Getting to B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke on Sunday requires taking care of a first order of business, according to Calgary Stampeders sack specialist Shawn Lemon.
鈥淲e鈥檝e just got to be disruptive,鈥� the Calgary defensive end declared. 鈥淲e can鈥檛 think about Nathan Rourke. We鈥檝e got to think about the guys in front of him because they鈥檙e protecting him first.
鈥淚f we don鈥檛 take care of our work in front of us, we won鈥檛 be able to get to him.鈥�
The Lions and Stampeders clash in the West semifinal at Vancouver鈥檚 B.C. Place in a battle of closely matched teams with identical 12-6 records.
B.C. narrowly took the season series 2-1, winning the first two games by a combined three points. The Stampeders won the third 25-11.
鈥淭his is going to be one of the best matchups of the year,鈥� Stampeder quarterback Jake Maier predicted. 鈥淲e know what they鈥檙e capable of. We know how electric that place is going to be Sunday.
鈥淣othing better than playoff sports. You鈥檝e got to play your best when your best is needed.鈥�
The victor advances to the West final Nov. 13 in Winnipeg against the defending Grey Cup champion Blue Bombers.
The West鈥檚 winner heads to the Nov. 20 Grey Cup in Regina to meet the East Division鈥檚 representative.
After injuring his right foot Aug. 19 and requiring surgery, Rourke started and played just over a quarter in last week鈥檚 24-9 loss to the Bombers.
Despite sitting out eight games, the 24-year-old from Victoria ranked second in touchdown passes (23) and posted the league top completion rate among starting quarterbacks (78 per cent).
In his lone game against Calgary on Aug. 13, the West鈥檚 nominee for top Canadian threw for 488 yards and engineered a come-from-behind 41-40 win over the host Stampeders.
Rourke will need to keep a wary eye on Lemon, the West鈥檚 finalist for defensive player of the year. The 34-year-old shared the league lead for forced fumbles (five) and ranked second in sacks (14).
鈥淚鈥檓 just happy I get to represent this great defence,鈥� Lemon said.
A Stampeder offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks this season (17) and helped Calgary amass a league-high 2,436 rushing yards was initially left off the divisional all-stars list Wednesday before the CFL later released a corrected list with centre Sean McEwen, guard Ryan Sceviour and tackle Derek Dennis all receiving recognition.
Running back Ka鈥橠eem Carey contributed a CFL-best 1,088 yards to the team鈥檚 rushing total.
Carey, Dedrick Mills and Peyton Logan are a triple threat for Calgary鈥檚 ground game.
Mills was among the CFL鈥檚 players of the week after a touchdown and 103 yards in last week鈥檚 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Running back and returner Logan, the Stampeders鈥� nominee for rookie of the year, ranked second in the CFL in all-purpose yards (1,976).
Getting all three into Sunday鈥檚 game requires some tough roster decisions by Calgary head coach Dave Dickenson, but the coach thinks it can be done.
鈥淭here鈥檚 an option out there,鈥� Dickenson said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e got to see where our return game is at and see who else is available.
鈥淵ou do want your best players playing so it would be nice to get all three on the field.鈥�
Stampeders receiver Malik Henry, who compiled 1,023 receiving yards for eight touchdowns, appeared game ready Wednesday after missing three straight with an ankle injury.
Calgary is relatively healthy with most starters available Sunday.
鈥淎 couple guys limited,鈥� Dickenson cautioned. 鈥淭hose are muscle pulls. Those are the toughest ones. The hard thing is do you play them and ultimately they only give you that five, six, eight plays?
鈥淚鈥檝e got to make sure we can get through the game. I do think we鈥檒l have options and some people will be disappointed. We鈥檙e hopeful that it鈥檚 not just for one game. We鈥檙e hoping our series is more than just one game.鈥�
With a snowstorm raging outside, the Stampeders practised Wednesday in a new indoor facility ahead of playing inside again Sunday at B.C. Place.
The largest inflatable dome covering a Calgary athletic field opened last month to provide a winter venue for soccer, lacrosse, football and field hockey teams.
The Stampeders had trained inside before, but in venues not broad enough, or with high enough ceilings for kicks and punts, to run a fulsome practice.
鈥淚t鈥檚 something we should have had 20 years ago, but we got it now and we used it,鈥� Dickenson said. 鈥淲e needed it. We don鈥檛 want to be out there.
鈥淚 really feel our city needs this type of thing. This is great for kids, great for us.鈥�
鈥擠onna Spencer, The Canadian Press
