The B.C. Lions pushed through some early doldrums to continue their dominance over the Edmonton Elks on Friday night in Vancouver, officially eliminating their opponent from playoff contention with an emphatic 37-24 victory.
Here are my thoughts on the game.
Mercy kill
Conventional sporting wisdom suggests that there is nothing more dangerous than a team facing elimination. A wounded animal backed into a corner tends to lash out violently, even if it is not long for this world.
That had largely been true of the Edmonton Elks before Friday night, but the Lions were witnesses to the agonal breaths as they quietly put the beast out of its misery. Each futile attempt to get up off the ground only slipped the knife in deeper, as playoff hopes drained out of their veins.
For as impressive as B.C.’s offence was for stretches in this game, it was the defence that served as the metaphorical blade that ended Edmonton. Mike Benevides’ unit refused to let its injured prey break free during a painfully slow first half where things could have easily swung in the Elks’ favour, delivered points itself when the offence couldn’t, and capitalized on every possible mistake once they smelled desperation.
While 24 points surrendered may not seem like a defensive master-class, this felt like the culmination of weeks of improvement. Cody Fajardo was held to less than 200 yards passing until his final, meaningless touchdown drive. Justin Rankin, the CFL’s leader in explosive plays, was reduced to a footnote in the game story with only 36 yards rushing. They allowed just one big play total against the team with the second most in the league, and forced four turnovers from the offence that had surrendered the fewest to this point in the season.
“The Edmonton offence doesn’t commit a lot of turnovers, but the B.C. defence has been (creating) turnovers,” said Robert Carter Jr., who turned the tide with an early second-half pick-six. “We come in here and we do what we’ve been doing the past four or five games. That doesn’t stop.”
While Carter, Jackson Findlay, and T.J. Lee will rightfully bask in adulation for the pick parade, there was a reason that so many balls floated directly into their arms. Fajardo was under siege all night, and though he escaped persecution with more frequency than the Lions would like, it undoubtedly affected his performance.
“You could tell he was trying to get the ball out a little bit, or he was holding it a little bit too long,” head coach Buck Pierce said at the podium. “At the quarterback position, as long as you’re able to make him feel the pressure, even if the pressure is not getting home — I just thought he got a little uncomfortable.”
Lee and linebacker Ben Hladik were both credited with sacks off of blitzes, while Levi Bell recorded his first by performing cleanup duty up the middle. Mathieu Betts and DeWayne Hendrix were noticeable disruptors, but in my opinion, the driving force behind the penetration was often Bradlee Anae. His motor and pass rush toolbox were on full display throughout the night, and while he finished with no sacks, he broke into the backfield for a couple of tremendous tackles for loss.
In all honesty, it was hard to find a true weak point in this defensive outing, with even the usual suspects like Ronald Kent Jr. coming through with a pair of knockdowns. There will be tougher tests than a bleeding ungulate on the horizon, but even a mercy kill like this should have confidence at an all-time high.
Stupid good
Every week, Nathan Rourke seems to produce another handful of plays that make you feel unworthy of basking in his presence. In those moments, he exists on a higher plane, somehow untouchable to any of the mere mortals surrounding him.
Unfortunately, he has a nasty habit of following those moments up with the type of unforced errors that would get most high school quarterbacks benched, but, boy, is the trade-off worth it.
There was plenty of the former category on display during a 338-yard passing performance on Friday night, with a few scintillating deep shots finding their target with pinpoint accuracy. Nothing came close to matching the brilliance of his 70-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, however.
On a run-pass option, Rourke initially pulled the ball and came face-to-face with two unblocked defenders off the left side while trying to find his target. He promptly turned on his heels and followed the path of the original running play into space off the right side, high-stepping past the sprawling arms of one would-be tackler before out-racing all the rest. Even speedy cornerback Tyrell Ford, who famously clocked a 4.42 at the CFL Combine in 2022, seemed to be moving in slow motion as the Canadian QB strode past him.
