Things have been going downhill for the Calgary Stampeders and Edmonton Elks in recent years.
This year, that trend has led to a forgettable finish for Alberta football.
For the first time since the Stamps (1945) and Elks (1949) joined the predecessor of the CFL, neither Alberta franchise will play in the playoffs this year.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ 28-24 win over the Elks on Saturday night eliminated Edmonton (5-11) and Calgary (4-10-1) from playoff contention.
The result also ended the Stampeders’ 18-season run of making the playoffs, the longest active stretch in the league.
Both teams will enter the off-season in uncertain situations. The Stamps have to figure out if GM/coach Dave Dickenson stays in his roles, while the Elks have an interim coach in Jarious Jackson and an interim GM in Geroy Simon after firing GM/coach Chris Jones earlier this year.
The Elks also have a new owner as Larry Thompson bought the team midway through the season.
Saskatchewan and the B.C. Lions clinched playoff spots with the Roughriders’ win. Saskatchewan is one point ahead of B.C. for second in the West heading into a game next week in Regina.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers lead the West and need one win in their final two games to take the division title.
In the East, the Montreal Alouettes have clinched first, while the Ottawa Redblacks have secured a playoff spot.
Ottawa is one point ahead of the Argos for second in the East heading into the final three weeks of the season.
The Argos need one more win or Hamilton Tiger-Cats loss to clinch the league’s final playoff spot.