Stampeders.com
There are some members of the Calgary Stampeders who naturally draw the spotlight to them. Veteran receiver Nik Lewis and linebacker Juwan Simpson are both accustomed to visible roles with the team.
The quarterbacks, Kevin Glenn and Drew Tate, also recognize their position is a high-profile one. Jon Cornish is also used to being a topic of discussion for his exploits
Then there is kicker Rene Paredes, who despite two strong years with the Stampeders, has managed to maintain a low visibility presence.
These days, however, whether Paredes wants it or not, his profile is about to change.
His recent field goal kicking exploits have made him one of the early-season stories in the Canadian Football League.
The raw numbers are impressive.
He has kicked 25 consecutive field goals, dating back to last September. If his post-season exploits from 2012 were included in the totals, he has booted 33-straight kicks through the uprights. He has also pounded 27 consecutive successful field goals at McMahon Stadium, dating back to October 21, 2011.
Anyone who has been to Calgary’s home stadium knows how erratic the wind patterns can be, making his achievements all the more impressive. But is Paredes caught up in the excitement?
“I would rather be out on the field kicking a field goal right now,” said Paredes after a practice this week, “I’m calmer at that than standing in front of 10 cameras.”
With five more successful field goals in a row, he will tie the CFL record for consecutive kicks at 30, currently held by BC’s Paul McCallum.
McCallum established that standard in 2011.
Paredes may not be too eager to talk about his achievements, but his coach is.
“He has been very consistent,” noted Stampeders sideline boss John Hufnagel. “When Rene goes out on the field, I just expect him to do his best.”
The Stampeders will be seeking a season series sweep over the Alouettes. They defeated the Als 22-14 last week in Montreal.
“We have to play better football this week. Montreal is a good team and they will score more. We can’t have any fiascos like what we had on the one-yard line,” said Hufnagel
Calgary will take to the field without a couple of key defensive performers. Linebacker Malik Jackson suffered a broken arm in the game in Montreal and the team has placed him on the nine-game injured list.
Defensive end Charleston Hughes also has a wrist injury that will keep him out of the lineup this week.
Also missing this week is offensive line standout Jon Gott. He is fighting the effects of an elbow injury. The good news for Calgary is Dan Federkeil is back on the roster. The University of Calgary product was laid up by a bad case of the flu last week and remained couch-bound in Calgary.
The game will also be memorable for several members of the Montreal Alouettes. Four members of that club, running back Steven Lumbala, safety Mike Edem, defensive lineman Mike Klassen and long-snapper Jordan Verdone all played at McMahon Stadium as member of the Calgary Dinos.
Ironically, their professional dressing room at McMahon Stadium is just steps from their former home.
However all the focus will shift away from the former Dinos and to place kicker Rene Paredes during the rematch.
