By Max Campbell
Stampeders.com

Keon Raymond was once again in the right place at the right time on Sunday afternoon.

With less than two minutes remaining in the opening quarter of the Western Semi-Final against the Lions, the wily veteran intercepted a Jonathon Jennings pass intended for Bryan Burnham and saw nothing but green grass in front of him.

The 38-yard pick-six enabled Calgary to reclaim the lead and the Red and White never looked back, ending the Lions’ season in the process.

“I just had an opportunity,” Raymond said on his 25th career interception and first in the post-season. “Coach (Stubler) called a great (play) call — we were in a little man-to-man and it was just me against him. Coach Kahlil (Carter) had been on me all week to make sure I drove to the ball, and I’ll tell you what, I was due for a play. It felt good to kind of get things kick-started.”

After a lacklustre start to the game, the Stamps were in need of a big play to establish momentum and launch their quest to protect home field. Calgary went on to outscore BC 28-6 after the costly turnover for an eventual 26-point win.

“We said in the locker room that we just needed a spark to get something going,” admitted the St. Louis native. “I just so happened to be the spark. Next week, it may be somebody else. It was a team win, but I’ve got to tip my hat to BC. They played well, but we just came out and we played our style of football.”

Raymond has always had quite the knack for delivering when needed most, including two picks in the final five minutes of their Week 13 matchup with the Lions.

“Well you can call me ‘Sparky’ then,” remarked No. 25 with a smile. “I just go out and do my job. I do what they ask me to do and I come out and I play football. I’ve been blessed to do it for eight years and I want to continue to do it.”

Although the Stampeders limited their opponent to only 175 passing yards and just three field goals, Raymond refused to stack up this week’s defensive performance against other impressive outings in 2015.

“I can’t give it a rank (because) guys just came out and played,” the five-foot-10, 198-lb. defensive back indicated. “We’ve just been consistent players and that’s just what we’ve done.”