Lions open season against Stampeders
Posted June 28, 2013 7:38 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
CALGARY, AB (NEWS1130) – The BC Lions meet the Calgary Stampeders in their season opener tonight and they’ll do so without a pair of veterans. Centre Angus Reid and kicker Paul McCallum will sit out with injuries.
Reid is recovering from a back injury and Matt Norman will fill in for him. Norman made seven starts last year in his rookie season and is expected to replace Reid when he eventually retires.
McCallum suffered a groin injury during warm-up in the Lions final pre-season game against Edmonton last week. Hugh O’Neill will handle all the kicking duties in his place. O’Neill will likely be in charge of punting and place-kicking this season, while McCallum will focus on field goals.
The Lions will have a different look to their receiving core this season. Veterans Geroy Simon and Arland Bruce left in the off-season and their roles will be filled by Nick Moore and Courtney Taylor. The Leos will also get Emmanuel Arceneaux back after he spent two years bouncing around the NFL. The deep threat starred with the Leos from 2009-2010.
Travis Lulay will return as BC’s clear-cut starting quarterback but the depth chart looks a little different behind him. Last year’s third-stringer, Thomas DeMarco replaces Mike Reilly as Lulay’s back-up. Reilly was traded to Edmonton in the off-season. The Lions also have former Winnipeg Blue Bombers back-up Joey Elliott on the roster.
The game will serve as a distraction for football fans in Calgary as the city continues to work on cleaning up after massive flooding.
The Lions will be looking for redemption after losing to the Stampeders in the West Final last year.
Kick-off at McMahon Stadium is 7 p.m.
For up to the minute Sports coverage, you can follow us on Twitter @News1130Sports or subscribe to breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox. We also have sports reports at :15 and :45.
