Page 1 of 1

2009

Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 10:46 am
by Robbie
The 2009 edition of the BC Lions Football Club entered the new year with redemption on their collective mind after a heartbreaking West
Final defeat at the hands of the Calgary Stampeders in 2008. With an uncharacteristic 1-4 record to open the season, the Lions would try
to reach the .500 mark no less than six times in 2009 and would ultimately conclude 2009 with an 8-10 record and fourth place in the West
Division – their first such season since 2001. With his quarterback depth chart in a constant state of flux due to injury, Lions general
manager and head coach Wally Buono reached out to former Lions pivot Casey Printers to who returned to the club in September. As the
Lions’ plans for the post-season hung in the balance, good news came as the club darned an East Division Semi-Final date with the
Hamilton Tiger-Cats who they would ultimately defeat 34-27. With East Division bragging rights and a trip to the Grey Cup on the line, the
club travelled to Montreal to take on the 15-3 Montreal Alouettes, but a fired-up Als squad proved too much for BC as they dropped a 56-
18 decision over the eventual Grey Cup champions. While not competing for championship glory undoubtedly brought the 2009 season to a
disappointing end, a number of individual performances provided a glimpse of the club’s potential in years to come. Lions general manager
and head coach Wally Buono added to his club record for career wins as a head coach (235-122-3), placing him atop the all-time
winningest coach standings. Defensive end Ricky Foley tied for the CFL sack lead (12), good enough for Most Outstanding Canadian
honours. Running back Martell Mallett had an Outstanding Rookie campaign in his first season as a Lion, racking up 1,240 yards and six
TD’s on 214 carries. Safety Barron Miles wrapped up his playing career as the second all-time in the league for career interceptions (66)
and became the all-time CFL leader with 13 blocked kicks. In addition, Miles, along with halfback Korey Banks were named to the CFL All-
Star team. Despite a disappointing end to a season that began with such promise, the Lions remain one of the league’s most stable and
consistent franchises with plenty to look forward to in 2010 and beyond.

WEST DIVISION
W L T PF PA Pts
SAS 10 7 1 514 484 21
CAL 10 7 1 514 443 21
EDM 9 9 0 469 502 18
BC 8 10 0 431 502 16

SEMI-FINAL:
Nov 15/09 EDM 21 at 24 CAL
Nov 15/09 BC 34 at 27 HAM

WEST FINAL:
Nov 22/09 CAL 17 at 27 SAS

EAST FINAL:
Nov 22/09 BC 18 at 56 MTL

97TH GREY CUP AT TORONTO:
Nov 29/09 MTL 28 vs 27 SAS