The Lions walked into the playoffs carrying hopes and a history of contention. In Regina at the Mosaic Stadium, the west final matchup against the Saskatchewan Roughriders brought promise, where the lions would have the chance of getting closer to the Grey Cup. From the beginning of the game, it became clear that this isn’t the night and would be close between the two teams.
The first quarter barely shifted the scoreboard, where Saskatchewan claimed a punt single, and BC remained scoreless. But in the second quarter, the team surged. The most outstanding player of the CFL, Nathan Rourke, led a drive that ended with a 4-yard rushing touchdown, giving the Lions a 7-3 edge. Rourke finished the game passing 20 of 30 for 290 yards and 1 touchdown.
Yet momentum is insubstantial, Saskatchewan responded, taking their own chances and kicking a field goal just before halftime to narrow the gap. Then the third quarter was a differentiator, where Saskatchewan scored 10-0, which led to the Lions found themselves trailing 7-14 heading into the final quarter.
In the final quarter, the Lions fought back. Rourke connected with Keon Hatcher Sr. on a 19-yard touchdown pass and later put in a 2-yard rushing touchdown himself, coming back to the score of 21-24. But Saskatchewan wasn’t done, they responded with another goal, and in the final moments of the game, scored a final touchdown to seal the game 24-21. Leading to the end of the season for the Lions. Defensively, the Lions gave up 305 passing yards and 128 rushing yards to Saskatchewan, while the Lions are only able to rush about 71 yards and passed for 290. Even though they did not make too many turnovers, the critical third quarter had proved too costly with no points on the scoreboard.
Emotions were high, tension was at an all-time low, the season ended. The Lions had proven to us that they could contend, fight, but the final step to reach to the Grey Cup remains. For us fans, the final scoreboard is just an example on what our team can do better next season, what to improve, how they need to regroup and learn. Carrying the momentum from this season to the next, with just a few games shy from the championship, I’m sure our team will be hungrier than ever for the next opportunity when the season starts.
Ben Chan kchan467@mybcit.ca