“Just like we drew it up,” Pierce laughed when asked about the run, acknowledging that he couldn’t have pulled it off during his playing days. “I mean, he’s a pretty special player.”
“He always seems to be able to break tackles. There’s something about him. His contact balance and his core strength, and the way that he’s always looking to extend plays, is awesome.”
Rourke’s lone interception in the fourth quarter was awe-inspiring in a different way. As is so often the case, it fell to me to ask about the play post-game, a fact that the QB elected to have some fun with.
“First of all, you can always not ask,” he joked, tongue firmly in cheek. “No one would question your journalistic integrity at all if you didn’t ask.”
Despite the quip, Rourke answered the question honestly as he has so many times this year and took responsibility for “trying to do too much.” The Elks had sent pressure, the Lions’ protection failed to pick it up cleanly, and two receivers ran into each other when someone ran an incorrect route. Rather than eat the sack, the QB tried to scramble and blindly threw a ball into the middle of the field while being hit, which landed in the arms of defensive lineman Brandon Barlow.
Rourke acknowledged that the play gave him flashbacks to the win over Calgary, when similarly bad interceptions let a beaten opponent off the mat. This time, the Lions answered back with a pick of their own and maybe the two best throws of the night to score another touchdown.
It is inevitable that B.C. is eventually going to lose a game because of a pick like that, and for Rourke’s sake, I hope that doesn’t come in the postseason. With that said, a few bone-headed mistakes are part of the package with a brilliant young playmaking quarterback, just like it was when Doug Flutie was tossing 30 interceptions and still winning MOPs in the ’90s. His ability doesn’t absolve him of guilt, but it does make the math different.
Dream big, miss small
Head coach Buck Pierce has had a wonderful impact on the Lions’ offence this season, and I thought he put together another beautifully called game in Week 20. What made it especially impressive amidst the recent string of sharp offensive outings was that he demonstrated the patience and confidence to stick with a game plan that was working, even when the results didn’t back it up.
The first half was a parade of near-misses and could-have-beens for B.C., highlighted by Justin McInnis’ first-quarter romp into the red zone. The Canadian target broke three tackles on a highlight reel catch-and-run, only to let J.J. Ross strip him of the football in the final moments. It was that kind of night, as McInnis and Jevon Cottoy each dropped potential first downs due to contact, and Rourke just barely overthrew Stanley Berryhill and Keon Hatcher on potential game-breaking deep shots. Everything was working, the plays were there, but the Leos had zilch to show for it for 28 minutes.
Despite that frustration, the attack remained steadfast. Not in a way that pressed the issue or raised the tension, but rather one that exuded a quiet certainty. Nothing was going to dissuade the Lions from doing what they were supposed to.
“It was there. It was close. It wasn’t like their plan was shutting everything down. We weren’t executing well enough,” Rourke said. “We were right there, so we’ve just got to keep on, keeping on at that point. And the good thing is that there was no panic anywhere.”
The switch flipped on their final series of the half, as Rourke connected on four first-down throws on a minute-long drive, including a redeemer for McInnis to set up a James Butler TD. They kept plugging away after the break, and though it took until the fourth quarter, Hatcher did eventually haul in his deep ball. In the end, they generated 506 yards of net offence despite being a relatively inefficient 42.1 percent on second downs.
Pierce spoke after the game about the importance of not letting the opponent change who you are. The Lions never wavered. Their quiet confidence and self-assurance make them dangerous at every moment, just one play away from turning everything around. That’s a powerful thing heading into the postseason.
Miniature assasin
Robert Carter Jr. is listed at just 175 pounds on the Lions’ roster, and I would suggest that he did that weigh-in soaking wet. Kurleigh Gittens Jr. is thanking his lucky stars that he isn’t any heavier.
