Return to the promised land

By Sarah Stall

In their last regular season game, the Calgary Dinos won away from home, beating the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds in a muddy game that ended 33-13.

"I think we played a very solid game on both sides of the field," said Head Coach Tony Fasano.

"The defensive team is coming together and everybody did what they wanted to do. We’re playing within our limits and we know what they are and we’re starting to feel good about ourselves," said Assistant Coach Jerry Friesen.

The Thunderbirds are one of the two teams that defeated Calgary earlier in the season at the Dinos home opener. This game was a chance to get revenge on a team that dashed Calgary’s playoff dreams last year. After a scoreless first quarter, the Dinos quickly took over the game, taking a 20-point lead over UBC into halftime.

UBC was one step behind Calgary this game and it showed. The season ended with an easy win for the Dinos.

The major difference this year compared to last is the leadership that prevailed over the course of the entire year. Fourth and fifth-year players have really stepped up and excelled, providing an example for others. The team has not been plagued with injuries as in years’ before and has grown together throughout the entire year.

This game was the seventh win in a row the Dinos, a feat that shows the true colours of an excellent football team.

The next game is the start of playoffs, as Calgary plays against the Regina Rams, a team on a two-game winning streak. The Rams and Dinos split the series this season with the Rams winning the first and the Dinos shearing their opponents just three weeks ago. Regina comes into this game placed third in the league and Calgary is second, something the Dinos have not accomplished since 1997.

"This game will be a real challenge to us, and we’ll take it one play at a time," Fasano commented. "This game will decide who will play the conference final, something that will lay the path for the playoffs all the way to Vanier Cup."

This game will be played in front of the fans at McMahon stadium on Friday night at 7 p.m. Come cheer for the team that may go all the way to the CIAU national championships.