Lions Geared U By Garth McLennan, Sports Editor ‘Ee regular season is over and the powerhouse BC Lions are ready for the CFL’s Western Final. They set a club record this season with an astounding 14-3-1 mark. The Western Final goes Sunday, November 18, and it is expected that BC Place will sell out to watch the Lions advance to the Grey Cup. The Lions have just completed their most dominating regular season in team history amid a plethora of injuries. They were the league’s best team, both at home and on the road. They were able to consistently win with their third-string quarterback, Jarious Jackson, who goes down as another prime example of BC’s seemingly endless talent at QB. Despite what the league awards say, the Lions had the CFL’s top running back in Joe Smith, who led the league in touchdowns (19), and rushing (1,510). They similarly have award nominees for the West in every category except the most outstanding player, a category Smith should have been in. They also have the most dominant—albeit controversial — offensive line in the CFL, led by Jason Jimenez, Sherko Haji-Rasouli and Rob Murhpy, who is nominated for the CFL’s best lineman award.. However, they may be without Jimenez due to a dirty play he made against the Calgary Stampeders. The Lions also have Ian Smart, their backup running back and their top return guy. Smart led combined yards (2,440). Yet another thing _ they have —- going for them is their — three quarterbacks. Buck Pierce may be out, but Dave Dickenson is finally healthy again, and when “While the Lions without a doubt boast an all-star cast, the straw that the CFL in mm stirs the drink is Wally Buono.” head coach and GM Wally Buono should be given the keys to the city. Another wonderful aspect to the Lions is their highly talented receiving core. Josh Boden has developed and has the potential to be one of the league’s best in a few years. Paris Jackson is always a star. Slotback Geroy Simon started off slow after winning the CEL’s Outstanding player award last year, but revved up as the season progressed, leading the league in receiving yards (1,293), and setting a Lions reception F record while | passing Jim Young as the CFLs _all- timereceiving [ea deer he is on his game, he’s the best in the league. Jarious Jackson has proved to be very capable and guided the Lions in a year when they were heavily beset by devastating injuries. In the rest of the league, all of the other teams had a record of 1-14 with a second string quarterback. Look what we did with our third-stringer. For that, Ci 72953) )5 Fellow slotback Jason Clermont is up for the league’s top Canadian award. Defensive end Cameron Wake has had a phenomenal rookie season, and is nominated for the best rookie of the year. In the past 11 years, Lions players have taken home the CFL’s rookie of the year award eight times. p for Western Final The Lions defense was one of the best in the league. The defense incorporates such stars as defensive ends Wake, and Brent Johnson, defensive tackle Aaron Hunt, linebackers Otis Floyd and Javier Glatt, cornerback Dante Marsh, defensive backs Korey Banks, Mark Washington, and Ryan Phillips, and safety Baron Miles. Another star is special teams kicker Paul McCallum, who finished second in kicking percentage this year, came runner-up again in total kicking points by just one. While the Lions without a doubt boast an all-star cast, the straw that really stirs the drink is Wally Buono. Buono has coached and managed BC for five years, leading the team to five consecutive playoff appearances, three straight first-place finishes, and two Grey Cup | showings, including winning it all last year. He has regularly churned out star quarterbacks during his tenure here, and has unearthed gems such as Josh Boden while making the South Surrey Rams his own personal recruiting ground, giving the Lions an everlasting supply of talent. He won his third coach of the year award, and first with the Lions, in 2006, and has coached in the CFL for 17 years, winning ten division titles and four Grey Cup championships. Without Buono, the Lions wouldn’t be anywhere near where they are today. Buono has transformed this team from contender to a future dynasty. That dynasty continues with the Western Final. Skateboarding is Olympics-Worthy By Garth McLennan, Sports Editor Ax the Olympic Games. A special two weeks where talented men and women compete for their countries, all of them dedicated'to bringing home a gold medal. Many of these athletes go through be to be good at skateboarding, and do it well. You have to have incredible balance, be virtually fearless, have near- perfect timing, and boast a remarkable imagination with marvellous creativity. Some of the tricks and moves that endless hours of skateboarders invent, Seer tna > + CAOUREE UNE. Oe aren to becoming the : safety, are truly awe- best. All ‘of these Olympics were inspiring. So what competitors are if it’s more popular highly skilled, so S upposed to be with the younger why is skateboarding generations? Who not in the Olympics? about the best cares if the sport Out of all sports, skateboarding requires more skill, ability and sheer guts than most. Now I know what many will say if the IOC ever adopts skateboarding. The sport is too young, it would only be brought in to cater to the 19-year old viewer, it’s too “made for TV,” etc. Those arguments all have their merits, but they overlook how hard it is to do what the best skateboarders can do. What those Olympic purists overlook is how gifted and skilled you have to athletes in the world.” hasn’t been around that long? Besides, is it really that bad if we make the younger generation more interested in watching the Games? I thought the Olympics were supposed to be about the best athletes in the world. While many may not agree with this, the cream of the skateboarding crop really are incredible athletes and they most definitely do not get their props. People talk about the guts of the hockey player who digs for pucks in the corner; they talk about the confidence of the football miartertock. who has to make split-second decisions while under (= the threat of opposing # linebackers. While those. guys have courage, what do you think requires @ more bravery, getting sacked in football, or flying high in the air in a half-pipe, with nothing but cold, hard concrete 20 feet below you, while at the same time trying to come up with an outstanding move? So just because skateboarding wasn’t around 50 years ago shouldn’t be a reason to keep it out of the Games. The IOC should appreciate the brilliance of these underrated athletes, and putskateboarding in the Olympics.