Three-fifths of the Stampeders offensive line from a week ago was missing from action in practice yesterday.
Tackles Ben Archibald and Jeff Pilon were both absent yesterday with illness, and starting left guard Tim O'Neill (turf toe) is officially out for tomorrow's West semifinal.
Jesse Newman will start at left guard, which was his job before a shoulder injury in Week 13, while Michael Byrne was in for Archibald and Godfrey Ellis for Pilon.
Coupled with the news fullback Teyo Johnson was out after getting stabbed at a concert Thursday night, Stamps head coach John Hufnagel didn't have a great morning.
Hufnagel hopes to get both Pilon and Archibald back today so they can suit up tomorrow against the Edmonton Eskimos.
"We've had to deal with adversity throughout the course of the season and we have some right now," said Hufnagel.
"They are veterans and if they are physically healthy enough to play, they will get into the lineup."
Archibald had a busy week, getting his first all-star nomination Wednesday and being named the West Division most outstanding lineman Thursday, but he came down ill Thursday night.
Pilon hasn't seen the practice field this week, but that doesn't mean linemates are counting them out.
"We're not going to speculate because I anticipate those guys playing," said centre Rob Lazeo. "This is playoff time."
Schwartz award unveiled
The Stampeders are honouring one of their own in rewarding high school football players for their leadership and integrity.
The inaugural Stan Schwartz Heart of a Champion Awards will be officially given to Jesse Hiebert from Lord Beaverbrook (Div. I), Jeffrey Vela from Crescent Heights (Div. II) and Benjamin Bullock from Bishop Carroll (Div. III) at tomorrow's West semifinal.
A former Stampeders president, Schwartz is in his 22nd season with the team -- now as an executive vice-president.
