Stampeders Claim Wally Bowl, 25-24 Over Lions

A five-yard touchdown catch by Clark Barnes at 6:14 of the fourth quarter proved to be the game-winning score for the Calgary Stampeders in a tight 25-24 win over the B.C. Lions (5-2) in front of 20,057 fans at McMahan Stadium on Sunday.

Maier, who also threw touchdown passes to Reggie Begelton and Jalen Philpot earlier in the game, completed 25-of-32 passes for 307 yards.

The TD by Barnes put the Stamps up 25-20 with still plenty of time for the Lions to rally back.

B.C.’s Sean Whyte extended his club record by kicking his 42nd consecutive field goal — from 52 yards out — before Stefan Flintoft booted an 84-yard punt single with 1:53 left on the clock to pull the Lions within a point, but that’s as close the visitors could get.

“It was a battle,” said Calgary coach Dave Dickenson. “I have to admit that never did I once feel like it was in the bag. Never once did I feel like we were out of it. Back and forth — good football game, glad we won at home.”

Rene Paredes also kicked a field goal for the Stamps, who snapped a two-game losing streak. Calgary also scored two points on a safety.

Stanley Berryhill III and Justin McInnis caught TD passes from B.C. quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., while Whyte kicked three field goals for the Lions, whose five-game winning streak came to an end.

“We’ve been on the other side of this where we’re the team making the plays at the end to win the game and we didn’t do that,” said B.C. coach Rick Campbell.

“I’ll give them credit. They’ve got good coaches, good players and they made the plays necessary to win the game, but man we had multiple chances to get the ball back and try to kick a game-winning field goal, but it didn’t happen.”

Adams completed 17-of-32 passes for 192 yards to go with his two TD tosses and a pair of interceptions.

“It was tough battle,” Adams said. “Ultimately, I felt like the defence did enough for us to win. I need to take care of the ball. I had some overthrows. It was a tough one. I just have to be better.”

UP NEXT

Lions: Have a bye week, then visit the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2-5) on Thursday, Aug. 1.

Stampeders: Visit the Ottawa Redblacks (4-2) on Friday.

(Canadian Press)