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Lions Lose Another BC 12 Saskatchewan 13

By 250 News

-by John Goodwin


“They didn’t deserve to win and they don’t deserve to be there”..... Ben Meisner

The 12 and 5 BC Lions...”first place on the line” and looking to regain their early season form, took to the field in their finale’ against the 8 and 9 Saskatchewan Roughriders Saturday night, before a packed house of 40,000 ish loyal fans at BC Place Stadium.

Nothing like leaving business til the last minute.

That said however, with so much at stake, the football faithful had good reason to assume there’d be no lack of fire in the belly’s of their Lion gladiators this game, and what better way to end the season if not on a winning note.

By getting it done against the Roughriders they’d wrap up not only top spot in the West and indeed the league, they’d also secure a bye and most importantly control their own destiny from hereon in, all within the (warm) and friendly confines of the dome.

After exploding out of the gate to start the campaign, this BC team now have the worst record in the CFL since September 17, taking just 2 out of a total 12 possible points in their past six games leading to this match-up. That said however, playing in front of their faithful fans this season has been very kind to the Leos, winning all but one game.

In their favor this day, was the futility being lived out by their opponents through their uninspiring road record of 3 and 5.

It was of course this same Riders team that stopped the Lion’s season “home” undefeated streak stone cold back on Oct. 1st.

In the interest of keeping the QB controversy alive, Casey Printer’s other brother Dave would give way to his backup this night and the Riders, not to be outdone started Nealon Greene (who hadn’t played since August ) in place of their number one Marcus Crandell who is purportedly under the weather...quick, someone get the Lakota.

Defensive halfback Mark Washington was alternated in and out of the lineup after a long absence from the team with a broken collar bone.

A post mortem:

Bam!!
The sound of a football team with very lofty dreams hitting the wall.

The Lions, now losers of six of their last seven games are a team in disarray and sit just one wave short of a shipwreck..

Geroy Simon again guaranteed the BC following a win in this one, and his brash gesture unfortunately proved this time to be one too many times to the well.

The Lions started the night on fire, and for most of the first half dominated the game, overpowering the Riders.

BC take their first possession and march right through the Rider’s “D” from deep in their own end to the Saskatchewan 16 yd. line. The drive unfortunately stalled setting up a three pointer by Mark McLoughlin, his 7th out of 9 tries since coming out of retirement.

At this early juncture DE Brent Johnson, wearing the most beat up helmet of any player in the league was giving the Rider’s “O” line fits as he spent the evening in their backfield and their QB’s face.

At 6:34 of the same frame Rider kicker Paul McCallum gave up a safety on a bad snap by his center Steve Glen....5-0 BC

Five minutes later Mark McGlaughlin would split the uprights again for three and at the 14:00 minute mark the Riders finally hit the score sheet with three of their own off the toe of Paul McCallum.

The Lions would score the only points of the second quarter compliments of Mark McGlaughlin, a 42 yarder early in the second quarter to end the half 11-3 Lions.

To the end of the first half the Lions had 8 first downs to just 4 for the Riders and the total yards were 141-101 respectively

While the Leos were putting up points, Printer’s inability to find his receivers was clear as he either missed his man or spent too much time looking for his second and third reads and the pocket would finally collapse around him.

The Lion’s coaching staff made the mistake at this point of sitting O’Mahony on kickoffs and replaced him by Mark McLaughlin. Late in the half on a kickoff, the BC kicker went down with what looks at this point like a pulled hamstring. He would miss a FG early in the second half, and his leg strength was clearly less than what it had been.....a huge blow for the Lions!

In the latter part of the first half the Riders were successful in shutting down Antonio Warren as his “O” line couldn’t give him lanes in which to run. This would degenerate into in a predictable, one dimensional attack by the Leos and other than a missed FG resulting in a single by BC at the seven min. mark of Q3, the Lions were unable to score another point this night.

.Meanwhile the deal was sealed in the fourth quarter with 10 unanswered points by the Riders on an early 26 yard FG by McCallum and capped off with the major at 13:24 to Jason French from Nealon Greene. The two point convert attempt was stopped short by the Lions on their three yard line...13-12 Saskatchewan.

Dave Dickenson replaced Casey Printers to start the second half but after quickly proving to be ineffective and sacked four times he was pulled.



Notes:

Dead team walking: How BC finishes in the standings at this juncture have been ripped from their control.
Individually, all they can do now is park themselves in front of their big screens with a cold one, hoping, indeed praying (if they’re so inclined) the Stampeders knock off the Eskimos in Calgary this afternoon in the battle of Alberta, and to make the heart ache go away some may even want to put little cuts in their arms.

The Eskimos offense has gone four games without a passing touchdown and has scored only two majors in the past two outings, however kicker Sean Femming continues to be the first star game in and game out. 

In the Lion’s favor is the strong belief on the Stampeder side of the ball, that they will win the game and take second, thus leaving the Eskimo’s (and their swagger) in third place in the West.

“Sack” it to me: The Lions dumped the Saskatchewan QB four times this night, with Brent Johnson....a Coke machine with hair, delivering three of those put downs. This leaves the BC defensive end with 15 for the season, tops in the CFL.
Going into this game the Roughriders were best in the league at protecting their QB.

CFL RAW: The game was a battle of two good defenses where both sides would only slightly bend, and other than one major given up by BC neither one broke.

The Roughriders ended a three game losing streak with the win.
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