The Canadian receiver got the full brunt of the rookie defensive back’s compact frame on a hellacious hit in the fourth quarter, as Cody Fajardo hung the ball up in the air on a corner throw to the sideline. Carter said he saw the play earlier in the game and was waiting for it, hoping to nab his second interception. He couldn’t quite get there and instead committed vehicular homicide without a car.
“You might not see it, but I’m in the weight room,” he said. “I lift week after week. I guess it shows on that hit.”
Frankly, I’m not sure I’ve seen a bigger hit on a per-pound basis in my life, and it was completely clean. Carter successfully avoided head contact while delivering a blow directly to the chest and ball, keeping the strike zone perfectly in the centre. Gittens Jr. was in immediate distress but returned to the game, likely having suffered from getting the wind knocked out of him.
In the modern era, Carter’s pick-six is probably the only play you’ll see on SportsCentre or the CFL’s game recap. His hit showed all the same impressive anticipation and intelligence, while providing the team with another jolt of energy.
Forcing the issue
I think there are compelling arguments to be made for several potential turning points in this football game, a couple of which we’ve already discussed. The Lions’ touchdown drive to end the first half, Carter Jr.’s interception, and Rourke’s touchdown romp all stand out, but in my eyes, this game ended the second that Mark Kilam elected to go for it on third-and-12 in the third quarter.
Yes, that decision came from an awkward field position at the B.C. 47-yard line and followed the momentum swing of Carter’s score, but Edmonton trailed by just seven points at that stage. There was no need to attempt a low percentage gamble with nearly half the game in front of you and the B.C. offence still working out the kinks. It reeked of desperation and chasing points, and you have to wonder if the Elks’ first-year head coach overcorrected after being raked over the coals for not being aggressive enough last week.
Either way, Betts got the pressure to force an incompletion, and the Lions answered with a score. Edmonton managed two more touchdowns, but neither seemed meaningful in the grand scheme of this game.
Knocking the rust off
I wasn’t sure what we’d see from right tackle Dejon Allen after 17 weeks of watching from the sideline with a torn bicep, but I thought his return was extremely positive against an Elks’ defensive line that has been getting pressure lately.
Allen was called for one holding penalty when he essentially tackled Brandon Barlow on an inside move, but surrendered no other obvious pressure. The offensive line as a whole pitched a perfect game with no sacks allowed and got the push they needed in the ground game. Having two healthy elite starting tackles could be a profound luxury for the Lions in the postseason, and this was a great sign.
Punch the time card
Zander Horvath has gotten so much love for his finishing ability lately that I fear we’ve forgotten to give James Butler his proper due. The veteran running back had another classic outing against Edmonton, rushing for 82 yards on 15 carries and adding five catches for 23 more to tidily cross the century mark.
As has so often been the case this season, the offence didn’t really get going until Butler began to make his presence felt. His five-yard touchdown run and the ensuing two-point convert were hard yards that he had to grind out the old-fashioned way, but it gave this game a new tone. With November football on the prairies fast approaching, his time to shine is coming.
Complete package
Canadian linebacker Ben Hladik took a lot of heat in this column when the team was struggling early in the season, but he was exceptional in every facet on Friday.
Not only did the Vernon product make five defensive tackles and sack Cody Fajardo for a safety in perhaps his best defensive outing of the season, but he was also responsible for a whopping four tackles on special teams, as well. To cap it all off, he recovered the final onside kick for B.C. Talk about a complete game!
Voter’s block
As the CFL season draws to a close, members of the media across the country are tasked with selecting which players receive official accolades. The first stage of that process, team awards voting, began this week, with four members of the Football Reporters of Canada from each city giving their say on the team they cover, in addition to each head coach.
I have been privileged to be part of the B.C. contingent for the past few seasons, and this year’s ballot included several no-brainer selections. Nathan Rourke is the obvious dual nominee for Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Canadian — both awards he should win at the national level. Jarell Broxton is a shoo-in for Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman and might win that trophy as well. Robert Carter Jr.’s astounding feats of athleticism make him a lock as the Leos’ Most Outstanding Rookie.
