Breadcrumb Trail LinksSportsFootballCFLVictory over host Elks helps Red and White in bid to host West Division semifinal next SaturdayPublished Oct 25, 2025 • 5 minute readAfter a 20-10 win Friday night in Edmonton, the Calgary Stampeders are on a three-game winning streak heading into the 2025 CFL playoffs. Jason Franson/The Canadian PressArticle contentThe 2025 Canadian Football League regular season is over for the Calgary Stampeders.Advertisement 2THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsArticle contentUnlike last fall, they can now say, ‘Bring on the playoffs!’Article contentArticle contentAn impressive 11-7 record is taking them there a year after missing out on the CFL post-season for the first time in two decades.A nice rebound by the Stampeders, for sure.And they are headed into the Grey Cup dance on a three-game win streak, with the latest ‘W’ earned Friday night in a 20-10 decision over the host Edmonton Elks.An opening-drive touchdown by short-yardage specialist Quincy Vaughn marked the winning team’s only major, while kicker René Paredes — with field-goals made from 12, 44, 41 and 10 yards and a successful convert — and punter Mark Vassett — with a fourth-quarter single — combined to register the rest of the Red and White points.The game was a rubber match between the Alberta rivals, with the Stamps prevailing for a 2-1 score in head-to-head meetings on the year.Advertisement 3Article contentMeanwhile, the Elks dropped to 7-11 and finish dead last in the CFL’s West Division.Here are 5 takeaways from the Stampeders victory Friday evening at Commonwealth Stadium …Read More 'Go, Jays!' Calgary Stampeders draw inspiration from World Series chase Dedrick Mills leads charge for Calgary Stampeders up for CFL awards Calgary Stampeders in Week 21: Derrick Moncrief leads club in bid for home-field playoff advantage 1) SECOND LIFEWith the win over their provincial rivals, the Stampeders have held up their end of the bargain to get themselves a home playoff game.They now need the BC Lions (10-7) to lose to the host Saskatchewan Roughriders (12-5) in Saturday’s CFL action (5 p.m., TSN) in order to earn the right to host next Saturday’s West Division semifinal. That loss by the Leos would finish the Stamps second in the division behind the top-spot Roughriders, who pocketed a bye directly to the West final last month, but one win ahead of the Lions to score that home advantage next weekend.Your Midday SunYour noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Your Midday Sun will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againArticle contentAdvertisement 4Article contentHowever the West wraps up, a top-three finish in the division wasn’t seen by many pundits ahead of the current campaign, giving reason to praise the Stamps for a remarkable turnaround after last year’s 5-12-1 record.2) CONFIDENT ADAMSHe might not be exactly ‘Big-Play V.A.’ as is always advertised, but Stamps QB Vernon Adams Jr. is ‘Confident V.A.’ again.In the three wins the Stamps have racked up since Adams and the Stamps halted a four-game free-fall that dropped them down in the West standings, the quarterback has sparkled.His talk of having lost confidence during the skid can be put to rest since Adams has completed more than 80% of his passes in this return to the win column by the Stamps. The QB’s also used his feet to establish offensive rhythm and keep drives alive at pivotal moments. And — most importantly — V.A. hasn’t tossed an interception in this run of late-season victories.Advertisement 5Article contentThat kind of game efficiency is the stuff that can take a team on deep playoff runs.On Friday, Adams finished 17-of-20 for 285 passing yards — 136 of them thrown to the night’s top receiver, Erik Brooks.3) DEVINE DEFENCEWith dynamic safety Damon Webb out of the lineup, the Stamps have needed somebody to step into such a key spot on defence. And fellow defensive back Bailey Devine-Scott has done just that in the face of plenty of pressure.On Friday, the Australian’s strong education as starting safety continued, as he made one of the game’s highlight plays by tracking down Elks star running back Justin Rankin from behind and punching the ball out of his hands at the Stamps’ one-yard line. The fumble and ensuing recovery by Stamps cornerback Dolani Robinson kept the score 13-0 for the visitors and should give Devine Scott a boost of confidence that he can work that safety spot in even bigger moments down the line. And it’s likely the Stamps will need him to do just that with Webb out indefinitely.Advertisement 6Article contentLinebacker Jacob Roberts was also a game-star, with nine tackles and two sacks for the Stamps, while teammate Jaydon Grant picked off Elks QB Cody Fajardo in the late moments of the first half.4) EASY BREEZE-Y BLOCKSThe Stampeders special teams have come alive in blocking kicks the last two games.Three, to be exact, thanks to defensive back Brady Breeze and defensive lineman Miles Brown.Like the INTs and fumble recoveries, those are tide-turners in games and bodes well for more when it matters most in the upcoming playoffs.Breeze is establishing himself as quite the special-teamer with two of those recent blocks, including Friday night’s punt knock-down to flip the field in the fourth quarter for the Stamps, when they didn’t yet have the game in the bag. It came with the Elks still hanging around in a close game and put the visitors on the home-side’s six-yard line, helping to defuse a late comeback by the hosts.Advertisement 7Article contentBrown’s block of a Vincent Blanchard field-goal came in the opening quarter Friday to help the Stamps shut out the Elks in a 16-0 first half.It’s a suddenly dangerous block unit coming at the right time for the Red and White.5) BOTTOM-LINE LOVEOf all the positives from Friday night’s decision, including 69 more yards by Stamps’ most outstanding player nominee Dedrick Mills for a league-leading 1,409 in a bid to earn the CFL’s rushing title and a 12th sack for Stamps’ most outstanding defensive player nominee Clarence Hicks, the biggest plus is the third consecutive victory for the team.After struggling a month ago, they’ve now rediscovered the touch that made them Grey Cup contenders during the first half of the schedule.Advertisement 8Article contentAnd this fine run — with the wins over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, the Toronto Argonauts and the Edmonton Elks — comes at such a key time with playoffs now next up for them.It gives them the momentum they need for a shot at the Grey Cup.Sure, those decisions over the Argonauts and the Elks — both non-playoff teams — may not impress many pundits. But the bottom line of winning when it matters — and winning in dominant fashion — is vital, especially since two of these most recent triumphs have come on the road to give the Stamps confidence for playoff games away from McMahon Stadium in the offing.tsaelhof@postmedia.comhttp://www.twitter.com/ToddSaelhofPMArticle contentShare this article in your social networkComments Join the Conversation