The B.C. Lions face back-to-back losses, raising questions about mindset and execution in late-game situations as they aim to regain momentum.
Recent Setbacks Raise Concerns
The B.C. Lions find themselves under scrutiny after consecutive losses, including a heartbreaking 34–33 defeat to the Ottawa RedBlacks. Despite leading comfortably at halftime, the Lions gave up 31 points in the second half, exposing a troubling pattern of faltering in critical late-game situations.
Lessons From Ottawa Collapse
In Ottawa, the Lions’ defence dominated early, forcing five punts and limiting the RedBlacks to a single field goal in the first half. But the momentum flipped after halftime. A missed 46-yard field goal attempt with under a minute to play, followed by a costly penalty, set the stage for Ottawa’s game-winning touchdown. What seemed like a secure win slipped away in dramatic fashion.
Player Perspective on the Issue
Linebacker Micah Awe pointed to mentality rather than talent as the root cause. “It’s always mindset,” Awe said. “The difference between players isn’t talent — it’s confidence and doing your job when it matters most.” He emphasized that translating strong starts into full-game execution remains the team’s biggest hurdle.
Coaching Staff Emphasize Composure
Head coach Buck Pierce echoed those sentiments, stressing that staying poised during momentum shifts is crucial. “We need to finish our job,” Pierce said. “It’s about handling adversity and success the right way, and that comes down to mindset.” The coaching staff continues to reinforce situational drills in practice, hoping repetition builds resilience.
Offence Shares the Responsibility
While much of the focus has fallen on the defence, the offence has also missed chances to seal victories. In Ottawa, opting for back-to-back runs instead of a pass late in the game left the door open for a RedBlacks comeback. A similar breakdown occurred earlier against Hamilton, where a two-and-out gave the Tiger-Cats time to engineer a decisive drive.
Path Forward for the Lions
The Lions remain confident in their potential, with both players and coaches stressing belief in the team’s talent. However, until they consistently execute under pressure, close games will remain a challenge. “We’re dangerous,” Awe said. “We just have to learn how to be dangerous all the time.” With the season entering a crucial stretch, the Lions’ ability to adapt mentally could define their playoff hopes.
This article is original and written specifically for Surreyspeak.com
