Calgary Stampeders welcome six newcomers to starting lineup vs. B.C. Lions

The Calgary Stampeders will open the 2023 CFL regular season by hosting the B.C. Lions at McMahon Stadium. The clubs met three times during the regular season in 2022 with Calgary losing twice.

Tempers boiled over during the their matchup on Sept. 17 when there was a postgame altercation in the parking lot at McMahon Stadium. The incident was tied to an on-field altercation during which Stampeders’ linebacker Cameron Judge punched Lions’ receiver Lucky Whitehead in the face, for which he was suspended one game.

Calgary visited the Lions in the West Semi-Final on Nov. 6 and lost the game by a score of 30-16. It marked the third consecutive season in which the Stampeders exited the first round of the playoffs.

Nine members of the Stampeders appeared on TSN’s top 50 CFL players list with running back Ka’Deem Carey being the highest-ranked player at No. 3. Four 3DownNation contributors completed ballots, including Calgary-based reported Ryan Ballantine.

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Calgary has won eight of its last ten home-openers, including last season when they defeated the Montreal Alouettes by a score of 30-27. Thursday’s game will mark the fourteenth time in franchise history that the Stampeders have played against the Lions in their season-opener. Calgary has a 7-5-1 record in the previous 13 meetings.

The Stampeders have won eight of their 10 most recent home-openers including a 30-27 victory over the Montreal Alouettes a year ago.

Starters who are newcomers from last year’s roster include offensive tackle D’Ante Demery (Edmonton Elks), receiver Clark Barnes (U Sports), defensive linemen James Vaughters (NFL) and Julian Howsare (Hamilton Tiger-Cats), linebacker Micah Awe (Montreal Alouettes), and defensive back Michael Griffin (NFL).

Zack Williams will miss the game due to an arm injury and has been replaced at left guard by Bryce Bell. The 25-year-old was a second-round pick in the 2021 CFL Draft out of Wilfrid Laurier University.

Ka’Deem Carey is listed as a backup running back but don’t expect him to spend much time on the bench as his status as a nationalized American will allow him to replace one of five designated nationals on the field.

Photo: Calgary Stampeders

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