Jefferson, Harris, Riders' O-line get top marks in CFL's Week 9 honour roll
Jefferson earned a grade of 99.3 in the Blue Bombers' 40-31 win over visiting Toronto on Friday after posting a career-high four pass knockdowns along with a defensive tackle, a forced fumble and a strip sack resulting in a Bombers touchdown.
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Winnipeg Free Press
an hour ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Second chance sweet for Lawson Jr.
Dexter Lawson Jr. could be the scratch to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers' itch. The 25-year-old defensive back had just finished up a two-week stint with the Massachusetts Pirates of the Indoor Football League — about two hours north of his home in Bloomfield, Conn. — when the Bombers rang his line. Lawson, who was in training camp with Winnipeg this spring, was doing anything to stay ready for another opportunity, even if that meant playing the arena-based game for the first time. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive back Dexter Lawson Jr. said the timing of his inking a deal with the club 'worked out perfectly.' 'I said, 'Heck, why not?' I'm still active and things like that, just want to continue to run around and put the pads on while I wait for another opportunity to come around,' Lawson said earlier this week. 'That was my first experience in arena. It was different. It was a culture shock, to say the least, but it was definitely cool — another experience, another step in the journey. It's something I'm definitely appreciative of, because it's a part of my story. That's just the way the cards felt, and I'm just so grateful that I am where I am.' Perhaps that experience made inking a new contract with the Blue and Gold recently even sweeter. It's a scenario that Lawson said 'worked out perfectly,' as his last game with the Pirates was on July 25 and the Bombers called two days later to bring him back. A week later, Lawson is getting extensive run at field-side corner with the Bombers' first-team defence, signalling that he could be in line to suit up for the Bombers when they travel to face the Calgary Stampeders at McMahon Stadium on Saturday (6 p.m. CT). Winnipeg's defence is allowing explosive plays at an exorbitant pace and searching for some level of consistency at field cornerback. It's possible that they turn to the third-year pro for the fix. 'We're fortunate,' head coach Mike O'Shea said about Lawson still being available. 'He's in good shape. He had good eyes and made a nice breakup ball (Monday), and he had another one (Tuesday), and he lays off because it's going to be a hell of a collision if he tries to pick it. But I thought he had a hell of a break (on Tuesday), and probably could have got one, which would have been nice.' Lawson is maintaining a professional approach in his second stint with the club. 'I'll just try to make everybody else's job a lot easier, because I know what I can do, and I think that's my biggest asset, is just understanding the jobs of the people around me, so that way I can help where I need to and scratch where it itches,' he said. 'Wherever the guys need me to be at or however I could take some stress off of their plate, especially if I feel like my job is a little less tedious than theirs, I try to help them in that way.' Those are sweet words to halfback Evan Holm, who has watched a revolving door of players at field cornerback over the last two weeks. Marquise Bridges, who was cut on Wednesday, started the first six games of the year but was benched halfway through the Bombers' Week 8 road contest in Toronto. Rookie Trey Vaval replaced him but got nicked up, which forced Bridges back into action. Last week, amid several changes in the secondary, Jamal Parker Jr. started but exited the game early with a leg injury. Vaval once again jumped into action. Now it's perhaps Lawson's turn. He has the experience and the versatility that, Holm explained, have made for an easy transition. 'He's played half before, too, so he knows my struggles or things that are tough for me,' Holm said. 'So then he can play corner to help me out, and then that makes us stronger together, where new guys, you don't know what you don't know until you make those mistakes. So it's nice to have him. He's really smart, he's seen a lot of football, so he can play with his eyes a little bit more.' Ruth Bonneville / Free Press files Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive co-ordinator Jordan Younger said Dexter Lawson Jr. 'was one of the tough cuts in training camp' as the defensive back had made 'a lasting impression.' Lawson, who said his versatility is one of his best skill sets, made nine starts at field-side halfback and another seven at field-side corner during his two seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, recording 29 defensive tackles, one special teams tackle, and one interception. His traits were evident in training camp as he pushed for a roster spot in a crowded defensive back room. Lawson was among the last round of cuts entering the regular season. 