THE CANADIAN PRESS
HAMILTON — It’s been a while for Hamilton Tiger-Cats fans.
The Ticats will face the B.C. Lions in the East Division semifinal Sunday (TSN, 1 p.m. ET) in the CFL club’s first playoff game since 2004 and its first post-season contest at Ivor Wynne Stadium since ’01.
For those who are curious, that year Hamilton dispatched the Montreal Alouettes 24-12 before losing 28-13 in the East final to Winnipeg.
Hamilton (9-9) clinched its playoff berth when the Edmonton Eskimos (9-9) beat B.C. 45-13 in the regular-season finale for both teams. That victory earned the Eskimos third in the West, and the Lions (8-10) got the crossover into the East Division when the Ticats dispatched Winnipeg 39-17 Sunday, dropping the Bombers to 7-11.
Hamilton swept the season series 2-0, with rookie running back DeAndra’ Cobb leading the way. Cobb rushed for 100 yards on 14 carries and had the game-winning 48-yard TD catch in a 31-28 win July 10, then ran for 167 yards and two touchdowns in a 30-18 victory on July 31.
But a lot has changed with both clubs since then.
Veteran Kevin Glenn has replaced youngster Quinton Porter as Hamilton’s starter and slotback Arland Bruce III, the Ticats’ receiving leader, joined the club after its games with B.C.
Buck Pierce started both games for the Lions, but Casey Printers is expected to be under centre Sunday despite suffering a thumb injury against Edmonton. Printers signed with Hamilton as a free agent in September 2007 but struggled badly with the Ticats, who released him last February.
However, Printers won’t be the only player facing his former team. Ticats linebackers Otis Floyd, Markeith Knowlton and Jamall Johnson, along with defensive lineman Matt Kirk, were all members of B.C.’s ’06 Grey Cup-winning team.
Cobb was a big part of Hamilton’s offensive success against B.C. earlier this season and figures to be again Sunday. The Lions were last against the run in 2009, giving up 138 yards per game.
Edmonton highlighted that vulnerability, rolling up 260 yards rushing against the Lions, including 165 yards by Arkee Whitlock.
But Hamilton can do much more offensively than run the ball. Glenn has shown a deft touch down the stretch and in Bruce, the Ticats have a home-run threat.
B.C. counters with a big-play offence of its own with rookie tailback Martell Mallett (1,240 yards, 5.8-yard average) and veteran receiver Geroy Simon (79 catches, 1,239 yards, six TDs). And while the defence does feature rush end Ricky Foley (CFL-high 12 sacks), look for the Ticats to try to establish the run to keep Foley and Co., at bay.
