Calgary Stampeders head coach Dave Dickenson understands why most pundits around the country are picking the BC Lions to win the West semifinals on Saturday, although he doesn't think his team should be counted out.
“We understand that. BC is playing as well as anyone – I think they've won six in a row or something like that. They have a lot of weapons, their defense is coming together at the right time, they have a really good special teams group – they're really good in coverage, they found a good returner. We understand that and we're on our way, but I've always said that in any game, any team can beat any other team, especially in the playoffs.” Dickenson told media in Calgary.
“If you can get an advantage, put a little more pressure on their side. I've been there. It can take hold and sometimes a team can get fired up and win it all, even though they might finish third in their division.”
The Stampeders lost to BC in the regular season, losing 52-23 in Calgary in mid-September and 38-24 in Vancouver earlier this month. Both wins are part of the six-game winning streak the Lions put together to finish the regular season and earn a home playoff game while the Stampeders went 6-6 in the final two-thirds of the season after starting 5-1.
After missing the playoffs last season, Dickenson was asked when he would consider this season a success. The team finished the regular season with an 11-7 record, winning six more games than the previous year, and earning a berth in the playoffs.
“I don't think winning the Gray Cup means you've made it,” he said. “These guys have put a lot of time and work into this and they've gotten better and they've already accomplished something that not a lot of people thought they could do, so that's already a success, but what level of success? We want to win in the playoffs. It's been a long time.”
Calgary hasn't won a playoff game since 2018, which is also the last time the team won the Gray Cup. The Stampeders lost four straight West semifinals from 2019 to 2023, losing only one of them by one point.
Jalen Philpot was a full participant in Tuesday's practice despite a knee injury that kept him out of the final game of the regular season. The former first-round draft pick caught 61 passes for 830 yards and three touchdowns this season, leading the Stampeders in receptions and finishing 56 yards behind Dominick Rhymes for the TD lead.
“Jalen will play if he’s healthy, it’s easy,” Dickenson said. “We will definitely have some changes, but I think we will have more opportunities than we have in the last few weeks.”
The 52-year-old head coach, who is also Calgary's general manager, also noted that the Stampeders signed Canadian forward Hunter Steward.
Calgary suffered a blow to its offensive line, with Joshua Coker (knee), Tomas Jack-Kurdyla (calf) and Preston Nichols (ankle) not participating in Tuesday's practice. Dickenson noted that Jack-Kurdyla and Nichols could be available, although those could be game-time decisions.
The Calgary Stampeders (11-7) will face the BC Lions (11-7) in the Western semi-finals at BC Place on Saturday, November 1st, with tip-off scheduled for 5:30 pm ET. The Stampeders won their final three games of the regular season. including a 20–10 win over the Edmonton ElksBye The Lions beat the Saskatchewan Roughriders to move into second place in the West Division standings..
The game will be broadcast on TSN and RDS in Canada and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune in to 770 CHQR in Calgary and 730 CKNW in Vancouver.