'It was one of the tough cuts in training camp,' said defensive co-ordinator Jordan Younger. 'At the time, we were set with the people we had, but he made, obviously, a lasting impression. He was able to play at multiple positions, so he fits that mould of the type of player we like: easy to get along, does the work, self-motivated, has the skill athletically and, now, there was just a need.' A mutual interest remained. Lawson said he knew someone would eventually reach out for his services, and it was a bonus that it was the Bombers. 'It was a good feeling. Just going in, I knew that this team, it felt different throughout training camp. I even stayed in touch with the guys throughout the beginning of the season, just being positive about everything and things like that. So everything just kind of worked out how it was supposed to,' Lawson said. 'It's hard to explain. I think from day one, when I came here, just all the team camaraderie, everybody just being together and moving as a family, on and off the field, I think it's something that I like to be a part of and probably is the reason why we are so successful the past few years.' Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Lawson said he will be ready if his number is called on Saturday. Second chances like this don't happen for everyone. 'I like to think that no matter what opportunity I am given, I like to take full advantage of it,' he said. 'I'm understanding of this professional world that at the end of the day, all you can do is control what you can control, and then things after that, they fall where they land. We've seen plenty of guys who felt like they were good enough, or whatever the case may be, but politics are politics and some things that you just can't get away from. So as long as I'm putting my best foot forward, taking advantage of every opportunity that I get, I can't be mad at myself.' X: @jfreysam Joshua Frey-SamReporter Josh Frey-Sam reports on sports and business at the Free Press. Josh got his start at the paper in 2022, just weeks after graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College. He reports primarily on amateur teams and athletes in sports. Read more about Josh. Every piece of reporting Josh produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Queen City Ex attendance down 25% from 2024, as REAL changes reporting practices
This year's Queen City Ex (QCX) wrapped up on Aug. 3, after five-days of rides, live entertainment and food. (Sierra D'Souza Butts/CTV News) The Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL) has changed the way it records attendance — leading to reduced totals for this year's Queen City Ex (QCX). According to REAL, the 2025 Queen City Exhibition welcomed just under 74,000 fairgoers this year – marking a decrease from last year's scanned attendance of 102,000. 'Scanned attendance offers a reliable and verifiable measure of how many people actually attended the event — unlike broader promotional estimates,' REAL CEO Rick Bennet said in the announcement. In reference to the 'broader promotional estimates' — last year, REAL claimed that 262,720 people attended the Queen City Ex, which represents a margin of 160,720 attendees. As for the decrease of the more than 25,000 scanned attendees from 2024 to 2025 — the organization said several factors fed into that result, such as the Saskatchewan Roughriders playing an away game, the timing of the Saskatchewan Day holiday, the pause of community activations such as the Kidway Morning, Newcomers Day, the 5K Midway Run, as well as a delayed start to ticket sales. QCX event manager Cat Betker says advancements in technology are allowing the organization to be far more accurate in calculating attendance. 'It was a really common industry practice to kind of use this, almost like a multiplier … the technological systems have advanced so much that now we do have a really clear insight to how many people we have on property at any one time,' she explained. 'Whereas previously, if you didn't have [a] fancy, high tech, ticket scanning system or a way to control and manage people, you had to use these kinds of multipliers because that was your best estimate.' REAL has made headlines in recent years and not always for the right reasons. From the controversial Experience Regina tourism campaign to the removal of Tim Reid as president and CEO, to the organization's financial struggles — issues at REAL have been prevalent. Betker says her colleagues are excited for the future and eager to put past troubles behind them. 'We've been through a couple of very tumultuous couple of years, and I think we're all ready for things to settle down a little bit and kind of just get back to business and do the things that we do so well,' she said. 'There's been a lot of a lot of noise and a lot of media and realistically, you know, we're just trying to be that anchor in the community that is continually focused on delivering things that support the people that need it.' The 2026 Queen City Ex is slated to run from July 29 to Aug. 2.
