(Image Credit: CFJC TODAY)
By Anthony Corea
LIONS IN LANGFORD

B.C. Lions excited to kick-off 2026 pre-season against Elks in Langford

May 22, 2026 | 6:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — After two weeks of training camp at Hillside Stadium, the BC Lions now prepare for their first pre-season game against the Edmonton Elks this Saturday (May 23). The team is hoping all the hours of hard work on the field will translate to their first in-game action since the Western Final last year.


“We’re ready to play somebody new,” said Lions Head Coach Buck Pierce. “You know, I think we’re 13 days in now, and we’re at a point now where we are ready to go see how the practices translate into a game. We’ve got some good young talent. Hopefully (players) go out there and showcase that.”

Pierce confirmed the Lions will be fielding a newer, younger lineup to start the pre-season. B.C. is bringing almost no projected starters to Vancouver Island this weekend.

“A lot of our veterans have been working pretty hard and doing a good job here throughout the first couple of weeks of camp,” explained Pierce. “[I’m] anticipating a fairly young group or a new group out there at Langford against Edmonton.”

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Mathieu Betts is one of those veterans who will not see the field on Saturday. The star defensive lineman is coming off a season when he was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player. Betts will be a big part of a Lions defense that’ll look to get off to a quick jump this year.

“It’s cool to be here working on schematics, working on technique and having a good time. But when we’re starting week two this year in [Saskatchewan], for us it’s going to be to play precise football with high energy,” said Betts, who recorded a league-leading 15 quarterback sacks in 2025. “If we do that, I mean, I think we have a fair shot against most of the teams in this league.”

Quarterback Chase Brice will be leading the Lions into Langford this weekend. Rookie Kaidon Salter and recent acquisition Jarret Doege are also expected to see action at QB.

by Anthony Corea

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