercepted twice and fumbled the ball twice. The Lions are still in contention for a playoff spot and the pressure is on the BC pivot to keep them there.
"It's going to be a tough and scrappy game for us, but we understand we have to stay in there for 60 minutes and if we can do that, I like our chances," Printers said.
"Our team is poised and we understand ... it's just a matter of making things happen and making them happen at the most opportune time."
The Stampeders haven't gone 10-2 since 1995. The team plans to honour running back Joffrey Reynolds during halftime Saturday for becoming the franchise's all-time rushing leader on Sept. 10 versus Edmonton. Reynolds has tallied 8,417 yards.
"It's great the Stamps are doing that, but first and foremost, we're coming out here to beat BC," Reynolds stated. "A lot of people made comments about how this isn't an important game for us, but it really is. We want to get to 10 wins and we're trying to solidify a home playoff game. And it's against a Western opponent, so a lot of things on the line for tomorrow night."
Buono confirmed defensive end Brent Johnson's knee is healthy enough to play Saturday. Johnson was hit from behind after the whistle by Ticats lineman Jason Jimenez in last week's game. Defensive tackles Khalif Mitchell, recently released by the San Francisco 49ers, and Richard Jones will make their CFL debuts with the Lions.
Notes: Calgary is 2-0 versus BC this season with wins of 27-22 and 48-35 at Empire Field in Vancouver . . . The Stampeders are undefeated at McMahon this season at 5-0, while the Lions are 2-3 on the road . . . Saturday's game marks the return of defensive lineman Jesse Newman to McMahon Stadium. After abruptly retiring and then un-retiring, the Stampeders traded Newman to the Lions earlier this month.