CTV News
4 hours ago
- CTV News
Veteran quarterbacks Collaros, Adams poised to return to their respective teams
The Calgary Stampeders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers should have their offensive leaders back when they square off Saturday night at McMahon Stadium. Calgary starter Vernon Adams Jr. (head) was a full participant in practice Tuesday after missing the Stampeders' 31-11 loss to Ottawa last week. Ditto for veteran Bombers quarterback Zack Collaros (neck) after Chris Streveler got the start in Winnipeg's 40-31 win over Toronto on Friday night. This will mark the third meeting of the season between the West Division rivals, with Calgary (5-3) having won the previous two contests. The Stampeders are looking for their first series sweep of the Blue Bombers (4-3) since 2016. Calgary is also chasing its first victory in three games after consecutive losses to Montreal and Ottawa. Canadian receiver Clark Barnes (ankle) was a full participant in practice for the Stamps and could be available but Damien Alford (hamstring) was limited. Calgary has been solid 3-0 within its division while Winnipeg is 3-2. But since 2022 the Bombers are 7-3 versus the Stampeders, with Collaros sporting a 10-8 career record against them. What's more, veteran offensive lineman Stanley Bryant (ankle) was a full participant in practice Tuesday for the Bombers. Calgary will also have to be wary of Bombers returner Trey Vaval, who last week became the first Winnipeg player to return a punt and kickoff for touchdowns in the same game. Also, defensive lineman Willie Jefferson had four pass knockdowns, one short of the league record, and has 85 overall, good for third in CFL history behind Adrion Smith (90) and Eddie Davis (111). Last week's win halted a three-game losing streak for Winnipeg. Calgary's defence has been solid, having allowed just 18.8 offensive points per game and 11 offensive touchdowns — both league lows. Stampeders receiver Dominique Rhymes has scored touchdowns in each of his past three games. Facing Winnipeg has agreed with Adams Jr., who has thrown for 489 yards and five touchdowns in the previous two matchups. Adams Jr. has a career 6-3 record against the Bombers. Pick: Calgary. --- B.C. Lions versus Hamilton Tiger-Cats (Thursday night) At Hamilton, the Ticats (6-2) chase a seventh straight victory and second in as many meetings with B.C. (3-5). CFL passing leader Bo Levi Mitchell had 389 yards passing with three TDs in a 37-33 win over the Lions at B.C. Place Stadium on July 27. Kiondre Smith had 14 receptions for 138 yards and two touchdowns in that contest. Lions running back James Butler ran for 115 yards and two touchdowns against his former team and comes in as the CFL's leading rusher with 619 yards (5.5-yard average) and five touchdowns. The Lions average a league-best 5.7 yards per rush while the Ticats allow a CFL-high 5.4 yards per carry. B.C. also comes off the bye week — its last contest being the loss to the Ticats — and has won its last two games in Hamilton. Pick: B.C. --- Edmonton Elks versus Montreal Alouettes (Friday night) At Montreal, McLeod Bethel-Thompson of the Alouettes (6-2) and Cody Fajardo of Edmonton (1-6) face their former teams for the first time since being dealt for each other this winter. Bethel-Thompson is 1-2 versus Edmonton but Tyler Snead had 14 catches for 191 yards in his last two games for the Alouettes. Fajardo, who led the Als to the '23 Grey Cup, is 4-1 all-time versus the East Division squad. In his two starts this season, Fajardo has completed 79.3 per cent of his passes for 603 yards with three TDs and an interception. Pick: Edmonton. --- Ottawa Redblacks versus Toronto Argonauts (Saturday afternoon) At Toronto, the Argos (2-6) look to continue their mastery of the Redblacks (2-6), having won 19 of the previous 25 matchups since Ottawa entered the CFL in 2014. Starter Nick Arbuckle is second overall in passing yards (2,334) and TDs (13) but the Argos have allowed a league-high 23 sacks. Ottawa starter Dru Brown threw for 225 yards and two TDs in last week's win over Calgary with veteran receiver Eugene Lewis registering five catches for 110 yards, his 20th career 100-yard receiving performance. The Redblacks' defence did its part with three interceptions. The Argos are 1-3 within the East Division while Ottawa is 0-4. Pick: Toronto. Last week: 3-1. Overall: 21-14. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 6, 2025. Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press
