ALOUETTES, LIONS OFF TO DIVISION FINALS

MONTREAL – The Montreal Alouettes led from start to finish in a 28-17 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the East Division semifinal on Sunday.

With the win, the Alouettes will take on the Toronto Argonauts in the East final next weekend.

Trevor Harris threw for 243 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Walter Fletcher and Dominique Davis scored rushing touchdowns.

Dane Evans threw for 123 yards and one interception. Former Alouettes pivot Matthew Shiltz came on to throw for 127 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Chandler Worthy made a 49-yard return on the opening kickoff, putting the Alouettes in good position to break the ice. Four plays later, Harris found Jake Weineke with a 13-yard touchdown pass to give Montreal an early 7-0 lead.

The Ticats tried to respond on the following drive but settled for a 47-yard field goal by Seth Small.

VANCOUVER – Quarterback Nathan Rourke and the B.C. Lions are through to the second round of the CFL playoffs after downing the Calgary Stampeders 30-16 in the West Division semifinal on Sunday.

Making his first post-season appearance, Rourke threw for 321 yards and two touchdowns, connecting on 22-of-30 attempts. Antonio Pipkin added 45 passing yards and a TD for B.C., and Sean Whyte hit three field goals, including a 41-yard kick.

Calgary’s Jake Maier also started in his first playoff game and made 12-of-22 attempts for 138 yards before being replaced by veteran Bo Levi Mitchell in the fourth quarter. Mitchell threw for 147 yards while kicker Rene Parades made three field goals.

The Lions will head to Winnipeg to face the Blue Bombers in the West Division final on Nov. 13. The East Division final will see the Montreal Alouettes take on the Argonauts in Toronto the same day.

The Grey Cup will be played in Regina on Nov. 20.

The two sides came in with identical 12-6 regular-season records but the Stampeders were plagued by penalties on Sunday, taking eight for 83 yards.

(The Canadian Press/Photo: CFL)