Five takeaways as Calgary Stampeders pummel Edmonton Elks in final preseason game
A first-play first down followed by a first-drive touchdown.
That's the way to get the home fans feeling good about the Calgary Stampeders for the 2025 Canadian Football League campaign.
Even better was parlaying that early success into a convincing win over the rival Edmonton Elks in the CFL pre-season final for the Stampeders — a 31-4 decision Saturday night in front of 15,531 fans at McMahon Stadium.
Strong performances? Check.
A desired result? Double check.
The Elks didn't offer much in the way of starters — 40 rookies peppered the visiting team's roster — but it still makes for a feel-good start for a franchise in need of it this season.
And with that the Stampeders are off to the regular season — with a monster break between now and their first game Saturday, June 7 against the visiting Hamilton Tiger-Cats at McMahon (5 p.m., CHQR 770 AM/107.3 FM the Edge, TSN).
Here are five takeaways from the Stamps win in Langford, B.C. …
1) BIG-START V.A.
Fans at McMahon got their first look at Vernon Adams Jr., and the much-heralded quarterback acquired in the off-season strutted his wares.
The prized QB — nicknamed 'Big-Play V.A.' — was gunning right from the start and moving the ball with authority, instantly wiping away the stumbles seen at the position of previous years which have maligned the offence.
Points were scored on all three drives Adams engineered — a couple of touchdowns on QB sneaks by fellow pivot Logan Bonner and a 52-yard field-goal bombed by veteran kicker René Paredes.
After that, it was P.J. Walker's chance to show his wares at quarterback for the Stampeders. And he marched the club downfield on a handful of drives, hooking up with receiver Daylen Baldwin on a 13-yard TD on a third-and-long gamble in the fourth quarter.
Josh Love mopped up at QB for the Stamps.
2) RUN, JESHRUN, RUN!
Running back Jeshrun Antwi looked right at home in his return to McMahon a few years after starring for the U SPORTS' Calgary Dinos.
The local product, who's put together some early-career success in his first few CFL seasons, signed with the Stamps over the winter in hopes of catching on in the backfield.
After Saturday's showcase, it looks like he's got a gig with the Red and White.
His Canadian citizenship helps, but Antwi's performance — hitting holes with patience and dialling up the speed in the open field — did plenty to help his case. Antwi's actions were part of the larger success put in by all the running backs on the night.
American back Eno Benjamin was also dynamic, making a brave catch off an Adams' shovel-pass as part of his solid effort. He also had a dynamic punt return — or two — on the evening, as did receiver Terrell Vaughn.
3) O-LINE, OH YEAH!
It's hard to have that kind of success from the backfield without a contribution from the offensive line.
And so the Stamps got that, too, with a young but experienced bunch pushing around the Elks defensive line in the trenches.
For the early drives, it was centre Rodeem Brown, guards Zack Williams and Christy Nkanu and tackles D'Antne Demery and Josh Coker — a could-be starting five on the o-line.
Later on, the others stepped up and continued the excellence and their own individual pushes for roster spots.
Bryce Bell, a third-year centre pencilled in at that position, missed the pre-season due to injury. So he'll add more experience to a unit that's gelled well through training camp.
4) DEFENSIVE DECISIONS
With pretty much an entirely new defence set to be in place for the Stampeders, there are plenty of decisions to be made.
And those who got the reps Saturday didn't do the coaching staff any favours. There were simply many gamers.
Returnee Clarence Hicks, fellow defensive end Shaun Peterson Jr. — with speed and a sack — middle linebacker Marquel Lee and defensive back Jeremy Lucien were among the staunch performers.
5) FLAG-FREE STAMPS
The Stampeders put up another disciplined display of football, just as they did a week ago in the 26-16 win over the host BC Lions on Vancouver Island.
That wasn't the case on the Elks' side of the field, however.
The difference perhaps in why the Stamps haven't taken many penalties was the extended training camp visit of former CFL referee Bud Steen. The Edmontonian came to Calgary to help the Red and White in practice, helping to quickly acquaint the many new players to the team — especially those more familiar with the American game — to the Canadian rules.
It seems to have helped big-time for the Stamps, and that should put them ahead of other clubs early in the regular schedule.
tsaelhof@postmedia.com
http://www.x.com/ToddSaelhofPM
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