The Calgary Stampeders head coach revealed what he want his squad to be this season.

Dave Dickenson, the Calgary Stampeders’ head coach and general manager, wants his squad to make more interceptions this season.

Demerio Houston plans to oblige him.

Calgary’s marquee off-season addition was the 27-year-old cornerback from Shelby, North Carolina, who inked a two-year contract.

Houston led the league with seven interceptions for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2023, two of which came against his current team. “My mentality of see-ball, get-ball, whenever the ball is in the air, I have to have the mindset that it’s mine,” Houston stated during Stampeders training camp. “I have to bring that into this year and repeat it and more.”

The Stampeders face the British Columbia Lions in the first of two preseason games on Saturday at McMahon Stadium. Houston won’t have to wait long to see his former teammates, as Winnipeg will face the Stamps in a preseason game on May 31.

Calgary’s 16 picks in 2023 ranked in the bottom half of the CFL, alongside Montreal, and just ahead of Winnipeg and Toronto, both with a league low 15.

“It’s got to be the whole group,” Dickenson remarked. “Last year, it wasn’t like any defensive back was unbeatable. It is going to happen. However, when you get opportunities and get your hands on the ball, we need interceptions.

“I like knockdowns as well, but I want interceptions.”

Dickenson may receive the route disruption he seeks with Houston and Tre Roberson, who had a career-high seven picks for Calgary in 2019, protecting the backfield corners. “I believe either guy can play field and boundary,” the coach and GM stated. “(Demerio) is a smart gamer. With everything we’re doing, it’s just different than Winnipeg. I think he picks it up quickly.

“He’s a competitor, a ball hawk and those are the reasons we got him signed.”

Houston’s crucial interception for a touchdown in Winnipeg’s 19-18 victory over the home Stampeders on August 18 has been discussed in Calgary’s locker room.

On the final play of the third quarter, he returned 45 yards for his first career pick six, putting the Bombers up 15-12.

“Guys have talked about the routes and they’re like ‘Houston made that play last year against us,'” Houston stated. “I had to tell the boys, ‘Yes, that happened. We’re on the same team now. “We’re on the same side.

Houston stated that after signing with the Stampeders, quarterback Jake Maier messaged him, saying, “You’re welcome for the two interceptions.”

“He definitely got me back a couple days ago in practice,” Houston said. “He got me on a deep ball. I definitely like to compete and help make him better. He helps make me better.”

The Southern University alum was a practice-roster player in Winnipeg’s Grey Cup win in 2021 when the rookie appeared in four games that season.

He was on the one-game injured list for the 2022 Grey Cup. The Bombers lost 24-23 to the Toronto Argonauts in Regina.

Houston had three defensive tackles as a starter in the 2023 Grey Cup in Hamilton, where the Montreal Alouettes prevailed 28-24.

In addition to seven picks, the five-foot-10, 173-pound defensive back recovered three fumbles, compiled 50 tackles and had four knockdowns in 15 regular-season games en route to CFL all-star recognition.

“I always told myself that if I ever left Winnipeg, that Calgary would be a place that I wanted to go,” Houston recalled. “I think they’re similar to Winnipeg and have winning methods.

“Last year’s season did not go as planned, but I attributed that to injuries. But Calgary is always in contention and at the top of the food chain.”

Defensive backs coach Dwayne Cameron thinks Houston’s toughest adjustment as a Stampeder will be adjusting to who plays alongside him.

“So far here in camp, he’s kind of building a rapport with Kobe Williams, our boundary halfback, and they’re building a strong solid line of communication,” Cameron stated.

Houston’s vision and anticipation make him a quarterback’s nightmare, Cameron said.

“I wouldn’t equate Demerio as your quintessential lockdown the opponent’s number one receiver from a standpoint I just don’t think he’s ever been used in that role,” Cameron stated. “He reads the drama that is sort of playing out in front of him, and he is an opportunist. He’ll take his shots at specified times.

“He’s had some success against us in the past playing that way and against other teams as well.”