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Red and White ready for host Lions: 'Any team can beat any other team, especially in the playoffs.'
Published Oct 28, 2025 • Last updated 14 minutes ago • 6 minute read
Vernon Adams Jr.
Calgary Stampeders quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., pictured during practice on Tuesday, says the offence must be better in the red zone during the West semifinal against the BC Lions on Saturday. Photo by Brent Calver /Postmedia
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Call it a successful season already for the Calgary Stampeders.
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One in which they defied the oddsmakers, proved most pundits wrong and — most importantly — rebounded to turn the franchise around, especially on the Canadian Football League field.
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But there’s more work ahead to make themselves truly happy, they say, in 2025.
“We want to win in the playoffs — it’s been a while,” said Stampeders GM/head coach Dave Dickenson, heading into Saturday’s West Division semifinal against the host BC Lions at Vancouver’s BC Place (3:30 p.m. MT, TSN, CHQR 770 AM/107.3 FM the Edge).
“Listen, I’m proud of the guys for what we’ve accomplished,” continued Dickenson, of the 11-7 record in the regular season — quite the heights climbed after finishing with just four wins in 2024.
“To me, that was a success. But you’re really not in it for regular-season victory. You’re trying to make some noise in the playoffs.”
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With that, it’s on to the do-or-die weekend semi against a team that’s risen to become a bona fide Grey Cup contender in the second half of the CFL campaign.
WHAT’S UP WITH THE LIONS?
Yes … the Lions — with a 12-6 mark — are red-hot, having won their last six contests to jump over the Stampeders in the West Division race to finish in second place and earn home-field advantage for this semifinal.
Included in this run were two triumphs over the Stamps — a 52-23 no-doubter at McMahon Stadium followed two weeks later by a 38-24 result at BC Place.
“You know … BC beat us twice this year, and they’ll want to put on a good performance for their fans this week, as well,” said Stamps QB Vernon Adams Jr. “So we need to step it up and be better in the red zone as an offence and then let everything else take care of itself.”
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Adrian Greene
Defensive back Adrian Greene says the Stamps need “to play complementary defence, so that’s up front to our interior to the back end.” Photo by Brent Calver /Postmedia
And on the other side of the ball?
“BC’s making a lot of plays on offence this year,” said Stamps’ stellar defensive back Adrian Greene. “Ultimately, we’ve got to play complementary defence, so that’s up front to our interior to the back end. And that’s really what it comes down to. We all play together and make plays on the ball.”
That’s not easy up against quarterback Nathan Rourke, who is having a monster year for the Lions.
But the face of the CFL is not the only reason why the Lions have become a wrecking machine down the stretch of the season.
“They’ve got a lot of weapons,” said Dickenson, of a foe which also boasts probable CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player Mathieu Betts, outstanding rusher James Butler and likely all-star receivers Keon Hatcher and Justin McInnis. “Their defence is gelling at the right time. They’ve got a good special teams group — they’re really good at coverage, and they’ve found a good returner.”
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Found plenty of everything good, really.
Just in time for the run-in to the playoffs.
“We played a better second half against them last time — it was not a good first half,” Dickenson said. “I mean … we’re going to have to try to just get our hands on the ball and, hopefully, win the turnover battle. And we can’t take dumb penalties.
“A lot of that’s going to be with the noise. Can we handle that? Can we stay outside? Can we still play fast? If we do those type of things …”
The Red and White can certainly pull off the upset.
“A team can gel, and sometimes a team can get hot and win it all, even though they might finish third in their division,” added Dickenson. “We’ve got a good team, too. We’ll go out and compete.”
WHAT’S UP WITH THE STAMPS?
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The fact the Stamps are playoff-bound after missing out on last year’s post-season for the first time in 20 years shouldn’t be taken lightly.
A year ago, they were headed home without many positives taken with them.
And they returned from the off-season having undergone a massive facelift but with many questions marks in tow.
Yet the revamped Red and White have boldly put answered all queries with a sensational regular season.
“Yeah … man … it’s a blessing to be in this position,” said Adams, one of the major reasons for the team’s turnaround. “You know … I tell the guys, ‘Don’t take this for granted.’ We had a beautiful day of practice (Tuesday), got some good work in …”
“Great day, in fact,” agreed Dickenson of the week’s first session of preparation for the playoff battle. “Blue sky, weather’s nice, and good energy from the guys. We had an extra day off (ahead of Tuesday), and I think the guys needed it. A lot of things have been put into this regular season.
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“Now we just want to try to play our best game in the playoffs.”
And take it from there, they hope.
Because by most people’s standards, success isn’t just measured by what’s been accomplished in the regular season.
And Dickenson himself certainly knows that.
“Yes … these guys have put a lot of time and work into it and have gotten better,” said the head coach. “They’ve already accomplished something that not a lot of people thought they would. So … yeah … that’s already a success, but what level of a success is that?
“I do believe in the process, though. I don’t think it’s just if you win the Grey Cup, that means you’re successful.”
On that note, what would a win mean over the streaking Lions on Saturday?
That would go a long ways in proving the turnaround has been legit.
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“Not a lot,” answered Dickenson, when asked how many tall foreheads are picking the Stamps to pull off the semifinal victory. “We get it — we’re on the road.
“And guess what? BC is playing as good as anybody,” added the former Stamps and Lions QB. “But I’ve always said, any team can beat any other team, especially in the playoffs. And especially a home team (can be beaten) if you can get the lead and then you force them into maybe some get a little more pressure on them.
“I’ve been there.”
WHO’S HURT FOR THE STAMPS?
Health-wise for the visitors, the biggest questions are along the offensive line and in the secondary.
The right side of the o-line is in question after tackle Preston Nichols was injured during last Friday’s win over the host Edmonton Elks. That was actually the spot owned by Josh Coker (knee), and he’s not coming back any time soon, so if Nichols can’t go — he’s a game-time decision, says Dickenson — then it’ll be up to William Barnes to slot in to start at right tackle.
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The other option could be newly signed o-lineman Hunter Steward, a 33-year-old Calgary native and veteran CFLer who was released by the Lions in August. The Stamps are waiting on him to pass his physical before he’s deemed available for Saturday’s affair.
“I’ve got some options, which is nice,” Dickenson said. “More options than we’ve had in the last few weeks.”
In the secondary, don’t expect veteran safety Damon Webb (pectoral) back for the playoffs, but Sheldon Arnold (hand) and Anthony Johnson (shoulder) — starters for much of the year at halfback and cornerback, respectively — practised Tuesday, although they are not quite cleared medically for game action.
“Those guys coming off broken bones and stuff like that, I’m not too sure,” Dickenson said. “You can practise, sure. But can you actually take a hit or make a tackle? These type of things are hard.
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“We’ll put pads on them (Wednesday) — that’s going to help me see. If they’re not healthy and they can’t last a game, I’m not going there. We’ve had other guys step up and do well.”
Rush end Lorenzo Mauldin (ankle) was back on the field Tuesday, as were linebacker Kyle Wilson (knee) and DB Jackson Sombach (ankle), while fullback William Langlais (ankle) and offensive lineman Kyle Saxelid (tricep) were limited in his participation.
And star receiver Jalen Philpot (knee) is a full go for Saturday.
“These guys are just working hard and doing what they need to do,” added Dickenson. “They’re looking forward to an opportunity.”
tsaelhof@postmedia.com
http://www.x.com/ToddSaelhofPM
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