‘Winning the division isn’t out of the question’: Can Stampeders return to form in 2022?

It was west versus east to open the Canadian Football League (CFL) season.

The Calgary Stampeders welcomed the Montreal Alouettes Thursday to get the 2022 campaign going — the first full season since before the pandemic.

The Stamps rallied to win 30-27, with Rene Paredes kicking a 38-yard field goal with 30 seconds remaining. Calgary delivered after trailing 24-14 at halftime, outscoring the Alouettes 16-3 in the second half.

Head coach Dave Dickenson says his team was efficient, opting for the end zone instead of the field goal until the last minute.

“I’m not going to say it was a clean game in any three of the three phases, special teams, offence and defence, but the guys kept battling and rallying,” Dickenson said. “We were the ones that made the plays late.

“We scored touchdowns. That’s the big key for me once we got down we scored. [The] field goals were kind of getting dicey there in the third quarter so we were able to finally punch one in – we needed that,” said Dickenson.

“It was a good start to the year.”

A comeback complete for the Stamps tonight to open the CFL season.

— Calgary Stampeders (@calstampeders) June 10, 2022

Stampeders quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell completed 21 of 34 passing attempts for 199 yards. But Mitchell would leave the game in the fourth quarter, walking with a slight limp, with backup Jake Maier drawing in for Calgary’s final two drives.

Dickenson believes Mitchell suffered a muscle spasm or cramp in his leg.

The local three-down team finished last year on a disappointing note, bowing out in the west semi-final after finishing third in the division.

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So can the Stamps get back to championship contending status?

“A lot of people who cover the league have the Stampeders win total right around 10, but personally, I think that’s low,” Matty Rose of Sportsnet 960 explained.

“In this league, continuity is key. And the Stampeders have brought back almost their entire starting offence, the new starters were in backup roles last year, so they understand the team’s system, and Bo Levi Mitchell has looked outstanding. All signs point to a resurgence season for the Stamps pivot. I think he could go back to being one of the top quarterbacks in the CFL. There haven’t been issues with his shoulder throughout camp. He’s been running well and throwing well.

“I really think the Stamps can do some damage in the west, and I think that winning the division isn’t out of the question.”

It was a good preseason for Calgary, going 2-0.

And historically, the Stamps have played well to open the year, going 37-34-4 in the first regular-season contest.

-With files from The Canadians Press