The return of Canadian football brought a familiar mix of excitement and early-season rust as the Calgary Stampeders and BC Lions kicked off their preseason schedules last Saturday. Under the bright lights of McMahon Stadium, both teams offered glimpses of potential while working through the expected growing pains that come with the first live action of the year.
Calgary emerged with a narrow 25-22 victory, but as with most preseason contests, the final score tells only a fraction of the story. What unfolded over four quarters was less about the win-loss column and more about evaluation—coaches scrutinizing roster battles, rookies fighting for spots, and veterans working to shake off months of inactivity.
The quarterback carousel was in full swing for both squads. Calgary’s Jake Maier, entering his second full season as the undisputed starter, saw limited action but looked comfortable directing the offense during his brief appearance. The real intrigue came from the battle for backup positions, with Matt Shiltz and Tommy Stevens both making compelling cases for the QB2 role. Shiltz, in particular, showcased the poise and decision-making that comes with his veteran status in the league.
For BC, the post-Nathan Rourke era continues to take shape as Vernon Adams Jr. builds upon his solid 2023 campaign. Adams played sparingly, giving way to Jake Dolegala and Chase Brice, who split reps as they compete for depth chart positioning. Dolegala flashed some impressive arm talent on a few downfield throws, while Brice displayed admirable mobility when plays broke down.
Beyond the quarterback position, several newcomers made their presence felt. Calgary’s running back game showed promise with Dedrick Mills breaking multiple tackles en route to a productive evening. On the defensive side, the Stampeders’ secondary looked particularly sharp, challenging passing lanes and forcing BC’s quarterbacks into difficult throws.
The Lions, meanwhile, should be encouraged by their receiving corps. With veteran Lucky Whitehead continuing to demonstrate his explosive capability and newcomer Ayir Asante making a few attention-grabbing catches, BC’s aerial attack appears to have multiple dimensions developing nicely ahead of the regular season.
Special teams play—often overlooked but frequently decisive in the CFL—was predictably uneven. Both sides experienced coverage breakdowns while simultaneously producing a few highlight-worthy returns. These units typically require the most fine-tuning during preseason, and coaches will undoubtedly be scrutinizing this footage closely.
The game wasn’t without its concerns. As is typical in preseason action, penalties accumulated at an alarming rate—procedural infractions, holding calls, and pass interference flags disrupted the flow throughout the contest. Both coaching staffs will emphasize discipline in the coming weeks, knowing that cleaner play will be essential once the games start counting.
What’s most encouraging for CFL fans is simply seeing the return of three-down football after the long winter months. The preseason represents both a reawakening of the sport and a laboratory for experimentation. Players audition for roles, coaches test schemes, and teams begin forging their identities.
For Calgary, the victory offers positive momentum as they continue building toward their regular-season opener. The Stampeders appear to have solid depth at several positions—a luxury that head coach Dave Dickenson will surely appreciate as the marathon season progresses.
BC, despite the loss, showed enough promise to maintain optimism. Head coach Rick Campbell likely saw both areas requiring immediate attention and strengths to build upon as preseason continues.
The beauty of these early exhibitions lies in their developmental nature. When these teams meet again during the regular season, they’ll bear only passing resemblance to the somewhat disjointed units that took the field on Saturday. The preseason is merely the first chapter in a story that will unfold over months—filled with rivalries, dramatic finishes, and the unique spectacle that is Canadian football.
As both teams return to practice this week, the film sessions will be more valuable than the scoreboard. In the CFL’s preseason, it’s less about who won and more about who showed they belong. For fans of both the Stampeders and Lions, the 2024 campaign has officially begun—bringing with it all the hope, anticipation, and possibility that makes this game so compelling.
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