Lions Beat Stamps to Conclude Preseason

By BC Lions (June 19, 2008)

All Photos: Dave Roels

(Canadian Press) VANCOUVER - The two B.C. Lions quarterbacks battling for the starting job seem to be still in a virtual dead heat.

Both Buck Pierce and Jarious Jackson threw touchdown passes to Geroy Simon and Paris Jackson Thursday as the B.C. Lions defeated the Calgary Stampeders 39-35 in the final CFL exhibition game for both clubs.

"They played great," Simon said. "Obviously we have confidence in both of them."

The victory by the 2007 West Division finalists evened both clubs' exhibition records to 1-1.

B.C. defensive back Korey Banks turned the game around in the second quarter with an electrifying 84-yard interception return.

Pierce said not getting sacked and his short passing game helped get him into a rhythm, but didn't want to offer an opinion on whether his performance was enough to land him the starting job.

"I don't know," Pierce said. "You go out there and do what you can do as a player and try and put the ball in the end zone. That's just what I tried to do and manage the game.

"It all comes down to (coach) Wally (Buono). We can both feel good about our play tonight and our confidence level going into the next game."

The diplomatic Buono said either pivot would be a good choice to start.

"At the end of the day I don't think I'll make a bad decision," he said.

Pierce didn't hurt his chances in the first half after both quarterbacks had anemic performances last week in a loss to Saskatchewan.

He completed 13 of 18 attempts for 184 yards for the two majors and without any interceptions.

Jarious Jackson, who started most of the games for the Lions last season when the club was hit by injuries at quarterback, played the second half and was eight of 11 attempts for 126 yards.

"I just wanted to come out and play, period, regardless of how Buck's half went," said Jackson, a fourth-year Lion.

"He started slow and came on strong at the end. Good for Buck. I just wanted to be the general on the field and put the offence in good positions. I feel like I played pretty well."

Jackson found Simon for a 29-yard one-handed grab in the end zone in the third quarter and connected with Paris Jackson for a 14-yard major in the fourth.

The Lions scored three touchdowns in less than seven minutes to lead 22-10 after a half played mostly by veterans on both teams.

Pierce connected with Paris Jackson for a 17-yard TD strike to rally the Lions from a 10-1 deficit.   Pierce, also a fourth-year pro, then drilled another 22-yard completion to Simon in the end zone for the lead on the Lions' next possession.

The oft-injured Dave Dickenson, released by the Lions at the end of last season, came in fore Calgary with 5:02 remaining in the first half but his third pass attempt was tipped by intended receiver Jeremaine Copeland.

Banks picked it off and rambled untouched into the end zone.

Calgary starting quarterback Henry Burris connected with running back Joffrey Reynolds for a 10-yard TD pass early in the second quarter.

Ben Sankey started the second half and connected with Copeland for a four-yard TD reception.

Barrick Nealy, the third Calgary pivot, engineered two late touchdowns.   He scored scored the first on a one-yard plunge, hit Reggie Williams for the other with a 27-yard completion with no time remaining, then ran for a two-point convert.   Lions kicker Paul McCallum had a field goal, four converts and a 62-yard single to open the scoring. Sean Whyte added the other B.C. convert.

Sandro DeAngelis had a pair of 12-yard field goals, two converts and a single on a kickoff.

Notes: The two clubs open the regular season against each other next week ... Calgary is 1-8-1 in its last 10 regular-season games against the Lions ... Dickenson returned to B.C. wearing No. 15, his old Stampeder number ... he wore No. 12 as a Lion ... B.C. offensive tackle Rob Murphy has yet to appear in camp because his wife is expecting triplets in Florida.