The Calgary Stampeders finished the preseason on a high note after dominating the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 31-10.
Jake Maier got the start for the final preseason game Friday night. Maier was solid, completing 4 of 5 passes for 92 yards including a 53-yard touchdown pass to Cameron Echols.
Matthew Shiltz rounded out the half at quarterback. Shiltz had a slow start going 2 for 6 to start. Playing only the first half Shiltz completed 5 of 13 passes for 101 yards. The last score of the half came after Shiltz nearly threw an interception at the Bomber goal line, leading to a Stampeders field goal.
Logan Bonner started the 2nd half going 3 for 3 on a 5 play 83 yard drive which ended with a 16 yard touchdown pass to Peyton Logan. Bonner finished his day completing 6 of 9 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown.
Kyle Vantrease played the 4th quarter. He put up 62 yards completing 4 of his 5 passes.
As a team the Stamps lit up the Blue Bombers secondary, none of whom are expected to start week one of the regular season. The 4 quarterbacks completed 19 of 32 passes for a whopping 380 passing yards. Blue Bomber quarterbacks were not so lucky. Terry Wilson and Darren Grainger completed 11 of 23 passes combined for 83 yards with 2 interceptions.
Running Backs
Dedrick Mills started at running back but was unable to make much happen early on. The only noteworthy pickup Mills made in the first quarter was on a backfield pass which was called back on a holding call. Mills finished the day with 22 yards on 6 caries, his longest going 15.
LeVante Bellamy entered in the second quarter, picking up 13 on his first carry. Bellamy and Mills split the duty for the second quarter, while Bellamy split the second half with Peyton Logan. On the day Bellamy had 58 yards on 13 carries and one rushing touchdown. He was targeted on two passes but had no receptions.
Peyton Logan had 8 carries good for 43 yards.
In the search for Ka’Deem Carey’s replacement there is stiff competition. Dedrick Mills is expected to start but LeVante Bellamy and Peyton Logan have each made a solid case for themselves. Through the preseason Bellamy has 92 yards on 19 carries. Peyton Logan has 79 yards on 17 carries.
Despite several promising drives the Stampeders were unable to break the goal line in the first half, reminiscent of their 2023 woes when Rene Parades led the CFL in field goals as a result of their continual failure to finish drives. Campbell Fair, who was kicking Friday night, went 5 for 5, his longest being 34 yards.
First Round to Final Roster
Near the end of the third quarter 4th overall pick in the 2024 draft Ben Labrosse picked off Terry Wilson on a low pass. Labrosse was in the game for punt returns and kickoffs and did not line up with the defense until the last 2 minutes of the first half. Labrosse was on the field when the Calgary defense dragged down quarterback Darren Grainger in the endzone for a safety. He finished the game with one tackle in addition to his interception.
Tyler Richardson also got a pick off Wilson on a tipped pass on the sideline.
Easily the most consistent target for Stampeder quarterbacks was rookie receiver Cameron Echols. Targeted 10 times Echols-Luper made 8 receptions for 160 yards with 40 YAC. Echols led the Stampeders in receptions, targets and receiving yards last week against BC as well. Standing 6 feet, 195 pounds the Texan has proven himself through preseason. Where he lands on the opening day lineup remains to be seen but he has shown he deserves a place in the locker room.
The Stampeders season starts June 7th when they play host to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
