Lions, Argos kick off Week 15 at BC Place
VANCOUVER — The BC Lions will attempt to go for 3 wins in a row once they welcome the Toronto Argonauts to BC Place on Friday Night time Soccer.
It’s the third-straight recreation in opposition to an East Division opponent for the Lions, who took down Ottawa in Week 13 and Montreal in Week 14. With a win, they will take over sole possession of first within the West Division.
Toronto has misplaced two in a row, most just lately falling to Ottawa, 41-27, final week.
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Issues look like coming collectively on the proper time for Rick Campbell’s group as they head down the stretch and a giant a part of it has been the play of working again William Stanback. Stanback had 128 yards of their most up-to-date victory and is averaging 101.4 over his previous 5 video games.
However the Argos held him to 35 yards on 11 carries all the way in which again in a Week 1 loss and have a entrance seven that ranks second in opposition to the run permitting 76.4 yards per recreation.
Jake Ceresna and Folarin Orimolade proceed to supply sturdy play on the line of defense, whereas linebacker Jonathan Jones has been joined by Isaac Darkangelo in making performs in the course of the sector.
The play of the defensive entrance goes to be necessary as Nathan Rourke focuses on guiding his group down the sector and limiting his turnovers by way of the air. Rourke has thrown seven interceptions in opposition to 4 touchdowns however has amassed 300 yards in every of his previous two begins.
He’ll have to be cognizant of Benjie Franklin, who leads the Argos with 9 cross knockdowns, as he searches for his high receivers.
Whereas interceptions have been a difficulty, Rourke’s accomplished job of spreading the sector. Jevon Cottoy, Ayden Eberhardt, Keon Hatcher Sr., Alexander Hollins and Justin McInnis all had a number of catches in opposition to a troublesome Montreal defence every week in the past and have proven a capability to step up at any given time.
Rourke says his group is wanting ahead to being again at house after Landing Pacific in Victoria and a cross-country journey to Montreal.
“We’re excited to be again at BC Place,” Rourke informed reporters. “We’ve obtained a full week of prep which is nice and we’ve obtained a extremely good opponent within the Argos. Recreation 1 we weren’t capable of get it accomplished however now that now we have a while within the season and form of know who they’re as a defence, or a bit extra of who they’re going to be, we really feel like we’re in a reasonably good place.”
Opposing Rourke can be Chad Kelly who tries to regular the offence and construct off a 17-point fourth quarter in opposition to the REDBLACKS. Now, it’s his job to navigate a secondary surrendering 289.2 yards a recreation.
Kelly has leaned closely on Damonte Coxie, Makai Polk and David Ungerer III since his return, together with for 21 targets and 327 yards in opposition to Ottawa.
Defensive again Garry Peters is tied with Franklin with 9 cross knockdowns and has Emmanuel Rugamba and Ciante Evans downfield to assist him cowl the Argos high three receivers. T.J. Lee has additionally performed effectively since his transition to linebacker and is coming into the sport off an interception versus the Als.
Ka’Deem Carey is tasked with taking strain off Kelly after he tried 56 passes of their newest loss. Carey has amassed 770 yards thus far this season.
Kelly and Carey can be met by Sione Teuhema and Christian Covington on the line of scrimmage. The pair has mixed for 11 sacks and may be ok with being supported by the aforementioned Lee and the current sturdy play from Ryder Varga at linebacker.
With one other East Division opponent that’s within the thick of a playoff race, Campbell is anticipating a powerful effort from the Argos.
“It’s one other huge recreation, they’re all going to proceed to get larger as you go,” Campbell informed reporters. “All our vitality is on making an attempt to beat Toronto. You need to work onerous and it’s a must to preserve going. We’re going to get all people’s finest shot. All people’s preventing for his or her lives within the standings. You actually must deal with your enterprise.”
BC is making an attempt to maneuver to 5-1 at house on the yr.
Toronto, in the meantime, is trying to enhance on a 1-5 highway file.
Kickoff is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET. Canadian viewers can watch on TSN whereas Worldwide audiences can tune in on CFL+ and U.S. audiences can catch the sport on CBS Sports activities.