Three Stars: Khreem Smith, Ernest Jackson and Swayze Waters top Week Eighteen's showings

Here's the latest entry in  our Three Stars series, this time looking at Week Eighteen's best performances, where the B.C. Lions roared.

First star/defensive player of the week: Khreem Smith, defensive end, B.C. Lions: Heading into Friday's game against Winnipeg, the Lions' pass rush had only 34 sacks on the season, eighth in the league. That changed in their playoff-clinching 28-23 win over the Bombers, though, with the team recording 10 sacks of Winnipeg quarterback Drew Willy and Smith leading the way with four. The Oklahoma State product has been a key presence on the line for B.C. since 2011, and he's having the best year of his CFL career at age 35, notching 11 sacks and 45 tackles so far, both highs for him. He's also developed a sack celebration, a kung-fu-inspired bow. If Smith keeps playing the way he has been lately, he may get to show that celebration off more heading into the playoffs.

(Honourable mentions: Bear Woods, LB, Montreal; Jamar Wall, DB, Calgary; Brian Peters, LB, Saskatchewan.)

Second star/offensive player of the week: Ernest Jackson, slotback, B.C. Lions: Jackson delivered a dominant performance Friday against Winnipeg, recording eight receptions for 149 yards and a touchdown. That was a league-high yardage total from a receiver this week. On the year, Buffalo alum Jackson has 44 catches for 736 yards (second on the team behind Emmanuel Arceneaux) and three touchdowns. He's been a crucial receiving weapon for the Lions in their push to the playoffs.

(Honourable mentions: Steve Slaton, RB, Toronto; Paris Cotton, RB, Winnipeg; Luke Tasker, WR, Hamilton.)

Third star/special teams player of the week: Swayze Waters, punter/kicker, Toronto Argonauts: Waters wasn't perfect this week, but he still accounted for 12 of the Argonauts' 26 points in their narrow win over Hamilton Saturday, going three for four on field goals and adding two extra points and a rouge. It was his punting that really stood out, though. The Argonauts only had to punt four times, but whenever they did, Waters was able to help them flip field position, averaging 51 yards per punt. The UAB product has been consistently impressive for Toronto over the last few years, and he's having a great season.

(Honourable mentions: Lirim Hajrullahu, P/K, Winnipeg; Paul McCallum, K, B.C.; Justin Medlock, P/K, Hamilton.)

Bonus star/Canadian player of the week: Chris Getzlaf, slotback, Saskatchewan Roughriders: The Riders couldn't hang on against Calgary Saturday, being outscored 25-0 en route to a 40-27 loss, but Getzlaf was still essential to the offence they were able to put up. The Regina grad caught six passes for a team-high 106 yards and a touchdown. The Riders' offence is starting to look a little better with experienced CFL hand Kerry Joseph at the controls, and Getzlaf may be a big part of it heading into the playoffs.

(Honourable mentions: Lirim Hajrullahu, P/K, Winnipeg; Rob Bagg, WR, Saskatchewan; Scott Macdonell, WR, Ottawa.)

Thanks for reading! You can submit nominations for the Three Stars feature to me during the week's games via Twitter or e-mail. Check back at 55-Yard Line after the week's games for the results.