Lions building around Nathan Rourke
Nicolas Hauka/ February 6th, 2025
“Having him here. He lives in the market. He is working and you know, at the end of the day, this is his team.” Neil McEvoy – Vice President of Football Operations
McEvoy said Rourke was brought in midway through last year and put in an incredibly difficult situation. Rourke was thrust into the starting lineup the same week he was re-signed by the club after playing down south in the NFL.
Rourke took over from an injured Vernon Adams Jr., but after struggling to return to his former Most Outstanding Player award-winning form, saw Adams Jr. take the job back from him come playoff time.
“Last year, being brought in when it was Vernon’s team. Everyone knew it, including Nathan. It’s tough,” remarked McEvoy on the situation.
Now, with Adams Jr. being shipped to the Calgary Stampeders, this is undoubtedly Rourke’s team. The quarterback will now have a full offseason to build chemistry with teammates and get on the same page with his offensive weapons, something the Lions organization is looking forward to.
“This year having Nathan at the helm and you know, the guys are buying in and we’re back to where we were in 2022, which was exciting for all of us because we think that Nathan and his team and with the addition of Buck Will you know, hopefully bring some good exciting football to BC Place,” McEvoy said.
Lions management thinks the addition of Buck Pierce as the team’s head coach will be massive for Rourke as he tries to return to his 2022 form.
Pierce is a former BC Lions quarterback. McEvoy said that his new head coach’s experience on the field will allow Pierce to see the game from a quarterback’s perspective, which will be instrumental in Rourke’s development.
Canadian Football analyst Gord Randall said he likes the moves the Lions have made thus far, such as making Pierce head coach and re-signing receivers Keon Hatcher and Justin Mcinnis, but said there’s much more to be done to ensure Rourke’s success.
“One of the things that continued to be really up and down last year was their offensive line play, and Nathan, at least the version of Nathan we saw last year, is less capable of covering for that,” said Randall.
“They need to shore up the offensive line; they need to figure out how to manage the interior, So they can figure out how to have some stability and start getting the run game going to support Rourke,” he continued.
McEvoy said the Lions will continue to make moves and acquire talent both through free agency and through the CFL Draft as the club works towards a bounce-back season.
No one knows what the final roster will look like, but one thing is for sure. A new era of BC Lions football is being ushered in, and for Nathan Rourke, “This is his team.”
The ball is back in Vernon Adams Jr’s hands after Lion’s recent struggles
Nicolas Hauka / October 17th, 2024
Rourke took over the starting job halfway through the regular season and days after being signed by the Lions because of an injury to Adams Jr. There was plenty of hype around Rourke’s return, but the offense just hasn’t looked the same since Adams Jr.’s injury. It’s something the Lions front office and coaching staff is very aware of but doesn’t blame Rourke for.
“He was thrown into the fire a little bit. He came here and three days later was playing a game. That probably wasn’t fair to anyone, but, you know, we had injuries. We felt that that was the best option at the time. And, you know, he’s gotten better each week and again, the offense as a whole just has not been able to produce.” Neil McEvoy BC Lions Co General Manager
This wasn’t the only thing working against Rourke. He was on multiple NFL team’s rosters during the preseason, and had to learn four separate offenses in the past calendar year, according to McEvoy.
Before the injury, the Lions held a 5-2 record, and Adams Jr. was a frontrunner for the league’s Most Outstanding Player award. The quarterback and wide receiver Justin McInnis were one of the league’s deadliest duos as Adams Jr. led the league in passing, and McInnis led the league in receiving yardage at the time. Since Adams’s departure, McInnis has been feeling the effects.
“McInnis has just about disappeared this back half of the season. He had a great rapport with Adams. Remember, he was on a record pace through the first six weeks or so before Vernon got hurt, and he’s been basically a complete non-factor for most of the second half of the season. That’s one of the big things that I think stand out to you,” said football analyst Gord Randall about the Lions’ wideout and offense’s struggles.
With the Lions having already secured the third seed in the West Division, this last regular season game will be the test to see if Adams Jr. can get back into a rhythm and lead the team on a run. For fans of Rourke hoping to see him get the nod for the team’s playoff matchup, experts say don’t hold your breath.
“You were able to justify keeping him in there (Rourke) because Vernon was still working his way back and wanting to give him time to get his feet underneath him. Now that you have made that switch, Despite the fact that this game doesn’t have a lot of consequences and standings, I think now that you have made that switch, I think you risk losing a chunk of the room,” said Randall regarding if Rourke will start come playoff time.
McEvoy said fans should expect to see other roster changes as the team attempts to find the right formula and build chemistry for their playoff matchup in the Western Semi-Final on November 2nd.
Hey Blue Bombers, what’s going on?
Since 2019, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers winning the west has been inevitable. After a loss this week to the Calgary Stampeders, the Bombers have now dropped to 0-4 to start the season.