The final two categories require a little more thought. Sean Whyte’s astounding field goal percentage will always make him a favourite for Most Outstanding Special Teams Player, but the fact that he has yet to connect from outside of 50 yards this season dampens his resume. In my eyes, Patrice Rene’s team-leading 20 tackles in kick coverage get him the nod, even if he’s been held off the stat sheet the past three games. Then, there is the dilemma of Most Outstanding Defensive Player…
Micah Awe’s sizeable lead in total defensive plays suggests that he’ll finish the CFL season atop that category, and he is the cerebral cortex of the defence. However, tackles are so often an inflated statistic for linebackers, and his limitations as a pass defender give me pause. Mathieu Betts is also well on his way to capturing another CFL sack crown thanks to his recent surge, but his quiet stretch early in the season still looms large.
Arguably, the Lions’ two most consistently high-level defensive performers are safety Cristophe Beaulieu and defensive tackle Jonah Tavai. Both have established themselves as elite players at their position and should get all-star votes from anyone who has bothered to watch the games, though they won’t have the counting stats for those who haven’t and have each missed time with injury.
With a Sunday night deadline fast approaching, I must say that I remain undecided on this final honour. I will milk every last minute in order to come to the best conclusion, but the difficulty of the choice is a testament to the defensive unit’s improvement.
Rub-a-dub-dub
Speaking of Tavai, the vertically-challenged defensive tackle was unable to finish this contest due to a leg injury, and wasn’t the only defensive lineman labouring. Levi Bell appeared to be playing through something himself and looked to be in visible discomfort after each rep in the second half.
Pierce could not provide an update on either player post-game, but acknowledged that their return to full strength is vital for the team.
“They’ve got to make sure that these next few days, they’re getting in the tub and getting what they need,” he said.
Legends walk amongst us
Congratulations to the 2025 class of the B.C. Football Hall of Fame, who were inducted prior to this contest. The Vanier Cup-winning 1986 UBC Thunderbirds went in under the team category, while offensive lineman Leo Groenewegen and defensive back Larry Crawford were honoured as professionals. Dr. Sean Graham and Jerome Erdman were enshrined in the amateur category, and Ron “Barney” Barnet entered the media wing. Jay Prepchuk and Heather Foster were deservedly recognized as builders, while regular reader of this column, Walter “Sarge” Becker, received the CFL Bob Ackles Award for his work as a coach and official. He now has to ref my high school game in the rain on Saturday, which doesn’t seem like a fair way to treat a legend.
On a sad note, the B.C. community has lost two coaches from that 1986 T-Birds team in the weeks since the Lions last played, with both defensive assistant Dave Easley and head coach Frank Smith passing away. I only had the chance to meet Smith briefly on one occasion, but I am one of hundreds of former athletes across this province and others who benefited from the trickle-down of his wisdom, as my old high school coach, Michael Mackay-Dunn, was a captain in his early years at UBC. His time there shaped his love of the game, which in turn shaped mine and led me to where I am today.
Watch your step
The Lions remain in control of their own destiny at 10-7 and need only to win the regular-season finale in Saskatchewan in order to clinch a home playoff game. That is a major motivating factor for a team that could hardly have conceived of that possibility two months ago.
“We want to play in front of our fans again, that’s really what it comes down to. We want to pack BC Place and play another game in front of our fans, for our fans,” Pierce stressed. “They’ve shown up for us all year, and we want to play in front of them again.”
The Riders will have nothing to play for in that game, but the Lions need to be extremely wary of looking past them. Corey Mace has a team that scraps regardless of circumstances, as evidenced by their B-squad’s narrow loss to Winnipeg in the early game on Friday, and B.C. has already fallen victim to Jake Maier once in 2025. This feels like that final uneven step on an old staircase — utterly meaningless until you blindly misjudge the change in height, stub your toe, and faceplant.
Nothing is assured, and everything still matters to get the easiest road to the promised land.
