Dave Dickenson saw enough of Erik Brooks in his rookie Canadian Football League campaign to expect big dividends from the wide receiver/runback artist in 2025.

So how’s this for a big return, Coach?

An 86-yard punt shag-and-score to clinch the Labour Day Classic victory for his Calgary Stampeders.

“It really did break the game open,” said the GM/head coach, reflecting on the explosive play for a touchdown in Monday’s 28-7 drop-kick of the rival Edmonton Elks at McMahon Stadium. “(Their punter) had what we call an alley bomb — big leg and a huge spiral.

“But it was a long one, so it’s a lot of field to cover.”

And Brooks took advantage of that to ensure the Stampeders (8-3) the first leg of the annual two-game set with the Elks (4-7) in early September.

The second tilt for bragging ri

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