Many may point to injuries to stars Kenny Lawler and Dalton Schoen for the teams’ early struggles, but I don’t believe that tells the whole story. Even before both stars went down something just seemed off with this usually dominant roster on both sides of the ball.
Offensive struggles
The Bombers offence has been like a well-oiled machine in years past. Every player’s skillset was used as a piece that perfectly fit offensive coordinator’s Paul LaPolice in 2019 and Buck Pierce’s puzzle ever since.
A nasty, physical offensive line paved the way for the likes of talented backs Andrew Harris and then Brady Oliveria to rack up yards on the ground. When defenses would respond by stacking the box to stop the run, good luck covering Lawler, or Schoen one on one down the field.
When the Bombers needed a big second down conversion and Lawler and or Schoen were doubled it was Nick Demski’s time to shine.
A savvy route runner, Demski has been incredible working the intermediate parts of the field and coming up with tough contested catches when the Bombers need him most.
This year the Bomber’s offence that has made moving the ball look effortless in years past, looks disjointed and moving the sticks consistently seems nearly impossible at times.
The Bombers run game they used to wear down opponents’ game after game has dissipated. Despite Oliveria missing only one game the Bombers rank 5th in the league in rushing with an average of 78.5 yards per game. That’s a far cry from their 139 per game they averaged last year.
Yes, losing Lawler in week one is bound to hurt, but the team managed to get by without him for almost the entire season last year. In two full games with Demski and Schoen healthy the passing attack was a far cry from its usual self. A team that finished the year second in passing last year averaging 278 yards per game, is dead last in the league with 229 per game.
In the clip above Collaros drops back to pass and throws the ball to Schoen running an out route from the slot. Schoen clearly has a step on his defender but doesn’t go the the ball and attack it for a sure touchdown. He instead waits for the ball to hit him in the numbers, allowing the play to be broken up.
With Montreal sending pressure, Collaros steps up and throws a perfect pass to Schoen streaking up the seam. What looks to be a sure touchdown falls right out of the hands of Schoen.
Desperately needing a big play with the game on the line against the Lions, Collaros calls Demski’s number like he’s done so many times before. Collaros throws a perfect pass to a wide open Demski but the ball slips right through his hands.
Plays like this and the Schoen mishaps above never seemed to happen in the past. Collaros and his star receivers were almost always on the same page, especially when the team needed it most. That offensive line that’s been a brick wall for Zach Collaros for years has shown some cracks early on and Collaros has looked sped up because of it.
In the past Collaros has been very underrated in his ability to get away from free rushers and extend plays, driving defensive lineman crazy in the process. This year Collaros hasn’t been able to show off his Houdini impression while under duress and it’s reflected on the scoreboard.
With the game on the line against Ottawa, Collaros has no time to step up in the pocket and deliver the go ahead score.
Even against a B.C. Lions team that has struggled to get to the quarterback Collaros goes down. Despite only being sacked once in this particular game, the Lions were able to impact the pocket enough to make Collaros uncomfortable.
Even when Collaros isn’t sacked he’s been impacted. Montreal sends five at Collaros with a backer end twist. Shawn Lemon (Usually an edge rusher but lined up at inside backer) loops outside and has a free run at Collaros. With Schoen wide open for a touchdown, Collaros under throws the ball with Lemon in his face, allowing safety Marc-Antoine Dequoy to under cut the route for an interception in the endzone.
Defence
Jackson Jeffcoat’s retirement has affected this defence even more than expected. A front four that wreaked havoc and terrified quarterbacks on every drop back just isn’t the same. Wille Jefferson is still good, but isn’t his usual unblockable self.
The team that could get home rushing just four and cause absolute chaos with their pressure package is no more. Line stunts, five, six man pressures the Bombers are trying it all but no one’s getting home. Look at the difference from just a year ago.
The Bombers defence terrorizing the Lions in the Western Final last year. All five rushers explode of the ball either collapsing the pocket or straight up beating the lineman in front of them. Despite Vernon Adams Jr being one of the best scramblers in the league he has no where to escape to and goes down.
In comparison in week 3 the Bombers send six at Adams. There’s very little penetration in the interior of the line which allows Adams to step up under pressure and uncork a bomb to Alexander Hollins downfield. Adams didn’t have that long to throw the ball most of the time against the Bombers when they only sent four rushers last year.
The lack of pass rush and loss of Demerio Houston has exposed this secondary. Having to cover for much longer than usual, the secondary has given up far too many big plays. A team that was number one against the pass last year only giving up 210 yards a game, has given up a league high 1105 yards through the air this year. Receivers aren’t just winning more tough contested catches against this secondary their running scot-free down the field against them.
Last season the Bombers secondary capitalized off of the play of the front four. With a defensive tackle in Adams face early in his drop, he’s forced to gets rid of the ball earlier than he’d like. Demerio Houston Jumps the route for a beautiful interception.
