Stampeders clinch playoff berth, avoid season sweep with win over Lions

Calgary Stampeders rookie Jalen Philpot seized the moment in his CFL debut in his hometown stadium.

"The funny thing is that it's amateur night today [Salute to Amateur Football], because that's my memory," said the 22-year-old native of Delta, B.C., whose father Cory Philpot played eight seasons in the CFL for the B.C. Lions and Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

"I remember being out here playing at halftime, running around and just having fun and taking in the whole scenery," Philpot said. "It really came full circle for me, because I was out here 15 years ago doing the same thing as these guys, so it's just so awesome."

On a Saturday night that was short on offence, Philpot hauled in a 54-yard reception shortly before halftime in Calgary's 25-11 win over the Lions at BC Place.

The Stampeders (9-5) failed on their two-point convert attempt. Peyton Logan added a 19-yard touchdown run with 1:57 left in the fourth quarter, and Dominique Rhymes caught the lone touchdown pass for the Lions (9-4), from Antonio Pipkin with 29 seconds remaining. Pipkin carried the ball across the one-yard-line for a successful two-point convert.

With the win, combined with losses this week by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Ottawa Redblacks, Calgary clinched its 17th consecutive CFL post-season berth on the night. Despite the loss, B.C. also clinched its first playoff spot since 2018.

WATCH | Stampeders take down Lions to book spot in Grey Cup Playoffs:

Calgary's field-goal kicker Rene Paredes was good on four-of-five attempts, from 39, 33, 31 and 33 yards. He added a convert for 13 total points.

Sean Whyte extended his successful field-goal streak to 13 with a 34-yard kick with 24 seconds left in the third quarter — B.C.'s first points of the game.

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