Edmonton Elks dominate BC Lions 34-16 in CFL preseason opener

In the opening game of the 2026 CFL preseason for both teams, the Edmonton Elks showcased their depth and talent with a convincing 34-16 victory over the BC Lions at Starlight Stadium in Langford, B.C. Both teams were looking to make a strong impression as they kicked off their preseason campaigns, but it was the Elks who came out on top.

Elks Start Strong

The Elks wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, with Jesus Gomez kicking a 30-yard field goal on their opening drive to take a 3-0 lead. The Lions quickly responded, as Chase Brice connected with Hergy Mayala for a 14-yard touchdown, giving BC a brief 7-3 lead. However, that would be the last time the Lions held the lead, as Edmonton regained control with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Taylor Powell to Austin Mack before the end of the first quarter.

Offensive Firepower

Edmonton continued to build their lead in the second quarter, with Cole Snyder sneaking in for a one-yard touchdown. After a field goal from BC’s Mark McNamee, the Elks went into halftime leading 17-10. The third quarter saw Snyder connect with Jalon Calhoun for a 41-yard touchdown, extending the Elks’ lead to 24-10.

In the fourth quarter, Gomez added another field goal, and rookie Carter Kettyle capped off the scoring with a spectacular 58-yard touchdown reception from Zach Zebrowski. The Lions managed a late field goal, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap.

Defensive Dominance

Defensively, the Elks were impressive, holding the Lions to just 289 total yards and recording five pass knockdowns. Jaaron Joseph led the way with five tackles, while Justin Pace added a sack on Lions quarterback Kaidon Slater.

Despite the loss, the Lions had some bright spots, including a solid performance from Brice, who finished 8 of 10 for 71 yards and a touchdown. Jayden Williams led all receivers with 53 yards on three catches, while Ralen Goforth anchored the defense with seven tackles.

Looking Ahead

With this victory, the Elks will look to build on their momentum as they prepare for their next preseason game against the Calgary Stampeders on May 29. Meanwhile, the Lions will return to Kamloops for training camp, focusing on improving their performance ahead of their next matchup. Both teams have plenty to work on, but the preseason is just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting CFL season!