The Edmonton Elks secured a solid 34-16 victory over the BC Lions in a pre-season opener held at Starlight Stadium, drawing a crowd of 6,126. The Lions struggled in the second half, trailing 17-10 at halftime and finding it difficult to regain momentum. Despite the loss, coach Buck Pierce noted promising performances from young players, including first-round draft pick Nate Demontagnac and receiver Jaelon Darden, who notably contributed on special teams. Evaluation of player performances will continue as the team prepares for their next match.

By the Numbers
  • Elks gained 450 net offensive yards during the game.
  • Chase Brice finished with 8 completions on 10 attempts for 71 yards and a touchdown.
  • Ralen Goforth led the Lions with 7 tackles.
State of Play
  • Lions will focus on evaluating player performances over the next 7-10 days.
  • Next practice session is a three-day training camp in Kamloops.
  • Lions will face the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in an upcoming pre-season game on May 29.
What's Next

The Lions will refine their strategies in training camp before heading to Winnipeg for their final pre-season clash. Continued assessment of both veteran and rookie players will be crucial for roster decisions. Adjustments based on player evaluations will likely shape the team's preparation for the regular season.

Bottom Line

Despite the loss, the game provided valuable insights, showcasing the potential of emerging talents amidst a challenging pre-season. The Lions need to harness these lessons and focus on improvement as they gear up for the upcoming match against the Blue Bombers.