SURREY, B.C. — The B.C. Lions have yet to decide which of their rookie kickers will get the call when they visit the Calgary Stampeders in Sunday’s CFL West Division semifinal.
Lions head coach Jeff Tedford said in the wake last weekend’s meaningless regular-season finale against the Stampeders that there would be a competition between Richie Leone, who played the first 17 games, and Anthony Fera, who suited up against Calgary.
"Both of them kicked really well," Tedford said in assessing Tuesday’s practice. "It will go all week long and we’ll wait until the end of the week to figure that out."
The fact that the kicking game is unsettled heading into the playoffs is far from ideal.
Leone started 2015 a perfect 12 for 12 on field goals, but has struggled down the stretch, with a total of 11 missed converts the most glaring problem. He flubbed two of those 32-yard kicks against the Toronto Argonauts in Week 17 while also getting a punt and a field goal blocked.
Fera was on the practice roster all season until getting his chance against the Stampeders on Saturday, finishing 2-of-4 on field goals, with his two failed attempts just missing the mark. He also averaged 49.5 yards on six punts — not thought to be his strong suit — the same as Leone’s average this season.
But Tedford, who cut veteran Paul McCallum in training camp because he wanted one player to handle all three phases of the kicking game, said the fact that Leone has more experience this season will play into who he decides to go with.
"That will definitely go into consideration, a guy who’s been out there game in, game out, all season long and gone through some different scenarios in the game," said the coach.
Lions running back Andrew Harris said the team has confidence in both Leone and Fera with the knowledge that kicking could be crucial in Sunday’s playoff game in chilly Calgary.
"Whoever’s going to be in there just really needs to step up. They’re both capable guys," said Harris. "I just think it’s a matter confidence and just getting into a rhythm. I don’t know who’s going to get the nod or where it’s going to go, but either way they’ve got to figure it out."
