The BC Lions have a home playoff date for the first time in six years.
Keon Hatcher, James Butler and Antonio Pipkin all recorded touchdowns as the Lions earned a 31-14 win over the Edmonton Elks on Friday.
“It was a complete team win,” said Lions quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., who rushed for 211 yards in 18th of 24. “Our defense played brightly again.”
The Lions finish second in the CFL’s West Division — their record is 12-5 with one game remaining — and earn the right to host their first playoff game since 2016 and only their second since 2012.
“We did it,” said Lions head coach Rick Campbell. “Edmonton played a lot of tough people and I was proud of our boys for making the games when they had to make them win the game.
“It was a huge game for us to win the home game. Getting a playoff home game in the West Division is a big deal for us, so we’re looking forward to it. I look forward to our fans who have been amazing all year. I’m glad we can play in front of them again.”
The Elks’ horrendous home disadvantage streak of losses (4-14) carries into the offseason. Edmonton has now lost a CFL-record 17 straight home games set in 2019.
“We made so many mistakes that we ended up losing a game by three points,” said Elks head coach and general manager Chris Jones. “So I hope that’s not our best performance.”
The Elks couldn’t have asked for a better start to the game when Mike Dubuisson redeemed a Lions fumble on the opening kickoff. Canadian rookie quarterback Tre Ford was then able to connect with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Dillon Mitchell with the game just over two minutes old.
The Lions accomplished that midway through the first on a subsequent long drive that was crowned by a seven-yard TD throw from Adams Jr. to Hatcher.
BC started the second quarter with a 35-yard field goal from Sean Whyte.
The Leos went 17-7 with 5 1/2 minutes to play on a three-yard rushing major from Butler in the second.
A faulty Ford pass was thrown back 40 yards after an interception by Marcus Sayles, resulting in a one-yard keeper from backup QB Pipkin.
Edmonton came back into play early in the third quarter when Donovan Olumba picked up a pass from Adams and returned it 54 yards, eventually leading to a one-yard fall from backup Kai Locksley.
The Lions responded with a punt single and 36- and 37-yard field goals from Whyte that came from two fumble recoveries to make it 31-14 to start the fourth and held on from there.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on October 21, 2022