‘We’ve got to turn it around now’: Bond of B.C. Lions talks urgency after slow start

“You’ve got to really want it,” Bond said. “Some guys have got to want it more maybe. I know I’ve got stuff I’ve got to work on, too.”

The team’s record should be enough to spur urgency, with the Lions languishing at the bottom of the West Division and tied with the Ottawa Redblacks in the CFL basement.

General manager Ryan Rigmaiden underscored the state of exigency on Monday, when he fired special teams coordinator Cory McDiarmid.

“Based off today and how practice went, I would say it’s ramping up, for sure,” Bond said. “It was an intense practice. Right from the jump, from morning meetings, guys are ready. We’re ready to go.”

The Calgary Stampeders (2-2) spoiled the Touchdown Kelowna party last weekend, prevailing 41-33 over the Lions at the Apple Bowl, thanks in part to B.C. special teams’ gaffes.

Bond, who plays on all five special-teams units, was asked how the departure of McDiarmid is resonating.

“It’s tough, but yeah, it’s pro sports,” said Bond, a South Kamloops secondary graduate. “Anything can happen on any given day. You’ve got to be flexible and kind of work around it. He’s a great guy. I loved having him as a coach, but I can only control what I can control. We’ve got a bunch of other coaches ready to step up.”

The Lions – 0-3 for the first time since 2019 – are scheduled to play the undefeated Edmonton Elks (3-0) on Saturday (July 4) in Kelowna, with game time slated for 4:00 p.m. at the Apple Bowl.

“The nice thing is I know that we have the guys on the team to be able to win every single game,” Bond said. “We’ve just got to put it all together. It hasn’t happened yet. Our practices keep getting better. The energy is better. The flow is better. All these little things that are keys to winning these big games are coming together.”

Bond is relishing the opportunity to play in Kelowna, where he starred for the Okanagan Sun during his tenure in the B.C. Football Conference.

The crowd of more than 19,000 fans last weekend included about 35 of his friends and family members.

“It was an amazing atmosphere,” Bond said. “All the guys loved it.”

How the Lions reflect on their two-game stay in the Little Apple will be influenced heavily by the outcome of the contest this weekend.

They are in urgent need of a win.

“We have the guys to do it,” Bond said. “I believe that. Everybody believes that. We’ve got the coaches to do it. Everybody believes that. It’s just got to start now.”

by Marty Hastings

‘We’ve got to turn it around now’: Bond of B.C. Lions talks urgency after slow start

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