By all accounts, the turnout for Saturday’s CFL West Final between the Edmonton Elks and B.C. Lions will be a busy one.
34,353 tickets had been sold by late Friday afternoon, according to the team, and it’s easy to see why. The team had nothing short of a tremendous regular season, going 13-5 posting its first winning record since the 2017 season.
The seven seasons prior to this campaign since had seen the team go 42-80 — averaging a miserable 6-11 record and five straight years without playoff football. But this year was different. Head coach Mark Kilam and general manager Ed Hervey, both of whom received extensions last week, have turned this team into something speical.
It’s not built on the back of any true superstars, either. Instead its a collective that leans on each other, finding ways to gut out wins. None of the offensive players sit atop the league in any one category, but they find their ways to score, whether it’s through Austin Mack in the air, Justin Rankin on the ground, or Cody Fajardo getting the job done himself.
Statistically, it’s different defensively, with defensive back Tyrell Ford leading the league with seven interceptions, while defensive linemen Malik Carney and Noah Taylor ranked second and third in sacks. Few contributed this season like kicker Vincent Blanchard, who had a league-leading 207 kicking points, hitting 55 of 59 field goals this season, further highlighting how this Elks team
That three-faceted approach will be key against the Lions.
The Elks will have one notable different look, as return specialist and running back Javon Leake will start the playoffs on the reserve roster. The team has opted to keep ShunDerrick Powell as the second running back after a strong stretch run of 423 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns in six games, while Montrell Washington will hold the return duties. He averaged 26.3 yards per kickoff return and 11.7 yards per punt return this season.
Meanwhile, offensive lineman Jordan Murray will return from injury after missing six games with a foot injury, and defensive halfback Kordell Jackson returns after missing three games with an ankle injury.
Edmonton Elks vs. B.C. Lions
- Date: Saturday, Nov. 7
- Kickoff: 5:30 p.m. MDT
- Location: Edmonton, Alta.
- Venue: Commonwealth Stadium
- Watch: TSN
- Weather at kickoff via Environment Canada: 8-10 degrees, winds NW 30 km/h, gusts 50 at 5:00 p.m., but dropping to SE at 10 km/h by 6:00 p.m.
FIELD GOALS
DEPTH CHARTS
Elks
Lions
