The Edmonton Elks defeated the BC Lions for their first win of the season 21-16 on Thursday Night Football.
The Lions took a 3-0 lead a minute into the first quarter on a 49-yard field goal by Jimmy Camacho. With 10:20 left in the first quarter, BC Lions punter Stefan Flintoft punted the ball into the endzone. The Elks punt return team did not return the ball out of the endzone, therefore awarding a single point to the opposing team. Single points are awarded when a ball goes into the endzone, and the opposing team does not return the ball. The point went the BC Lions and led 4-0.
The Elks cut the Lions lead to one with eight minutes left in the first quarter when Sean Whyte kicked a 52-yard field goal. The game remained 4-3 after the first quarter ended.
The Elks took a 10-4 lead with 10:40 left in the second quarter when quarterback Trevor Harris found Mike Jones for a ten-yard touchdown pass.
Three minutes before halftime, the Lions gave up a safety after punter Stefan Flintoft took a knee in the endzone. The score was now 12-4 Edmonton. The Elks added three more points on the board with three seconds left in the second quarter to take a 15-4 lead at halftime.
In the third quarter, Edmonton kicker Sean Whyte kicked a 52-yard field goal with 11:54 left that extended the Elks lead 18-4.
With 8:19 left, BC Lions kicker Jimmy Camacho’s 43-yard field goal cut the Elks lead 18-7. Towards the end of the third quarter, the Lions got back into the game with 3:18 left on a Mike Reilly one-yard touchdown run. The Lions went for a two-point conversion but failed. They now trailed by five points 18-13.
In the fourth quarter, the BC Lions pulled within two points on a Jimmy Camacho 29-yard field goal to make it 18-16 with 10:55 left.
With 8:27 left in the fourth quarter, Elks kicker Sean Whyte added another field goal, this time a 38-yard field goal for a 21-16 lead.
Late in the game, Edmonton kept handing the ball off to James Wilder, who was the star of the game. When the Lions took possession, they were unable to move down the field. Edmonton controlled the game with under three minutes left to secure its first win of the season 21-16 over the BC Lions.
Edmonton Elks quarterback Trevor Harris finished the night 26/31 for 296-yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Elks running back James Wilder led the team in rushing with 22 carries for 127-yards. Wide Receiver Greg Ellington led the team in receiving yards with nine receptions for 148-yards. Elks kicker Sean Whyte scored the most points for Edmonton with four field goals. The Elks defense sacked Mike Reilly three times; two of them were from Jake Ceresna.
BC Lions quarterback Mike Reilly finished the night 15/25 for 128-yards and one rushing touchdown. Running back Shaquille Cooper led the team in rushing with six carries for 35-yards. Lions receiver Lamar Durant led the team in receiving with four receptions for 53-yards. Kicker Jimmy Camacho kicked three field goals. The Lions’ defense did not record a sack and intercepted Harris one time.
The Edmonton Elks head to Toronto next Thursday night to take on the Argonauts at 7:30 pm on ESPN+. Meanwhile, the BC Lions are back on the road to take on the Ottawa Redblacks next Saturday, August 28th, at 7 pm on ESPN+.
