Lions Edge Stampeders in Tight Western Semi-Final Battle
It was a tense first half at BC Place as the BC Lions held a slim 13–7 lead over the Calgary Stampeders in the Western Semi-Final. The matchup lived up to its billing — a defensive chess match where every yard had to be earned, and every play felt like a potential turning point.
The Lions struck first when quarterback Jeremiah Masoli sliced through Calgary’s defence midway through the second quarter to record the game’s first touchdown. That score capped off a gritty 10-play, 70-yard drive, helped along by a couple of costly penalties against Calgary. Masoli’s quick decision on a third-down keeper sent the home crowd into a roar, giving BC the early momentum in what had been a slow-starting contest.
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Before that breakthrough, both teams traded early field goals. BC’s Sean Whyte opened the scoring after an impressive 55-yard kickoff return by Seven McGee put the Lions in great position. Calgary’s Rene Paredes responded late in the first quarter with a long-range field goal of his own after a sack on Vernon Adams Jr. — who briefly limped off following the hit. That tied the game at 3–3 before BC started to pull ahead in the second.
Nathan Rourke, the Lions’ young Canadian quarterback, managed the game efficiently. He went 9-for-12 for 126 yards in the first half and even led the team in rushing with 17 yards. Meanwhile, former Lion Vernon Adams Jr., now leading Calgary’s offence, was 11-for-17 for 140 yards. He connected well on a few deep throws but found it tough to break through BC’s defensive front. Dedrick Mills, the CFL’s regular-season rushing leader, was held to just 31 yards on six carries as the Lions’ defensive line tightened up in key moments.
After Masoli’s touchdown, Calgary showed fight. A steady drive got them into range for another Paredes field goal, narrowing the gap to 10–7. But BC pushed back late in the half, adding another Whyte field goal after a long, clock-draining possession. Calgary tried to answer before halftime, but the clock ran out on their final play — a tough break as they stood just within kicking distance.
The game also carried extra emotional weight. Vernon Adams Jr. was traded by the Lions last offseason, and this semi-final clash gave him the chance to prove himself against his old team. Both sides had their moments, but neither could fully pull away as the first half ended with BC clinging to that narrow advantage.
With a trip to the Western Final in Saskatchewan on the line, every drive in the second half promised to matter even more. It’s the kind of playoff football where resilience, patience, and one well-timed play can change everything — and both teams seemed ready for the fight.
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