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The proof will be realized on Sunday afternoon, but all signs point to the Calgary Stampeders being as well prepared as possible for the West Final.
Weather, often a huge issue at this time of year in this city, has cooperated with the Stampeders. Practices have been held in plus-temperatures with no snow. The forecast is also very favourable on the weekend (currently hovering around the freezing mark).
Injured players have been working their way back into shape, augmenting the lineup. Defensive end Charleston Hughes has been partaking in all drills during the week, with signs pointing to him returning from a foot injury suffered in mid-September, but a final ruling has not been made.
The team also has a surplus of receivers to sort through. Given the fact the team generally dresses seven pass catchers in a game; some experienced players may find themselves sitting this game out.
However, those are all the preliminary issues for the team.
There are many other issues for consideration for the Stampeders.
| The Battle of Alberta: Always better live! |
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 The Stamps swept the three-game season series, but the Eskimos can settle the score with a playoff victory. On Sunday, Nov. 23, the Battle of Alberta adds another chapter in the Western Final at McMahon.
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They know they will have to find a way to have Jon Cornish play at the top of his game. History suggests that will not be a problem. Since taking over as the full time starter in 2011, he has appeared in five playoff and Grey Cup games. In that time, he has recorded three 100-plus yard games, averaging 6.4 yards per carry in those do-or-die contests.
His best playoff yards total came against, you guessed it, the Edmonton Eskimos in 2011 when he raced for 127 yards on fourteen carries.
A wild card in the proceedings may be Stampeders veteran Nik Lewis. The season was a difficult one for Lewis. His recovery from a 2013 ankle injury took longer than expected, plus he was sent to the sidelines for several games due to ratio issues. All those factors led to a full-season low catch total of 37.
Yet, when a key first down is needed or tough yardage needs to be gained, here’s betting the Stampeders will turn to Lewis. His clutch ability is still intact, and the Stampeders will undoubtedly take advantage of that, when the moment calls for it.
Also certain to make life tough for the Eskimos is receiver Marquay McDaniel. After missing most of the last half of the season, he returned to the lineup with a 12-catch performance against the B. C. Lions. McDaniel, a 2013 all-CFL receiver, was on pace for a position on this year’s dream team when a wrist injury sidelined him for several weeks.
A large, boisterous crowd is expected for the game as the football-style Battle of Alberta is revived. Calgary swept all three meeting with the Eskimos this season. That may be good news for the Stampeders, but also begs the question if a team is capable of knocking off another successful team four times in a year. There is precedent for it. It is just a difficult task.
The Stampeders appear prepared. They’ve heard all the talk about their playoff issues.
Says here they are ready to respond and head to the Grey Cup…Stamps 27, Esks 16.
