Mike Reilly in a game at B.C. Place Stadium during the 2019 season (Image Credit: B.C. Lions)

By Chad Klassen

CFL RETURN

CFL schedule released, Lions to take full advantage of Kamloops training camp

Jun 15, 2021 | 5:27 PM

It will be Aug. 6 when the B.C. Lions play for real again in Saskatchewan. The Leos travel to the Prairies for the season-opener against the Riders.

The players and coaches, who haven’t been part of a CFL game since Nov. 2, 2019, are jacked to get back.

“I think you’re going to see an enthusiastic group — players, coaches, everybody — just to get back out there and playing football again. That’s what I’m looking forward to,” said Lions head coach Rick Campbell, who has yet to coach in a game with B.C., despite being hired in December 2019.

The CFL announced on Monday the official approval of a 14-game season starting Aug. 5 with a 2019 Grey Cup rematch between Hamilton and Winnipeg.

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For the Lions, the journey to the August start will begin in Kamloops July 10 when they kick off training camp at Hillside Stadium. While everyone’s been off, head coach Rick Campbell will take advantage of every day they have here.

“We’re going to practice fast and it’s going to be competitive,” said Campbell. “It’s not so much the physical part of it. It’s more the sped and doing all those things. We’re going to have to make the most of every practice because one part is we’re playing less games — every game is magnified more — and then the other part is no preseason.”

Most of the players trained both last year and this year as if there would be a season, but they also realize it’ll take some time to get into football shape.

“I feel like at the start of camp and maybe the start of the season, it always starts off a little slow — I feel like more for the offense to get into that midseason form, so I feel like it might take a bit longer now,” said Lions receiver Lemar Durant. “But it all depends on the guys, right? If you were a guy that was putting in work and taking this seriously and treating it like it’s your job, even though we weren’t playing, you’ll be prepared and you’ll pick it up quick.”

The Lions’ first home game is Aug. 19 against the newly-named Edmonton Elks, but they’re on the road for three of the first four weeks. It means the limited fan capacity — capped at about 5,000 in August — will only be in place for the one game.

When the Lions host Ottawa on Sept. 11, the province will be presumably open and the team is hoping to be at full capacity.

“There would be nothing like a full 25-26,000 people having a beer and hot dog and cheering on the Lions. It’ll be great,” said Lions President Rick Lelacheur.