BC Lions clinch playoff berth with 38–24 win over Calgary Stampeders

MEGAN SWAIN/ GATG

The BC Lions kicked off their third annual Gravy Bowl at home against the Calgary Stampeders, with both teams chasing a crucial playoff spot. A win for B.C. would lock in their postseason berth; for Calgary, a victory would improve their position but wouldn’t clinch their place just yet.

The Stampeders received the ball on kickoff, however, that drive didn’t last long. The Lions, Jonah Tavai laid a big sack on the Stampeders QB Vernon Adams Jr on the second play of the game to set the mood. 

After another unsuccessful drive attempt, the Stampeders punted the ball into Lions territory, where Seven McGee returned the ball 16 yards for the Lions to start on their 46-yard line. Although the Lions had an unsuccessful drive. 

The Stampeders on their next drive were able to work their way down the field, with a 58 yard pass, and gained the first points on the board with a field goal. Not long after the Lions combatted their score with a run in touchdown from Justin McInnis, making the score 7-3 just before entering the second quarter. 

The Lions were serious about business in the second quarter. On the first play Tavai made sure the Stampeders offense knew he was there and intercepted the ball, however, the play went under review and was overturned. 

That didn’t stop the Lions momentum as on the very next drive, the Lions made their way down the field to score another touchdown. A 14 yard pass to the deep left side of the endzone from Nathan Rourke to Jevon Cottoy. Sean Whyte’s kick was good and the score went to 14-3. 

The Stampeders attempted to catch up in the score but were only able to come up with a field goal. A couple plays later Tavai came up with his second sack of the night on Adams. The Stampeders then went on to have another drive with no yardage gained. 

On the Lions next drive, Rourke threw a bomb 34 yard pass to Ayden Eberhardt to put the team on the 50 yard line. To top off the end of the drive with just 20 seconds left in the half, Rourke threw a 32 yard touchdown pass to Keon Hatcher, giving the Lions a lead of 21-28. 

After halftime the Lions came back even hungrier for their playoff spot. Just minutes into the third quarter Hatcher scored another touchdown off a pass from Rourke. As Whyte secured another extra point. The Lions extended their lead to 28-6. 

With the ball back, the Stampeders slowly made their way down the field to the Lion’s red zone, although they were unable to secure a touchdown. They did add to their score with a field goal. 

The Lions decided that wasn't enough for them in the third quarter when they were able to score another field goal. Tibo Debaillie gave Adams his fourth sack of the night. Just 2 plays later Tavai tipped a throw from Adams while in the Lions red zone. 

For the last play of the quarter the Lion’s Jackson Findlay intercepted the ball in the end zone to deny a touchdown for the Stampeders, however, the turnover was offset by a Lions penalty on the play. 

It was the Stampeders turn to perform on defence when they intercepted a throw from Rourke to gain possession to start the fourth quarter. They went on to score their first touchdown of the night with a 2 point conversion, bringing the score to 17-31. 

Rourke and the offense marched back downfield, but a misthrow was picked off, giving Calgary another chance. They cashed in again, drawing within 31–24 with 4:56 left. 

But at 2:02, Robert Carter Jr. intercepted yet again, setting up a drive that Zander Horvath capped with a touchdown to seal the win and B.C. 's playoff berth. Then, in a dramatic final twist, Carter Jr. soared high to snatch another interception on Calgary’s final attempt. 

The Lions walked away with a victory and a playoff spot clinched in their 38–24 final score. 

After the game, quarterback Nathan Rourke praised his teammates for staying composed and fighting through adversity. “You never want to give them the ball, no matter the position … it made it a little bit too exciting there at the end,” he said with a grin.

Rourke added, “There’s a lot of relief right now that we pulled that one out. This entire year we’ve been trying to spend one more week together. We’ve got a lot of work to do — we’re in a good position, and we just want to play another week and give ourselves a chance.”