This year Adams has time to pump fake, step up in the pocket and deliver a deep ball to a wide open Hollins rather comfortably.
The Bombers miscommunicate a switch leaving Justin Hardy wide open in the endzone.
In 2023 the Bombers backers and d line were suffocating against the run. Finishing with a league best 88.8 yards a game. This year opposing running backs have been able to break big chunk runs against the Bombers front seven as they’re giving up the fourth most rushing yards in the league with 94.5 a game.
Chunk runs like this one by Bralon Addison are much more prevalent this year.
An extra 5.7 yards a game may seem like nothing, but not being able to stop the run when you need to get the ball back in order to win is a big problem.
Father time is unmatched and eventually in sports every team’s reign of dominance ends. Will this be the year the Bombers finally fall off? Or will they pull a 2011 B.C. Lions and completely turn things around? Only time will tell.
VARSITY LETTERS GUEST WRITTING
I had an incredible opportunity to guest write under Howard Tsumara for his website, Varsity Letters. Here’s my favorite article I had the privilege of writing.
No. 6 GIDGALANG KUUYAS NAAY 79 No. 3 ST. JOHN’S EAGLES 72
Nicolas Hauka
LANGLEY — The No. 6-seeded Gidgalang Kuuyas Naay Breakers have arrived at the B.C. 1 A provincial championships, hosted at the Langley Events Centre ready to play, showcasing a different style under Head Coach Desi Collinson.
”We play village basketball. We’re from Haida Gwaii. We played Haida-style right at the end of the day,” Collinson said after the Breaker’s 79-72 victory over the No.3 St John’s School Eagles, which propels them to the Final Four for the first time.
“Village Basketball” is an absolute joy to watch. The Breakers’ passion, physicality, and determination are unmatched. They give everything they have in every aspect of the game, and you can tell the game of basketball means so much to this team.
This style of play may not be anything Eagles Head Coach Jonathan Kinman and his team have seen all year, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t aware of what was coming. “Their physicality, we knew, was going to be an issue because we’re small and young.” Despite being undersized, led by Viv Anderson-Francois’s thirty-one points, the Eagles fought admirably all night. They gave it everything they had for four quarters, never shying away from contact.
There was never a dull moment in a thrilling game, where momentum changed seemingly every minute. After having a dead-even first quarter in which each team ended the frame with eighteen, the second quarter began with an 11-3 Eagles run. The Breakers roared back led by guard Greg Puterill and Loay Almahmiid’s six points apiece. Puterill, just an inch under six feet, may not be the tallest player on the court, but it’s clear he’s the strongest. Outmuscling opponents for rebounds and getting tough buckets at the rim, Puterill is a nightmare to play against. With Puterill finding his game in the last half of the quarter, the Breakers took a 39-37 lead into halftime.
The third quarter belonged to Francois. Francois started playing like a young man on a mission, with the Eagles trailing narrowly to start the second half. He drove fearlessly to the bucket and used his silky mid-range shot to a quarter-high twelve points. Unfortunately for the Eagles, that was the team’s only 12 points of the frame. Led by a balanced offensive approach, the Breakers took a 40-35 lead in the final quarter.
For the most part, the Breakers don’t play pretty basketball. The exception to this rule is guard and player of the game Levi Burton. Burton dazzles with his incredible handles, leaving his opponents behind and, on multiple occasions, flat on the floor. In an exceptional 9-point fourth quarter, Burton had his team in full command in the final minutes. With the Breakers up 9 with two minutes to go, the Eagles desperately needed a bucket. Queue the Anderson—Francois show.
Francois grabbed the ball, raced down the court, and drilled a three with a defender in his face. The Eagles, then forced to intentionally foul, sent Burton to the line. Burton went one of two from the line, and the Eagles had the ball again. Trying to give everyone Deja Vu, Francois sprinted down the court and hit another three from the same spot. With the score now 77-72 with a minute left, the Eagles had a chance. On an opportunity to bring it within one score, the ball spun out of the rim into Breaker’s hands. A couple of free throws later, and the game was over.
The Breakers were ecstatic after a thrilling win, but coach Collinson knows the journey isn’t done yet. “You know, I’m going to be a little more satisfied when we get to the finals, and we can win this tournament, right?” said Collinson after being asked how much this win meant for the small community’s team.
Now that their season is over, Eagles coach Kinman is looking forward to his young team’s future: “We’re really excited, and you know we wanted to go deeper to get that experience, but I, you know this will be fuel for next year.”
Now in their first final-four appearance ever, the Breakers will be playing for more than just each other as they move on in this tournament. “These guys know the colors that they’re representing, and that’s the beautiful thing because we practice culture. We live, and we breathe culture, and we know what we’re representing here at the end of the day,” remarked Coach Collinson when speaking about playing for the team’s tight-knit community.