Stampeders trio brimming with confidence
Quarterback Henry Burris, running back Joffrey Reynolds and receiver Ken-Yon Rambo all had career years in leading the Calgary Stampeders to a 13-5 record.
Now all three want to carry over that success into the post-season by helping the Stampeders beat the British Columbia Lions this Saturday in the West Division final to earn a berth into the Grey Cup on Nov. 23 in Montreal.
"We just need to execute within the game plan, make the plays when the opportunities are there and take care of the ball when they're not," said Burris, who threw for 5,094 yards and 39 touchdowns this season, both career highs.
Burris credited offensive co-ordinator George Cortez for putting him in a position to spread the ball around between Reynolds and his talented group of receivers.
"This is our second year in George Cortez's system," said Burris, the West nominee for most outstanding player.
"You can definitely tell that the comfort level there between us is all in tact. With the emergence of our defence and the way that our special teams are playing, we don't need to do too much."
Cortez said he's confident that Calgary's offence can continue to produce like it did to lead the Stampeders to wins in all three games against the Lions in the regular season.
"We have to hope that we rise to the occasion," Cortez said. "We've done a good job of progressing during the season and improving during the year and that's the important thing."
Reynolds finished the season as the league's top rusher with 1,310 yards and the fifth-year running back has confidence that he and the Stamps can continue to produce against B.C. this weekend.
"Success always breeds confidence," Reynolds said after the Stamps practised at McMahon Stadium on Wednesday.
"We're definitely working on being prepared on trying to execute and play our best football on Saturday. We're confident that if we play our football, we think we definitely can be successful."
Rambo had a break-out season for the Stamps with a league-leading 1,473 yards receiving to go with eight touchdowns.
The fourth-year receiver said the Stamps have worked hard to prepare themselves for the West final since finishing the regular season with a 41-30 win over the Lions at home on Nov. 1.
"Guys are very enthusiastic, energetic, very emotional and ready to go," Rambo said. "We're confident to the highest power.
"We took care of business in the season, so we're ready to go. This is what we worked for.
"This is where we wanted to be. This is just another step to the goal, and we've got one more goal to accomplish."
Burris stated that anything less than a victory on Saturday would definitely be a disappointment to the Stampeders.
"We fought our tails off all year, and we're not going to come into this game with any other mindset than to come out here and be victorious," he said.