It had the makings of an epic battle if the BC Lions could just string together enough good football to make it a game.

 

While they hadn’t yet reached Devcon 2, it was apparent that because they’d squandered much of the season, the Lions needed to take at least half of the back to back series to show that the Hamilton win wasn’t just a dead cat bounce.

It was also important to retain control of their destiny, or it would take a collapse by one or more of the three frontrunners to keep BC on track for avoiding a crossover while clinging to an eventual chance at the playoffs. Hope however, is never a good strategy.

 

It was the introduction of newly acquired future hall of famer Charles Roberts to the Lion faithful and he didn’t disappoint. With two great running backs lined up together along with a very deep set of receivers, there is potential once the offence is fine tuned, for some creative schemes that would drive opposing teams nuts.

 

Sadly the numbers game may just leave many of the Lion faithful and league pundits wondering, as BC’s brilliant RB and kick returner Ian Smart was odd man out tonight.

Will Ian Smart become expendable?

 

Only the wily strategist walking the sidelines knows where this is all going.

 

A pleasure to see the team come to play. The offense had not given up a sack in the last two games in spite of the fact that one of those opponents was the league’s number two quarterback killer behind the Lions. While the streak ended in this one, they managed to give Buck Pierce ample time most of the game to pick out his receivers.

 

On that note Buck took two big hits late in the game, and here’s hoping he has no issues emerge out of these assaults.

 

On the other side of the ball the defense was also picking up steam and tonight may just have been their coming out. They had crucial stops throughout the game to include a two stop goal line stand in the fourth quarter and great quarterback pressure by the four horsemen, looking much like my dog chasing down the neighbors cat, with 5 sacks to leave them atop the CFL with 36 for the season thus far. There were also several rushed passes by Michael Bishop, one which was intercepted by the Lions.

 

QB starter Buck Pierce had it going at the right times in spite of a glaring lack of production over 2 quarters of play, to include the third with only two first downs to end the frame. Pierce entered the game with a 71% passing average since beginning to play in place of Jarious Jackson. Based on tonight’s performance that number will drop.

 

Jason Clermont has to be one of the most resilient people in the league. I had to smile as he lumbered off with a shoulder separation and asked to have the team’s medical staff push it back into place. He than put on his pads and jersy to re-enter the play.

 

I see opposing quarterbacks have noticed Reggie Miles on the field in the DB position in the absence of a broken Dante Marsh.

 

I only mention this because his inexperience is resulting in a feeding renzy as he is giving up a lot of ground, not to mention TD’s.

 

WR Rufus Skillern has had a great start in his rookie season, but last night is one he will not be calling home to discuss. He dropped 5 straight pass attempts, all catchable and mostly in crucial situations. Fortunately for him the kid shows good potential and we’ll likely see more of his upside in future.

 

Good to see the BC Lion’s version of Roger Ramjet, Geroy Simon again terrorizing opposition DB’s. In keeping with the old adage of “when your opponent is drowning, throw them an anchor", his catch and yac’s for 76 yards at 3:09 of the fourth quarter was indeed the game breaker as it put the Lions up 28-16 and had the Roughies in a sulk on the sidelines.

 

Next game Saturday, Sept 13^th in Riderville, so gather up the neophytes, load up with popcorn and softdrinks and introduce your kids to the great Canadian game of CFL Football.