Calgary Stampeders
By Max Campbell
Stampeders.com
Saturday night’s game turned out to be a memorable one for Anthony Parker, and not just because the Stamps finished the regular season on a winning note.
Born in Vancouver and raised in Calgary, Parker had a career performance against the Lions at BC Place, with four catches for 122 yards including a 70-yard touchdown.
“It’s one of those places where every time I come here I just get that nice feeling,” said the third overall pick of the 2011 draft class. “I don’t know how to explain it, but I love being here. Even when it’s raining I enjoy the city, so it’s a cool place to play and I always enjoy playing ball here.”
Parker’s longest reception as a pro came on a third-quarter fling from Drew Tate, who started in place of a resting Bo Levi Mitchell. Forced out of the pocket and searching for a downfield target, Tate spotted Parker and placed a perfect pass into the hands of the wideout for a 70-yard catch-and-run.
“He and I kind of see the field the same way,” the soon-to-be 26-year-old stated of his chemistry with Tate. “Before the game he had told me he was going to be looking (for) me a little bit and sometimes he likes to throw those short ones and see if we can get something happening. At the same time, he’ll like to take those chances on the outside every once in awhile and we were able to connect.”
Not only did Parker score his second major of the year and eighth since entering the league, but he also secured an impressive 38-yard reception after battling the Lions’ Cord Parks for possession of the football. The pickup eventually resulted in a one-yard rushing score from Bryant Moniz.
“When I ran the route I knew I was going to be open,” explained No. 86. “But based on the angle that I ran the route, I knew that it was going to be a tough catch to begin with because the DB had better positioning than I had. As he got his hands on it, I did too, and as I’m going to the ground I’m thinking to myself, ‘simultaneous catches go to the offence so I’ve just got to make sure I hang onto this thing’. That’s why I wrestled it until the refs made a decision there and fortunately the call went our way.”
The Week 20 matchup had no bearing on the standings as BC and Calgary were already scheduled to face off on November 15 in the Western Semi-Final. However, Parker feels as though the 28-7 win can set the stage for the upcoming post-season battle at McMahon Stadium, which begins at 2:30 p.m.
“I think that when you play a team back-to-back, any time you can get that win (after) the first game, it gives you a little bit more of that momentum and a little bit of confidence, and if anything maybe it instills a little but of doubt in them,” explained the fifth-year Stampeder, who represented the Calgary Dinos in the East-West Shrine Game to close out his collegiate playing days. “It’s great to get the win, but at the same time we’re going to see a little bit of a different team next week. It will be important for us to get our preparation right and go out there and perform.”