Stampeders head north for Battle of Alberta

The next round in the Battle of Alberta is set as the Stampeders head up to Edmonton to take on the Eskimos at Commonwealth Stadium on Friday night.

The Stamps were able to escape with the win on Labour Day after a fourth quarter rally by the Eskimos turned up the heat to make it a 37 – 34 game.

The Stamps are 7-2 on the season and the Eskimos are 1-8 and have lost seven in a row.

Calgary Stampeders Head Coach John Hufnagel says the back-to-back games can be a challenge as the players only have a few days to recover in between.

“It’s difficult. You have to be smart with the players’ time and the players have to be smart with their time. They need to get the gas tank refueled, so to speak and play another 60 minute physical football game, “said Hufnagel. “We’ve had a certain way to go and head into this game as far as our preparation, how much work we want on the field, how much work we want done in the meeting room but then it’s up to the players too, they have to make that commitment.”

Bo Levi Mitchell will likely be throwing the ball for the Stamps on Friday night and Coach Hufnagel says he expects him to manage the game.

“Take care of the football. Get the ball to the playmakers and show the poise he has demonstrated in the past. He got a lot of playing time on Monday and I’d like to see him build on that performance,” said Hufnagel.

Hufnagel will reach a milestone on Friday night and will coach his 100^th regular season game for the Stampeders. He has been behind the bench for the team for six years.

Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m. and the game is on TSN.

Heath Brown will also have complete highlights on the CTV Calgary News at 11:30.